Chapter 69: Cheap Plot II
I answered unfazed, "It's not a big deal," about gambling with a fake ID in Vegas.
From the other end of the table, Alex Dunphy muttered with a cynical tone, "Yeah, just a misdemeanor…"
Besides her, the only ones giving me judgmental looks were Claire and Mitchell. To Gloria, something like that wasn't even worth a raised eyebrow.
"I just hope you didn't meet any skank," Summer nudged her shoulder against mine.
Haley pouted, "That's not fair. You do a bunch of wrong things, and nothing happens to you. I would be grounded for months."
"Any luck?" Alex Kelly wondered if I had won any money.
"Twenty grand at blackjack," I replied.
Haley ran her hand along my arm. "How about shopping next week, cousin?"
"A minute ago you were complaining that I never get punished." I pushed her head away, then continued, "And next Saturday I booked CUT by Wolfgang Puck - a VIP private room dinner for all of us."
"You're invited too, Alex," I said, looking at her normally
"Huh, isn't that the restaurant at the Four Seasons that opened in 2002?" Marissa observed. "Any special reason to celebrate?"
"My birthday," I revealed.
Summer quickly turned to me. "Your birthday is next week?"
"That is so sad my girlfriend doesn't know my birthday," I teased, tapping her cheek, though I wasn't really bothered by it.
"Do you know mine?"
"Yours is August 13," I went on. "Marissa is May 4, my cousin Alex is in three days -January 14. I can list everyone's birthday except for the beauty here." I nodded toward Alex Kelly.
"March 10," she replied.
"Okay, smartass, we can all meet at my place on Friday night," Summer suggested, giving me a kiss on the cheek. "Have a small celebration just with our group."
I smiled, and we started eating since the food had arrived.
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I was washing my hands outside the bathroom entrance when Alex Kelly stopped beside me.
"You never call me back," she initiated, fixing her hair in the mirror.
"You never told me you were bi."
She gave me a pointed look. "Oh, so that would make a difference?"
"Maybe yes, maybe not," I shrugged. "But let's be honest - you're only pissed because you weren't the one who bailed first."
She just shot me a glare.
"And I've seen the way you look at Marissa during the dinner," I teased lightly. "You look like an 8th‑grader with a crush. Did you write her name in your diary?" I mocked.
"Hey, I'm not like the other three. I will actually punch you," she warned me.
I dismissed her and continued, "Honest, I thought at first sign it was like one of my dad's theories - some girls are so hot or so beautiful that even other chicks would go for them."
I can totally see that happening with Marissa and Alex.
"Your dad is a scumbag," she stated flatly.
"Oh, that he is," I fully agreed.
We talked a bit more before heading back to the table.
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A few days later, Summer, Seth, Ryan, Taylor, and I were in Summer's kitchen, putting the drinks into the fridge.
I opened three Heinekens and handed one to Seth and Ryan, since Taylor and Summer wanted cocktails.
"Cheers, man. Tomorrow - 17 years old," Seth toasted, clinking his bottle against mine. Ryan did the same.
Right after that, Alex and Marissa arrived, carrying a few bags.
"We brought a few more things to mix with the drinks," Marissa said enthusiastically as she walked over to hug me.
"Hi, name's Seth," he introduced himself clumsily to Alex, who greeted him normally.
I lightly smacked his stomach. "Back off, Seth."
He looked at me confused - until Alex got very close to Marissa and brushed her affectionately.
"Oh. My. God," Seth froze with his mouth open. Ryan raised both eyebrows.
"I haven't told my mom yet," Marissa admitted, seeing their reaction. "If you could please be discreet."
"Yeah, don't worry. I know how to keep a secret," Seth replied, still stunned.
"Don't worry, girls. If Seth runs his mouth, I'll burn his comics," I joked.
"Hey," he exclaimed, slightly offended. "I'm not threatening you with scratching your cars…" he paused, "…or messing up your equations."
"Because I would kick your ass."
"No way," he denied. "Ryan, come on, man." He pulled Ryan in front of him. "Jake is a rich kid."
Then Anna, Haley, and Dylan arrived, my cousin immediately wrapped her arms around me.
"Now that everyone is here," I remarked - we had only invited our closest friends - "let's make some drinks."
I began stacking a tower of glasses to prepare one of the most visually impressive drinks I knew.
"What are you doing?" Summer frowned.
"Watch," I said, giving details, "bottom glass gets Kahlúa and blue curaçao." I poured Sambuca into a small cup, grabbed a lighter, and ignited it.
A moment later I poured the flaming Sambuca over the tower, creating a sheet of blue fire cascading down the glasses. To finish it off, I tossed a pinch of cinnamon over the flames, making them erupt in golden sparks.
Everyone admired the drink.
Alex was the first to approach. "Flaming Lamborghini. Not bad." Then she smirked. "You really are a show‑off."
"That is so cool!" Dylan expressed excitedly. "It's like a burning glass tower!"
Seth glanced at him strangely. "That is exactly what it is."
Alex grabbed my beer, poured it into a large glass, added amaretto and rum, then set it on fire before dropping the flame into the beer glass.
She took a sip, giving me a challenging stare.
"Flaming Dr. Pepper," I nodded.
"Well, at least no one here is lighting things on fire with a phone battery," Marissa smiled, remembering how we first met.
Summer pressed herself against me. "I want one too."
I prepared a glass for her, still with sparks falling from the cinnamon in the air.
"Careful," I warned. "This one hits harder than Marissa backing up her car."
"Hey!" Marissa protested, but Summer and Alex were giggling.
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