Page 17 of Save Me

“The deal was for one drinking game. I had to make it count,” Ethan argued. “Anyway, here’s how we do this…we’re each going to take a shot at the same time. The first person to make the slightest cringe loses. If neither of us reacts to the first shot we move to the next one, then so on and so forth.”

“What do I get when I beat you?” I asked.

“I knew you would say that,” Ethan said with a grin. “If I win, you have to play another drinking game.”

“Why am I getting the impression that you’re trying to get me drunk?”

“I’m not. I think it would be good for you to let loose a little,” he said. “As your friend, I think you deserve to have some fun for once.”

That was very sweet of him.

“Fine.” I looked to Isabelle. “What should I make him do if I win?”

She grinned and tapped her chin with her finger. “What do you think of the music playing?” she asked me.

It was good. Seemed like it was mostly rock. “You want to change it?”

“I think we should be allowed to DJ and dance later to some of our favorites. I was thinking some Taylor, Sia, Billie, and maybe even some Harry,” she said, her grin turning downright evil. Her and Ethan were meant for each other.

I looked to Ethan. “I like that. If I win, Isabelle and I get to play DJ later.”

Ethan held a cocky smirk that I was going to enjoy removing from his face. “Deal.” He lifted the shot glass filled with Jim Beam and held it up.

I picked up my Jim Beam shot glass and clanked it with his. Without losing eye contact, we threw back our shots at the same time. I didn’t so much as blink as it scorched everything it touched on its way down my throat.

Ethan also was unfazed. “Impressive for someone who’s never been to a party.”

I scooped up my next shot glass, filled with Jose. “This is indeed my first party. However, this isn’t my first time doing shots.”

Colt and Creed chuckled next to me and Isabelle giggled. Ethan’s cocky smirk dropped just a smidge, but it was still satisfying to see.

Ethan clanked his shot glass with mine and we downed the Jose. I wasn’t a fan of tequila and it took effort to keep it from showing. Ethan hadn’t reacted to the shot, either. Colt, Creed, and Isabelle cheered, drawing the attention of others.

By the time we both set our empty shot glasses down, Ethan wasn’t smirking any longer.

Isabelle pulled out her phone from her back pocket. “I’m going to make a playlist for our DJ session.”

That made us laugh and Ethan pouted a little. “You’re supposed to be on my side,” he said to her.

“I’ll make it up to you later,” she said before putting her mouth to his ear and whispering something to him.

Ethan’s smile grew bigger and bigger as he listened to whatever she was telling him. I couldn’t help but watch them—their intimacy and how comfortable they were with each other. I couldn’t stop myself from comparing my relationship with Colt and Creed to theirs. Mine was so different. Not bad. Just different. But I wanted that intimacy and connection with Colt and Creed. Was it sex that brought Isabelle and Ethan that close? Was I ready to take that step with Colt and Creed?I think I am.

A hand touched my back. “You alright?” Colt whispered in my ear.

I nodded. “Yeah, I was just thinking,” I whispered back.

“About?” he asked.

I smiled. “I’ll tell you later.”

“Okay,” Ethan said, picking up the Fireball shot. “You ready?”

I scooped up my shot. We clanked our glasses and threw them back. Fireball was whiskey, so it wasn’t that bad. Ethan’s eyes watered a little, but other than that he had no reaction. We both looked down at the last shot. Bacardi 151.Cheese and rice.I had to give myself a mental pep talk before picking up the shot. I’d endured worse. I’d tasted worse.I will not react. I will not react.

Everyone was quiet as they watched us tap our glasses together and take the shots. My eyes burned and the alcohol tasted foul as it rolled over my tongue, but I held my composure.

Ethan coughed and his face scrunched up. Isabelle, Colt, and Creed cheered, claiming me as the winner. I let out a breath and gagged. “That was terrible. I need something to get rid of the taste in my mouth,” I begged the guys.