Fracture

CHAPTER FIFTY SEVEN

☆ ♫ Patrick ♫ ☆

Having our friendship group in shambles was turning out to be a lot more complicated than I expected.

It was the second Saturday after being back at school and we were all over at the Biggs.

We being Claire, Gibsie, Johnny, Shannon, Hughie, Scarlett and I. We were all in the living room playing a heated game of Monopoly.

That Scarlett and I were obviously winning.

"Where's Katie?" Scarlett whispered in my ear, while Gibsie and Hughie were arguing over who got the free parking pot.

"I don't know," I shrugged, "Hugh said she was busy tonight."

The pair were usually joined at the hip so it was strange that she wasn't here.

"Hmm," Scarlett nodded.

"Scar, it's your turn," Claire smiled, passing the dice to my girlfriend.

Rolling the dice she dropped them down and rolled double six's allowing our character to land on Boardwalk, "Yeah! That's how it's done! See that Patrick? I am in fact the best teammate." Counting up the money she handed it to the banker—aka Johnny—and smiled, "I'll buy it. It'll go perfectly with Park Place."

"You're a horrible winner," Gibsie sulked, "I don't like playing games with you."

"Suck on it, Ger," She teased, "You can't handle the smoke."

"I'm going to make a comeback, just you wait," Gibsie narrowed his eyes at his sister, "So, don't get too cocky."

"Settle down you two," Johnny rolled his eyes, handing Scarlett the Boardwalk property.

"Good job, baby," I smiled, keeping my arm wrapped around her waist.

"Scarlett, is a queen," Claire grinned, "I swear I've never seen her lose a game in her life."

"Actually, that's not true," Gibsie chimed in, "One time in primary school I beat her at a game of snakes and ladders."

"I let you win, you eejit," She snorted, handing the dice over to Hughie.

"Whatever," Gibsie huffed.

"I told you I'm the best partner," Scarlett gave me a cheeky smile.

"In more ways than one," I pressed a kiss to her cheek, and she blushed.

"Are you flirting with me?" She nudged me in the ribs.

"Yes, I am," I laughed.

"Continue," She winked, leaning her shoulder against my chest.

The doorbell rang making everyone look to each other, almost as if we were ensuring everyone was accounted for.

"Who is it?" Claire asked, looking to Hughie.

"No idea, I'll go check," He shrugged, pushing himself off the floor.

"It my turn!" Shannon smiled, rolling the dice and getting a seven.