“Can I just have a soda?” Her eyes scan groups of people behind me. I’m sure she’s looking for Gunner, probably to stay as far away as possible.
“Of course. You don’t want a mixed drink or anything?” I pop the seal and split the coke between two red plastic cups.
Danika shakes her head. “No. I don’t really like drinking, but don’t let me stop you. I can drive tonight if need be.”
I smirk and hand Danika her cup. “I hardly ever drink at these things.”
“Bullshit.”
“Tis true.” I take a sip to hide the smile on my lips. I’ve never told anyone my secret. I’ve gotten good at pretending to be drunk: rarely pouring a drink in front of anyone that wasn’t from my soda filled flask, locking onto someone’s lips when pressured to do a keg stand, disappearing all together in the middle of the night. That last trick is my favorite. I hole up in a room, with my Netflix app, and people assume I’m there with a chick. “Everything you’ve been told about me is a lie.”
Sure, I usually end up having a combined drink or two by the end of the night, but it’s never enough to affect me. I can’t remember the last time I even had a buzz at a party.
Danika tilts her head, like she knows I’m full of shit. “So, your reputation for sleeping with anyone who will spread her legs for you is malarkey too?”
I set a bottle of whiskey on the counter, for show, then hand Danika her cup. “I’m not saying I’m a saint, but the number of women I’ve had sex with is probably much lower than you think.”
“Bullhonkey.”
I chuckle. This girl is too cute. Like cupcakes and unicorns cute. I didn’t just say that. What the fuck is happening to me? “Do you just make shit up in place of cursing? Or was that an actual word?”
“That is an actual word but I do try my hardest not to cuss. Although, sometimes I massively fail.”
“Why? It’s just a word. No one gives two shits if you have a dirty mouth.”
Danika’s smile falls, a glimmer of sadness dancing in her eyes. “My mom said ladies should be respectful.”
Some chick I hooked up with last year crosses into the kitchen. She glances at us curiously and pours herself a drink. I roll my eyes and lean against the counter; I can do this. I can keep my reputation and the girl. “Your mom is living in the past.”
“My mom’s dead.”
Shit. I knew that. Way to be insensitive. I run my hand over my face and exhale loudly. “Sorry. My dad isn't around anymore much. He’s not dead but sometimes I wish he was.”
“Don’t say that, Logan. People can atone for their mistakes, but they can’t come back from the dead.”
“Logan!” Melody squeals barging into the kitchen.
She throws her arms around me and plants a sloppy kiss on my lips. She tries to force her tongue in my mouth but I clench my teeth and push her off. Melody still hasn’t gotten the hint that we’re through. I’ve been nice, I’ve been mean, I’ve blatantly ignored the girl and it has yet to penetrate her thick skull. “Melody, you’re drunk.”
“Like that’s ever stopped you before.” She wiggles her eyebrows.
I shake my head. This can’t paint me in a good light, but Danika just leans against the counter, an amused smirk playing at her lips. Melody follows my gaze, realizing for the first time that we aren’t alone in the kitchen. “Ugh. I lost fifty dollars because of you, bitch.”
Danika grits her teeth then smiles. I think one of the reasons I like her so much is that I’ve never heard her say a mean thing about someone, even if they deserved it. She’s the kill them with kindness type. “Sorry I’m not a slut, Melody.”
“Whatever, I know Sarah told you about the bet. There’s no way anyone would turn down sex with Gunner. He’s a fucking god in bed.” Melody takes hold of my wrist and tries to pull me out of the kitchen. “Come on, we’re playing dirty spin the bottle.”
I plant my feet firmly on the tile. T
he last place I want to go is upstairs, to what we call the chambers and play that game. I’m hanging on by a thread with Danika tonight. If I get paired with anybody but her, this ship is sunk. “I don’t think so.”
Melody groans. “Since when does Logan Harris turn down an easy hook up? Is it because little Miss. Goody-two-shoes wasn’t invited? Fine, she can come too.”
“I don’t think—”
“Sounds fun,” Danika interrupts.
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