Blue Moon (gxg)

Never Have I Ever (58)

We called an Uber and headed toward the town.
Bella and I sat in the center, side by side, while Joe and Leo sat on either side of us.

We tried to act normal about it, but, obviously, we were doing it on purpose...

Our shoulders and legs kept brushing, like this low-key secret only we knew.
I had to force myself to look away, or I'd just end up laughing.

As we walked through the city, I can't stop feeling like we're playing a part in some bad drama...

Joe's got his hand on my back, talking bullshit, but I'm not listening.
I'm just trying not to freak out about Bella being near that idiot Leo.

We stopped at a park, Joe weirdly suggested sitting here, and we went along with it.
Finally, Joe and Leo walked off to grab lunch, leaving me and Bella alone.

"Ellie," she said softly.
"How are you holding up, baby?"

"I'm... fine."

She raised an eyebrow, not buying it. "You don't look fine."

"Honestly..." I whispered taking a deep sigh. "I didn't know it was gonna be this hard. Hate seeing your dumb-fake boyfriend around you."

"You jealous?" She raised her brow, amused.

"Oh, come on..."

"Don't worry, he's harmless, trust me."

I huffed, trying to stay cool about it.

Bella tilted her head.
"But Joe's an asshole and he's making things harder for you, right?"

I nodded. "Obviously."

She reached out, brushing her fingers over mine.
I slid her hand fully into mine, her fingers tracing small circles on my skin.

"I know," she said softly.
"But you're braver than you think, Ellie. You're the one keeping us steady."

I smiled. "You really think so?"

"I know so," she affirmed.

I turned around to see if Joe or Leo were nearby, but they weren't.
I leaned in and gave her a quick kiss on the lips.
Her hand grazed my cheek, and she leaned in, her lips lingering...

"You're gonna leave me with just this...?" She asked, biting her lips provocatively.

"You're risky." I said, grinning.
"But I like it..."

"That's too bad... I really wanted the whole package..." she replied with a flirtatious grin.

I had to pull back, or her charm was going to make me lose all control...

The boys came back, much to our misery...
and I hated how, now, my view was Bella sitting next to Leo and not next to me.

Joe broke the silence first. "Shall we play a game?"
"Never have I ever. Like the first night. Whoever's done it lowers a finger," he sneered.

I started to panic. Because... why would he bring that up?

I glanced at Bella, her expression calm but her jaw just a little too tight.
Joe raised his hand, and she, of course, followed.
I raised mine too.

Joe started.
"Never have I ever been in a relationship I didn't want to be in."

Well... it felt way too specific since he knows he's my only romantic relationship...

I could've kept playing along... but... I slowly lowered my finger, and Bella shot me a worried yet amused look before immediately following my lead.

I didn't even glance at Joe's face, but I knew he was hiding a pissed-off expression.