Page 44 of Collide
I exhale. Letting go, surrendering to the feeling.
“So, where are we headed?”
He smiles. “A surprise.”
We ride the cab in silence, but not the uncomfortable kind. Instead, it crackles with unspoken tension, the kind that makes my pulse quicken.
To my disappointment, the ride ends too soon. The cab pulls up in front of a refurbished warehouse. Outside, the rain’s softened to a mist, enough to walk through without getting soaked.
“What are we doing here?”
“Be a good girl and play along.” He taps my nose, laughing under his breath.
The rational part of me is thrilled. But the irrational part panics.
He’s probably an axe murderer who’s brought me to my final resting place.
But Google came up with nothing!
Well, Google lied.
Philippa thinks I’m out shopping. Ishould’vetold her where I was.
Before I can think to text Riley, Alex takes my hand, calming my internal panic as he leads me toward the entrance.
“Surprise,” he says, nodding toward the neon sign above the door, flashing that infuriatingly charming smile.
Indoor Extreme Sports.
My eyes widen.
Is he kidding?
“Oh!” I gasp, excitement bubbling up. “What are we doing?” I ask as we walk into what looks like an arcade.
He doesn’t answer, walking straight up to the freckly teenager with braces behind the counter whose name tag saysNick.
“Two for laser tag, please,” Alex says smoothly.
Laser tag!
I’ve never played before—this is so exciting!
I notice Nick’s eyes widen slightly. His reaction to Alex feels…off.Like maybe he knows him. Or maybe he’s surprised by how absurdly good-looking Alex is.
Same, Nick. Same.
“Fifteen minutes or half hour?” Nick asks.
Alex glances at me, waiting.
“Half hour, please,” I exclaim, grinning up at him.
He lets out a low laugh, the sound curling heat through my stomach. “Bring it on,” he teases, poking my side, his touch sending an electric current right through me.
Nick disappears into the back without a word.
“I’ve never played before,” I admit, glancing around at the chaos—kids screaming, teenagers competing, exhausted parents barely keeping up.
