Dane’s leaning back against the counter, arms crossed over his chest, smiling right at me. It’s a familiar pose that tugs at my heart, all the while I wonder why I consciously take note of where he is in the room. When I catch his gaze, he crooks his finger at me to join him.
I walk closer to him, but not too close. “Yeah?” “Laney, I’ve known you a minute, but I can tell you’re uncomfortable. I can make all this go away right now if you want. I’ll take my boys back to their room, and I’ll even leave you some pizza here. Just say the word.”
Dane’s giving me an out, I should definitely take the out...I turn to look at Bennett. She’s sitting on the couch with Tate, Sawyer leaning over them. They’re writing and laughing and eating...I look back to Dane.
“Can I be honest with you?” I ask sheepishly, but for some reason, I get the distinct feeling I can.
“No, lie straight to my face. I love it when people do that,” he simpers. “Yes, tell me.”
“I don’t feel unsafe or anything, but this is weird. Two girls invite three guys they just met into their dorm room? Well, one girl, at least; not sure I invited anyone.” I smile to alleviate any harshness. “I just don’t know about all this. No sense in going all out the first social event, right?” I chew my bottom lip a little.
“I get it, and I’m not surprised you get it, frankly.” “What do you mean?”
“Well, not many girls don’t want us in their rooms. Take your roommate, for example, she’s not thinking about getting us to leave. In fact, she’s in cahoots with Sawyer, whether she’s realized it yet or not.”
“Uh, huh?” Still lost.
“Laney, they’re over there getting 21 questions ready to play. They both want to play some BS game; Sawyer so he can get to know you and Bennett so she can get to know Tate. They’ll base it on shots so that everyone gets loose-lipped and tells their real story. This is college, Laney; guys and girls feeling their way through the masses until they find their someone. Using games and booze masks the fact they’re too scared and insecure to just ask questions openly. It’s just everyone playing the same game, Laney. But if you don’t like this, or feel too uncomfortable, I’ll fix it.”
He’s right. Well, about Bennett, anyway; who knows about Sawyer. Bennett’s just a girl who likes this new boy and really just wants to get to know him. The game and shots give her an outlet to do that. Man, Dane’s got it all figured out and he puts it right out there. I like and respect that. If he’s running a game to fool me, he deserves an Oscar; I’m picking up no deceit.
“Ok, Mister Meaning of Life, I have a few stipulations.”
“Shoot.”
“No boys sleep here. At some point, you drag them out. If Bennett gets too drunk, you take my hint to end things.” I tick off my rules on my fingers. “No one gets naked, no one has sex. No one invites anyone else over. No one tags this on Facebook, no one tweets...oh, and no one steals my pizza. Sound good?” I quirk an eyebrow and cross my arms over my chest.
He smiles and laughs. “Yeah, Laney, that sounds good. Now relax and quit worrying. Can you do that?”
It seemed like a rhetorical question so I don’t answer him.
“No harm will come to you whenever I’m around, I swear it. Welcome to college, Laney; welcome to life.”
“Game on!” Sawyer yells from the living area.
So apparently the game is 21 questions, and not as trite as Truth or Dare. Sure. Bennett has claimed the spot right beside Tate on the couch, and I do mean right beside him. Sawyer grabs the chair and Dane and I sit on the floor on opposite sides of the coffee table. We all had to put four questions in the cup, which is only 20 questions, but no one seemed to care. If you refuse to, or can’t answer a question, you do a shot. I’ve never done a shot, but I’m pretty smart, so I’m not too worried.
“Ok, ladies first, one of you draw and we’ll go clockwise.”
Bennett’s hand is in the cup before Sawyer finishes his directions. “How old were you when you lost your virginity?” She blushes when she finishes reading.
I choke a bit on my sip of Dew. Clearly I didn’t know the kind of questions to expect! Looks like my GPA won’t be saving me from shots tonight. Shit.
“Um.” She looks to the ceiling and taps her chin. Well, shit, she’s going to answer, and she appears to have to think about it! “Fifteen.”
I subtly tap my chest so I don’t choke on my bite of pizza and stare at the ground.
“Sixteen.” Not Sawyer’s question, but he shares with the class.
“Fourteen! Mitzi Shawn, beat ya both!” Tate adds while giving Sawyer a fist bump.
Neither Dane nor I say a word. It wasn’t my question, so I’m pretty sure it doesn’t apply, but I will drink the whole damn bottle before I answer with “not applicable.”
“OK, my turn.” Tate draws his slip. “When’s the last time you got laid and by who?” WTF! PLEASE let me draw one of my own questions. “Well, it was about three weeks ago, but I don’t kiss and tell, except about Mitzi,” he laughs, “so I’ll do the shot.” And he does.