Can I Ask You a Question?

8

I was in the kitchen of Matt's house with my back pressed against the countertop, shoveling guacamole from a paper plate into my mouth. There wasn't much to do except dance, eat, swim, or stow away upstairs and fuck your partner in one of the eighty rooms. I thought this was supposed to be chill.

I wore a teal tank top tucked into clean white shorts with a cute brown belt wrapped around me. I had my hair pulled back into a slick ponytail. Adam looked really really nice. I should say hot, but I'm trying to calm down. He was in a cream-colored graphic tee, some print with a blue fish on it and red writing, and some skinny jeans. I longingly sighed as I was looking at him from across the room. He pulled his beer up to his lips and took a swig. I mimicked him and did the same. When I pulled my bottle back down, I realized Benji was draped over the kitchen island in front of me, staring me down.

"Come clean." He spoke up when I met his eyes. I'll admit I was a little tipsy. I rolled my eyes and chuckled as he walked up to the counter I was leaning back on and leaned back beside me.

"Yeah. I like Adam." I shrug.

"I can tell. I know he likes you."

I looked taken aback, and Benji smirked smugly.

"How do you know that? He didn't tell you, did he?" I'll admit, a tiny flicker of hope shot through me and shocked me to my core. I wanted to ignore it, but I couldn't.

"Honey. He let you sleep with him in his bed. His ex didn't even get to do that, read the room." Benji chuckled and drank whatever he had in his cup. I made a face.

"Benji," I whisper. "Say you're fucking with me."

"No. I'm not. While I have liquid courage in me, please say you don't hate me-"

"Benji, I could never hate you. Hold that thought. I think I will throw up if I don't eat something."

He nods, and I go outside to get a burger. Matt was grilling out, and I hadn't seen him yet.

"Hi Matt, I'm Clifford's sister, Cami. It's nice to see you again." I smile. I knew Cliff had mentioned Matt a lot. I had gone to Matt's wedding a long time ago. He still looked exactly the same as he did before. He was a redhead, a bigger guy, with a long and curly beard. He always wore a Hawaiian shirt or a polo with shorts, never anything else. He was always so nice. He was a bit older than us, but not by much.

"Oh yeah, I remember you! How are you?"

"I'm good, just violently hungry." I chuckle, and he smiles, putting a burger on a plate for me. I use the tongs to place it on a burger bun before starting to put on the dressings.

"Are you here with anyone? The last time I saw you, you were in high school." He started a small conversation with me, and I shook my head.

"No. I just recently got out of a relationship." I frown.

"Hey, you never know. My parties get a little crazy, so I've heard."

"I think I just need some crazy luck." I giggle. "It was nice to see you again." I wave at him and disappear back into the party with my food.

"Where'd you get that from?" Adam asks me with a wild look in his eye. I smile and point toward the back.

"The guy whose party it is is out there grilling. No one told you?" I ask, and Adam shakes his head.

"Benji has been pretty occupied talking with your brother and you, so no. Leo is MIA." He snorts, and I smile.

"I'm sorry. If you want to talk, I'm going to find a quiet corner somewhere. I'm just feeling queasy, and I need to eat." I smile.