She pulls her beer closer to her chest and pouts as if I wanted to take her favourite toy.
“Kim. Come on, you drunk enough.”
“Nah-uh,” she slurs. “I’m totally sober, Ellie.”
For the next few minutes, I try and fail miserably in breaking her up with her beer.
Aiden watches with that emotionless coldness that I want to slap off his face.
I don’t know how he figured out how Kim becomes wild when she’s drunk, but he’s using it for his advantage.
The first half of the game ends with nil to nil. Xander and Ronan finally sit down. Ronan devours chips like a starved soldier at war while Xander throws hard glances in Kim’s direction.
When the European Anthem plays, she staggers on unsteady feet and sings her heart out with it. In slurred German. I knew she has German classes, but I didn’t know she’s this fluent.
Ronan puts a hand on his heart and places the bowl of chips up as if it’s a cup and sings along. In gibberish.
Cole chuckles “Well, what the hell.”
He stands so Kim is between him and Ronan and sings Ode de Joy in a more perfect German than Kim’s — though it’s probably because he’s not dead drunk like her.
“Don’t kill my vibe, Captain!” Ronan throws a chip at him. “Sing in the gibberish version we all know.”
I laugh both at his silliness and at Kim’s easy smile and slurred words. It’s worth it if she’s having a good time.
I attempt to stand and join them, but Aiden grabs my arm and stares at a solemn-faced Xander. “Hey, Knight. Maybe you should take Reed home before her parents worry.”
“No!” I shout at the same time as the song cuts off.
All eyes turn to me as if I’m the maniac who just suggested that Xander, Kim’s archenemy, should drop her home.
My cheeks heat as I cut Aiden a harsh glare, he would’ve been flamed or even embarrassed if he were anywhere near a human being status.
I jerk to my feet and pull him outside of the room. I’m surprised he follows without a word.
“Don’t move, Kim,” I tell her and address Xander. “And don’t touch her.”
Cole nods in my direction as if in assurance. I don’t know why I trust him, but I do.
Ronan seems oblivious to the whole mess, busy stuffing his mouth with chips and snacks.
Once we’re outside, I slam the door shut and walk into Aiden’s space. “Stop using Kim to force me into doing things.”
“And if I say no?” He’s cool, so cool, it makes my temper hit the roof.
“Kim is my best friend.”
“I
know that.”
“Then how can you suggest to send her home with her tormentor? What if he hurts her? Are you going to take responsibility for that?”
“I don’t take responsibility for other people’s shit. Besides, if Knight wanted to hurt her, he would’ve done that years ago, not now.”
“That’s not the point!”
“Then what is?”