Page 58 of From Our First

Her gaze went to my crotch, and I snorted.

“That, too.”

“Brady, do I need to split you two up?”

I shook my head. “No, sir. I’ll pay attention.”

“That’s good. Just remember, I have stories from when you were a rookie. Every single late-night mistake and stupid thing you’ve ever done, I have them all right here.” He tapped his temple. “I can tell Myra everything.”

“I think you need to tell me everything anyway.” Myra laughed, and everybody joined her.

“I made a terrible mistake in bringing you here,” I said drily.

“Oh, no, this is going to be fun.”

We broke into two by two groups as soon as the game started, and Myra and I crouched down low behind a fallen log. It was eight against eight, and whoever was left standing without paint on them won. It should be simple.

Except for the fact that I had shitty aim, and Myra was worse.

“My adrenaline is pumping,” she whispered. “This is scary.”

“We can quit if you want,” I said quickly.

She shook her head. “No, I’m having fun, but it’s sort of like when you’re watching a TV show or a movie, and you’re screaming at the girl to look behind her.” She quickly looked over her shoulder, and I held back a laugh, and then did the same.

“All clear,” I whispered.

“Good.”

There was a crunch of leaves, and we ducked down, keeping quiet as two former firefighters walked past, their blue armbands signaling who they were. Myra and I had red bands, which I thought was hilarious considering firefighters should be red. But Ed had chosen the color for the Red Cross. So, in other words, the firemen could suck it.

Myra set up for the shot as I did, and I whispered under my breath. “Three, two, one.” We both fired, and one of the men dove, both of us missing. Myra got her ball right on the other guy’s chest, though. He cursed, looked towards us, and then threw his head back and laughed.

“Should have known it was you, Brady.”

I didn’t say anything, although Myra wanted to. I put my hand over her mouth and whispered in her ear.

“He’s trying to find out where we are. We need to move.”

She nodded, and we crawled away, laughing as paintballs soared over our heads.

We got two more, but then our luck ran out. We needed to cross over another fallen tree, but as we did, someone shouted, and Myra jerked. I heard the sound before it even came at us, and I tackled her to the ground, but it was too late. I cursed under my breath as three paintballs hit me in the side, right where Myra had stood. I rolled, keeping her out of harm’s way. She pushed at me, cursing.

“Nate, I can handle it.” She looked over her shoulder, shot twice, and the guy cursed.

“Great aim.”

“And it seems we have a winner.”

Ed came out over the ridge, and we all laughed, taking off our gear. Myra stood, looked at her very dirty yet perfectly black outfit, no spots of color, and did a little booty shake.

“Wow, talk about beginner’s luck.”

I narrowed my eyes at one of the single men who watched Myra’s ass as she did her little dance, and he held up his hands, shaking his head.

“Looks like we need to celebrate,” Ed said, and I raised a brow at the other man. “Next time. I do believe you have a date tonight.”

Myra looked up at me, and I pressed my lips to hers.

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