Rum & Ginger by Eon de Beaumont Read Free Book Online

“He’s pissed. You’ll figure it out.”
    “I suppose.” Ben sipped at the rum and ginger ale Lena made for him. “You ready to go?”
    “Just got to pour myself into something,” Lena said with a wink. She dashed down the hallway, and Ben cleared away their glasses. Lena reemerged in a skintight red dress.
    “That’s a little cliché, don’t you think?” He asked.
    “Eh.” Lena shrugged dismissively and grabbed her black velvet jacket and her keys. “Shall we?”
    “We shall.” Ben opened the door for her.
     
     
    T HEY PULLED up to Burnsy’s party. Ben was pretty sure this was Burnsy’s parents’ place. He wondered what it was like to have everything handed to you. “Don’t start judging,” Lena said, speaking to his thoughts.
    “I’m not,” he lied. “It’s a great place.” They moved through the little groups hanging out on the lawn and on the porch of the large mansion. “What’s the plan?” he asked.
    “Drink ourselves blind and party like idiots,” Lena responded.
    “That certainly sounds like a plan,” Ben stated. He and Lena shared a laugh and entered the building. They cut through the throng of dancers, heading straight for the kitchen and alcohol. Lena started mixing drinks instantly. Ben leaned against a counter, relaxing amidst the mingled conversations. Chance would hate this. So many people in one place having disparate discussions would drive him crazy. Ben found it strangely comforting. He accepted the drink Lena offered and sipped at it.
    “Ben! Lena! Son of a bitch! You guys made it!” Burnsy marched into the room, his arms open, and folded Ben and Lena into a hug. “Thanks, you guys!”
    “No prob,” Ben stated.
    “Shots!” Burnsy barked. “We need shots!”
    “Oh, I don’t know about that,” Ben said.
    “Shots!” Lena shouted. Ben rolled his eyes. It seemed he was outnumbered. One of Burnsy’s little groupies poured shots for everyone in the kitchen.
    “Oh, what the hell,” Ben mumbled. The group toasted and everyone downed their shots.
    “Another round!” Lena cheered.
    “Yeah!” Burnsy agreed. Shots were again distributed, toasted, and consumed. “Woo!” Burnsy shouted. “Let’s rock out with our cocks out!” he called as he left the kitchen.
    “Is he serious?” Ben asked. He could feel the effects of the shots already, and he liked it.
    “Prob’ly,” Lena answered. “He’s always pulling his dick out for no reason.”
    “What the hell am I doing here?” Ben wondered aloud, sipping his original drink.
    “Don’t be like that,” Lena scolded. “Frickin’ enjoy yourself for a change.”
    Ben scowled in response. He enjoyed himself. What was she trying to say? He wasn’t Chance, hiding away in their house and refusing to mix with other people. “This is great!” Ben barked, draining his drink and holding out the empty cup. “Another,” he ordered.
    “That’s the spirit,” Lena answered, pouring another drink. An aggressive beat emerged from elsewhere in the house. “Dance?” Lena asked.
    “Hell yeah,” Ben answered, already moving with the rhythm. They drifted toward the music and found the dance floor. They weaved around the writhing bodies, searching for an empty bit of floor space. Ben and Lena danced as the lights flashed and the music surged. He closed his eyes and let himself get lost in the movement and music. Lena’s hand grazed his shoulder as they danced. She bumped into him, and he smiled. Lena’s hand squeezed his bicep and he opened his eyes. What he saw wasn’t Lena.
    “Hey.” The cute boy in front of Ben looked familiar.
    “Hey,” Ben answered. His body moved despite his confusion.
    “You don’t remember me,” the young dancer said.
    “I do,” Ben said before it was true. He did recognize his dance partner but couldn’t provide a name. “Bartender!”
    “You do remember me,” the bartender stated.
    “Brodie!” Ben remembered. “Brodie the Bartender.”
    Brodie pressed a finger to his