Page 39 of Make the Play

This is the last time. That’s what I tell myself as I hold my hand out for her, even though I know it’s complete bullshit. A lie doesn’t matter if you only lie to yourself, right? She steps lightly and settles on my lap with a nervous laugh. I glance at Landry, and he’s scrolling through his phone. My eyes dart around the fire, and no one seems to be paying too much attention to the fact that she’s on my lap again.

Where she belongs.

“What’s it gonna be?” Sloane asks. “Truth or Dare or Name that Tune?”

“Never have I ever is always a good one,” Landry adds.

“Name that Tune,” Baker votes. “Baby Reynolds, you’re going down,” he says, rubbing his hands together.

“You really think that you can beat me?” Corie asks him.

“I’ve been working on my playlist,” he tells her.

“All right, big man, let’s see what you’ve got,” Corie taunts.

“Let’s see,” Baker says, scrolling through his phone. “Got it.” He nods, and there’s a smile on his face. He thinks he’s going to stump her with this one.

The first notes of the song play, and Corie wiggles in my lap as she shouts, “‘The Ballad of Jayne.’ LA Guns!”

“Fuck,” Baker mutters.

“Your turn, Corie,” Sloane says with glee.

My phone is already in my hand. I type in the code and hand it to her. She looks over her shoulder at me and grins as she scrolls, looking for the perfect choice. “Here we go,” she says as she hits Play. The song plays for five seconds and cuts off without anyone guessing. “Well?” she says, and I can hear in her voice that she’s pumped that she has them stumped.

“Beckett, my man, a hint,” Foster says.

“No way.” Corie turns and places her hand over my mouth, and I can’t help it. I lick her palm. Her eyes widen, but she doesn’t drop her hand as she turns back to glance at Foster on the other side of the fire. “That’s cheating. He can see the phone.”

“Fine, phone a friend,” Foster mutters.

“We’re all right here, genius.” Reid laughs. “I admit defeat on this one, Corie. Tell us what it is.”

“Is everyone throwing in the towel?” she asks.

“I think we need to change the rules,” Landry suggests. “If we don’t get it from the first five seconds, we should get a hint.”

“Nope. That’s not how it works. When we started this game years ago, we agreed it was only five seconds. Besides, we’re not keeping score, so you don’t get to hear more of the song. I can play the same five seconds again,” she offers.

“Fine. Play it,” Landry says. He sits up in his chair and leans his elbows on his knees as if that will help him hear it better. “Turn it up, too.”

Corie turns the phone volume as loud as it will go. “Ready?” she asks. She waits for everyone to reply and plays the first five seconds again.

“I give,” Landry says, leaning back in his chair. “We grew up in the same damn house. How do I not know these songs?”

“Well, big brother, while you were living, eating, and breathing football, Sloane and I listened to music and talked about your cute friends.”

Wrapping my hands around her waist, I pull her back to my chest, needing her closer. I’m not a fan of her thinking about someone other than me. Yes, it was in the past, and I’m very aware of how irrational I sound, even in my head, but where Corie is concerned, I can’t seem to stop myself.

“Ahh.” Landry covers his ears. “I don’t want to hear that shit,” he says, making everyone laugh.

I join in because it would be funny if I didn’t agree with him. It’s all a part of the ruse to keep my true feelings in disguise. I know that I’m going to have to deal with them sooner rather than later, because if tonight has taught me anything, it’s that I can’t stop. Even more so, it’s taught me that I don’t want to stop. I’m breaking the best friend code, and I’m sure a million others, but I’ve always followed my gut, and my instinct is not to let this go. Whatever this is, I need to embrace it. Consequences be damned.

“What’s the song?” Sloane asks. “Even I don’t know this one.”

“‘Karma Chameleon’ by Culture Club,” Corie tells them.

“What?” Landry asks. “Play the song.” He furrows his brow almost as if he’s never heard the song.

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