I shrugged, making a show to ponder the array of bottles displayed, as if I was some kind of connoisseur, which could’ve been further from the truth. I noticed Justin had mixed Kenzie something with Malibu, so I jutted my chin out. “I’ll have that, too.”
Nick made a drink and handed me the red plastic cup. Kenzie looked up at me. “We’re going out back.”
I followed them with Nick by my side. We passed through the wide-open doors and faced a lit rectangle-shaped pool. People were either grouped around it in conversation, dancing around like they were at Lollapalooza, or mugging down in lounge chairs. There were others who were in the pool in both swimsuits and underwear, and the night was still young. No telling when all the clothing would come off. Probably sooner than later as more drinking commenced.
“This place is nice,” I said. Wait, did I call it nice? Nice? That was the best description I could come up with? I must’ve been in awe that a college kid could afford a home like this. Of course, it was probably his family’s money. It had to be.
“It is nice,” Nick agreed.
I took a sip of my drink, staring around trying to think of something to say. Something that didn’t make me sound like an idiot. Words didn’t flow freely like my friend, Kenzie, who was standing a few feet away with Justin flipping her hair as she spoke with her mouth moving animatedly to the small group around them.
I felt a nudge on my upper arm. Nick bent in. “Did you want a tour of the house?”
I lifted a shoulder. “Sure.”
Before he led me away, a thick arm wrapped around his neck. “You better fuckin’ pay up, man.” Axel popped up behind him holding him in a fake chokehold, cackling. “I beat you!”
Nick shook his head, shoving Axel’s arm aside. “It was one time. I usually annihilate you.”
“Doesn’t matter. I beat you when it mattered. When there’s money on the table, you bet your ass I’m gonna win.” Axel looked up at me and grinned. “Hey, Theo.”
“Hi.” I lifted a hand in some stupid wave that I made a mental note to not ever do again. Axel and Nick continued talking trash about whatever bet they had, while I observed them; they both looked intimidating in build. Axel was a running back on the team and he’d run rampant in the game earlier, scoring at least two touchdowns. I wondered if they were friends with Roman? Was he even here? I shook off the thought, hoping he wasn’t. Although I spoke bravely earlier, I really didn’t want a repeat of the other night.
As their conversation heated, Nick beamed with a challenging gleam in his eye. “You know what, Ax? Let’s go, I want a rematch. If you’ve got the balls that is. Double down, bro.”
“You really wanna wager a thousand dollars?” Axel raised an eyebrow at him.
What the hell were they wagering on? Who had that much money to just throw away? Obviously, these guys.
“You feeling lucky, bitch? Then lets go again,” Nick goaded.
“All right. Let’s do this.”
Axel downed his drink and turned to head back inside. Nick took my hand and nodded toward the house. “Come on, Theo. Let’s go.”
“Where?”
“To the lair.” Say what? The lair? Was this some kind of fight club or something?
“Relax. It’s a game room.” Nick chuckled as though reading my worried face like an open book. “We’re just playing NBA 2K20.”
“Okay.” Whatever that meant. Still, my expression was puzzled.
“It’s just a video game.” Nick tapped my nose. “You’re too cute,” he teased, leading me with him, while I cautiously looked behind me to see where Kenzie was, but she was nowhere in sight. Passing through the packed house, the sea of partiers seemed to disintegrate quickly at his sight, leaving an open path. What was it with football players here that everyone gave them a wide berth? We passed through the kitchen, and the crowd kind of thinned out as we walked down a long hallway and turned right, descending down concrete stairs. Did I mention this house was massive? I didn’t even know it was multi-leveled. From the outside, it looked like an oversized one-story house.
When we reached the bottom step, there was a stately black door that almost looked like a vault. Jeez, were we going to a dungeon? Should I be nervous I was following a guy I barely knew into a room that was closed off from the rest of the house?
“It’s all good,” Nick reassured me.
When he opened the door, a hazy cloud filled the room along with an acrid smell of pot and cigarettes. I followed him in and saw a ginormous flat screen on a wall and an oversized leather sectional with people sitting around, Axel was among them jawing nonstop to some other guy beside him who had a girl in his lap clad only in a bra and a micro-mini skirt grinding against him.
“Let’s get you a refill.” Nick guided me over to another corner of the grand room that was equipped with a wet bar and enough liquor to host a music festival and full-size refrigerator. A billiards table was set in the middle of the room, and two beefy looking men were circling around with pool sticks chattering about tonight’s game. Nick took my cup and uncapped a bottle of Malibu, obviously remembering what I had earlier, although I watched him as he poured making sure he didn’t roofie my drink. I didn’t really think he would.
High-pitched laughter drew my attention across the room. Guys and girls were assembled at a round table playing cards. “You cheated!” a female voice squealed, throwing down her cards in a fake huff and then unhooked her bra as her generous boobs spilled out, while the other participants ogled and cheered. Some whipped out their phones taking videos. Maybe this was a mistake coming down here. Maybe I should just relax and let go. Why did I keep questioning myself?
“Here you go.” Nick laid the cup in my hand and nodded toward the sofa. He didn’t seem to care there were half-naked women in the room. Was this an everyday occurrence for him? Shut up, brain. “Time for me to kick my friend’s ass.” His lips curled up boyishly with a gentle nudge at my back. As we reached the already-filled couch, Nick’s eyes slanted to Axel, who clicked the buttons on his controller before he signaled to the two girls sitting beside him. “Move,” Nick said in impatience; the smile never left his face. I guess he thought he was being polite, lessening the blow. The girls’ faces scrunched up as they glanced at Axel, who was focused on the game before slowly rising in annoyance.
“Hey, why the fuck you sending away my fan club?” Axel asked, although his eyes were still glued to the screen, not sounding too worried about it. Finally, he graced them with his attention, flashing his pearly whites and dimples. “I’ll hook up with y’all later.”
Not you. Y’all.
That answer seemed to appease them, and the girls both made I heart U eyes at him before they strutted off.
Nick sat down and patted the space beside him, and I lowered down on the plush leather seat. He slung an arm on the back of the couch behind me, leaving space not completely crowding me in. I felt his fingers brush my shoulder, and my eyes widened at the theater-sized screen in front of me.
Twisting his head at Axel, Nick prodded, “Are we playing or what?”
“I’ve been here, son, just been waiting on your prima donna ass.” Axel scoffed.