Page 13 of One Lovely Lie

“You know that’s not what I meant, you little shit,” Ozymandias laughs, ruffling my mop of blond hair. “You look nice tonight. Did you dress up to get some ass? You totally could, you know. You’re hot as hell.”

Somehow, Ozymandias saying it doesn’t garner the same reaction as when Magnus told me the same thing. I know how I look. I’m not jaw-droppingly gorgeous, but I’m handsome enough. I’ve got that innocent schoolboy thing going for me with my bright blond curls, my full lips, and my big blue doe eyes. I’m aware that I could probably have my fair share of hookups, but I don’t want just anybody.

There’s only one person I want.

Him on his knees for me. Me on my knees for him. His giant dick in my—

Oh, Christ. Alcohol makes me too horny. I need to stop after this last drink.

“Thinking about Magnus?”

“There’s no way you could know that,” I snap, taking another sip of my drink.

“Yeah, I do, actually. Your cheeks are flushed and you’re licking your lips.” He smirks as he gestures to my pants which seem a bit too tight at the moment. “Don’t think I didn’t notice that.”

“Why are we friends?” I bark, shaking my head with amusement as Ozymandias moves closer.

“Because I keep things interesting,” he says. He turns to me, his face all too serious, and I gulp. “Look, you know I love you guys, right? I know I can be a dick—”

“Nope.”

“But all I want—”

“Shut it.”

“All I want is the best for you two. You’re so fucking miserable, Daniel,” he states. There’s no pity in his eyes, just sadness for me that I can relate to. “Someone has to push you into doing something about this.”

“I’ll neverdo somethingabout this,” I say firmly. I’ve never actually told him about my crush on Magnus, but I guess everyone can see it, minus the man himself. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

He raises his eyebrows, a slow and conniving smirk spreading on his face. “Oh, really? So, you’re not an eighteen-year-old virgin who’s pining after his best friend and will probably never get laid in his life—not while he’s harboring this undying, unrelenting, and unfulfilled love?”

My face pales. “You’re mean.”

“No, I’m honest and there’s a fucking difference.” He lets out a harsh breath until something hits him. He suddenly stands straighter, staring down at me with a look that can mean nothing good.

“Ozymandias, whatever you’re thinking…” I take a step back from him.

“No, this will be good, trust me,” he says with a wide smile.

“What are you going to do?” I ask hesitantly.

“What I do best,” he says, hopping onto the table right behind us. “I’m going to fuck shit up.”

It takes me a second to realize what’s going to happen, and I’m too slow to do anything about it. Ozymandias places his fingers in his mouth and with one loud wolf whistle, all the attention is on him.

King of kings. Nobody ignores Ozymandias.

“Who wants to play Seven Minutes in Heaven?”

A resounding cheer rings through the party as the willing participants start to separate from the group. It’s not everybody, but it’s close enough. Plus, it doesn’t matter because, of course, Magnus is already taking his spot in the circle with his new lady friend. Without any warning, I’m being dragged to the circle as Ozymandias gets an empty bottle of vodka from the table.

“Ozymandias, whatever you’re thinking, please don’t,” I beg quietly, grasping his shirt and trying to stop him, but he’s just too damn strong.

“I’m doing this for your own good,” he whispers, turning me and setting me down beside Magnus before throwing him a cheeky smile. Then he says the words that really piss me off. “A virgin like you should at least get some action tonight.”

My face pales and my throat dries up because there is no way in hell that Magnus didn’t hear that. I want to vomit from the embarrassment and humiliation. No, I want to kill Ozymandias. Kill him first, vomit later, but the sneaky bastard is already up and placing the bottle at the center of the circle.

“Virgin?” Magnus asks, frowning and completely ignoring the girl at his side. “You’re a virgin?”