Page 20 of Game Night: Truth or Dare

Noah squeals next to us. “Oh my god, this is like a sweet gay rom-com unfolding in front of my eyes.”

Lawson just blinks at me with green doe’s eyes so wide with shock it makes me smile again. His gaze drops to my mouth. He licks his lips, still entranced by whatever he sees.

I step into Lawson’s personal space and lean down to rest my palms on his desk. My arms are effectively boxing him in as he continues to focus on my lips. I press in close and whisper into his ear. “You should take that bet. I bring my mom food every Tuesday and Friday.”

Lawson trembles as my breath caresses the shell of his ear. I’m tempted to pull his lobe into my mouth, but that would go way too far for a workplace environment. Hell, I already took it too far.

Straightening before I get even more carried away, I run my hand down my shirt to smooth out the wrinkles. “Our little secret, yeah?”

Lawson lets out a dreamy little sigh. I would laugh if I wasn’t so damn affected by our encounter as well.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Noah pretending to fan himself off.

“You gentlemen have a wonderful day. See you two tomorrow.”

Chapter 3

Lawson

With my shoulders thrown back, I knock on Noah’s front door. The music inside is pounding so loud I’m tempted to run back to my car. I’m usually nervous at parties, preferring to stay at home and play video games with one or two friends, or even go out to dinner with said friends. But knowing that my ex might show up to this party as well has me on edge.

Throw in the fact that my crush said he would be here just because I was, adds a whole extra layer of nerves I hadn’t anticipated.

When no one answers the door—probably because my knocks are getting swallowed up by the pounding beat of the blaring rock music—I shoot Noah a text.

Lawson: I knocked, but no one answered. Guess the party was canceled.

Just as I suspected, it only takes my pink-haired friend less than a minute to whip the door open.

“Law! You look good. Come in,” Noah exclaims.

I eye my reflection in the window next to me and clearly don’t see what he sees. My red curls look like a hot mess sitting on top of my head. I opted for casual with a band shirt, black skinny jeans, and blue Vans sneakers.

Someone walks by the door and cheers, which causes me to spin on my heel and try to make it back to my car.

“Uh-uh. Nope. Get your cute little bubble butt in here.” Noah grabs my hand and yanks me over the threshold. Taking in the view, my mouth falls open.

“Seriously? Why the hell are there so many people here? It’s not too late for me to turn around, is it?” I gape at the wall-to-wall bodies packed into the tiny house. “I told you I’ve never done well with the popular kids.”

Does Noah even know all these people? I thought I could spend the evening with my friend and a few acquaintances to celebrate his birthday. Instead, Noah failed to disclose just how popular he truly is.

“This isn’t college. You’re friends with me, so you are a popular kid now,” Noah says, tugging me deeper into the crowd of writhing bodies. I look around at all the people drinking and dancing.

This is so not my scene.

“Have you heard from Carter?” I glance around nervously, hoping I’m not too obvious. Carter and I were introduced by Noah when I first moved here a few months ago. Before we'd even met, I'd had a ton of failed first dates, but Carter was different. He was my first boyfriend, and I fell fast and hard.

I never dated while I was in college since my focus was my business degree. But now that I’ve graduated I want to finally experience life, get rid of my virginity, and fall in love. Too bad Carter failed to inform me that being a virgin was a deal-breaker for him.

We pause by the makeshift bar filled with empty bottles of beer and a big, menacing bowl of punch.

“Speaking of the devil, look who just walked in,” Noah yells over the music.

Michelle walks through the front door in a skin-tight black dress, followed by some guy I don’t recognize. Just behind her Carter walks in, and fuck me, he looks good, with his wavy blond hair and tight preppy sweater stretched over his chest. Does he know Michelle?

That’s when I catch sight of Carter’s hand laced with someone else’s. Not just anyone though, he’s holding hands with Billy, the guy he cheated on me with.

“Oh crap,” I whisper. “I can’t let them see me.” I duck behind the kitchen counter before poking my head back up to peek.

---