Fragmented ✔️

6. Truth or dare

The room fell silent as everyone awaited the name of Matt's chosen victim.
Tension crackled in the air while he took his time. His eyes never wavered from mine until the last second.

He turned to his friends, a sly grin on his lips. "Freddie boy, truth, dare, kiss or swear?"

I released my breath and took a sip from my beer. My mind played on repeat Matt's words from the garden. You want me, probably just as much as I want you. Was I that transparent? I tried to concentrate on the game and step outside my thoughts, but even with Matt's focus on somebody else, he invaded each one of them.

"Nothing to hide here. Truth." Freddie smirked and leaned into the sofa, rubbing the back of his neck with his free hand.

"Is it true you used Dan's toothbrush last week?"

Zaire's shoulders trembled with laughter as Freddie sat bolt upright, a slight flush present on his cheeks. He shook his head, turned to Dan and followed it with a nod.

"Are you fucking kidding me right now, Fred? That's fucking disgusting, man." Dan threw his hands up, beer sprayed out of the bottle in his fist, landing on a girl standing close by. "Why couldn't you use Liv's? You basically share spit every second of the day."

Freddie shrugged and took a long sip from his drink. "I don't know. I couldn't find hers, and yours was there. I don't see what the big deal is."

"Hygiene, Fred! Hygiene and common decency. You can buy me a new toothbrush. I'm not using that one now."

Dan fell back into his armchair and crossed his arms over his chest, a sullen look on his face. I slipped him a curious glance while the rest of the crowd bit back laughter as they watched the scene unfolding in front of their eyes.

"Baby, you're up," Liv said after pecking Freddie on the mouth. I guess the shared toothbrush story didn't bother her as much as it bothered Dan.

"Matt, you dick. What will it be?" His girlfriend had her fingers curled around his deep auburn locks and he closed his eyes when she tugged on the strands.

"Pick someone else or it will just be the two of us playing at this rate."

"Oh, no. I want it to be you. They will get their turn," he said, his tone near on a moan as Liv continued to play with his hair.

"Matt's right, choose someone else, baby. You can't pick the person who's just asked. You know the rules."

"Rules? When have we ever played by the rules?" Freddie whispered something into Liv's ear and smiled when she nodded. "Fine. I'll ask Liv then. Kiss, truth, kiss, dare, kiss or swear?"

Liv giggled and playfully smacked him on the chest. "Oh, Freddie. Go on, I'll have a kiss." She closed her eyes and pouted her lips, anticipating her own boyfriend's kiss.

I scanned the room, and everyone looked happy. I should act my age and have fun but somehow I felt detached. Liv climbed onto Freddie's lap, and I grimaced as I watched their uncomfortable PDA. Uncomfortable for me because they were definitely enjoying themselves. This seemed like the perfect time to leave and stop playing, but as I went to lift myself off the floor, Zaire wrapped his hand around my wrist and tugged me back to his side.

"Stay. Here, have this Jack Daniels and relax." He grabbed the barely touched bottle from my hand and replaced it with his glass. The taste of Jack and coke reminded me of overly sweet perfume. Not that I walked around sipping perfume. I might come across unhinged, but even I had my limits.

"It's boring." I gulped the drink and gagged slightly as the last of my mouthful made its way down my throat.

Zaire raised a brow and chuckled. "Sexy face there, Bea." That name! Could he not tell I wasn't ready for him to call me that? Not yet.