Love Games

11|| Backyard Session

🦋Amina

"Hey, what's your poison tonight?" Easton's voice breaks through the chatter as he settles beside me. We're in Josh's living room, a regular haunt for our weekly hangouts.

"I'm thinking just some juice, maybe a shot if the mood strikes," I reply, watching as Easton's laughter dances through the air. It's a different vibe, softer, and it catches me off guard, morphing into a smile. Something feels off, or maybe just different. Could Ivy be onto something? Does Easton actually like me?

Since Ivy mentioned it, I've noticed Easton's been more engaged, more smiles directed my way. Maybe he's just happy; perhaps life's treating him well, and he's basking in it. There's a stark contrast between me and Kayla. Clearly, I'm not his usual type. Maybe I'm reading too much into it.

Breaking the silence, Easton leans in, "Well, if you decide to take that shot, count me in." He rises from his seat, prompting a sudden urge within me to speak. "Where are you off to?" I blurt out.

He gestures towards the door. "Gotta sneak a smoke in the basement or outside. Josh is adamant about not smoking indoors, you know, his girl's rule."

I can't help but chuckle because one thing about Josh. He listened to whatever his girl said. "It's 50 degrees out there, are you crazy? That's straight-up crackhead behavior," I joke.

"Don't tell me you're scared of a few spiders, big strong Easton," I tease.

"Terrified," he admits, before his gaze turns serious. "Come outside with me."

"Absolutely not. It's freezing," I protest, but he's already one step ahead.

"He's got heaters set up out there, or we could snuggle up in my car," he suggests, grabbing my hand before I can protest further.

"What are we doing?" Ivy's voice cuts through the chatter as we pass her, Aries, Joe, and Kim engrossed in conversation at the bar.

Easton meets her gaze seriously and scoffs, "Something you can't."

She rolls her eyes, a silent warning evident in her tone. "Easton," she says his name, her voice carrying weight. He turns back to her with a bored expression, but she persists, "I'm serious about what I told you." Their eyes lock, a silent exchange passing between them. Easton maintains his grip on my hand, spinning us around without acknowledging Ivy's warning. We step outside. "Car or backyard?" he asks, the coded language clear between them.

"Backyard, I'd rather not smell like smoke," I reply, my voice laced with a hint of amusement as we stroll towards the gate.

He nods, veering left through the gate, the cool evening breeze ruffling our hair. "Don't tell me you're one of them," he remarks, his tone teasing.

"One of what?" I inquire, matching his playful banter as we navigate through the dimly lit backyard.

"I hate smokers and smoking people," he quips sarcastically, the corners of his lips twitching with suppressed laughter.

"I'm not," I begin, catching myself before revealing too much of my past trauma. "I used to in high school, but I can't stand the smell of it."

He lights the blunt, the flame flickering in the darkness as he takes a puff, the sweet scent of cannabis mingling with the cool night air. "Didn't take you as a smoker," he observes, his expression tinged with curiosity, the soft glow of the ember illuminating his features.

I walk over, the gravel shifting underfoot as I reach for the blunt, the warmth of the smoke enveloping me as I inhale deeply. I cough a bit as I exhale, handing it back to him. "I didn't take you as someone scared of spiders," I retort playfully, the corners of my lips curling into a smile.