A couple people exchanged sly smiles. Others laughed and moved to top off their drinks.
“You’re on, Darling,” a woman who’d introduced herself as Stacy said. Her date, one of the place card abusers, whooped and drained his beer before punting it on the ground.
“Adult performers love Never Have I Ever because it gives them a chance to brag about all the sex they’ve had,” Naomi explained as she led Clara over to the table to play.
Interesting. Clara had played the game a few times at camp. She knew that more often than not the questions centered on illicit activities. Though she had to imagine this crowd defined illicit differently than the counselors of Camp Sparrow.
Still, drinking games were a good idea. A social lubricant would set everyone at ease. She poured herself a glass of punch and joined the fray.
“All right, everyone. Let’s play with both hands up, and the final person standing can shotgun a beer at the end of the round. Last time we played with the rule that you had to drink for everything you’d done, the whole party ended up trashed.” Josh smirked. “I’ll start. Never have I ever fucked both members of a married couple.”
His ex dropped a finger along with a few others. Clara lowered her eyebrows before anyone noticed her surprise.
“Never have I ever come so hard I passed out,” Stacy said. Many more fingers fell.
Clara shifted her weight from side to side. She had never considered that possibility. How . . . ?
“Never have I ever fucked ten times in one day.”
Even Josh had lowered a finger on that one. But . . . that defied science. She wanted to call a doctor.
“Never have I ever been offered a million dollars for a one-night stand.”
Only Naomi lowered a finger on that one.
Clara turned to her. “Are you serious?”
“I didn’t take it,” Naomi assured her.
“Never have I ever turned down a million dollars,” the next player said.
Naomi flashed him the middle finger, conveniently the only one remaining up on her right hand.
All heads turned to Clara for her turn. “Umm. Never have I ever broken a bone?”
“You mean like a boner?” Stacy bent a finger halfway down. “Like breaking someone’s dick during sex? ’Cause I’ve totally done that.”
Clara forced herself not to recoil at that mental image. “No, I meant like a regular bone.” She held up her arm and mimed wearing a sling.
Stacy deflated. “Oh.”
Naomi took her turn. “Never have I ever fucked a celebrity.”
“How are we defining celebrity?”
“B list and above,” Naomi clarified.
“Damn. Close but no cigar,” said Stacy’s date. “Never have I ever fucked a world leader.”
Most people had one hand left up or less. Clara’s ten fingers stood out like a neon sign announcing her as an outcast. A couple people looked at her with arched eyebrows.
“You’re supposed to lower a finger when you’ve done something,” Stacy whispered to her unhelpfully.
“Oh no.” She craned her neck, trying to see the drinks table. “I think we’re running low on ice. I’ll check.” Clara walked into the kitchen and opened the freezer, letting the blast of air cool her heated cheeks.
“You need any help?”
She shut the door and faced Josh. “No. I’m sorry. I know I’m making a habit of running out of rooms.”
“That game wasn’t fun for you, huh?”
“Not so much. My sex life is very vanilla.” She sucked in a breath and looked away. Present company excluded.
“We can play something else.”
“It’s not the game, Josh. Look at me. I don’t fit in. You go back out and have fun. I’m sure no one wants to be on their best behavior because of me.”
“Come on. No one thinks of you like that. Everyone wants to get to know you. You’re a mystery to them.”
“Mystery is a nice word for weirdo. The cool kids in high school used to use buzzkill.” Clara had tried blending in with Everett’s new friends after he’d started getting attention for his burgeoning looks, but casual had never come easily to her.
Josh reached over and wrapped her in a hug. “You’re not in high school anymore.” He bent his knees so her chin could rest on his shoulder without strain and applied the perfect pressure, firm but loose. The scent of fresh laundry filled her nose. “Clara, those people out there are showing off. Half that stuff is exaggerated, guaranteed. Besides, our sex lives are hardly average. You’ve done tons of stuff none of those people have ever even attempted.”
She stepped back from the hug, grateful he’d let her break away first. A part of her could have stayed there forever. “Yeah, right.”
“Throw up some fingers.”
Clara waved him off.
“Come on. I’m serious. Put ’em up.”
She rolled her eyes and held up her right hand.
“Never have I ever earned a doctorate.”
Clara folded down a finger. “A lot of good it’s done me.”
“Never have I ever made brussels sprouts taste good.”
“Anything tastes good if you fry it in bacon fat,” Clara said, but she smiled a little despite herself. She’d vowed to get Josh to eat vegetables by any means necessary.
“Never have I ever come up with an idea for my own business.”
He had her there. Shameless made her proud.
“Never have I ever been generous enough to fund a ragtag band of sex workers that no bank would ever give the time of day.” Josh’s voice conveyed his respect and she found herself blushing.
Clara lowered her ring finger and shrugged. “I believe in you guys.”
Josh touched the Band-Aid on his forehead. “Never have I ever made someone walk into a door frame because I exited the bathroom in a very tiny towel.”
Clara tilted her head. He’d lost her with that one.
Josh reached over and lowered her last finger.
Comprehension dawned. “What? This morning?”
Josh gave her a self-deprecating smile. “You might think you don’t fit in, but those people out there are as intimidated by you as you are by them. If you relax, they will too. I promise.” He punched her lightly on the arm. “Now let’s go back out there before Felix finishes all the crab dip.”