CASPIAN'S HOUSE

GINGER:

The entire evening, I can’t stop thinking about the text. I want to back out now, but Caspian already has the notion I don’t really like him—which isn’t totally true. Everything was fine until last night, and boy, do I wish I could erase Hu from my memory.

“Remember, you have to be home before nine!” Mother yells as I make my way out the door.

I wish I’d get hit by a truck, I mutter under my breath, flagging down a taxi.

**

As the taxi pulls up in front of Caspian’s house, I feel like a heavy weight is crushing my chest. I pay the driver and step out, my legs heavier with every step toward the front door. It’s only a stone’s throw away, but it feels like I’m on a journey of a thousand miles. Fuck… is this what guilt feels like?

The front door swings open before I even knock. Caspian stands there, my ever-loving boyfriend, with a huge grin stretched across his face.

“You came,” he says cheerfully, pulling me into a hug. His hand rests on my waist, while I stand there motionless, guilt clawing at my chest.

When he pulls back, his bright eyes meet mine, and Hu’s words replay in my mind. Maybe I should end this right now, I think, but then Caspian slides his hands under my hair, cupping my cheek so gently it makes my heart ache.

“Is something wrong, Gin?” he asks in a soft voice. I shake my head too quickly.

“I’m happy to see you tonight.” I force a smile onto my lips, and I know he doesn’t buy it.

He nods anyway, grabbing my hand and leading me inside. As soon as he shuts the door, I hear a female laugh ring out from the next room. My stomach knots.

It’s a large living room, cozy and warm, with six people scattered around. Among them, Hu sits beside Ruby, who’s laughing so hard it echoes off the walls. Drinks and snacks are everywhere. A movie plays on the large screen above the fireplace, but no one’s paying attention. Hu’s brows are furrowed, and his posture is stiff. The second his eyes land on me, his frown deepens, but I pretend not to care.

Caspian leads me to the couch opposite Hu and Ruby, his arm slinging over my shoulder. Ruby keeps laughing, grating my nerves.

“What’d I miss?” Caspian asks as his arm tightens around me, but Hu’s gaze burns into my skin. I try not to look, but I can barely follow the conversation as I think of a million things at once. Everyone’s laughing, but I have no idea why.

I glance around the room, wondering who could’ve sent the text. Ruby is the obvious suspect. It gnaws at me, the way she leans into Hu, whispering in his ear. Hu doesn’t even respond, and his face stays sharp and unreadable, but Ruby keeps trying.

A gentle squeeze on my shoulder pulls me back. Caspian presses a soft kiss to my temple, and my stomach tingles, but tonight, it feels wrong.

“Let’s play something,” one of Caspian’s friends says, grabbing an empty bottle from the center table.

“This’ll be fun,” Caspian murmurs, pulling me closer until I’m tucked into his side. “Roll it Rowland.” The guys chuckle, and I let out a small laugh, earning another kiss to my forehead. It feels like I’m suffocating under all this affection.

Rowland spins the bottle, and it lands on Ruby first.

“Rubs!” he calls out, clapping his hands dramatically, standing with a smug grin.

“Bring it on,” she says, and he strokes his chin shortly.

“I dare you to chug an entire bottle of this,” he says, grabbing a drink, and Ruby cracks her fingers, standing to grab the bottle. “In sixty seconds.”

“What?” she questions.

“Time’s ticking, boo,” he grins, handing her the bottle.

Ruby raises it to her lips with a defiant glare, tilting it back as the countdown starts. The liquid rushes down her throat, and I can’t help but imagine being in her place. I’d fail miserably.

“Five, four…” She slams the bottle on the table.

“And she’s done!” Rowland announces, clapping like a proud dad. “Here, you earned it.” He slides the spin bottle to her.

I wrap my arm tighter around Caspian, but the unease doesn’t leave. Ruby spins the bottle, and, as if the universe is mocking me, it lands on me.

“You’re up, new girl,” she smirks, with an evil gleam in her eyes.

My heart thuds, and I sit up straighter, trying to keep my face neutral.

“I dare you to kiss Hu.”

The words hang in the air.

“What?” The word slips from my lips before I can stop it. Hu’s gaze flickers, his jaw tightening just slightly.

“What the fuck, Ruby?” Caspian snaps, sliding his hands off my body.

Ruby shrugs. “Sorry, Casp, but rules are rules.”

Everyone else murmurs their agreement, like this is just harmless fun. My mind races. Is this part of Hu’s game? Did Ruby know about last night?

“So what’s it gonna be, new girl?” Ruby presses, her smile widening like she knows exactly what she’s doing.

I sit frozen, a thousand thoughts colliding in my head. Kiss Hu and betray Caspian right here. Or…

“Come on, don’t slow us down,” Ruby goads. “Do your dare, or…”

Rowland chimes in, glancing nervously at Caspian. “Or she takes a shot.”

Ruby scoffs. “What? I chugged an entire bottle of beer.”

“Rules are rules, Ruby,” Caspian snaps, his arm tightening around me.

Ruby rolls her eyes, but doesn’t argue further. “Fine.”

I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding, standing up quickly. My hands tremble slightly as I grab a bottle of wine and pour a shot. I feel Hu’s eyes on me the whole time, but I don’t look at him. I can’t.

I down the shot in one swift motion, the burn in my throat making me wince. I set the glass down with more force than necessary and walk back to Caspian, my heart still pounding.

“Does it hurt?” he asks softly, his hand finding my thigh, rubbing gentle circles.

I nod, swallowing the lump in my throat. “A little.”

“Sorry, love,” he whispers, and before I can say anything, he’s kissing me. His lips move against mine, slow at first, then deeper. His tongue slides against mine as he stakes his claim in front of everyone.

The room goes quiet.

“Ew, get a room or something,” Ruby sneers, but I barely hear her. Caspian pulls back, peering into my eyes like everyone is invisible.

Without thinking, I grab his hand. “Maybe we do need a room,” I say in a low tone.

Caspian’s lips curve into a smirk, but over his shoulder, I catch Hu standing up abruptly. His face is unreadable, but his clenched fists give him away. He doesn’t say a word as he strides out of the room the door clicking shut behind him…