Making Him Earn It

It was only when the path opened up and I saw the clearing that I really started to accept the idea that Blake wasn’t dragging me off into the woods for nefarious purposes. Don’t get me wrong, the whole atmosphere in this place kind of had a post-apocalyptic trash aesthetic, but the fact that there were clearly a few chairs and the usual detritus of a secret hiding place gave me at least a little bit of comfort.

“Isn’t it great?” Blake said brightly as I nudged over an empty can with the toe of my shoes.

“Oh yeah,” I replied sarcastically, “Like a trip to the Ritz Carlton. You do know how to treat a lady.”

Ignoring me, Blake went on giving me the tour, “A buddy in second year turned me on to this place. Apparently admin doesn’t know about it at all so people come here to drink and party. So long as we keep it quiet, anything goes.”

“Lovely,” I said, thinking of the party I’d left behind and wondering why I’d thought this was a good idea in the first place, “Well thanks for the info I guess. I imagine this spot will come in handy during the year.”

“You’re leaving?” he asked, reaching into his pocket, “So soon. But I promised drinks and I do provide.”

Turning triumphant Blake held up a bottle of vodka. He held it out like it was a trophy and frankly the man was happy as a puppy dog, so happy at the prize and being a provider that it was almost a little endearing.

The whole thing had the effect of making him entirely unlike the Blake that I knew. So eager to please and pleasant and a part of me wanted to just give in to it, to forget about the life that I had once lived and give the guy a second chance that was actually a first opportunity because, frankly, if I hadn’t know what he could do I’d never have guessed in this moment.

But that meant forgetting about years worth of pain and suffering. And old wounds tend to ache for a long, long time.

“Vodka,” I said, raising an eyebrow, “Not exactly keen to do straight shots you know.”

From a nearby bush, almost as if he was expecting it, he pulled out a bottle of cola, “I think ahead.”

Not waiting for affirmation that I was in, Blake turned and started to busy himself with preparing us drinks. I don’t know where he got the cups from and I don’t know where he got the idea that I was going to just give in to this, but it didn’t seem to really matter to him.

I gave a short snort and sigh and looked around the place, wondering why I’d never been to this clearing before. I’d been on this campus for years and if you had asked me, before I’d been sent back, I would probably have claimed that this place held no secrets for me.

And yet here I was standing in tangible proof of one, that there were things that I’d missed. I had to wonder how many other secrets there were out there on this campus that I hadn’t found, to wonder whether maybe this second chance could afford me a whole wealth of new experiences.

“Okay,” Blake said finally, “All done. Here you go. A proper drink for a lady.”

He turned and held out the cup to me and I took it, giving it a sniff, “Warm vodka and coke. Every girl’s dream.”

But it might have been mine, right now. I wasn’t a heavy drinker but I was well aware that **** wasn’t something that was easy to come by on campus, at least not in my first year. There were only a few individuals who had the necessary ID to make that purchase, and most of them charged a premium for their services.

So this drink wasn’t exactly an opportunity that I wanted to pass up.

In spite of myself, maybe, I felt my mouth start to salivate a little at the thought of it. Suddenly my throat was a little dry and I remembered the benefit, or rather the side benefits, of **** as social lubrication. Maybe if I just had a little sip, just a little drink, then going back out into that crowd could be a bit easier. Maybe if I just had a taste I could feel a little less intimidated by it all.

Maybe, but the look in Blake’s eyes told me that maybe I would be playing into a different game whatsoever. The game that he had designed.

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