Page 22 of Midnights
“It’s likely going to be short-lived if your fiancé finds out that you think that just because she’s a girl with a manicure, she should sit down and look pretty.”
Rachel stifles a laugh behind her hand, her shoulders are shaking with the effort. I catch the quick flicker of surprise in his eyes before a low chuckle rumbles from his chest.
Okay, was that a little too far?Maybe.
Maybe Rachel’s right. Maybe I do have a little unresolved trauma from Chance bubbling under the surface. But over my dead body am I going to sit back and let someone talk down to me like beingjust a girlis some sort of disadvantage.
I’m already gearing up to throw another verbal dagger, one I probably would regret in the morning, when Mr. Tall, dark, and handsome throws his head back and starts laughing.
Even his friends join in. The entire group erupts into laughter like I just delivered the punchline of the year.
Rachel is staring at me, wide-eyed and open-mouthed, completely stunned.
Honestly? So am I.
How much of tonight can I blame on the drinks?
“Well, if that isn’t the funniest thing that’s happened all night. Hell might even be the funniest thing I’ve heard all year,” the man drooling over Rachel says, grinning as he leans forward, offering his hand. “I’m Cam, and that one there that you so hilariously put in his place is Kane.”
I glance over just in time to see Kane shake his head.
Cam gestures to the rest of the group, introducing everyone. “That’s Brandon, the engaged one, then there’s Tyler, and James.”
I give them all a polite nod, but my focus keeps getting pulled back to the man whose ego I apparently bruised. Kane is still watching me, studying me like I’m a puzzle he hadn’t planned on solving tonight.
Tyler claps him on the back with a bark of laughter. “Don’t mind him, his ego just took a hit. He’ll take a moment to recover, but he’ll be fine.”
I almost apologize, the instinct so ingrained it nearly slips out, but I catch myself just in time.Nope. Not apologizing for that.
Kane shakes off whatever lingering surprise he had and leans in just enough that I can feel the shift in the air between us. His smirk turns razor-sharp and something else flickers behind his eyes.
“Why don’t you put your money where your mouth is…?” He trails off, waiting for me to snap back.
The challenge is unmistakable, his tone is a deliberate dare wrapped in smooth confidence.
Oh, he’s good.
I know he expects me to back down. That much is clear. This is probably going to be the easiest win of his life, considering Idefinitelydon’t know how to play darts. My money iscertainlynot going where my mouth is.
In fact, maybe I’d have room to put money in there if my foot wasn’t already lodged firmly in my mouth.
I hum, tilting my head, pretending to consider my options, when really, I’m just stalling long enough to set the stakes in a way that won’t sting too badly when I inevitably lose. “Hmm… how about this. If you win, I'll tell you my name.”
Seems like a safe enough bet, considering I’m almost guaranteed to lose.
Kane crosses his arms, his expression is unreadable, but the hint of amusement in his eyes tells me he sees right through my weak attempt at strategy. “And ifyouwin?”
Well, I didn’t think of that.Obviously, I didn’t think that far ahead because I know I won’t win.
“If I win, then I guess you have to buy us a drink.Plus, I’ll have all the bragging rights that you lost to a girl.” I keep my voice light, like this isn’t a completely ridiculous, unfair challenge.
Fake it till you make it, right?
Rachel, clearly catching onto the game, bursts out laughing. “Well, boys, do we have a deal? Our names andphone numbers, or you’re buying drinks.”
I try to glare at her, knowing damn well we didn't agree to numbers. Not to mention, she already gave Cam her name. But he doesn't say anything, and his grin says he’s more than happy to play along.
“Deal.”
