Page 67 of Giving In

Emily giggles and lets him pour some in her mouth.

Chris grabs a card as well. He doesn’t even read it out loud and just takes a shot of tequila.

“Tell us!” Camila insists when she sees him put the card down.

He simply smiles and shakes his head, putting the card on the table, facing down. No one protests again as if Chris’s decisions are incontestable.

Everyone turns to me and I have to take a deep breath before drawing a card. The colors must drain from my face because I spot Camila’s and Beth’s sneers straight away. I have to scratch my throat before speaking out loud.

“Let...um...let one person in the group slap you as hard as they can on the ass or finish your drink.”

There’s a quick giggle around the table, probably at my flushed face.

“I’m happy to oblige, Goody. You certainly deserve it,” Jake says loud enough for everyone to hear. My throat is too dry to reply to him, but I don’t miss Camila’s confused scowl at her boyfriend.

Boyfriend.The word resonates in my head at the same time as all the things we did today flashback in my mind.

I quickly grab my full drink and down it, choking on most of it. I might have alcohol dripping down my chin but at least I don’t have to face any of their stares or get slapped on the ass. By the time I put down my cup, Jake has picked up a card. Chris grabs my empty cup straight away and pours I-don’t-know-what up to the rim. I cough for a few seconds trying not to throw up what I just ingested. I didn’t realize how strong this drink was.

“Guess which player has had anal sex. If you get it right, they drink three times. If you get it wrong, you drink three times,” Jake says with a lopsided smile. Everyone but me laughs as he turns to Camila. “Should I pour a little more in your cup, baby?” he smiles at her and I don’t understand why I’m the only one who finds this game so out of line.

Am I that boring?

Camila shoves Jake in the shoulder playfully as she takes sips of her drink. She laughs when she picks up her card. “Remove your pants and sit in your underwear until your next turn or finish your drink.”

“Can’t drink twice in a row,” Beth says quickly.

Camila gives her friend a cheeky smile. “I know that.”

She proceeds to take her tight jeans off in front of everyone. I can’t help but notice Jake licking his lower lips as she shimmies out of her pants, and I can’t help the spike of jealousy either.

Why am I this way?

Her tight stomach, her curves, her skin tone. She’s perfect in every way. She looks like a woman, sensual and experienced. I feel like a child next to her. Jake would never leave her for me.

“Enjoy guys, it’s only for one round,” Camila giggles as she sits back down.

A few rounds later, everyone is more drunk and starting to follow the actions on the cards. Everyone except me.

I got curious when Luke admitted his and Rose’s first time was together, and they fist bumped about it. I was ready to leave when Beth let Jason ‘spank her for 30 seconds while repeating ‘harder daddy harder.’ I don’t want to do any of these actions with people that aren’t my friends but if I keep drinking, I might pass out before the end of the game.

Rose picks up another card after Rachel had to dance topless on the table for twenty seconds.

“Confess which players’ dad is the hottest or drink three times,” Rose says. “Huh.” She taps her index finger on her lips, pretending to be thinking. “Well, it sure ain’t mine.”

Everyone laughs at her dark humor, but she doesn’t let it last long before admitting, “Jas your dad is hot. We all know it.” Everyone agrees.

Chris picks up a card again and I know he’s drunk when a predatory smile appears on his lips as he reads his card. “Pick someone in the group to unzip their pants with your teeth. Both of you must do this or take two shots.

My heart sinks in my stomach when he turns to me, lust shining in his golden eyes.

“Be good, Angel. For me.” Jake’s whisper is hot in my ear and my head feels fuzzy with all I’ve been drinking. Or maybe I feel fuzzy because of Jake’s voice and Chris’ stare.

The whole table is cheering when I get up and Chris goes on his knees. He grabs both my hips with his strong hands and my heart stammers in my chest. He pinches the skirt’s zipper with his teeth and slowly drags it down. It only lasts a few seconds but it’s an eternity in my head.

“Your turn,” he smiles as he gets up. He smells of alcohol and something sweet I can’t place.

I swallow the lump in my throat and get on my knees. I feel everyone’s eyes on me, especially Jake’s, and I want to get up and run away just as much as I want to keep going.An equal balance between going back to my boring life or finally letting adrenaline fill my body and wake a pleasurable and dangerous side of life.

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