Page 73 of Collide
While I plan how I’m going to hurt him once I’m off this stage, Kian happily introduces us. Our linked arms make us appear as a friendly pair, but it’s more for his safety.
I barely hear the host's stupid joke about joining the game himself to get my number. My expression quickly shuts the laughter down, and he turns back to the crowd to scour for one final victim.
Under the bright lights of the stage, I discreetly elbow Kian, forcing him to duck his head so he can hear me. “You owe me. Big time.”
He nods happily, not at all thrown by my deadly glare.
The crowd is livelier this time. It doesn’t surprise me because Amelia is a catch. Her curly blonde hair is pushed back with a brown bandana, and the innocent tutor look is racking up interest. I recognize a few people from campus raising their hands, but only one catches my eye.
“No fucking way,” Kian whispers in disbelief, voicing my exact thoughts.
Just like that our third contestant walks on stage and parks himself beside me. I do my best not to gawk at Aiden as he converses with the host.
He’s easygoing and personable on stage, a complete contrast to the raging bitch I’m channeling. He puts an arm around Amelia who smiles sweetly. His type isn’t clear to me, but I didn’t expect it to be one of the contestants of a Valentine’s blind date game.
The host explains the game calledPaper Dancer,where each couple has to dance on a square of paper that’s folded into a smaller square every round. The objective is to dance without stepping off the paper.
It’s a ridiculous game, but I can’t exactly run off the stage. And Aiden Crawford volunteered, so the competitive girl in me wants to make him lose.
My blind date introduces himself. “I’m Shawn.”
“Summer,” I take the hand of the tall, curly-haired singer.
“You know, our stage manager forces us into these, but I would’ve volunteered after seeing you.”
I laugh. “Thanks. Though, I would do anything not to be here right now. Nothing to do with you.”
He chuckles. “I assumed so from the way Ishida dragged you up here.”
When the lights turn pink, the papers are placed on the floor by each pair. A deep voice pulls my attention to couple number three.
“You play guitar? I’ve always wanted to learn,” Aiden says, smiling at Amelia.
Since when? Not once has he mentioned wanting to be musically inclined. Though I’m certain he’d be good at that, too.
“I can teach you. It’s not that hard once you practice a few chords.”
“You would? If it helps, I've been told I have pretty good hand-eye coordination.” The smile he gives her is as innocent as a boy sitting on a church pew. It causes a sweet laugh to bubble out of her.
I snort, bringing their attention to me.
“You okay?” Shawn asks. I look away from a smirking Aiden and allow Shawn to take my hand. I fix my feet between his on the small paper.
Round one is simple enough that we all pass, which is unfortunate because the sooner this ends, the sooner I can strangle the idiot I call my friend.
Round two means another fold. Shawn lifts me in his arms to tiptoe onto the paper. I look over at Kian, who has Cassie step onto his shoes as they dance, completely lost in each other. I don’t have much time to dwell on the sweet moment because Shawn tries to sway, missteps, and loses his hold on me. A chorus of gasps from the audience hits me just as I plop onto the wooden floor with a screech.
If I just lie on the floor maybe an angel will carry me away. Or a gremlin under the stage might pull me into his embrace. Anything would be less mortifying than facing the audience.
A large hand is the only thing I see through the bright stage lights. When I don’t take it, because I feel so disoriented I’m not sure I can figure out how to grab it, the hand slips around my waist and lifts me in one swift move. From the utter strength of my savior, I know who it is.
“Are you hurt?” Aiden asks. The bright lights illuminate the green in his eyes and the golden brown of his hair. He looks angelic. Maybe I hit my head too.
The hand on my waist tightens. “Summer,” he urges.
I snap out of it. “I’m okay.”
Aiden doesn’t look away and neither do I. His muscular arm sears my waist, and his gaze warms my face. Shawn lets out a frantic apology, and I detangle myself from Aiden.
