Melting Ice

Chapter 25

Cato

The barbecue takes place at the back of Carla's parents beach house, a few blocks away from us. Finnick and Annie are already here, along with who must be Johanna Mason, Gloss and Cashmere. I had no idea all these victors would be here!

"Hope it's okay", says Carla smiling handing me a glass of alcohol, "They are family friends".

"It's great thanks!", I say taking a sip, "It will be good for Kayla as well", I gesture to her laughing talking to Johanna. "Better go introduce myself", I say leaving her alone holding a tray full of glasses. Johanna Mason, district 7, good with an axe and very sarcastic.

"I see you have met Kayla", I say protectively standing behind her, arms crossed.

"Yeah I have", she says standing up, "Your Cato right?".

"Yep, that me", I say laughing a little.

"You a prostitute?", she asks smirking a little.

"Why, are you in need of one? I'm sure Finnick could arrange something", I reply with sass, "Me on the other hand, I only want and need Clove".

"Such a nice girl isn't she?", Johanna says sickly.

"I could say millions of words and still not have described her", I tell her.

"Better keep her", Johanna says patting my arm, "Let me introduce you to the others, I insist". I do try to refuse, saying that I can do it but, she insists.

Gloss stands there, beer in one hand, the other resting on his knee which is leaning up against a wooden bench. Cashmere on the other hand, sits there silently twirling her hair around her finger looking lost, not all at like her brother Gloss.

"Hey Jo!", waves Gloss coming up to meet us. Her gives Johanna a warm hug then moves onto me, "Clove is hot, right?", is the first thing he says to me.

"She's a combination of many wonderful things", I say looking him in the eye.

"Yeah, totally. So mate, how you been doing? I know life has been hard recently", he says sympathetically giving me a pat on the back. Last time I saw him, he saved my life.

"It's okay. A few deaths here an there but we are mending. Thanks, again for back then", I say knowing that he knows what I mean.

"No problem", he whispers, "Cashmere, come say hello", Gloss yells through cupped hands at his sister, "She's going through a tough break up right now", he says out of the edge of his mouth. I can't get over the fact that a few years ago, she scared the life of me and now...she looks like a lost puppy.

"Hi Cashmere, how are you doing?", I ask holding my hand out for her to shake.

"Crap", she mumbles, "My stupid boyfriend got this girl pregnant and now he wants me back!". That is sick, that is mad, that is so wrong in so many ways. I would never ever ever do that to Clove, not in my entire life.

"He's a jerk", I assure, "If you need any girlie advice, ask Clove she is a wonder", I smile a little when I say this, she is.

"Thanks", Cashmere mumbles before walking in Cloves direction. Annie, Carla and Clove have occupied a bench and are clearly drunk. When I come to think of it, Clove has never been drunk. Neither I have, well not to badly. Sure, I have had the odd drinking moment but not enough to lose my mind.

"How's your love life going?", I ask Gloss who has just picked up another can of beer.

"Oh, fabulous. I have this smoking hot women. We are getting married next month. And speaking of it...", he pulls out an envelop, an invitation? "Hopefully you can all make it".

"Thanks, I'm sure we will be able to", I say running out of things to say.

"You and Clove married?", he asks raising an eyebrow.

"Not yet. I'm waiting until District 2 is rebuilt and everything is calm", I inform.

"Good idea", he says, "Well, I think you better checking on Clove", he laughs pointing to her. Oh dear...I watch as she stumbles around with Carla whist Annie tries to get them to sit. They are clearly taking no notice as they get up and dance to the music blaring through the speakers.

I walk over to them, waving at Kayla, Xander and Brianna under a tree eating at I pass.

"Clove, you okay?", I asking laughing at her pathetic dancing.

"Never been better babe. Come dance", she says pulling me closer, "I love you Cato. Will you marry me?".

"Not yet Clovers, let's wait until your more normal", I say trying to lead her to a bench to sit down.

"No!", she whines, "The fortune duck said we must get married and have babies!".

"Well, the fortune duck is drunk", I say trying not to laugh.

So much for calming her down. I have had a good few drinks myself and I feel like I can fly. Clove sits on top of my shoulders as I move to the beat. Carla is less drunk, somehow, and is dancing with Brianna who is not drunk, I hope. Everyone else, is either drinking or dancing with us. I have more power over the fiery liquid but Clove...isn't doing so well.

"When we get home Cato, I want you really bad", she says after I take her off my shoulders. She runs her hands all over me sexily.

"No", I moan, "I'm not going to take advantage of yo-". Cloves fiery lips lock into mine, cutting me off from speaking. I can't help myself my kiss her back, harder. The music blares around us, people speak but none of that matters. When I'm kissing her, I feel like we are the only people left in Panem. Cloves hands cupped around my face makes me feel safe, secure. I keep kissing as I bring my hands lower down her back, still careful of not going to far.

"Cato", she whisper when we have to take a breath. Her chocolate eyes stare into mine, and never looks away, "I think your sexy".

"I am", I tell her leaning in to kiss her again. Okay, yes I am drunk but I couldn't care less. I feel free, like the fortune duck.

Our lips crash together once more and this time, we are stumble a bit from the pressure of the kiss. Without thinking, my hands go all over her body. What am I doing? I can't stop!

"Cato, Cato", Clove whispers, "Not here". That knocked some sense into my mind, not a lot though.