Page 29 of Accidental Roommates

“Being here is hard for me,” Jace says. “I’m sure it’s hard for you too. But if they’re out having fun, why shouldn’t we?”

“You think Liam took her out tonight?”

“Yeah, and I’m sure Carter took Nikki to the party. But it doesn’t matter. The point is, wherever they are, whatever they’re doing, they’re not mourning the loss of us. They’re with other people now. They’ve moved on. And we need to do the same.”

Thinking about Liam being out tonight, with her, makes me sick to my stomach. I was hoping Liam was home crying over the end of our relationship, but Jace is right. Our exes aren’t spending tonight sitting at home, thinking about us. They’ve moved on.

“I’m not ready yet,” I say, wiping away a tear before it falls.

“I know.” He pulls into a hug. “Me either.”

My arms go around him and I hug him back. Our bodies are touching, molded together, but it’s not sexual. It’s comforting. Two people hurting, trying to get through this, and helping each other.

After a few moments, I hear Jace talking. “You know the best thing to do after your heart’s been broken?”

I pull back to look at him. “What?”

He smiles. “Go shoot some shit.”

I laugh. “That actually does sound good.”

“You ready to do this?”

“More than ready.”

“Let’s go.”

We go to the arena entrance and through the door. Other people are in there, a group of guys and another couple. There’s a large digital clock above the starting area that’s counting down. It hits zero and a voice announces that we can start.

I take off and hear Jace behind me. “Kenzie, wait!”

“What?” I turn around, aim my gun, and shoot him.

“What the hell?” he says, laughing. “You shot me!”

“Isn’t that the point?” I say, also laughing. I’m already liking this game and we just started.

He comes up to me. “I was going to ask if you want to be a team.”

“Don’t we earn points individually?”

“Yeah, but we’ll earn more if we work as a team, meaning we stay together and keep an eye out for enemies.”

“Enemies?” I laugh.

“Your opponents are your enemies. Like them.” He looks over at a guy and girl who look like they’re on a first date. The girl looks bored, like the date isn’t going well. Her gun is held at her side and her expression says she has no interest in the game.

“Get down,” Jace says.

I duck and he shoots the guy, hitting him right in the chest. The guy shoots back but misses Jace.

“This way.” Jace grabs my hand, then runs down a trail that’s hidden behind some fake trees.

It’s really dark. The whole place is dark. My eyes haven’t adjusted yet.

“That was close,” Jace says, letting go of my hand. I really like it when he holds my hand. It wraps all the way around mine and his strong grip makes me feel safe.

I laugh. “You act like these are real guns.”

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