Page 101 of Roaring Flames

“Your aim is as shit as your bumper cars skills.”

I pinch Emery’s arms lightly, drawing his attention back to me.

“Stop teasing your brother,” I say.

Emery’s eyes twinkle. “But it’s so fun.”

“Be a good boy and behave,” I warn.

Just like before, a strange heat flares in Emery’s eyes, and my heart kicks into overdrive. Lava courses through my veins.

What the hell?

I try to remind myself that I’m still mad at him, still hurt and upset and confused, but the fire in my belly refuses to listen to my brain. It fizzles and bubbles and takes on a life of its own. My lungs burn.

Ansel’s lighthearted teasing pulls me back to the present. “How about a wager?”

Ethan’s ears practically perk up. “I’m listening.”

“Whoever wins the most games gets…” Ansel taps a finger to his chin in consideration.

An evil idea occurs to me, and my smile broadens. “I have an idea about what we could bet on.”

Thirty-Nine

IZZY

“You cheated!” Ethan says for the one millionth time, pouting.

I give a little celebratory dance as I step out of the arcade.

Night has fallen, and the sky is peppered with stars and a full moon. We must’ve been at the arcade for hours. I’m happy I texted Hale beforehand—he would’ve been worried sick.

I texted Grayson as well but, of course, received no response.

I try not to let that bother me, try not to let the pain of his rejection sink into me like barbs.

“Don’t hate the player,” I tease, walking backwards to keep my gaze on the three big losers. “Hate the game.”

“I am never arcading again,” Emery mutters.

Ethan pinches the bridge of his nose. “For the last time, it’s not ‘arcading.’”

“I think this is the first time in my life that I’m okay with being defeated,” Ansel muses, canting his head to the side.

His light-brown hair flops over one eye.

“I’m not. Especially since she cheated.” Ethan throws me a pointed look.

I throw my hands up in the air. “How did I cheat?”

“You know how…” His cheeks turn red, and he immediately ducks his head, muttering something too low for me to hear.

I have to bite my lip to keep from chuckling.

Because oh yeah. I totally cheated. It’s amazing what being a woman can do for you around horny dogs—pun totally intended.

Take Skee-Ball, for example. The second Ethan would toss his arm back to throw the ball, I would purposely bend, showing just a tiny bit of cleavage. Once, the ball ended up on the opposite track.

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