“You know what? We’ve got to figure out a way to tell our friends about us.” She nods toward the apartment.
“You're right. We should have some fun with it,” I say.
Her eyes brighten as a sly grin spreads across her lips. “What do you have in mind?”
I look from her to the door of the apartment. “Think we can convince them to play a little game?”
Cherry smiles brightly as she holds her hand up, flashing her new engagement ring with a broad smile. “Congratulations!” Xia squeals before wrapping her in a hug. I can't believe it. I can't believe I missed it.”
“I know!” Cherry smiles, her brown skin glowing. “He completely outdid himself, girl. He just told me to come to the park and I had no idea why. It was really weird. We hadn't been to that park since we started dating. And it was the cheesiest little date but it ended up being really sweet.”
“Aww,” Xia coos.
“He decked out the gazebo and… oh my God, I cried so hard. And you know I’m not a crier.”
King stands proudly listening to the girls’ conversation before walking over to Cherry and kissing her cheek.
“I'm just happy you said yes,” he says.
“You shouldn't have doubted it.” She smiles and look into his eyes.
“Oh, you guys, how much more of this mushy shit we gotta take?” Roman says from the table. A bright-eyed brunette giggles in his lap. Leslie, I think her name is. “Let's play some drinking games.”
Roman tosses a paper die in the air before catching it. On each of the six sides is the name of a popular game. Most are actual drinking games, but since we only knew about four, we added two regular games and turned them into drinking games.
“All right, you guys know the rules. We roll the die, then set the timer and play the game as fast as we can. If somebody messes up, we all drink. If the die rolls off the table, we all drink. Got it?”
“Got it,” we say in unison.
We start with a game of avalanche, followed by beer pong and quarters, and it isn't long before we're all feeling a buzz. The music plays softly through the living room as we laugh and cheer Roman on as he tries to bounce a ball into five cups before the timer expires. I look at Xia, who smiles up at me, and the urge to kiss her makes my mouth water. We're sitting next to each other and no one can see as I trail my hand from her knee to her upper thigh. She's looking at Roman’s girl dancing in the middle of the dining room. But when she feels my touch, she turns to me slowly.
“Stop it,” she mouths. “They’ll see and you’ll ruin it.”
“They aren’t watching,” I say, dipping my head down to her ear. I move my fingers slowly to her waist and slip them under her shirt, tracing light circles around her belly button. She looks up at Roman, who’s quickly running out of time, and then back to me. I wink and lightly drag my tongue across my bottom lip as I move my hand between her legs. A small smirk plays on her lips as she adjusts herself in her seat, slightly parting her thighs.
“I can't wait to get you upstairs,” I whisper.
“So Xia,” Cherry's voice startles us both. We drift apart slowly as we look up at her, hoping to play down the fact that we were basically about to start making out in the middle of the game. “You totally missed King's engagement gift.”
Xia chuckles. Though clearly flustered, she plays it off well.
“Time!” Roe’s girl screams.
“Fuck,” Roman curses just as his ball lands in the last cup a second too late. We all boo him, then grab our cups and take a shot.
The vodka burns as it slides down my throat. I throw the cup at Roman, who ducks.
“Wait. So…an engagement gift?” Xia asks loud enough for King to hear.
King immediately drops his head.
Roman laughs. “Oh boy, here we go.”
“What's wrong? I say.
“What did he do?” Xia asks.
“I still have it.” Cherry gets up and we all watch as she moves over to her purse, pulling out a small pink gift bag. Xia frowns, looking over at King who is now grimacing.
“I thought it was sexy,” he says without missing a beat.
Cherry plops back down in her chair and pulls out the gift, placing it on the table. Our eyes fall on the clear packaging. A pink and black sticker labeled, “vibrating panties.”
“He thought…” Cherry laughs. “That this was an appropriate engagement gift.”
“ I thought it was sexy,” King says again.
We all laugh this time.
“Vibrating panties, brother?” I say.
“What?” King smiles.
“No, not happening,” Cherry says. “Oh my God, King.”
“Well,” Xia says. “I think they are a little sexy.”
My eyes immediately snap to her and I'm sure the other two guys look as well.
“Really?” Cherry asks with a raised brow. “You'd wear them?”
“I mean…” Xia blushes, scanning the crowd before looking back to Cherry. “Why not? I think it might be sexy to give your guy the control of the vibrator, and you know…”
“Oh, you dirty little bird,” Cherry hoots. This only causes Xia to blush harder, dropping her face into her palms. I can't stop the smirk that plays on my lips as I look at my girl, who's trying her damnedest not to look at me.
“See?” King says. “There's nothing wrong with trying a little kink out sometimes.” This causes Chery to blush. King stands, walking over to her, kissing her cheek again. “I'm gonna break you one of these days,” he says quietly, but loud enough for Xia and I to hear. She smiles up at him and kisses his lips.
“So Xia,” I say, unable to resist. “What other kinky stuff are you into?” She grins and looks at me slyly.
“I don't know, I haven't really tried much. Maybe some spanking or handcuffs,” she says, glancing at me.
“Nice,” Roman says.
“Damn, Xia.” Cherry laughs. “Who have you been dating? Tell me which dirty boy it was that turned my zebra into a dirty little bird.”
“Well, I am actually seeing someone.” She smiles, glancing at me nonchalantly.
“Really? Who?”
“He actually should be here soon.”
I feel Roman’s eyes on me and swing a glance at him. Seeing the concern in his eyes, I shrug, hoping to assure him that I’m good with it before looking back at the girls.
“Oh, yay!” Cherry says. “You've got to tell me everything. Who is he?”
“Well, it's been going on for a little while now,” Xia says. “He's… he's just…” Her head drops back, resting on the chair. “I'm just so in love with him.”
“What? In love?” Cherry’s eyes are wide. “Why didn't you call me? I didn't know you were even seeing someone!”
“Yeah,” I say, clearing my throat and trying hard to not to smile. “She didn't even tell me.” I look back over at Roman, who's now frowning. His eyes drop to the table.
“Well, here,” Cherry says, placing the gift back in the bag and pushing it over to Xia. “You can have it because I will not be giving King that type of control.”