Page 22 of Coincidentally Kismet

“Looks like we are off to a great start. The next question is loading...now,” Larry bellows.

Which two states do not observe daylight saving time?

Amy grabs my arm, whispering in my ear that it’s Hawaii and Arizona. We huddle with Lo and Micah, confirming they agree, and submit. Yes, another one is correct! I shift slightly, wobbling on my stool as I reach for my beer.

“Had too much to drink already, Wright?”Of course, he noticed.

“Not even close, Rambo. Just a wobbly three-legged stool, but nice try.” I shake my head and take a long, refreshing glug of icy cold beer—my attempt at washing away the bitter taste he leaves in my mouth.

Suddenly, Will stands, grabbing his stool and walking around to our side of the table as the next question pops up. Does he think I am dumb enough to let him see our answers? I quickly submit an answer without consulting my teammates. “Don’t be coming over here to get a glimpse of what we are submitting, Rambo. It doesn’t count if you cheat,” I chide him.

“Stand up, Wright.” Will’s voice is commanding, along with his broad shoulders and hulking frame.

“No. I will not be told what to do.” I turn away from him toward Micah, rolling my eyes.

Will taps me on the shoulder. “Stand up. I’m giving you my stool, so you don’t fall off this one and get hurt.” Amy and Lo swoon while Micah clutches his chest in deference to the sweet gesture. I can’t refuse without looking like a completely petty bitch, so I comply. Taking his solid, not-at-all-wobbly stool reluctantly.

Will smirks as he makes his way back around the table and plops down on what was once my unstable chair. I may have a firm and steady place to put my caboose now, but mentally, I’m even more unstable than before.

We work our way as a group through more questions, and the race to win becomes tighter and tighter. Will’s group and mine are tied with only one question to go, and I can feel Will’s eyes boring into me from across the table. “What’s it going to be, Wright?” he asks.

“Huh?” I turn away from chatting with Micah about work and look at Will.

“What song are you going to sing after I win?” He winks and takes a long pull of his beer, awaiting my answer.

“You aren’t going to win, so it doesn’t matter. What are you going to do with all your upcoming free time?” I point the end of my beer bottle in his direction; it’s been empty for some time now, but getting a refill in a place this crowded is like trying to climb Everest in a tank top. Not happening.

“What is going on?” Lo asks glancing between us.

“Your friend made a bet with me. If I win, she has to sing karaoke.” The guys pop off in an uproar of hysterics, slapping Will on the back in glee.

“If he loses, he doesn’t get to come to any group events for two weeks. I can almost taste the freedom and alone time I’m going to have with the three of you,” I say, sweeping my arm to indicate the friends of his I will be commandeering.

This causes the guys to laugh even harder, hooting and hollering for all to see, as Larry announces the final question of the night, adding that there is a planned tiebreaker if needed. Seconds feel like minutes as I wait to see the last question pop up on the screen.

Which state utilized a UHF wireless packet network to connect its residents?

My vision goes blurry for a second while I try to decipher what the fuck that even means. I pull Amy, Lo, and Micah in close asking, “Do you know anything about this?”

“No, what the hell is a wireless packet?” Amy asks.

“If it’s not about hair or Taylor Swift, don’t look at me.” Micah holds his hands up in surrender.

“Come on, it has to be tiki related, so it has to be Hawaii, right? That’s the only thing that makes sense. Lo, back me up,” I say, the realization that I’m likely going to be singing karaoke churning in my gut.

“Sure, sounds good to me.” She shrugs and goes back to rubbing her thumb softly over Smith’s hand.

I type the response and attempt to hit submit, but a flashing red bar says time’s up. I don’t want to look across the table, but maybe they didn’t get their answer in either. Groaning, I glance from under my lashes, darting my gaze across some very-pleased-with-themselves faces and landing on the smuggest face of them all, stupid Will’s.

“I’ll go get another round from the bar. Oh and I’ll sign you up to sing, Wright. Better start warming up those vocal cords.” Will walks off toward the bar, staffed with beautiful bartenders flaunting their assets in booty shorts and too-tight, cropped Hawaiian shirts.. I might throw up from the loss and the stage fright.

CHAPTER 10

WILL

“EVER SINCE YOU LEFT” - PRISCILLA BLOCK

Walking toward the bar for another bucket of beer is just the break I need. When Cam was waiting out front alone, in her sage-green cotton sundress, it was all I could do to stop myself from wrapping her in a hug. I know it’s not a good idea to get involved with her, and I’m not ready to open myself up to being hurt or, even worse, potentially hurting her. But she looked lonely and maybe a little sad out there all alone. I do still care about her. I mean, truthfully, I will probably love her forever, even if I can never tell her that.

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