Page 37 of The Lost Kings
“Gio, you’ll go first then King and then me, and last will be Presley.”
I wasn’t particularly in the mood to play this game, but I also didn’t want to leave if Presley was still out here. Which was another realization that something had shifted between us, and she wasn’t even aware that it had. Kingston’s gaze kept lifting to Presley every few seconds, and even if he hadn’t told me, I had a feeling he had the same struggle.
“Okay, Gio, your question is: If you had to choose between saving Alex and Kingston, who would you save?”
My nose wrinkled at the stupid question. Presley looked nervous as she inspected me and glanced over at Kingston, then back at me. She hated anything that made me uncomfortable, as if I couldn’t handle it, but this one was easy.
“I’d give my life trying to save them both.”
Everyone made a booing sound before Carter moved to Kingston.
“Okay, if you had to choose between never being able to see or hear again, which would you choose?”
He made a sound that indicated he was thinking, which came out almost like a sigh. “I’d choose not to see.”
“Why?” Presley asked, screwing her nose up. “Wouldn’t you want to be able to see your loved ones and colors?”
He stared at her long enough that something in my gut shifted around. It was tied to that block of cement that had recently surfaced when it came to him and Presley.
“There are certain sounds I’ve grown accustomed to. Someonecan change their appearance, but I’m positive that I’d always know someone’s voice. And then there’s laughter…someone’s laugh could pull me out of the darkest head space. I wouldn’t have to see them—just hear that tinkling sound they made when they were happy. It would be easier to be grateful for your life if you only had your hearing and not your sight.”
He was talking about Presley.
A memory surfaced of him talking about her laugh like it was a tinkling bell.
I couldn’t control how soon everyone’s eyes were on me, but my face felt too hot and my chest was too tight.
“Carter, it’s your turn.” I cleared the knot from my throat, realizing they wanted me to ask her a question.
“Would you rather eat a moldy piece of bread covered in peanut butter or jelly?”
Her gasp was obnoxious. “Ewww that’s disgusting. Why would you ask me that?”
Her question was easy in comparison to what we’d been asked.
“Answer the question, Carter,” Presley teased.
With a sigh and an eye roll, she replied, “Peanut butter.”
Presley laughed and Kingston’s eyes found hers instantly, locking onto her as she tipped her head back.
I didn’t want him looking at her.
I didn’t want him falling for her.
He couldn’t.
Not when I was fairly certain I already had.
Something seemed to come over me as Pres continued to laugh, and Kingston continued to watch. I lunged forward and pushed my brother as hard as I could off the pool lounger, which forced him to fall back and into the pool.
“Gio!” Presley shrieked right as Carter stood and covered her mouth.
My fists were clenched as I watched my brother break the surface and gasp for air. “The fuck, Gio?”
I didn’t respond. Our eyes locked, and he only held my stare for a moment before flicking his eyes over to Presley then back over to me. He knew, and while I hoped he’d shake his head or act outraged by the idea, he smiled instead.
It was a devious smile that told me he’d be getting me back, but it wouldn’t be by pushing me into a pool.
