Better than Perfect by Simone Elkeles

if you don’t think you can handle it . . .”
    â€œHit me with it,” Derek says without hesitation as if Landon is challenging his manhood.
    â€œHere are the rules,” Landon says. “First, you have to take a shot. They’re only spiked Jell-O shots. Then you have to answer without thinking.”
    Derek nods. He has no clue the shot has more vodka than Jell-O.
    â€œI sling a question at you,” Landon explains further. “Then you sling a question at me. For every answer you think is a fact, you take another shot. For every answer that you hesitate on, you take another shot. If you think my answer is BS, you say ‘BS’—and if you’re right, you don’t have to take another shot. I can challenge you on the BS call, and the group takes a vote. Majority rules.”
    â€œFair enough,” Derek says, not the least bit intimidated. I don’t tell him that usually you only have to drink if you hesitate, and you don’t have to take a shot beforehand, but Landon seems to be making up his own rules tonight.
    Two bucks going head-to-head isn’t going to end well. I need to stop this game before it starts. “Landon, don’t do this.”
    â€œIt’s cool, Ash,” Derek says. “I got this.”
    Bree weaves her arm through Derek’s. “Let them play, Ash. Don’t be a party pooper.”
    I should get up and refuse to watch the disaster about to happen, but Landon has one arm wrapped around my waist and urges me to stay.
    Derek and Landon each down a shot. I predict they’re both going to have one hell of a hangover in the morning and I’m not happy.
    Landon clears his throat. “Fact or BS. You trim your ball sac.”
    Derek doesn’t break eye contact with Landon as he picks up a shot glass and downs it in one gulp.
    Derek leans forward. “You hate that Ashtyn got voted captain.”
    â€œBS.”
    Derek shakes his head at Landon’s answer. “You’re lyin’. I call BS on your BS.”
    â€œThat’s not part of the game. Fact or BS, you hate living in Fremont.”
    Derek takes another shot, then fires his own question. “Everyone thinks you’re a dick.”
    Landon takes a shot.
    â€œFact or BS . . . you’ve jerked off to thoughts of my girlfriend.”
    â€œLandon!” I cry.
    â€œWhat?” Landon puts his hands up, like he’s completely innocent. “We’re just playing a game.”
    Derek doesn’t answer or look at me.
    â€œI’ll bet that’s fact,” Trey mumbles under his breath.
    â€œYou want to go there?” Derek asks Landon, all fired up now. “You really want to get personal like that?”
    â€œYeah, let’s go there.”
    Derek downs another shot. “You’re fucking around with some chick behind Ashtyn’s back.”
    What’s going on? This is completely screwed up, and I’m caught in the middle. Landon is pissed and rushes to his feet. Derek did not just say what I think he just said. It’s a complete lie but now everyone is looking at us.
    â€œStop!” I yell, but nobody’s listening. I give Jet and Vic pleading looks, but Vic is out of it and Jet is too amused to stop this.
    â€œTake a shot,” Derek says, seemingly content with himself. “You hesitated.”
    Landon narrows his eyes as he picks up the shot glass and downs it, then slams the glass on the table. Landon does not like being bested, and there’s about to be a showdown.
    â€œAshtyn’s mine, you know,” Landon says.
    â€œThat’s what you think,” Derek shoots back. “You’re not the one shackin’ up with her every night.”
    Derek swallows. And glances at me. His lies feel like a hard slap in the face. My face feels hot and the rest of my body feels numb. He didn’t just say that.
    I push past him and run out of the house.

Chapter 17

Derek
    â€œAshtyn,