Page 19 of A Different Form of Oxygen

"In that case, let her do it." Casey yells from across the way, smiling. Maverick wraps his arm around him, pressing his mouth against his ear.

Nails scrape against paper when Ben snatches the notepad back from her, sticking his tongue out in her direction.

The board game scrapes against the table as Jennie spreads it out with her hands, setting two game pieces down on start. “Drake, you can be the card drawer this round."

Two rounds later and no one is paying attention to the game anymore. We are now just talking and laughing, enjoying each other's company when Drake jumps out of his seat. "I should get going; this was more fun than I thought it would be. Include me in the next one."

We all wave goodbye and he shouts a goodbye behind him while heading out the door. Ben opens another beer, telling me he doesn't plan on leaving anytime soon and I'm perfectly fine with that. Jennie is the next to leave, followed by Maverick and a very drunk Casey. Leaving only me and Ben. "So, should I go now, or do I have time to finish my beer?”

I shake my head, opening another one myself. "Nah, because now I just opened one and it would be rude of you to let me drink alone.

His lips curve against the beer bottle. "Got any good movies?"

"Depends on what you consider to be good."

He snatches the remote from the side table, turning on the TV. Making himself comfortable, kicking his shoes off and stretching his legs along the cushions, his head snuggles against the throw blanket as he flips through Netflix humming a song I don't recognize. I was once again happy I was being allowed to see a glimpse of Ben that not everyone else was fortunate enough to see.