Page 46 of Bumping into You

The set up of the arena is truly amazing. Each group is a separate alien race, the Kriphits versus the Phevaihs, trying to take over the new world so their species can live on it.

We decide to do a boys-against-girls game. “We’re going to be the Kriphits,” says Holly. “It sounds like Griffins, which of course I love.” The girls all nod in agreement.

“Sounds perfect to me,” says Trent. “You won’t stand a chance against the Phevaihs.”

“Oh, there you are!” exclaims Vivian.

We all turn to see Tammy and Bradley.

“I wasn’t sure if you two would be making it,” says Vivian.

“Oh, girl,” says Tammy, “we wouldn’t miss it. Bradley was so happy when he found out the cruise would have laser tag. Right, Bradley Boo?”

“Right,” says Bradley. Then looking at Gwen, he says, “I hope you don’t mind that we’ve joined you.”

“Of course not,” says Gwen.

But one glance at Gwen doesn’t have anyone convinced. Yep, she’d definitely gotten her hopes up that they wouldn’t be here.

“Well,” says Holly, quickly changing the subject, “we are playing guys against girls, but the guys are already one short. Would you mind being on the guy’s team, Tammy?

“No worries,” Tammy says cheerfully. “I’m horrible at this and can be on the guy’s team. I’m just here for my Bradley Boo.”

“Alright then, let’s play,” says Trent. He stars humming “Night Fever” by the Bee Gees. Greg, Miles, and I jump in to sing when he gets to the chorus.

Laughing, we all suit up.

Gwen makes eye contact with me, and I head over to her.

“How can I be this unlucky?” she says. “I thought they weren’t going to make it. Why couldn’t they have missed this event? It’s like I can’t avoid them at all.”

I place my hands on her arms. “No worries, Rose, we can handle this.” I turn and stand next to her as the instructor goes through the necessary safety talk. The space is dark with minimal lighting overhead in the labyrinth of the arena. The walls and fake rocks give off a slight glow, adding to the eeriness of the arena.

We’re given a moment to run in and find a place to start the game. A beeping overhead counts down before the final buzzer sounds, letting us know the game has begun. Our vests and laser tag guns come to life.

Cutting around a path, I’m quick to get points for our team, finding Margot first, then Gillian. I keep inching around through the arena. A few minutes pass before I see her. Auburn hair zooming around a corner toward the back of the arena. I backtrack and cut through a path, hoping I’m heading to the same place as Gwen. She is sly though and is crouching behind a rock as I come around the corner. I’m open fire for her. She stands and shoots me square on the chest, and my vest lights up.

“Gotcha,” she says then smirks at me.

Unable to fire until my hit wears off, I stalk toward her, backing her against the wall. “Oh, you do, do you?”

“Yes,” she says, lifting her chin in stubbornness. My feisty Rose.

I drop my laser tag gun and let it dangle down next to me as I place both hands on either side of her, essentially trapping her in.

“Looks like I’ve got you now,” I say, lowering my face slightly to line up with hers.

“Looks like it,” she says, biting her lip, her chest still rising and falling rapidly from the adrenaline of the game. The sight of it makes me moan with want.

A sudden change in expression zips across her face, shock followed by frustration.

“Kiss me,” she whispers.

Why would she ask me to kiss her?Don’t be an eejit. A beautiful beore asks you to kiss her, you kiss her.

I lean down and place my lips against hers. Gwen presses into the kiss. I slide one hand from the wall to the back of her head pulling her in closer to me, kissing her deeply now. Our mouths dance in their own rhythm, exploring and enjoying the taste of each other. My desire for her overtaking all my brain cells, I don’t know what to make of her suddenly asking me to kiss her, but I am going to enjoy this kiss, here and now.

The sound of my vest’s sensor resetting breaks the bubble of our kiss. Pulling slightly back, I smile down at her, resting my forehead against hers.

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