A Shot In The Dark

**Shiloh’s POV**

I stumbled drunkenly to the bathroom once Zacky and Brian had left, “fuck I shouldn’t have gone along with the game.” I mumbled to myself as I got my pants down and used the restroom. “Who the fuck is Gina? I mean not that it’s any of my business, we hadn’t had the talk of the exes yet. Plus, let’s be honest, I don’t necessary want to relive that bullshit with Erick.” I thought to myself before cleaning up and flushing. I pulled up my pants and fixed them right before washing my hands. As I turned off the water, Matt walked into the bathroom.

“Ah, fuck. Sorry Shi,” he started to back out.

“No, you’re good Matt…can I ask you a question when you’re done?” I asked as I dried my hands.

“Uh…yeah, sure.” He came in, “Wait outside for me?” I nodded and walked past him, closing the door behind me.

A few minutes later, Matt exited the bathroom and looked at me expectantly, “So?”

“Who’s Gina?”

He sighed and shook his head, “This isn’t my business Shi…you really should ask Vengeance.”

“I’m asking you, Matt,” I tilted my head, trying to focus.

He rubbed a hand over his face, “Look, it’s really not my place to get involved. If you wanna know anything, you should ask Zacky. If he refuses to tell you within a week, I’ll tell you.”

I sighed and nodded, “Okay…”

“Come on,” he wrapped an arm around my shoulders and kissed my forehead, “The guys will be back soon with more beer and maybe you can ask him during the game. Yeah?”

I laughed, “I’m not sure any of us need to drink more.”

“What do you mean!?” Jimmy bounded over to us as we reentered the living room. “We’re not close to being done yet!”

I couldn’t help but giggle like a school girl and go along with Jimmy’s antics. His energy was just so entertaining. “Alright, fiiiiine.” I playfully pushed his shoulder.

He feigned hurt and picked me up over his shoulder, “Say you’re sorry!” He held me there, little did he know I was terrified of heights.

“Jimmy, Jimmy put me down!” I said frantically, grabbing onto his waist for dear life.

“Nope, you gotta say you’re sorry for pushing me,” He commanded without falter.

“I’m sorry!” I shrieked, closing my eyes.

“Jimmy, put her down, she’s scared of heights,” Val came over hurriedly and gently touched his arm.

Immediately, I was relinquished and Jimmy pulled me into a tight bear hug. “I’m sorry Shi, I didn’t know.” He gave me the puppy face.

I hugged him back, holding back the fear in my voice, “It’s okay Jimmy. You didn’t know. Just don’t pick me up , alright?”

He nodded and instead grabbed my hand and pulled me over to the couch just as the door opened. I sat there as his energy immediately picked back up and he bounded over to the door like a little kid. “Did you get it? Did you get it?” he asked excitedly.

Brian laughed and nodded towards the bags in his and Zacky’s arms, “Does it look like we’re empty handed?”

“Matt, Johnny, come help us get reset!” Jimmy hollered to the others, who obliged their excited friend.

“Shi, outside?” Val asked me flashing her pack of cigarettes. I nodded and hurried out the door before the guys could notice.

“Have I mentioned I love you?” I asked her hugging her tightly.

She laughed, “You have, but I like hearing it.”

Val knew that I usually only smoked when I had anxiety, and let’s just say that heights make me extremely anxious. “Thank-you Val,” I said as I lit up the cig she passed me.

As we stood there, sharing the cigarette between the two of us, I found myself getting caught up in the night sky. “What’s on your mind Shi?”

I turned my attention back to Val who was busy studying my facial expression, “Well…” I took a breath in but before I could continue the door opened up and there stood Zacky.

“Hey babe,” he smiled and came over to hug me. “Val,” he smiled and acknowledged her.

“Everything set back up?” Val asked him with a sly smile.

“Unfortunately, but we’re hoping that Jimmy passes out soon,” he laughed as Val shook her head at him. She took a final drag off the cigarette and passed the last half to me.

“You’re a mess Z,” she kissed his cheek and walked inside.

I took a long drag off the cigarette, inhaling deeply before releasing the smoke. “You okay?” Zacky asked softly, nuzzling my neck. “I haven’t seen you smoke up until now.”

I chuckled slightly flicking the ash, “Jimmy picked me up over his shoulder…unnatural fear of heights. Needed to calm down before an anxiety attack could happen.”

He nodded, “I get it, I hate anxiety attacks.”

I took another drag, to build up my courage, “Who’s Gina?”

I felt him tense, his arms slightly loosening around my waist. “Not tonight Shi, please? I’ll tell you when we’re both sober, both in our right minds.”

“Is it that bad?” I asked and took one more drag of the cigarette before dropping it to the ground and stomping it out. I waited for an answer then turned around in his arms and looked up into those eyes. Fuck I shouldn’t have looked in his eyes, they were my downfall. “wait, no focus Shi.”

“It’s just something that I think we should talk about when we’re not drunk,” he said meeting my gaze and I nodded.

“Okay,” I gave him a half smile then turned to walk back inside, he grabbed my hand and pulled me back to him. He gazed into my eyes a little longer before brushing my bangs out of my face. I couldn’t help but smile at his gentleness. He leaned in and kissed my lips gently before pulling away. “Let’s go before Jimmy comes looking for us.” I smiled at him and pecked his lips again.

When I pulled away we went back inside, my fingers entwined with his. As we crossed the threshold we saw that everyone was circled up around the cups again, laughing. “Finally!” Jimmy shouted at us, making me chuckle.

“Sorry bud, so who’s up?” Zacky asked as we sat down. I was between him and Brian and Jimmy was right across from me.

“You were the last one to do anything, so pick someone and let’s go!” Jimmy said impatiently.

I couldn’t help but chuckle as he surveyed his options, “Johnny. You’re up.”

“Fine, you pussy,” Johnny joked and threw the ball. We played for another two hours until the final cup sat in the middle of the floor.

“Brian, your turn,” Val handed him the ball.

“Ugh, fine, bitch,” he swayed as he threw the ball and miraculously it landed in the amber liquid. “Mmm…JD my best friend in the world.”

We all laughed, I leaned up against Zacky, completely drunk off my ass. He kissed the top of my head as Val smirked, “Why didn’t you bring Michelle tonight?”

I sat up a little, “Michelle…your sister?”

She nodded at me before looking at him expectantly. “Ugh, must you always meddle?” He groaned playfully, “No…honestly, she didn’t want to come for whatever reason.”

“I know why she didn’t want to come…she probably knew I’d be here,” I sighed.

Notes