"Are you not gonna move away?" Chris asked evenly.
Jade, still sitting in his lap, shifted slightly—just enough to draw attention to herself. "Nope. I'm very comfortable right here."
Chris just shrugged, and the game continued.
As the last truths and dares fizzled out, a few guests began stretching and getting up.
"I think I'm tapping out," one girl said, pulling her phone from her back pocket. "Got work in the morning."
"Same," one of the hockey guys added. "And someone's gotta drive these lightweights home."
A small group peeled off toward the entry hall, grabbing their bags and shoes. The living room thinned out a little, but plenty of people still lingered—buzzed, giddy, sprawled across cushions or draped over the furniture. The air was thick with warm laughter and the smells of leftover chips, sweat, and faint coconut sunscreen.
Claire stood up and tugged her hair free from its tie with a small yawn. "I'm gonna head home. It's late."
Chris looked over from where he was helping Mason gather up empty cups. "You sure? You don't want to crash here?"
Claire shook her head. "Nah. I'd rather sleep in my own bed."
"I'll walk you," Chris said, already grabbing his hoodie from the back of a chair.
"Aww, how sweet," Amber teased. "Big bro walking his little sis home."
"Just don't disappear forever, Cap," one of the guys joked.
"I'll come back," Chris said with a slight change in tone.
"Somehow we don't believe you," someone else added.
Chris smirked and reached into his pocket. "Fine. I'll leave my phone. And my wallet. Happy?"
He dropped them on the coffee table with a thud, then pulled off his straw hat and added it to the pile.
"Now we have to believe him," Mason said dramatically. "He left the holy trinity."
"Don't mess with it while I'm gone," Chris warned, following Claire to the door.
The street outside was quiet. Night had settled in—warm and still—punctuated only by the chirp of bugs.
They walked side by side in silence at first.
Eventually, Claire spoke. "You were really good at beer pong."
Chris shrugged. "Dad taught me a bit. And I didn't want you guys drinking too much."
"That's a nice way of saying you carried us."
He gave a small laugh. "Your aim's not terrible. Jade's, though..."
Claire rolled her eyes. "She was too busy trying to seduce you."
"Was she?"
Claire glanced at him. "You didn't notice?"
Chris looked thoughtful. "I thought she was just naturally like that."
Claire chuckled. "Fair enough."
They reached her house. The porch light was on.
"Well," Claire said, already reaching for her keys, "thanks for walking me."
"No problem. Tell Mom and Dad I'll be back around noon."
She nodded, gave him a tired smile, and slipped inside.
Chris turned and began walking back down the quiet street, hands in his pockets.
When he got back to Mason's, the mood had shifted. The lights were lower, a few candles still flickering, and the remaining people had re-formed a loose circle on the floor.
"Hey!" Mason called as Chris stepped in. "He did come back!"
Chris picked up his hat from the table and popped it back on. "Told you."
"What'd I miss?"
"New game," Amber said, grinning. "Seven Minutes in Heaven."
Chris blinked. "What's that?"
Jade—still in Chris's oversized shirt and tiny shorts—lounged on the armrest of the couch. She looked over at him with a slow smile. "Rules are simple. Spin the bottle. Two people go into the guest room for seven minutes. Door closes. Lights off. We time it."
"Not a lot of places to sit in there," someone added with a wicked chuckle.
Chris rolled his eyes but dropped onto the carpet next to the circle just as the bottle was spun.
It pointed at Amber… and then one of the hockey guys.
They stood up to catcalls and whistles, disappearing down the hallway while someone pulled out a phone to time them. Mason looked like he was chewing through his own nerves.
Next round: one of the girls and Mason.
Mason looked terrified. The group burst into laughter as he was shoved toward the door.
Then came the third spin.
The bottle spun fast, clacking over the wooden floor, then slowed… and landed squarely on Jade.
She leaned forward and spun the bottle herself this time, her grin practically daring someone to challenge her.
It spun… slowed… and stopped.
Right on Chris.
The room fell silent for a second—then everyone erupted in whoops and laughter, a few people banging the floor like it was a wrestling match.
Jade stood slowly, turned to Chris, and held out her hand.
"Come on. It's our turn now."
Chris hesitated only for a moment, then stood and followed her down the hallway, the sound of the group fading behind them.
In the dark guest room, Jade pressed up against him, close enough to feel every breath.
"Okay," she said, slightly frustrated. "What's wrong with you?"
Chris blinked. "What?"
"I've been trying to show off my charms for like two weeks now. Today I even tried some full-on closeness. Am I not pretty enough or what?"
Chris, surprised by the bluntness, responded quickly. "No, you're plenty beautiful." That seemed to calm her a bit.
"Then?"
"When did you try to charm me? Besides today, I didn't really notice."
If the room hadn't been dark, he might've seen her eyes twitch.
Jade took a breath. "I've been winking and smiling at you during team practices. Flirting when you were home. I literally walked in on you after a shower, Chris. I helped Claire cook for you. What more was I supposed to do?"
"Ohhh…" Chris scratched the back of his neck. "I thought you were just being friendly. My head's been somewhere else. Didn't Claire mention I get too focused sometimes?"
"She forgot to mention that," Jade said, her voice tight with annoyance, especially remembering the smug grin on Claire's face when she said she'd "forgotten."
"Anyway," she continued, "did you turn gay or something?"
"Huh? No!" Chris sounded almost offended. "If you're looking for a boyfriend, though... I don't think I'm the right guy. I've got time this summer, but once school starts, I just won't have the time to make it work."
"Oh, that's fine," Jade replied easily, her voice shifting to a playful tone. "I'm not looking for a relationship either. I just want something... physical."
Chris blinked. "For what?"
"You know," she said, suddenly bashful. "Like... friends with benefits?"
"Eh?"
"Having sex, damn it."
"Ohhhh…" Chris paused, then said with surprising calm, "Then I'm sorry. I don't think I'm the right choice for that either."
"Don't tell me you're turning into a nun like Claire..."
"What? No, I don't mind it. I'm just... not super experienced. Not a total beginner, but still."
Jade tilted her head, lips curling into a grin. "Well, how about I give you some time to think about it? And maybe… a little preview?"
Before he could answer, she leaned in and kissed him.
For a moment, Chris hesitated—then returned it. Their lips moved in sync, tongues tangling. Her fingers brushed over his chest, and his hands found her hips. They pressed closer, breath heavy, until—
BEEP!
The alarm outside went off, and they quickly pulled apart, adjusting clothes that had definitely shifted from all the groping.
The door opened, and a few curious faces peeked in.
"What happened in there? You were loud at first, then it got weirdly quiet," one of the guys asked.
Jade licked her lips, glanced at Chris, and said smoothly, "We just shared some... personal things."
They returned to the circle and sat down as the next round began.
"Hey, Cap," Ethan asked, raising a brow. "Didn't you say earlier you don't like chewing gum?"
"Huh?" Chris blinked, just noticing the 'gift' in his mouth.
"I thought I'd give it another try," he replied coolly.
The circle erupted in laughter again—but now, with a few more loaded glances thrown his way.