Page 69 of The Scientist

“’E looks like a baby ‘orse trying to valk for the first time,” Friedrich commented as he watched Stuart trying to right himself.

“Can it, Freddy!” Stuart shouted.

“I’ll get you that drink,” Jace offered.

“Thanks,” I told him, helping Stuart inside.

They had quite the party going. There were around twenty guys and a few women gathered around four poker tables. Some were playing while others just stood by watching. The couches had been pushed up against the wall, where more people were hanging out and drinking. It didn’t take long for me to spot Lex (not that I was looking) facing away from us at one of the poker tables, his chips stacked a mile high. I came to a halt when I saw him, staring like a deer caught in headlights.

The shocking part wasn’t seeing him socializing with a large group of people. What had my complete, undivided attention was the fact that Nicky was draped over his shoulder, whispering in his ear. The blood boiled beneath my skin. I didn’t even know I was capable of such rampant, irrational jealousy, but here I was picturing taking her head and bashing it into the table over and over.

Jace had come back from the kitchen and handed me a drink. I thanked him and took a large swallow, trying to cover up my anger.

“Everyone! Listen up!” Stuart started shouting. Everyone turned to look at him including Lex, whose eyes went wide with surprise when he saw me standing there.

“This divine lady here who looks like she should be carved into the front of a pirate ship is my good pal, Hadley. Not a one of you is good enough for her,” he said, pulling me to his side. “And that includes you, Jace… so hands off!”

“For fuck’s sake,” I mumbled. “Thanks for that.”

“What? I was making sure they knew you were off limits.”

Dan rolled his eyes. “No one was planning on jumping her, Benowitz.”

The party recommenced with everyone ignoring Stuart and getting back to their conversations and the card game. Everyone except Lex, who was glaring in our direction, his eyes flitting between myself and Jace.

I wasn’t sure if I should go over and greet him or not while he was in the middle of playing, so I settled for just waving and smiling, but he didn’t return the gesture.Rude. He turned back to the game as I watched Nicky playfully trying to peek at his cards with her hand wrapped around his bicep. I must not have been able to hide my revulsion, because Stuart stopped to look at what I was staring at.

“Oh, you noticed that horrible smell too? Looks like you found the source,” Stuart said loud enough for Nicky to hear. That got her attention.

“He can’t even have a couple drinks without acting like a sloppy mess,” Nicky said just as loudly, glancing at Stuart. “Pathetic.”

“Anyone else think it’s no coincidence that Nicky’s name has the word‘ick’in it?” Stuart asked, looking around at everyone.

That got a laugh from a few of the other guys in the room, which made me wonder how well-liked she really was.

“Fuck off, Stuart,” Nicky snapped.

“Love to! The smell was getting to me anyway,” he retorted. “Come on, Betty. Let’s get you that drink.” He grabbed my arm, trying to pull me toward the kitchen.

I held up my cup in front of him. “I already have a drink.”

“Then come with me so I can get another.”

“I don’t think you need any more,” I protested, but he pulled me with him to the kitchen anyway.

I looked back apologetically at Jace, who smiled and shrugged like he was used to Stuart’s antics. I dared a glance back at Lex just to see him scowling in our direction. What was this night turning into?

I took a few sips of my drink while I watched Stuart clumsily make himself another one.

“I think you should eat something first,” I told him, trying my best not to sound like a mother hen.

“All Sanjay has is stale Tostitos and leftover vindaloo, and you know what curry does to my IBS.”

Boy did I.I made the mistake of eating Indian food with them one night and suffered for it the whole car ride home.

“You literally live a hundred feet away from here. You could go grab something.”

“And miss the fun of seeing you and Lex having a standoff from across the room? No, thank you.”