Lesson 51- Don’t take candy from strangers.

I start to get to my feet but Torin stops me.
“Stay here.” He insists. I frown.
“But, the dare…” I trail off. Torin doesn’t answer. He just walks behind the bar, grabs a bottle of ridiculously expensive rum and brings it back to the table where he tops up my drink, then drops the bottle onto the table in front of me.
“There. Dare completed. I bought her a drink.” Torin announces, daring anyone to object. Normally his glare would be enough, but Eli is pretty drunk.
“No it isn’t! She was supposed to go FLIRT with a guy!” Eli objects loudly. Torin glowers at him and takes a half step forwards. I place a hand on Torin’s arm to stop him.
“Nope. That wasn’t part of the dare. You just said I had to get a guy to buy me a drink! We’ve been playing by the exact phrasing of words this whole game, you can’t change that now!” I argue with a grin. Torin has saved me from having to embarrass myself and I am super relieved.
“But… He didn’t REALLY buy you a drink. He owns this place. He just grabbed the bottle.” Eli tries to argue again. This time Torin answers before I can.
“It’s my bar, and it’s my alcohol. I ordered it, I paid for it. The dare is done and this game is over.” He says firmly. Eli’s jaw hangs open for a second before he snaps it shut and nods his head.
“Okay. Game is over.” He answers quietly, his tone is slightly higher than it usually is. I can’t help but laugh.
“Hey Torin, the dare was to get me a drink. You didn’t need to bring over the entire bottle.” I joke, sipping at the drink he poured me. As I drink it I hear gasps from around the room which confuses me a bit because I’m not quite sure what they’re reacting to. I glance around the bar trying to figure out what’s so shocking but I can’t see anything out of place.
“Well no one else is going to want to touch a drink I poured, so you might as well take the whole thing. Maybe don’t drink it all now though… You’re drunk enough as it is.” He adds gruffly. I narrow my eyes at him, searching for some sign of judgement or disapproval, but I don’t find any. Just concern.

I suppose I am getting kind of tired now. Alcohol sometimes makes me drowsy. Laura looks fairly out of it too.
“I guess you have a point. Maybe I’ll put it aside for another time… Hey Laura, do you wanna go watch bad rom-coms until we pass out?” I suggest. Laura nods and gets to her feet, then immediately stumbles. I jump to my feet to catch her and then I stumble too. Luckily Torin catches me and he’s big enough that I can’t knock him over so easily. I lean into him for a moment as I regain my balance, then stand up properly.
“Thanks Torin.” I smile up at him, then grab the bottle of rum and Laura’s hand and start to lead her out of the bar.
“Bye Eli! See you later. Bye Catcher. Bye Jane, I’ll come visit you when I’m less tipsy. Bye Torin, thanks for the rum!” I call out behind me as I leave the bar. In the hallway I can hear a light knocking coming from the floor. Jane responding I guess. I tap the floor with my foot and she stops, apparently content with that response. Laura and I stumble our way into my room and we both collapse onto the bed. Luckily it’s big enough that we can both fit in it because I seriously doubt that Laura is driving home tonight. Actually, she might be asleep already. Laura rolls over onto her side and pokes me in the side. So apparently she has not passed out yet after all.
“Hey Riiina. I didn’t get to ask my questions during truth or dare. It’s not faaaair! I wanted to ask what’s really going on between you and Torin!” She whines. I plaster a pleasant smile across my face.
“We’re friends, you know that.” I answer simply. Laura scoffs.
“No one is friends with Torin.” She says, completely serious. I frown.
“Well I am.” I argue.
“Yeah but it’s so strange. And he’s so weird with you. He lets you run around here and do whatever you want, and he set up this room for you and he lets you in his office. Plus Catcher told me what happened the first time he met you. Torin was so pissed. Catch said he freaked out and yelled that you were his or something like that. He said Torin was real emotional. We’ve never seen him like that before, so I just thought that maybe the two of you are… I don’t know. Something.” She doesn’t seem to know exactly what she’s asking.
“Look, I like Torin, he’s nice… To me at least… And I don’t really understand why everyone treats him so badly. But if you’re implying there’s something between us other than friendship you’re wrong. I can’t have feelings for a guy who is keeping me captive. Even being friends is super weird. I’m half convinced that I’m getting some kind of Stockholm syndrome. I mean, I should hate you guys, or resent you or something, right? The only reason I’m not completely positive that I do, is because I liked you all right away and I’m pretty sure it isn’t some instant thing. I hope. The point is, I’m already maxed out on feelings. No more feelings. It’s totally not allowed.” I close my mouth with a snap. I need to stop talking. I definitely didn’t plan to give that little rant. I expect her to drop the subject, but she won’t be deterred.
“What if he let you go? Like if he told me to get rid of the binding spell and said you could do whatever you want? What then? Would you like him then?” She pesters. I don’t answer and she pokes me again.
“Tell meeeee. This is girls night. Talking about boys is a requirement!” She insists.
“I don’t know where you’re getting your girls night rules from but I’m pretty sure there isn’t any set requirement for this to really be a girls night.” I respond. Laura rolls her eyes.
“Nope. We gotta. So answer the question!” She pokes me in the ribs again.
“Ugh. Maybe. That’s the best answer you’re going to get. I don’t know. I don’t want to think about it.” I say with as much finality in my voice as I can manage. Hopefully it’s enough to shut the subject down. Laura seems content with my answer at least, but she isn’t done talking.
“That’s so… Sad. But maybe not as sad as me. You know, I haven’t been on a date since highschool?” She groans.
“You don’t happen to know any single guys do you?” She adds as an afterthought. Her tone says that it’s a joke but her expression tells me that she’s just a little bit serious about it.
“I mean, I might know some. But how would that help you? I’m not allowed to contact anyone I actually know.” I grumble and she grimaces.
“Right…” She sighs and an idea occurs to me.
“What about Kyle? He’s single isn’t he? Does he count?” I suggest, doing my best to keep my tone normal. I’m not sure if I succeed, but she’s drunk enough to not notice.
“Nah. He’s like… I don't know. We’re work buddies.” She shrugs and falls silent. I’m about to ask more when she groans, jumps to her feet and rushes out of the room. I find her a minute later in the bathroom throwing up. Well damn. I head to the kitchen to get her a glass of water and I’m surprised to find that Kyle is still here. Usually he leaves way earlier than this. Then again, Laura is hanging out drunk, so maybe I’m not so shocked.
“You should have come out and had a drink with us.” I comment and he jumps, not having heard me walk in.
“You girls had enough drinks for the both of us.” He grumbles and I roll my eyes.
“We need water.” I explain and Kyle being the secret softie that he is gestures to the jug of ice water that he has already placed on a tray with two glasses.
“I was about to bring it to you.” He admits and, drunk as I am, I don’t even hesitate to grab him in a big bear hug. He yelps and objects to it but ultimately tolerates the embrace.
“Alright, alright. I’m leaving now so let me go.” He complains.
“I’ll walk you out.” I tell him with a smile. Kyle just shrugs. We walk to the back door together and he pulls it open only to be immediately shoved back and straight into me.