Saving Shaw

Ten

About an hour later, I was sitting around a fire pit with all four guys while I laughed my ass off at Axel's theatrics. I'd eaten approximately three hotdogs, seven or eight marshmallows, and even some pineapple that we roasted over the fire. Steele had provided the nips of McGillicuddy's and I lost count of how many of those I'd had.

Initially, I told myself I was going for a light buzz. These guys had no idea what I was like when I drank and I didn't want to make a bad impression. Though when Steele and Axel started going hard, I didn't want to be left out. That was no fun.

Currently, I was sitting on the ground close to the fire despite Talon yelling at me to move away from it two or three times already. Each and every time I responded with "Why? Am I too hot for you?"

That response only served to make him roll his eyes, but the rest of the guys howled with laughter. It was dumb, but in the moment I thought it was the most clever comeback.

After another round of nips, Steele brought out a portable speaker and my eyes lit up. "Yes! Play that music, Iron Man!" I shouted excitedly as I hopped to my feet. I wobbled a bit and Arrow reached out to grab the front of my T-shirt to pull me away from the flames. I stumbled forward and gave him a playful smile. "You are my hero!"

"I thought I was your hero!" Axel protested with a pout from across the fire.

I giggled and skipped around the pit to his side. I grabbed his hand and pulled him closer to the music. "No, you're my charming prince," I slurred.

"Then what does that make me?" Steele asked as he scrolled through his music.

"A jester!" I said before beginning to laugh hysterically. Axel burst into laughter beside me and practically fell to the ground in his drunken state. "I am literally the funniest person alive!" I declared. "Now get up," I said, nudging Axel with my foot. "You can't dance from the ground."

I began dancing around to the music even though no one joined me. With my hips swinging and my hands in the air, I danced as if I was in the hottest club in Vancouver. Axel got to his feet and started doing the most ridiculous dance moves. I looked over at Steele and glared at him. He gave me a dopey smile before starting to move his shoulders and arms in a rocking motion.

"Arrow!" I called out. "You have to practice for your moves Carmen," I said in a sing-song voice. He chuckled and shook his head, but joined in the fun anyway.

My eyes shifted towards Talon who was sitting back in one of the folding lawn chairs watching us have our fun. Occasionally, he'd bring his beer bottle to his lips and take a swig. "Come on, Meathead! You, too!" I said as I spun around before putting up my hands and flicking my fingers to beckon him over.

He raised his eyebrows, pursed his lips, and shook his head. "I don't dance," he said stiffly.

I danced closed to him and reached out to grab his hand. I tried tugging him up, but he weighed like a thousand pounds and didn't budge. "Everyone dances. Not everyone dances well, but everyone dances."

"Cut it out, Shaw," he said, halfheartedly trying to flick my hand away.

I pouted and practically crawled into Talon's lap. The world was spinning as I looked up at him with my best flirty smile. Had there not been alcohol in my system, there was no way I'd be this bold. His free hand automatically came around my waist to steady me. "Please, Talon?" I asked softly.

I watched as his pupils dilated and his irises flickered dangerously. What would typically scare me, just had me mesmerized in this moment. Maybe it was because I was drunk, but seeing his eyes up close was a whole different experience. It almost looked as if there was a flame behind his iris that lived and breathed as the beast side of him made its presence known. I was in complete awe and my smile melted away.