Page 24 of The Spotlight Effect

“That’s sweet. I think I like the song more now,” I comment.

“Why is that?” he asks.

“Because now it has a meaning behind it,” I answer.

“Aw, you two get a room,” Astrid cuts in and now I want to bash her across the head.

The Santa Monicapier was something I never thought I’d get to see in person. Or at least something I never thought I’d see withtheGrayson Archer and Noah Sterling.

“Where would you ladies like to start?” Noah asks us once we are out of the limo.

“I think we should start off at the arcade.” Astrid twists her hair, flirting. Lord, help me.

“We can play some friendly arcade games,” Noah says.

“I’ll be on your team!” Lia says to Noah and Astrid glares at her.

“To the arcade,” Grayson says and turns to go that way.

The Playland Arcade is not that packed today, but it is a Monday afternoon. “Basketball relay first?” I suggest.

“I’m winning this,” Grayson announces.

“You wish,” I reply. I’m a competitor and there is no way he’s winning.

“In case you didn’t know, I played basketball all my years in school, and I still play for fun and training. I got skills,” he says. Trust me, I know. I also know his number was thirty-four, but I’d never tell him that. I like to do research, plus I love everything about The MorningStars. In all fairness, I know all the basketball numbers of The MorningStars. I even know what number Emerson and her sisters had in volleyball.

“Okay then, let’s play, Popstar,” I say and grab his hand pulling him toward the basketball game.

“First, I am not a popstar, I’m a rockstar,” Grayson says.

“Really doesn’t seem like it,Popstar,” I say, pouting at him.

“Really? Mocking me? Now I have to beat you,” Grayson says as Noah comes over with arcade tickets. Grayson inserts enough tickets for the game and presses the start button.

“Okay, start,” I say and pick up a basketball. We both throw and throw at the net, making baskets over and over again till the buzzer goes off.

It comes out tied.

Unfortunately.

“Who knew you could play so well?” Grayson says.

“Thanks, my dad taught me,” I say.

“He’s a great teacher,” Grayson replies. For a moment I feel something, and I want to tell a story about how it all started, but that only lasted for one moment before I remember he’s also a traitor.

“We’re going on the carousel next,” Lia says, breaking the feeling. Thank God.

We leave the arcade without playing anymore games to head for the carousel. “I love a good merry-go-round,” Astrid says.

“Let's go then, ladies.” Noah locks his arms with Lia and Astrid and escorts them to the ride while me and Grayson trail along behind them. We all get on horses beside each other.

“I can’t believe I’m on this thing,” Grayson says, rolling his eyes.

“Believe it because you are,” I tell him.

“After this, we’re going on the Power Plunge ride,” Grayson says.

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