Page 48 of Magic or Madness

I hold Fallon close, keeping her body warm with mine, and anyway I hold her, she fits beside me like a perfect puzzle piece.

Oliver has his arm draped around a tall brunette, and her heels click obnoxiously on the cement as she stumbles over each and every crack on the sidewalk.

“They actually got dates,” Fallon whispers, unable to contain her laughter.

“I told you.” I wink at her, helping her into the back row of the van, a spot that’s become ours to snuggle and talk with privacy.

“Hi, I’m Pepper,” the blonde says, scooting next to Fallon and me, instantly popping our bubble.

“Pepper? Like the spice?” I ask, and Fallon elbows me in the ribs with a glare in her eyes I rarely ever see directed my way.

“That’s a cute name. I’m Fallon.” The girls chat for the rest of the ride, while Oliver’s date has no interest in any of us, only shoving her tongue down his throat while Max drives this wild bus back to the dealership.

When we get back, Journey sulks in the corner with Max, watching the couples mingle and pour drinks.

Fallon andthe spice girlhave hit it off, making quick friends, while Oliver has already taken his date back to his room, and I can’t hide my excitement, knowing Fallon is going to get to experience the show from the opposite side of the door for the first time.

Every time I’m with Fallon, I know what the guys are doing in the next room, but I’ve never gotten the chance to explain it. Now, she’s about to be catapulted into a one-of-a-kind tradition, solidifying her place within our circle.

“Come on, Pepper. Let’s get you a little more comfortable.” Lex steps in, escorting his date to his room.

“Bye, Paprika!” I call out, and Lex shakes his head as he closes the door behind them.

I lead Fallon to the couch, as Journey and Max find their own seats, everyone waiting for the show to begin.

“Wait, are we going to listen to them have sex?” Fallon whispers, a concerned look plastered on her face.

“What do you think these weirdos do when it’s us?” I smile, and her eyes widen while her cheeks turn bright red.

“This is … invasive.” She glances around the room, looking mildly uncomfortable until I pull her onto my lap.

“Relax, Bambi. I promise you’ll understand once they really get going.” I laugh, and Max pours us all a drink, toasting to the happy couples while we wait for the fireworks.

Oliver’s girl is first, her moans echoing throughout the common room, and Journey kicks off the commentary.

“He’s eating her out, for sure. No foreplay isn’t Oliver’s style.”

Max nods in agreement, and Fallon slowly realizes what is happening.

“Are we guessing what they’re doing? Oh my god. Did they guess what we were doing?” She knocks her shot back in record time and buries her face into my chest in an attempt to hide her embarrassment.

“Oh, here goes the spice girl. Looks like we have a competition going.” Max laughs, and Fallon slowly starts to come around, letting herself have a little fun.

“Pepper and Lex will be done first.” She guesses, a slight grin on her face.

“That’s my Bambi,” I whisper in her ear, rubbing my hand on her thigh.

It’s not the best party game, and may be considered weird by most, but it’s entertaining, and it stems from the fact we’ve all been living together, like brothers, for years. It’s comparable to college, except instead of struggling through classes, we’re involved in criminal activities.

“Lex is totally drilling her from the back, her voice has to be driving him insane,” Journey notes, and we all laugh, knowing that Lex is our certified quiet guy.

Somehow, he can always bring home a girl, but by the end of the night, he calls them a cab and pretends it never happened. Oliver is more of the sleepover kind, and usually, we get a morning show, his special way of thanking his female guests.

“Oliver’s girl is on top,” I say, but Fallon shakes her head, surprisingly disagreeing with me.

“No way. Those noises are from a pillow princess. She’s totally faking her way through it,” she counters, and Max’s eyes widen.

“And you know this … from experience?” He asks, his eyes shifting to me.

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