Page 61 of Teach Me to Fly

I lean forward slightly. “Open.”

His lips part slowly as I place the fry between them, and just as he leans in to take it, his tongue drags across the pad of my finger before he bites down, causing my breath to catch and stomach to flip. The moment lasts less than a second, but it’s enough to make my face burn.

Oh. Shit.

The table whoops and bangs on the wood like we’re at a rowdy pub instead of a posh lounge. I sit back and try to play it cool.

“Your turn.”

Reign doesn’t look away from me. “Terry.”

Terry smirks. “Dare.”

“I dare you to show the table your last saved selfie.”

Terry groans. “You bastard.”

But he still unlocks his phone and passes it around. I lean over to look as it makes the rounds. It’s a shirtless mirror picture, with a bright green face mask smeared across his cheeks, and I can’t stop laughing.

Max wheezes. “Why do you look like the Hulk in the middle of a thirst trap?”

Lando takes the phone next and whistles. “Honestly? You’re kind of hot. We love a man with a skincare routine.”

Terry smirks. “Thank you. I exfoliate for the gays and the gods.”

Then, without missing a beat, he rubs a hand along his beard and gives Lando a once-over, slow and obvious. His tongue pokes out a little, almost thoughtful. “You’d be surprised what else I’m good at.”

Lando blinks, surprised, and I giggle as he turns a light shade of pink. When the phone makes it back to Terry, he lifts a brow and turns to Reign.

“Alright, Harrington. Truth or dare?”

I look at Reign when he doesn’t answer right away. His jaw tightens a little, eyes narrowing just slightly like he’s trying to weigh the safest option. Then his eyes find mine and he holds my gaze as he answers.

“Truth.”

Terry doesn’t hesitate. “Where was the last place you flew to?”

His eyes slide back to Terry, and based on the innocent grin Terry shoots back, I know this question is something Reign doesn’t want to answer. He reaches for his tequila shot, clearing his throat.

“New York.”

The sound of the table fades, everything muffled under the ringing in my ears, and he throws back the tequila before anyone can react. The burn of it ripples across his throat, and something in me unravels.

“What?” I breathe, staring at him.

Terry jumps in casually. “That’s right!” He snaps his fingers. “I was with you on that trip, wasn’t I?” He turns to me. “That was the last time I saw your performance.”

I turn back to Reign, blood rushing in my ears. “You were in New York?”

He’s quiet for a long moment before he gives me a slow nod.

“Did you watch me perform, too?”

Another nod. I sink slowly back into my chair as I stare at him. My back touches the seat, but I feel nothing except for the pressure building in my chest. He was there, and I never knew. I never saw him in the audience, never got a text. Nothing.

The words Terry had said to me days ago echo in my head.

“You’ve been to my performances?”

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