Slow Burn(19)
One of the guys from my math class grinned. “So was it like two girls and a guy or two guys and you?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know,” I said.
Griffin gave me a vaguely disgusted look.
I blushed suddenly. “Um, it’s someone else’s turn, right?”
Clara waved her hand. “Me.” She sat up straighter. “Never have I ever given a blow job.”
I drank. Most of the other girls did too. Good. I was glad I wasn’t in a group with that many prudes.
“What the hell, Clara?” I teased. “How do you keep a boyfriend?”
“Shut up,” she said, sticking out her lower lip in a mock pout.
“She is a freshman,” said one of the other girls.
“That’s no excuse,” I said. “What about high school?”
“Leave her alone,” said Griffin in a low voice. He was staring at his drink, not at the door. “I don’t know if I like this game.”
“Don’t be silly,” I said. “It’s all just fun.” I turned to Clara. “You know I was teasing, right?”
“Oh yeah,” she said. “It’s okay, Griffin.” She beamed at him. “But thanks for taking up for me.”
His nostrils flared, like he was angry. He didn’t say anything.
“Who’s turn is it?” I said.
The guy from my math class spoke up. “Uh... never have I ever gone bungee jumping. Sorry, it’s lame.”
“It’s fine,” I said. No one drank, though. I looked around at the group. “I guess none of us have, huh?”
“My turn,” said one of the other girls from art class. “Never have I ever punched someone.”
I drank. So did Clara, the guy from my math class, and a few others. Griffin didn’t. I nudged him. “You’ve so done that. I’ve seen it.”
He turned his eyes on me. They were hollow and intense. “I don’t think I want to play.”
I felt an urge to back away from him. “Okay. You don’t have to.”
“It’s just for fun,” said one of my art class friends.
“Come on, Griffin,” said Clara, grinning at him.
He got up. “You guys play without me. Seriously.” He stalked over to the other side of the room, to his spot next to the fridge in the kitchen.
We were all quiet.
Clara twisted in her chair to face him. “Hey, we can play something else if you want.”
“I’m fine,” he said. “Just ignore me, really.”
Clara turned back, hunching her shoulders. “Was it me?” she whispered. “Did I say something?”
I shook my head. “Don’t mind him. He can’t really get drunk anyway. He’s sort of on duty all the time. You know, since he’s my bodyguard and all.”
Another girl from my art class got up and went over to him. “Well, I didn’t want to play either. I agree with you.”
He didn’t look at her.
She reached out her hand. “Do you mind if I rub your head? Every time I see a guy with a shaved head, I just want to touch it.”
He grabbed her wrist. “I’d rather you didn’t, if you don’t mind.” His voice was devoid of emotion, almost robotic.
“Sorry,” she said, looking a little frightened.
He let go of her. He turned away from her, his expression blank.
Jesus. He was ruining my party. “Um, it’s got to be somebody else’s turn. Who’s next?”
“I think it’s you,” said the girl next Griffin. “Since I dropped out.” She cast one last glance at him and then came back over to us.
“Me,” I said. “Right.” Damn it. I was remembering why I didn’t like this game. “Um... let me think.”
“Come on,” said Clara. “There’s got to be something you haven’t done, Leigh.”
Not really, no. I tried to smile. “Never have I ever been to China.”
No one drank.