Page 30 of Accidental Roommates

“It’s part of the game. You have to act like you’re under attack. That guy almost hit you.”

“I could’ve got him, but you wouldn’t let me.”

“Sorry. It’s the caveman in me,” he kids. “Gotta protect my woman.”

I look at him, smiling. “Your woman?”

“That’s not what I meant,” he rushes to say. “I meant it like—”

“You don’t have to explain. I know what you meant.”

He meant he’s protective of his girl, and even though I’m not his girl, he still didn’t want me getting hurt. Jace is a nice guy. Maybe it’s too early to decide that, but from what I’ve seen so far, he’s a good guy.

“Shit,” Jace says, looking down at his vest. It’s lit up. Someone hit him.

“Over there,” I say, pointing to a guy hiding in the fake bush just ahead of us. The guy stands up and I aim and hit him. “Got him!”

The guy takes off.

“That was awesome!” Jace goes to give me a high five, but I’m focused on a guy hiding behind a tree, his gun aimed at Jace.

“Jace, move!” I yell as I aim at Tree Guy. Jace ducks while I shoot. Tree Guy’s vest lights up. “I got him!”

“You sure you haven’t done this before?” Jace asks, rising to standing.

“Not before today.”

“You’re a fast learner.” He smiles at me. “You having fun?”

“Yeah, I really like this.” I realize I’m smiling too.

I’m really glad Jace suggested this. I’m smiling and having fun, which I didn’t think was possible after the day I’ve had.

“Keep going,” Jace says, nudging me forward. “Let’s get to that rock. We’ll hide behind it.”

The rock is just up ahead. I follow the trail to it then duck behind it.

“Now what?” I ask.

“Keep an eye out for enemies. Shoot whoever you see.”

“But that’ll give us away. They’ll know where we’re hiding.”

“Then we’ll find a new spot.” He lifts his gun and shoots.

“Where’d that come from?” a guy says.

Jace laughs. “Watch this.” He shoots again.

“What the hell?” the guy says.

“He can’t tell it’s you?” I whisper to Jace.

“It’s too dark. He can’t tell where it’s coming from.”

“Is he still there?”

“No, he turned around. But here comes another one. You want him?”

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