Page 27 of Totally Played
“How do you know?”
“Just look at how goofy happy she is in the picture.”
He leans in close, his cologne filling my nose, and my stomach swirls again.
“She looks like you when I won you that giant Snickers.”
“I could totally go for a Snickers right now,” I say as my stomach growls at the thought of food.
“Eat all your dinner and I’ll win you one after,” he says, nodding toward the back wall. I turn and see a bunch of kids hovering around a candy bar claw machine. These things are seriously everywhere now.
“And if I don’t eat all my dinner,” I whisper, my voice coming out far flirtier than I expect. “What will you do then? Put me to bed without desert?”
He smirks.
“I’d probably still win you one. I don’t think I could deny you anything.”
Is it getting hot in here?
Chapter ten
Ashley
IarrivelatetoTim’s and am now regretting my decision to not pack earlier for Belgium, instead of right before heading over. It took far longer than expected. I don’t know how long I will even be there for, and finally, I decided that if I forgot anything, I would be able to buy it when I got there if I really needed it.
I’m power walking over there, hoping the crisp night air will help settle my racing thoughts. Thoughts about a certain twin that I have no business thinking of like that. The feelings I have for Calvin are stronger than any I’ve felt for a guy in the longest time, but they have to be just a powerful sense of friendship, nothing more. Maybe if Tony is here tonight, I’ll have a similar connection and we can see where that goes, because he’s actually available. I pick up on the guys’ voices carrying on the cool breeze and the smells of Tim’s cooking that are a perfect accompaniment.
Tim told me to take the fire stairs up when I got here, so I head into the alley but stop when I spot a dark shadow standing at the bottom of the ladder.
“Are you going up?” I ask, and he startles and turns.
“Umm, I’m not sure,” he says as he steps back, and with his face better illuminated by the moon, I see it’s the newest addition to the Funky Monkeys.
“It’s Beau, right?” I ask, and he nods.
“It should be a good night. Tim’s cooking alone makes the climb worth it.” I chuckle, and he replies with a weak smile and looks up at the soft orange glow of the rooftop terrace lights. “I’m Ash, Calvin’s friend.”
I hold out my hand, and after a tense pause, he takes it.
“Beau Hogan. Umm, maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.”
“Why’s that?” I ask, and he takes another step back.
“They already have their group, I’m an outsider.”
“I only just met Calvin a few days ago.”
“Really?”
“Yep, so if anyone is an outsider here, it’s me.”
“So you don’t think I’ll be like, left out?”
“No way. The guys are a laugh, and besides, it’s game night. You can be on my team.”
“That would be cool. Thanks.”
“Think nothing of it. We should get up there before Duckie eats all the food.” I laugh, grab the ladder, and start climbing. I’m half expecting to look down and find Beau nowhere to be seen, but he’s right there behind me the whole way up to the roof.
