Page 31 of Beautiful Scars: Unshakeable (The Beautiful Scars Duet #2)

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Sunny

I can't stop giggling as Jade refills everyone's shot glasses with alarming precision, considering how much we've already had to drink.

The living room feels warm and cozy with our circle of friends sprawled across couches and floor cushions.

She somehow managed to talk every single man who wasn't on duty tonight to join us for this little game.

"Never have I ever..." Jade's eyes sparkle with mischief as she surveys the room. "Been kissed in two places at once."

She blows Levi a kiss, and he shoots her a glare. There is nothing she loves more than antagonizing him.

"Dammit, that's a good one!" Chase calls out after setting his glass down. Ty downs his shot, and I feel my cheeks flush as I lift my glass. Z's intense gaze follows the movement from where he leans against the doorframe.

"Sunny!" Jade squeals. "Details. Now."

"Absolutely not," Levi growls from his perch on the arm of the couch. His disapproval radiates through the room, but, wrapped in the warm buzz of alcohol, it doesn't faze me.

"Your turn, sweetheart," Z's deep voice cuts through the chatter. His small smile tells me he's enjoying watching, even if he's not participating.

"Never have I ever..." I tap my chin thoughtfully, "spent the night in jail."

"Oh come on," Jayce groans, throwing back his shot. "That's targeting."

Jade cackles, lifting her glass. "Bullseye."

"Speaking of targeting," Chase leans forward, eyes dancing as he fills the empty glasses. "Never have I ever written off body glitter as a business expense."

"Now that's targeting!" I protest. Jade clinks her glass against mine before downing hers.

"We've had some good times, haven't we Angel," she sighs nostalgically. "Remember that bachelor party where you—"

"No!" I throw a pillow at her. "We don't speak of that night."

"Speak of what night?" Levi's voice carries an edge that would intimidate someone lesser, but Jade just waves him off.

"Relax, Romeo. Your girl has always been a perfect lady. Unlike some of us." She winks at Ty, who suddenly becomes very interested in his empty glass.

"My turn!" Jade announces. "Never have I ever had a threesome."

The entire room goes silent. I feel heat creep up my neck as I reach for my glass, hyperaware of both Z and Levi's presence. Chase whistles low.

"Now that was targeted." Jayce dissolves into a fit of very non-gangster like giggles.

I catch Z's eye across the room. His usual stoic expression has melted into something warmer, more open.

"Never have I ever," Ty starts, then pauses dramatically, "been caught making out in Colt's truck."

"That was one time!" Jade throws her hands up as everyone laughs. "And technically we were way past making out..."

"I don't want to know!" Chase covers his ears. "Some things should remain a mystery."

"This game is getting dangerous," Jayce wipes the tears from his eyes, his shoulder still shaking from laughing.

The night continues with questions that get progressively more outrageous as Jade leads us through territory that would normally make me cringe. But here, surrounded by people I trust, with Z and Levi watching over me, I'm actually having fun. It feels almost.. normal.

It feels good to be silly. I can't seem to stop giggling. The warmth of whiskey flows through my veins, making everything feel soft and fuzzy. We've migrated to the living room floor, surrounded by empty bottles and half-eaten snacks.

"Never have I ever..." Jade drawls, tapping her chin thoughtfully, "been caught with my pants down."

Chase and Ty both drink, prompting howls of laughter from the rest of us.

"That's cheating!" Chase protests. "Colt’s been telling you stories."

"All's fair in love and drinking games, sweetheart." Jade winks at him, making Chase flush red to his ears.

From his spot on the couch, Levi watches, the disapproval evident on his face. I catch his eye and blow him a kiss, which only makes him frown deeper. But when I look to Zane, who's taken to lounging in the armchair, I find him watching me with intense fascination. It makes my skin tingle.

"Your turn, Angel," Jade nudges me with her shoulder.

"Never have I ever..." I pause, feeling bold. "Had sex in a public place."

Everyone except Jayce and I take a drink. "Y'all are animals," he declares.

"Speaking of animals," Jade purrs, directing her attention to Ty. "Those arms of yours could probably bench press a small car. What's your workout routine like?"

Ty stammers adorably while flexing unconsciously. "I, uh... just basic training stuff..."

"Mhmm." Jade's appreciation is obvious but playful. "Colt has nothing to worry about, but damn do I like to window shop."

"What the hell?" Chase murmurs under his breath. "How does Colt handle you?"

"Bold of you to assume he’s the one who does the handling." Jade's smirk is wicked.

The guys shift uncomfortably while I dissolve into another fit of giggles. This is a side of me I don’t think I’ve ever let out like this before. It has to be the alcohol.

"Angel, baby," Zane's deep voice cuts through my laughter. "Come here."

I crawl over to his chair, settling between his legs with my back against the seat. His fingers immediately thread through my hair, and I lean into his touch like a cat.

"Having fun?" he murmurs, low enough for just me to hear.

"Mmhmm. I don’t think Levi is though."

"He’ll be fine. He'll get over it.”

Jade doesn’t miss a beat. She turns her focus completely over to Chase. "Those dimples are lethal weapons, you know that right? If you weren't such a baby..."

"I am not a baby!" Chase protests.

"Prove it then." Jade raises an eyebrow. "Take your shirt off."

"What? No!"

"See? Baby."

I snort into my drink while Chase sputters indignantly. Ty and Jayce aren't even trying to hide their amusement anymore.

"You're terrible," I tell Jade with a giggle.

She throws me her widest smile before announcing that it’s time we all get serious. She pulls out the deck of cards Colt had handed her earlier and starts shuffling. "Now, who's ready to give it all up to me? Cash or clothes boys, cash or clothes? How lucky you feelin'?"

The night continues in a blur of cards, shots, and laughter.

Every time I glance at Z, his eyes are on me, drinking in every smile and giggle like he never wants to forget them.

Even Levi's stern expression softens eventually, especially when I crawl into his lap to show him my cards and ask for advice.

"You're going to regret this in the morning," he warns as his arms wrap around me.

"Then I better make it worth it," I declare, pressing a kiss to his jaw before returning to the game.

This is what freedom feels like, I realize. Not just from Garrett, but from fear itself. Surrounded by people I trust, letting myself be silly and light, knowing I'm protected but not controlled. I catch Jade's eye and see my own joy reflected there. She gets it. She's always gotten it.

The game dissolves into storytelling, with Jade holding court like the queen she is. Even the guys lean in, captivated by her stories from the club and customer fails. She has this way of commanding attention while making everyone feel included.

"And that's why I never trust a man in salmon-colored shorts," she concludes one particularly wild story, making everyone howl with laughter.