Page 54 of Huge Games

"She was horny. I was horny. The rest is history."

In the other room, the washer beeps its finale, and Celine slides off her stool. "I didn't offer you a drink," she says. "Help yourself while I move the stuff into the dryer." She points to the refrigerator, so that's where I head. It's filled with fruits and vegetables, healthy smoothies, and glass containers of home-cooked food. I search for a soda, but there are only expensive brands of fizzy water or juice. I opt for juice. I'm pouring it into a glass when the front door opens, and a woman who's a double of Celine, when she had red hair, strolls into the kitchen.

"Oh, hi!"

"Hey." I lower the juice carton. "I'm Elias. Celine's friend. She's in the laundry room."

"She is?" Her brows quirk in surprise. I guess Celine isn't usually a domestic goddess when she babysits for her sister. "I'm Marie. And this is Aiden."

A big dude, with brown hair and a reddish beard, lumbers behind Marie, surveying his home and the invader in it with suspicious eyes.

"Hi." I step forward to do the manly handshake thing, making sure to offer a firm grip so he doesn't think I'm a pussy. "Celine needed help with her work."

I indicate our study material with a sweep of my hand. Marie snorts. "Of course she did."

My eyebrow jumps, and I shove my hands in my pockets, wondering what she knows and what she's assuming. Maybe Celine told her everything about what's been going on between us. Maybe she's spilled the whole sordid foursome thing. Or perhaps Marie's just assuming I'm here to hit the babysitter's ass like in all the teen movies.

"Marie. You're back earlier than I expected." Celineemerges from the laundry room to the sound of the dryer beginning to turn.

"What are you drying?" Marie asks, her expression quizzical.

"Elias's laundry. It's payment for the lending of his genius."

Aiden's expression is amused. "Is that what they're calling it these days?"

Marie's eyes drift to where my junk is outlined against my gray sweatpants. She's so like Celine that I can't stop staring.

"Leave him alone." Celine drags me by the arm and pushes me gently back onto the seat. "He's really helping me. In fact, he might be the only thing standing between me and the life of a college dropout."

"Get this man a drink." Aiden pats me on the back, reaching into a cupboard for a bottle of whiskey that looks like the good stuff. "Marie's on a health kick, so beer's out, but this is the stuff for special occasions." He raises it high like we should all worship its greatness. I'm not really feeling whiskey, but the dude's just been to visit his sick mom in hospital, so if he needs a drink, I'm gonna drink with him.

He pours what looks like a double and hands it to me. "Cheers, man," I say, lifting the glass and taking a swig. I can tell this is good stuff. It's warm and oaky in my mouth and slides like lava down my throat.

"Don't get him drunk," Celine says. "How will he help me with my work if he's drunk?"

"I can do a lot when I'm drunk."

Aiden and Marie snicker and Celine shakes her head. "You know what. I think I'm good. I had a eureka moment before I pulled your boxers out of the washer."

She shuts her books and stacks them in a pile. I lower the drink, wondering if she's hinting that I should leave. "How's your mom, Aiden?"

Marie answers for her husband. "She's definitely turned a corner. She had some color in her cheeks."

"That's good." Celine nods, then fixes me with her pretty eyes. "Want to hang out while your underwear dries?"

"It's not just underwear." I feel my cheeks heat. It's stupid to feel embarrassed that my personal items are going round and round in this dude's dryer. It's not like he caught me fucking his wife.

"Sure."

"I'll put out some snacks." Marie opens a huge cupboard door and begins pulling out bags of healthy chips and popcorn. She empties them into bowls and then chops apples, strawberries, and plums, placing them alongside.

Celine takes the tray into the seating area and places it on a low coffee table. I drift behind her, unsure of where to put myself. She flops onto the sofa and grabs the remote. "You can take the weight off." Pointing at the space next to her, she smiles at my uncertainty. I take a seat, sinking against the plush throw pillows. Damn, this couch is comfortable.

Aiden and Marie carry some glasses and a jug of what looks like fresh iced tea into the den and flop onto the couch next to ours. Celine finds a standup comedy special and grasps a handful of popcorn, tossing it into her mouth.

I don't know how it happened, but I've slipped into a scene of domesticity with a girl I'm not even dating.

"This one's fucking hilarious," Aiden says. "Have you seen it, Elias?"

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