Page 84 of Just One Season
“I mean, maybe in this one situation, I might need protecting.”
“Well, then stick with me, my little Brussels sprout.”
I giggle like a teenager.
Why am I resisting this man? I’m not. Not anymore.
Before I can respond, one of the other players on our team slaps Kellen on the back and nods over to the rest of the people with red guns and vests.
Kellen is not in my plan. I’m in Colorado for one reason, and only for a few more months.
Maybe two reasons.
Secure a great reference for the Winchester FC job.
Prove to my ex-life I can succeed on my own.
But Kellen can be a side quest, can’t he?
Half an hour later, it’s me, Kellen, Finn, and Heath still alive on our team.
We’re in a giant ballroom that has been completely transformed into an intricate laser tag landscape. Dim lights, roughed-up boards and fake boulders, caves, trees, and four mountains—red, orange, yellow, and green—as home bases for the teams. Clouds of smoke drift along the ground. There’s ominous music playing in the background, the kind I imagine war video games would have.
Somewhere in the room, someone screams.
It’s a freaking battlefield.
I’m currently huddled with what’s left of my team, and we—and byweI meanthey—are formulating a plan. Shouts and high-pitched laughter sound from around us.
I amsogonna die. It’s remarkable I haven’t already as I’ve been shot twice. I have one life left. I’ve only gotten this far because Kellen has dragged me along with him. Otherwise, I probably would’ve just sacrificed myself so I can go sit in the dead player zone.
Kellen’s got one life left as well.
The other two lost protecting me.
“Heath and Finn will go after what remains of the green team,” Kellen says. “They have the most still alive, I think. Harley, Grayson, and Romeo for sure.”
“Savannah too,” Heath says.
“You guys get them.” Kellen nods. There’s no way he’s going after Savannah’s team. “After you’re done with the green team, go after yellow.”
“Yes, Captain,” Finn says with a smirk and salutes Kellen, who gives him an exaggerated dirty look.
“Lucy and I will target Atticus and the orange team.” Kellen looks at each remaining team member in turn, his mouth twitching ever so slightly when he meets my eyes.
“I will follow any order you give me,” I say, but then play back my subservient words. My face heats as the group chuckles.
Kellen clears his throat. “Survivors, meet back at the red mountain as soon as possible.”
Finn and Heath charge away.
“I didn’t mean it like that.”
“Mean what?”
“That I’ll follow your orders.”
“I’m not sure what you’re implying, Lucy.” Kellen leans against the mountain next to me with a straight face, and for a second, I think he truly doesn’t know what I’m talking about. But then he turns fully to me.
