Page 152 of Something Rad
Jesus Christ.
I try to look to Robbie for any possible out from whatever this situation is about to be, but Denise is clasping both of our wrists in her hands before I even get a chance to turn my head.
“Just in time for what?” I ask her, shifting uncomfortably.
“Spin the Bottle, of course,” she says, a devilish grin pulling at her baby pink lips.
I instantly feel my heart sink, my throat drying. I successfully glance up at Robbie, but he doesn’t offer any help, his expression stoic as he stares back at Denise. Something about that frustrates me, and I find myself letting out a harsh breath. “Do any of your party gamesnotinvolve swapping spit?” I ask.
“None of the fun ones,” Denise replies with a wink, tightening her hold on our wrists and dragging us over to the circle of people sitting on the floor. She ends up plopping each of us down a few people apart from each other, then reclaims her own seat, creating a perfect triangle between the three of us. I glance between Denise and Robbie, and then down at my wringing hands and try not to think of the ridiculous irony of this situation.
My eyes eventually settle on Robbie, and I desperately try to send a telepathic message to him, telling him I want out of this, but he’s not looking at me. He’s too busy running his hand through his hair and talking with Brad to his left. I blow out a breath, setting my hands flat on the floor to force myself to my feet, but pause when I feel a tap on my shoulder.
I turn to see Paul behind me. He bends down, his hazel eyes becoming level with mine. “Hey, Cooper,” he says. My brows pull together, a weird feeling settling in my stomach at him calling me that.
“Um, hi, Paul,” I say. “What’s up?”
“You just looked like you could use one of these,” he says, holding up a green bottle. He hands it to me and I realize it’s a Bartles and Jaymes wine cooler.
“Oh, I don’t–” I’m about to say that I don’t drink, but the sandpaper feeling in my throat and the anxiety of the current situation stops me. “Thank you,” I say instead, taking a long drink from the bottle. I don’t know what to expect from it, but it definitely isn’t the sweet citrusy flavor that bursts on my tongue and tastes absolutely nothing like alcohol. My cheeks instantly warms as I down nearly half the bottle in a few gulps. “Mmm,” I hum, pulling the bottle away and licking the few drops that escape off my lips.
Paul lets out a chuckle. “You like that?” he asks.
I nod. “It’s really good.”
“Well, here,” he says, holding up a second bottle. “I was bringing this to Ginger, but how about I just tell her we ran out?” He sets the bottle down to the side of my left thigh as I take another drink. “You’ll be done with that one in no time.”
I swallow, smiling at him. “Thanks.”
Paul suddenly reaches up, swiping at the corner of my mouth with his thumb. I stiffen in surprise as he wipes away the drop of wine cooler. “Anytime, Sara,” he says, smirking at me before standing up straight again.
I immediately take another drink from the bottle, finishing it.Geez, these go down easy. I reach for the second bottle, twisting off the cap. I take a sip, my eyes closing as the flavor and warmth rushes through me once again. When I open my eyes again, however, the warmth turns to a blistering heat when I find Robbie shooting daggers at me from across the circle, his jaw working.
Double dark chocolate, I instantly think.
I tilt my head at him as a way of questioning him, but he doesn’t acknowledge it, his fists clenching at his side. Paul takes a seat to his right, and I watch as Robbie's head flicks in his direction for a fraction of a second before he turns his glare back on me. My lips part, a question starting to form, but it doesn’t get the chance to as Denise calls my name.
“Saraaa!”
My head turns away from Robbie, finding Denise across the circle. “Yeah?”
She pushes forward onto her knees, crawling towards the middle of the circle. “C’mon, Madam President,” she says, pushing the empty wine bottle on the floor in my direction. “Your turn.”
My head shakes automatically. “Uh– Yeah, no. I’m okay.”
“Really?” Denise frowns. “You don’t want to spin?”
“No, thanks.” I can feel Robbie’s stare, but I refuse to look at him, taking another drink of my wine cooler.
“Suit yourself,” Denise says, shrugging. “Guess I’ll go then.” She gives the bottle a sharp twist with a flick of her pink painted nails then sits back on her heels. The bottle is a blur, making several rotations before it eventually starts to slow. I feel goosebumps rise on the back of my neck.What a stupid, ridiculous game. I shake my head, raising my bottle to take another sip. But then the game bottle comes to a stop.
And so do I.
I follow the line of the bottle with my eyes, raising them at a snail’s pace to see it pointing directly at Robbie’s chest.
My mouth opens and closes several times.
I find Robbie looking at Denise. So I look at Denise.
