The Ride of a Lifetime

14. Jealousy and Apologies

I do, in fact, love the food.

But that goes for everything. I especially love the food at this very birthday party. I make my way through some pulled pork, not quite having the spirit to move my thigh away from Javis'. The contact was almost distracting.

But food always wins.

Jayden takes the seat to my left, deep in a conversation with Max. RnB blasted through the radio. The long table was lined with an array of food options, a white table cloth adding to the sophistication.

The music seemed a bit out of place with the entire setting. But Jayden's parents had never been the ones to appear trashy in any way, shape or form.

"Do you want a drink?" Javis points to the bottle of unopened Corona beer. I shake my head. He leans in with a smirk as I reach for some sauce. "Didn't think you to be the innocent type."

Was that a challenge?

I send him a calculating look, mentally weighing my options. I think of my mother and stand my ground. "I'm not falling for your tricks, Mister." 

"Have half with me. I doubt that will do anything even if you were an extremely light drinker." God, he really knows how to poke.

I huff. "Fine."

He smirks triumphantly, grabbing the bottle and clicking it open with his keys. I raise my brow, clearly amused at the skilled action. He shrugs, "practise makes perfect."

"So that's how you know exactly how to charm the socks off a girl."

I watch him pour the liquid into two empty glasses.

"I'm charming? I recall you saying more than a couple times that you hated my guts."

"Technically, no. I never said such thing." Who knew throwing words back at someone was so much fun? He chuckles, lifting the glass. I let my own clink with his, taking tentative sips. From the corner of my sight, I catch Axel with a stern gaze. It was borderline disapproving but who is he to judge me?

Well, he could bring his judge of character to his parents and then bam, unemployed.

I placed my cup on the table, not ready to spoil my chance at the job.

"Wasn't so bad, was it?"

"It tasted like dirty laundry."

I steal some chicken off of Javis' plate. He feigns a pout. I don't react, partly because it made his lips look very appealing.

"Thanks for the present, Luna. I'm guessing it wasn't very hard to find one for me this year."

I made a face, "oh definitely not. I don't think Colly and I are allowed to be your best friends anymore if we hadn't gotten those shoes."

She giggles and I smell alcohol on her breath. Or was it my own? The minimal amount of liquid wasn't getting to me, but the constant noise and movement was.

I jerk when I feel something on my thigh. Something other than Javis' leg. He smirks, tracing a finger in a calming circles. Was he a sorceress or just really good at picking up body language?

I catch Axel leaning forward, grabbing my interest. Max had somehow stolen Jayden's attention from me. Kian was flirting with a new girl next to him.

God, people have so much energy.

"Meet me at three tomorrow. Don't be late." Both Javis and I stiffen. The urge to explain the intentionally damning demand was overpowered by my realisation that what he said would actually be pretty useful.