Why Now? by Carey Heywood Page B

Killer,” Jake presses. “Spill.”
    “Like the whole thing?” I ask, laughing and they nod.
    I cover my face with my hand and mumble, “God, this is so embarrassing.”
    Reilly says, “Ahh, I remember. You thought you were going to die.”
    Dropping my hand, I nod.
    “What?” Jake growls, his expression hardening.
    “I was nowhere near actually dying,” I quickly explain and he relaxes.
    “I mixed liquors and the last thing I drank was this red mixed drink. It ended up being the first thing to come back up and I was so drunk that when I started throwing up I thought it was blood and I was going to die.”
    Reilly nods. “Between bouts of hugging the toilet she came back to the party to say goodbye to everyone. She wanted them to know she’d miss them after she died.”
    Her eyes widen and she smacks her leg before continuing, “I almost forgot. You even made me write a farewell letter to Jake. Oh God, it was hysterical.”
    Blushing, I cut her off. “Yeah, well, it’s also the reason I don’t like mixed drinks. Whose turn is it?”
    “I’ll go,” Heath says, coming to my rescue. “Never have I ever had a fake ID.”
    Reilly is the only one who drinks, and Jake asks, “Where did you get a fake ID from?”
    It’s funny how he can still be an over protective brother eight years after the fact.
    Reilly seems amused by his annoyance and his question. “There was a boy who lived in our dorm with an older sister who looked like me. It was her driver’s license and it was ages ago.”
    His gaze turns to me. “I’m surprise she didn’t find one for you as well.”
    “Oh God, even if I had, Kace never would have accepted it,” she jokes.
    “Only proves how much smarter she is than you,” he grumbles.
    “Thanks , Jake, that’s super nice of you to say,” she snaps, setting her drink onto the coffee table with a bang.
    Jake folds his arms across his chest, unmoved by her actions. “You’ve grown up a lot since then but you’re still too impulsive. I swear, if I go prematurely gray it will be because of you.”
    She lifts her chin. “And it’d probably look good on you because men turn into silver foxes and women age. Being a girl fucking sucks.”
    Jake cracks a smile. “Sorry I’m so sexy, and shut up about aging, you’re still a baby.”
    “Am not,” she replies, but does it smiling then looks at me. “Your turn.”
    Shit, I should have been thinking of one while it was someone else’s turn.
    What have I always wanted to know about the people in this room? Reilly’s an open book so there isn’t anything I should direct her way.
    That leaves Jake and Heath.
    Clearing my throat, I say, “Never have I ever had a one night stand.”
    Everyone, save for myself, takes a drink. Jake’s annoyed look is back as he watches Reilly drink. Then he looks at me and his expression turns . . . curious.
    He looks back at Reilly. “I’m not sure if I want to know, but was the guy anyone I’d know?”
    She shakes her head. “It was during college and it was me who decided it’d only be one night, not him.”
    She covers her mouth to smother a giggle and lifts her pinkie up as explanation.
    “Reilly, too much information,” Jake grumbles while Heath bursts out laughing.
    Reilly goes on, “Then I probably shouldn’t tell you that if it’s looking like sex is on the menu I always make them order a hand job first to be safe.”
    “Reilly, I do not need to know that!” Jake snaps making all of us laugh.
    “Whatever, it’s common sense,” she replies. “So, what about the two of you? Would Kacey or I know any of your hookups?”
    Jake looks relieved that Reilly is no longer sharing. “You knew the few girls I dated in high school. Once I got to college I was focused on football until my knee went, so if I hooked up with anyone it was only a one night thing.”
    “What about now,” she presses. “With living on the rig it has to be hard to date.”
    He snorts. “Date? It’s impossible. The