Chapter eighty four
Oliver
“I have a very good reason for coming here, but you don't.” Ethan shot at Xavier as he stepped out of the car, a gift bag in his hand.
“What reason do you have for coming to Oliver's house by seven in the evening?” Xavier raised an eyebrow.
“I come bearing gifts for the birthday girl. What's your excuse?” Ethan questioned.
I threw the car keys at the valet and strolled towards the front door. The two of them followed closely.
“I came to gift her also.” Xavier muttered.
The gift he bought hurriedly after Ethan mentioned he would be coming here to give Dallas a gift.
“What? You didn't even know it was her birthday until I said so.” Ethan argued.
I let out an exasperated sigh. How I ended up being friends with the both them is an unsolvable mystery. The two of them have been arguing since we left the Valhalla club almost an hour ago.
After the shitty month we've had between the mess with Jason, Lucien's death, Atlas's arrest, Alberto's cryptic message, it was the only time we caught a break. We hit the cold sauna, while the girls went shopping.
“I'll just remind you that neither of you live here. You can't come into my house in the middle of the night to argue. Especially not you.” I pointed at Ethan but he gave me an eye roll.
“Besides Dallas is not in the house. They were supposed to be at their party by now.”
“Then I'll just drop the gift in her room. It's not that late. It's just a few minutes past seven o clock.” Ethan said, his eyes darting to his watch.
My eyes narrowed on Xavier.
“I'll just have a glass of water and leave. I'm parched.” He strolled past me and walked through the front door.
“I swear, something is wrong with him. He's been extra cranky lately, and I'm pretty sure it has nothing to do with Brenda moving in with him. I mean I know he's not in love with her but he's never let it weigh him down like this.” Ethan said.
I nodded my head in agreement. After me, Xavier is the next broody in our group. But he's been more broody these past few days.
“He'll talk when he's ready.” I said. “Drop the gift as soon as you enter and get out.”
Ethan chuckled at my tone. We strolled in after Xavier. He was standing in the middle of the living room, his hands shoved into his pocket.
“Something wrong?” I asked.
“I know you said the girls are at their party, but I'm pretty sure the party is happening in your backyard.”
Ethan and I trailed his line of sight to the window that has the perfect view of my backyard. Sure enough, there were LED lights decorating everywhere and a cake on the table.
The three of them were gathered in the area that was designed for eating outdoors. A circular table with chairs surrounding it.
It was a part of my house I rarely use except for meetings that requires it. Or when Mum insists we have family dinner there. But seeing how happy Dallas looked now, it might just be my second most favorite place in my mansion. Right after our bedroom, of course.
“Well, seems we got a party invite. Let's go, boys!” Ethan said.
Xavier and I glared at him clearly not appreciating the term he referred to us with. He simply rolled his eyes.
“You said the party was only for the girls, right? We probably shouldn't crash it?” He said, his eyes still fixed on the scene at the backyard, a flicker of something similar to interest flashed in his eyes.
“Yeah, we shouldn't.” I agreed, not taking my eyes of Dallas.
God she looked so good in that cloth. But not as good as she'd look without it. The thought sent a straight jolt to my groin. Black might just be my favorite color now.
“Wow, you guys are being civil for once. Though I doubt Oliver would be able to hold on for that lon–”
Argh! Fuck it!
I took heavy strides towards the door and exited the building in a matter of seconds. I could feel Xavier said Ethan trailing behind me.
“And that's exactly what I was about to say.” Ethan chuckled behind me.
We got to the backyard and met the girls were giggling about something. They didn't seem to notice our presence yet, probably because of the half empty bottle of alcohol before them.
“I swear, Lisa, you're impossible. But you know what, I love you.” Dallas laughed.
“Aww, who knew telling the story about how I almost drowned during my honeymoon would get a love confession out of you.” Lisa pouted her lips.
Heather smiled and raised her glass.
“Happy birthday to Dallas!”
“To Dallas! May she live long!” Lisa raised her glass and Dallas did the same.
Heather was the first to notice us. Her yes widened slightly before narrowing at something behind me. Her posture stiffened. She downed the content of the glass in one gulp.
“Are we too late to join the toast?” I asked and slid into the seat beside Dallas. Her heavy scent quickly invaded my nostrils and I inhaled sharply.
“God, you smell good.” I leaned forward and took a sharp inhale.
A blush crept on her cheeks and I pulled away. Ethan and Xavier sat at opposite sides of Lisa, leaving three seats between Ethan and Heather.
“Happy birthday,” I said quietly so only the two of us can hear.
“Thank you,” she gave me a soft smile.
“Happy birthday, Dallas.” Ethan flashed her a smile which she returned.
“Thank you,”
“Happy birthday.” Xavier said, his expression softened into what I'm sure he thought was a smile.
Dallas's smile grew wider.
“Thank you.”
“I'm just gonna drop the gift there.” Ethan stood up and walked to the pile of gift. He removed the perfectly wrapped gift and dropped it in the pile of gifts at a corner. Xavier did the same.
“Now that we're all seated, should we continue the game?” Lisa asked, a smile spreading on her lips.
“Hell yeah!” Ethan was the first to answer.
Dallas's eyes darted between the three of us.
“I don't think we should.” She said.
“We certainly are. We're all playing.” I didn't know what the game was but I wasn't going to let them stop on our account. It was her birthday and she deserved to enjoy every bit of it.
“You don't even know what the game is.” She whispered to me.
“I don't care. I'm playing as long as I get to stay.” I whispered back.
“But to be clear, it's not truth or dare, right?”
She pressed her lips together to suppress a smile.
“No, we played that already.”
Good, because I don't think I'd do any dare, and I don't want to ruin her party.
“What game are we playing?” Xavier asked, his eyes fixed on the table.
“‘Never have I ever’. Someone asks a question starting with ‘never have I ever…’ then you take a shot if you've done that thing before. The shot means ‘I have’. But if you haven't, you just say ‘I haven't’.” Lisa explained.
“I know what the game is.” Xavier finally looked away from the table, his eyes locked on Lisa.
She seem to think about something but throwing him what was obviously a fake smile.
“That's good.” She tore her gaze away from him. “So we're all playing?”
“Xavier doesn't drink, neither does Oliver, but I'll play.” Ethan answered.
“I'll take a few. I assume I'm not driving anywhere tonight.” Xavier said, his eyebrow raised at me. Ethan nodded as if agreeing with him.
“There are a lot of rooms here.” Ethan added.
Forget long term friendships, I'm so going to kill the both of them. Dallas took my hand in hers and made me stare at her.
I could see the message in her eyes clearly. ‘Don’t be a jerk. There are enough rooms for all of us’. She kissed me gently on the lips.
Fine, they can stay.
“Great, I'll get the glasses.” She struggled to get on her feet, obviously a little drunk. Xavier steadied her on her feet.
“I'll come help.” Ethan rose from his seat.
She muttered something before walking away towards the main house. I caught Xavier's eyes trailing behind them, a slight furrow of his brows before he looked away.
“Well, this is going to be interesting.” A smirk tugged at the corner of my lips.