PREDICTABLE | Mikhaloi [18+]

Not so drunk with you #2

I hurried back to the bathroom, washing my hands with a muttered, "Putangina, Maxwell." The memory of what had just happened still lingered, a knot of frustration tightening in my stomach.

Suddenly, a voice sent a shiver down my spine. "Cursing my name? That's not a proper behavior for the future Lín, is it?"

I turned to see her standing in the doorway, hands tucked into her pockets, a mischievous grin playing on her lips.

I shoved Maxwell towards the bathroom door and walked away, rejoining the others at the table.

The tension hung heavy in the air as Callie and I rejoined the table.  Shea, Cole, Grey, and Sam were already digging into their steaks, the rich aroma of meat and coleslaw filling the room.  The waiter had just brought their plates, a silent acknowledgement of the unspoken tension that had settled over the group.
callie took a seat beside Cole, her shoulders stiff, her gaze fixed on her plate.  I sat across from her, my own appetite gone.  The steak, once a source of comfort, now tasted like ashes in my mouth.

I tried to catch her eye, to offer a small smile, but she remained stubbornly focused on her food.  Every now and then, I'd catch her glancing at me, a flicker of something in her eyes, but she'd quickly look away.

The silence stretched on, punctuated only by the clinking of silverware and the occasional murmur of conversation between the others.  The air was thick with unspoken words, a silent battle of emotions playing out between Lín and me.  I knew I had to say something, to apologize, to try to bridge the gap that had opened up between us.  But the words seemed to stick in my throat, leaving me choked with a silent regret.

The meal was eaten in a tense silence, each bite a reminder of the unresolved conflict between Callie and me.  After the last morsel of steak was consumed, Shea reached for the bottle of wine, her hand hovering over the glass.  "Anyone else?" she asked, her voice laced with a hint of weariness.

Cole, ever the spirited one, raised her hand. "Let's move to the fire pit, guys.  It's getting chilly out here."  She stood up, her eyes scanning the faces around the table.  "Come on, let's get some fresh air."

Callie didn't hesitate, rising to her feet and joining Cole.  The rest of us followed, a silent procession towards the fire pit, the embers flickering in the twilight.  The warmth of the fire was a welcome respite from the lingering chill, but the tension between Callie and me remained, a palpable presence in the air.

I sat down on a log, my gaze drawn to Callie as she sat beside Cole.  She was staring into the flames, her face illuminated by the dancing light.  I wanted to reach out to her, to apologize, to tell her how much I cared, but the words wouldn't come.  I was afraid of what she might say, afraid of pushing her further away.

The silence stretched on, the crackling of the fire the only sound.  The world seemed to shrink to just the two of us, the unspoken words hanging heavy in the air.  I hoped she could feel the weight of my regret, the depth of my longing to make things right.  But for now, all I could do was watch, hoping for a sign, a flicker of understanding in her eyes.

Sam, ever the instigator,  smiled mischievously and pulled out her phone.  "Truth or Dare?" she announced,  her voice brimming with excitement.  "I've got some spicy questions for truth, and  for dares,  think social media or something we can do right here.  Ready to play?"

Cole's eyes lit up. "Hell yeah!  Let's get this party started!"

Shea, always more cautious, raised an eyebrow.  "Okay, but let's keep it clean, alright?"

Callie, still quiet and reserved,  simply nodded,  but I saw a flicker of amusement in her eyes.

I glanced at her, hoping to catch a glimpse of her reaction to the game.  But she quickly turned away, her attention focused on the flames.

"Alright, who's first?" Sam asked, her fingers tapping on her phone,  ready to unleash a barrage of questions and dares.  The air, thick with tension just moments ago,  began to buzz with anticipation.

This game, I thought, could be just what we needed to break the ice. Or maybe it would only worsen the tension between Callie and me.  Either way,  I was ready to play.