Page 166 of Zero Chance

I looked at Keene, who lifted his eyebrows right back, and suddenly it felt as if all our plans weremydecision to make.I mutely shrugged and nodded to Xander.

And just like that, she was in.“Okay,” she said, popping to her feet and bringing the blanket she’d been snuggled under with her.

Which convinced Alec to agree to go as well.Grabbing his bag of Twix bars, he stood, claiming, “Why not?”

Keene whooped and grabbed my hand.“Alright!Let’s go.”

As we passed through the kitchen, Alec said, “Oh, hey.Should we take some refreshments along?”He detoured toward a far cabinet door and swung it open, pointing up toward a menagerie of alcohol on the top shelf.Spreading his hand over the display, he asked, “Anyone?Anyone?”

Xander made a face and touched her stomach.“I’m still holding off for another two months until I get the all-clear from my transplant doctor.”

“Oh shit.Right.Forgot about that.”Alec shut the cabinet door immediately.“I’ll stay sober with you, in solidarity.”And he opened the refrigerator to grab a handful of water bottles from inside.

Keene glanced at me, however.“What about you?You want anything?”

I opened my mouth, not sure how to answer.I wouldn’t even know what to request if I said yes.It was on the tip of my tongue to just decline when his eyes flared.

“Holy shit.Youhavehad alcohol before, right?”

I winced, feeling inept and inexperienced.

“Seriously?”Xander cut in, gaping at me now as well.“How is that even possible?”

The total lack of a social life, I wanted to answer but knew that would only make me look twice as bad, so I just shrugged and mumbled, “I don’t know.”

“That’s it,” Keene announced.“We’re getting Waverly drunk tonight.What do you think, Girl Union?”he asked Xander as he brushed past Alec to reopen the cabinet.“Wine?Moscato maybe?Or should we mix something girly up in a to-go cup for her?”

“Ooh, moscato all the way,” Xander nodded before glancing at me and whispering, “Trust me.You’ll like it.”

All the while, Alec gaped at me.“Have you really never drank before?”When I shook my head, he groaned and slapped both hands to the top of his head.“Oh God.I feel like such a bad influence right now.”

“Dude, whatever.”Keene rolled his eyes and ignored his best friend as he pulled what looked like a wine bottle down and turned to me, grinning big.“This’ll be fun.”

But seeing it made me gulp in doom.“Actually, I’m fine without drinking.”

“Nonsense.”Keene waved a hand as if it were nothing.“This is perfect.Alec and Xander are already going to be sober, and I’m driving, so I can’t drink either, meaning you’ll have all three of us to watch over you and make sure nothing bad happens.”

“Oh,you’redriving, huh?”Alec asked.“Since when did we agree to that?”

“I’m sorry,” Keene drew out sarcastically, turning to him with arched eyebrows.“Didyouwant to drive?”He snorted.“Think all four of us can fit on the back of your bicycle?”

“Hey, suck it, motherfucker.”Alec shot him a dirty look as he flipped Keene off, while Xander spoke up.

“I could drive.”

Only for Keene to yell above everyone else.“I’mdriving, dammit.”Turning back to me, he huffed out an annoyed breath only to calm down again as soon as he looked at me.“As I was saying, you’ll be in a safe environment, so you don’t have to worry about anything happening to you while you’re impaired.Plus, I promise we’ll cut you off by eleven so you’ll have two hours to sober up again before you go home.So…” He lifted his hands, still holding the moscato by the neck.“This is honestly as good a time as any for you to dip your toe into adult beverages.”

Nodding, Xander sent me a look.“Hate to admit it, but he’s kind of right.”

“Holy shit.Whatwas that?”Keene cupped a hand to his ear and gaped at her.“Did Girl Union just say I was…right?”

Glaring back dryly, she narrowed her eyes and deadpanned, “Don’t worry.It’ll never happen again.”

Laughing, he swung an arm over my shoulders and hauled me close, claiming, “Never say never.”

Kissing my temple, he pulled us out the back door.

It felt so normal.So natural.Just four friends hanging out on a Friday night.And I was being included.

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