Free Blissful Valentine: A Novella by Amy L. Gale Page B

cola. “Sounds like my kind of place.”
    He sips his beer. “Who knows, maybe you’ll see it sometime.”
    A series of tingles jolt through my body. Never know—maybe I will meet Dean’s family sometime. I mean, assuming I can get through tonight. I stare at his smooth skin and chiseled jaw line, his cheeks tinged with just the slightest pink hue leading up to those deep blue eyes you can get lost in forever.
    “Let’s get ready to rumble. Beer Pong battle!” Tom screams through the megaphone, breaking my trance.
    Lexie tiptoes on her high-heeled boots trying to keep up with Tom. She stands in front of the beer pong table, staggering and swaying. Oh god, she’s actually playing.
    I stand up and turn toward Dean, gently tugging on our cuffs. “I’ve gotta be her cheerleader.”
    He rises from the couch and stands next me. “I’ll give the play-by-play.”
    We walk to the middle of the table and Dean takes the megaphone from Tom. “Round one. Tom and Lexie versus Olivia and Trevor.”
    Lexie rocks on her heels, swaying back and forth like she’s on an Alaskan fishing boat. Seriously? How the hell did she get wasted this fast?
    “You can’t be drunk already.”
    She twirls her hair around her finger with her free hand and lets out a slight giggle. “Not drunk, buzzed. We were doing shots with Trevor and Olivia.”
    Well, this round won’t last long, especially with Lexie’s superb drinking skills. I look over at Dean and shake my head. He shrugs and holds the megaphone to his mouth. “Rules are, no bouncing. The ball has to go directly into the cup. Ready… Go.”
    Lexie tosses the ball forward with all her might. It hits me square in the nose. I grimace. Oh, she is going to pay for that one. I rub my nose with my free hand.
    “Oops,” she mutters and she grips the end of the table for balance.
    Tom tosses two balls, landing each one in a cup as if he’s a professional in the sport. Olivia and Trevor make all four balls. Tom pushes two cups of beer toward Lexie and takes two cups for himself.
    “Bottoms up.” Tom raises his cups toward Lexie.
    “I think she’s had enough. ” I step to the side, as far as my cuffs will allow, and hold her arm.
    “Rules are rules!” Tom shouts and slams both beers, crushing the cups.
    Now I remember why I hate frat parties. Nothing but testosterone- and alcohol-filled events in which men act like cavemen and women demean themselves to allowing it. Please let me make it through this unscathed.
    Lexie gestures for me with her finger. “You got to uncuff me,” she slurs, “before I puke all over.”
    I dig in my pocket for one of the spare keys and quickly unlatch Tom and Lexie’s handcuff.
    “Hey, what gives?” Tom snarls.
    “It’s this or puke all over you.” I scowl. He’s kind of an asshole. What does she see in him anyway?
    Tom raises his hand, the open cuff hanging down, and grabs the megaphone. “My partner bailed. Who wants the job?”
    Tanya Layton rises from the chair on the other side of the room. She raises her hands, no cuffs. I sweep my eyes over the room. That sneaky bitch. Randy leans on the chair, handcuffed to the spokes. His eyes are only small slits and his mouth has fallen open, exposing a small amount of drool.
    “Alright a taker.” Tom slams a beer and hooks the cuff on Tanya.
    She runs her nose along his cheek, planting a small kiss near his ear. What a whore! Tom grabs her by the waist and hoists her up on the beer pong table. The cups slide along the table, beer swooshing over the rim and spilling onto the green surface. He slams his lips against hers and reaches up to fondle her breast.
    Lexie walks in at that exact moment. She gasps and covers her face with her hands. “Bastard!” she screams. Her hands slowly slide down, exposing her tear-filled eyes and red cheeks. She marches forward, grabs a cup of beer, and throws it, spilling the liquid all over Tanya’s white shirt and Tom’s face. Lexie storms out of the room, tears