Page 67 of Tainted Souls
Evan nudges Haden with an exaggerated grin. “Were you flustered just now? Thought you said you could handle him.”
“Piss off,” Haden groans, burying his face in his hands. “Both of you.”
Evan and I share a look before a fit of laughter escapes us both. Haden groans again, muttering something unintelligible, but the sound only makes us double over harder.
CHAPTER 13
OUTSIDEHOTSHOT,the line stretches around the block. Even here, the weekend rush is impossible to avoid. We circle toward the back door and hurry inside. Our friends are in our usual corner, glasses and bottles already crowding the table.
Jaxon spots us first, his angular features breaking into a wide smile as he waves us over. Beside him, Kyla and Ivy lean in close, laughing at something Beth said.
“About time!” Jaxon calls out as we approach, standing to clap Evan on the back. “We thought you’d bailed on us.”
“Never,” Evan assures him as he slides into the booth beside Beth, who greets him with a kiss on the cheek.
“Seraph!” Kyla makes room for me, her deep-set red eyes glittering with mischief. “I heard you’ve been having adventures without us.”
I accept the drink Beth thrusts into my hand—good ol’ bliskey. “Nothing interesting.”
“Liar,” she accuses good-naturedly. “The whole city’s been talking about the mass turnings.”
I take a big sip. “It’s complicated.”
“Isn’t it always?” Ivy says, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “Are you two still together after everything that’s happened?”
“I don’t know,” I admit, tracing the rim of my glass. “He’s different now. We’re both trying to figure out what that means.”
Ivy reaches out to squeeze my hand. “For what it’s worth, I think you two will work it out.”
Everyone nods in unison, but I only wish to not have to think about any of that right now.
As if noticing my discomfort, Beth makes a toast. “Well, we’re glad you’re here now.” She raises her glass. “Let’s celebrate Kyla’s freedom.”
Everyone follows suit, the merlot liquid inside our glasses swirling in anticipation.
“To beating false charges and only getting community service for the real ones,” Kyla cheers.
“To Kyla,” we chorus, clinking glasses.
The alcohol burns pleasantly as it goes down, washing away the last of my reservations. For a few hours, I can pretend my life isn’t spiraling into chaos. That I’m just a normal woman enjoying a night out with her friends.
Jaxon leans forward with a playful glint in his eye. “It’s time for Truth or Drain.”
A collective groan rises from the table, but there’s no real resistance. Truth or Drain is a drinking game where you either answer truthfully or drain your glass. Simple, effective, and inevitably messy.
“I’ll start,” Kyla volunteers, her gaze sweeping the table until it lands on Jaxon. “Truth or drain: what’s the most illegal thing you’ve ever done?”
Jaxon doesn’t hesitate. “Hacked into the city’s power grid to create a blackout so I could kiss Beth under the stars without light pollution.”
Beth’s mouth falls open. “That was you? Half the district lost power for almost a whole hour!”
“Worth it,” he winks, unrepentant.
“Wow, how romantic! Hear that, Evan?” Ivy taunts, egging on the friendly competition between the two men.
Evan scoffs and leans back, draping his arm over Beth and taking a deliberately slow sip from his glass as he considers his answer. “Jaxon may have had his moments, but I can give you something that lasts longer than an hour.”
Beth’s eyes widen slightly, a faint flush creeping up her neck. Then she laughs, her green eyes darting between the two men with obvious delight.
