Page 117 of Butterfly Effect

Every single one of them fakes distraction. Skylar jumps Derrick and starts making out. Olsen and Szezce take their dates on piggyback rides away from the crime scene. Poor Fletch flips around and sticks his nose in a corner. Landon presses a cheek against the wall with a squint.

“Would you say this paint color is eggshell or pearl?”

Indi studies it with narrowed eyes as well. “I’m no expert, but…I think it’s alabaster.”

“Yes!” He snaps and wags a finger. “That’s the one! Alabaster!”

Gabe covers her eyes with a spread palm.

I play it cool.

“Hey, what’s going on out here?”

A chorus of “nothing, oh, nothing” chimes back.

“What’s Donovan doin’ in the corner?”

“I’m in time-out,” he says.

“Why?”

“I put myself there.”

Before I embarrass these idiots further, Indi claps her hands together. “Time for a game!”

I mumble into Gabe’s shoulder as they garner the attention of the rest of the team. “You’re gonna punish me for this, aren’t you?”

“Punish you? You made me come twice in ten minutes.” Her eyes peer at me from one corner. “You want me to?”

“Only if the punishment includes you in my bed, on your hands and knees.”

“Hmm.” Her lips purse. “That sounds like a reward for good boys.”

“I made you come twice in ten minutes,” I parrot. “Doesn’t that make me the goodest boy?”

“You’re such a dog.” Gabe cracks a stifled smile, swathing my torso in a familiar warmth. “And don’t you dare fucking bark.”

Too lost in the bubble of our own banter, we almost miss Indi’s instructions, pointing to me, Skylar, Jaeger, Fletcher, and Gabe. “It’s like Telephone and Pictionary and we’ll draw at the same time. Line up facing the wall.” Landon tapes a piece of paper to each of our backs, handing us all black markers.

“Why am I last?” I whine.

“And don’t be a cheat and look back,” Indi warns. “I’ll start drawing something, one line at a time, until everyone has a picture.”

My fake girlfriend pinches my ass while we wait. “Gabe Finch!” I chide in a southern drawl, protecting the assets with both hands. “Have some decorum, young lady.”

She returns a giggle.

My heart feels like it’s going to explode.

I turn to witness it for myself.

“Alright, that’s it, lovebirds!” Indi yells. “Switch spots.”

Gabe steps ahead, now in the last position. A piece of paper hangs from the wall for her.

“Stay still,” Fletcher directs, his hand on my back, keeping the paper in place.

“It tickles.”

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