Humiliated, Beckett clung to her arm and glared at me. "Marvin why are you being so petty? If you can't handle the game, don't play!"
I forced a laugh. "Isn't this what the game is about? Why are you taking it so seriously?"
"Marvin!"
For the eighteenth time, Serina screamed at me for his sake.
"You've gone too far! Apologize to Beckett right now!"
I was the one insulted, yet somehow, I was always the one in the wrong.
Suddenly, it all felt meaningless.
I grabbed my jacket and stood to leave.
Her hand shot out, gripping my wrist, her face dark with anger.
"Today is our anniversary. My friends are all here. Must you embarrass me like this?"
That word again. Friends. Best friend!
I shook off her grip.
Slap!
My palm cracked across her cheek. Everyone froze in shock.
The air turned to stone.
Beckett forced a laugh, looping an arm around Serina's shoulders and clamping his hand over her mouth.
"Alright, enough. Don't say anything."
His smile softened, his voice gentle. "Marvin, Serina and I are just best friends. We grew up together, running around naked. Even if I stripped bare in front of her now, she wouldn't even flinch."