Party of Four

High School Party Games - Cole

By the time we made it downstairs, ready to head to the pool, the door was opening again. Riley held it, letting everyone in, and locked it behind him. “It started getting too cold,” Riley stated, looking at us, his eyes lingering on Nica for a moment, as if they were silently communicating.

“Sorry we didn’t make it,” I pushed my glasses up my nose before rubbing the back of my head.

“That’s okay, man,” Jay stated, a big grin spreading across his face. “We all just assumed you were getting laid.”

My face flushed, as did Nica’s, and I realized she and Riley had orchestrated this. Riley intentionally got everyone to the pool to give Nica and me time alone together. I didn’t mind, I thought it was sweet, but I also couldn’t help wondering how much Riley had said to keep them there as long as they had been. If Riley confirmed Jay’s suspicions…

“Are there still any cupcakes?” Willow asked, redirecting the conversation as she headed for the kitchen.

I followed Willow, using the act of obtaining a cupcake as an excuse to move away from Jay’s scrutinizing gaze.

Nica’s apartment wasn’t very big to begin with, but it didn’t matter anyways. Jay followed. “So do you and Riley always take turns? Or was tonight special because it’s your birthday?” My eyes closed, I felt my face grow hotter. As accepting as he was of our unconventional dynamic, he was also far too curious of our s*x life.

“We were just…talking,” I turned to my brother, eyes meeting his in a silent plea not to betray me, even though damage was already done. “Riley knows.”

“Yeah,” Riley shrugged casually as he got a Dr. Pepper from the fridge. “They had a lot of a, uh…stuff to cover. Deep stuff,” he confirmed, but his eyes were practically laughing at me.

Behind him, Nica’s face flushed even redder.

More tacos were put together and cupcakes were eaten, then we migrated back out onto the patio. I needed another cigarette and Jay lit up another joint. Overall, it had been one of the better birthdays I’d had in a while. Even with Jay’s intrusive questioning.

“It’s getting colder,” Mallory shivered after a while. She scooted closer to Jay, leaning into him. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her against him as he passed Willow what was left of the joint.

“You ready to head home?” he asked.

Mallory nodded. “We need to check on the kitties too.”

As they made their exit, Willow stood and stretched, “I think it’s time for me to head home too.”

She hugged Nica and we all said our goodbyes. Stepping back into the apartment, I couldn’t help the small shiver that ran through me. Even though it was finally spring time, there was still an occasional chilly evening. “I’m going to go turn the heat on, if that’s okay,” I kissed Nica’s cheek as she started putting away food.

She nodded and smiled.

I went upstairs to where the thermostat was to adjust it. From below, I could hear Riley’s teasing voice in the kitchen, “Remember your last party?”

His question was followed by Nica giggling. “I think we’re past the point of using high school party games as an excuse to kiss each other. You can just do that.”

“But the party games are fun,” Riley whined playfully. “You have to admit suggesting spin the bottle at your housewarming was smooth.”

“Yeah, but it kind of loses its appeal when there’s no one else for it to land on.”

I made it back down as Riley was suggesting, “Seven minutes in heaven, then?”

Nica’s head tilted back as she giggled. Riley held an empty bottle in one hand as his other arm wrapped around her. He pulled her against him and trailed kisses up the side of her neck.

“Shouldn’t you be in a closet?” I asked, teasing.

“What do you say?” he murmured, grinning against her. “You wanna see what I can do in the dark in seven minutes?”

“I think I’m already pretty familiar,” she teased, her hands resting on his upper arms.

His lips found hers, and I moved to start helping with the after-party clean up. Riley reached blindly with the bottle, then sat it on the table. With that hand now free, Riley lifted her up, his hands under her thighs. She wrapped her legs around his waist, her hands sliding back to tangle in his hair.

“Closet?” Riley prompted again after they broke the kiss.

Nica giggled, “Couch. I’m tired. We can put on a movie.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he nodded, carrying her to the living room.

I put the rest of the food in the fridge, and placed the empty dishes in the sink before following them.

Nica was sitting sideways on the couch, her arms still around his neck while he sat between her legs.

“I get to pick the movie,” I told them as I picked up the remote and sat on the other side of Nica. “Since it’s my birthday.”

As the movie played, Nica stretched out across us. Her legs were still around Riley. Her dress bunched up around the tops of her thighs was more noticeable now that she wasn’t completely wrapped around him. His hand rested on her bare leg, mindlessly drawing circles on her skin while he watched the movie. Nica’s upper body was laid across my lap. Her head rested on a throw pillow next to my legs and my hand rested on her stomach.

“This movie is so cheesy,” she commented lazily. I wasn’t quite sure if she was annoyed or if she appreciated the campiness of Blood Surf.

“Cole was obsessed with this movie when he was in high school.”

“I was not.”

“He was in love with Lemmya.”

“Lift your head up,” I told Nica. She complied and I picked up the pillow, smacking Riley in the face with it before sliding it back under her head.

“Rude,” Riley complained, adjusting his glasses while Nica giggled.