Page 47 of The Game
“Thank you. I think I will take your advice.”
He gives me a friendly smile. “Have fun and look for blue chests before you shoot.”
I let out a deep breath and shake my head, but I can’t wipe the grin from my face. Last week, we were too busy looking over our shoulder and wondering when Johnny and Carlos would strike next.
But today, we are all relaxed, smiling and laughing. Having fun. Just like we used to as kids.
I hold my laser gun in my hand, salute Jake as I run back into the game. I went into full kamikaze mode. As soon as I see a blue chest, I shoot and run towards them. When it turns red, I whoop loudly. Hunter stands there dumbfounded. I grin wildly at him and run to find another blue team member. Didn't realize how big this place was until you're lost in the laser tag maze again. I hide where Jake told me, waiting for a blue player to come past me.
When I see one, I jump up to surprise them. One shot is all it takes, and Grady's chest glows red.
“Far out. I'm officially the most shot at player in this game.” I laugh. At least I've only been out once. I finally killed two blue players and I feel like I'm on top of the world.
I hide back down again and wait, feels like forever, but it's probably been only a few minutes. I hear someone approaching, but they're coming from a different direction, and I can't pinpoint exactly where they're gonna come out from. This maze is easy to get lost in.
As soon as the footsteps are close enough, I jump out. Only I don’t expect to see their laser gun pointed right at my chest. Just as mine points to his.
I look up and see Asher. He grins.
“I got you, Mila.”
He hasn’t shot me yet. I don't know why. But I'm going to use that to my advantage.
“No, you wouldn't shoot, poor little old me.” I bat my lashes at him and he chuckles.
“Mmm… looks like we have a standoff.” Asher grins.
“Is that so?” I cock my hip and look up at him. In the blue lights he looks good… so handsome. He always looks good, especially when he doesn't have a shirt on.
I lick my lips as he moves closer. He taps his gun gently to my chest and I take a step back, as if that would stop him from being able to shoot me.
“You like me too much to shoot me,” I flirt. Looking up at him through my lashes.
“Ah, I think you have me confused with Hunter. I have no qualms about shooting you. No matter how much I like you, I also enjoy winning.”
He moves a step forward, and I take one back.Fuck. As soon as I shoot him, he's gonna shoot me. I just know it.
“But you haven’t shot me yet. So there must be a reason for that.”
I keep backing up until my back hits a wall. My heart races. The way he’s looking down at me in the dark room is making my butterflies dance low in my belly…very low.
We stand there, watching each other. Our breathing is the only sound between us and the race of my heart pounding in my chest. The laser guns are still pointed at each other's chests. Only now we're so close they almost touching. The blue of his and the green of mine glow between us.
“Asher,” I warn. This is not the time or place for this. Hell, I still need to speak to him about what dad said this morning. About asking his mom to marry him. because that will complicate things between us.
“Mila,” he purrs.Fuck.I’m so fucked right now.
“Shoot me,” he takes my hand that's holding the laser gun and presses it firmly to his chest. “Or can't you either?”
He bites his lower lip as he bends down to my ear and whispers “You like me too much to shoot me.”
I gasp at his words. And I wanna wipe that smirk right off his face. He pulls away from me slightly. His chest goes from blue to red when I pull the trigger. I don't speak, just frozen in this place between him and what’s out there. I watch his expression change to one of shock that I actually did it. His eyes darken as I smile at him. My mouth grows dry and I swallow and try to right myself and my emotions.
He doesn't move, he just stands there and stares at me. The butterflies in my stomach growing stronger by the minute, and I want them to stay away. Just for tonight. This is Roman’s special party. I can't be doing this right now.
“We can’t. Not here.Not now.We need to talk… later” I beg him and I see the tick in his jaw as he glances behind him.
Asher shoots my chest, and it turns red.
