Page 46 of Unmasking Secrets
“Yes, ma’am.” He grumbles before closing the door.
It takes a while to fall asleep after that. And even then, I can’t stay asleep for long. My alarm on my phone goes off. I’ll just grab an energy drink from the kitchen. I don’t normally like todrink caffeine this late in the day, but I’ll be up later than normal regardless.
*****
I didn’t really thinkArchie would stay behind, but he did. Honestly, if one of them was going to, I assumed it would be one of the others. Not that it matters to me. The others didn’t seem as intense. Archie just doesn’t understand I am not in immediate danger. This is a safe group of individuals.
We split up into two teams and wait for the doors to open for the first round of laser tag. Luke stares at me and motions with his hand, as if he were going to be watching me. I laugh.
The buzzer sounds and we’re off. I keep to the wall until I find the ramp and move up to the second level. An assortment of walls and hiding spots are scattered about.
I keep my breathing even and slow as I move low, peeking around every corner before moving forward. Footsteps can be heard up ahead, so I move to one of the darker spots. Once my eyes are on the target, I fire. Sounds go all around as people sneak up on each other.
The scoreboard is shining bright on one of the walls. I take a second glance at it and notice my team is ahead, by quite a bit. The clock is still running though.
I move to find a new spot until my back hits someone. I whip around, gun raised.
Luke has his raised and aimed at me too.
A standoff.
“You could walk away.” He whispers.
“I’m not turning my back on you.” I pull the trigger.
His mouth drops. “You playing dirty, Grimaldi?”
“Oh Keller, I’m just getting started.” I wink and run off.
“My kind of woman,” his voice mutters behind me.
I ignore the comment and move quick on my feet. Eyes darting around until I find a new spot.
“Two minutes.” An automated voice announces over the speaker. Time is running out.
I quickly move again until I see Max looking the other direction and get him in the back.
“Son of a bitch!” He spins around. “Tab!”
I laugh as I make my way across the floor and around the walls. I drop low before taking the ramp back down.
“Not so fast.” Luke’s voice speaks behind me.
I turn around fast and hit him while he’s smiling. “You seem to be getting your ass handed to you, Luke.”
The buzzer sounds and everyone makes their way out of the room. We pause at the scoreboard out side of the room, hang up the vest, and reattach the guns.
I was hit the least, twice. I also got two of the three hits on Luke, and that makes me laugh.
The group partially separates after that. Teaming up for bowling, arcade games, and then we group back together for late night pizza.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
ARCHIE
“What?” I couldn’t have possibly heard her right.
“I said, I’m ready to go home after this.” She places her hands on her hips. “If this weekend has taught me anything, it’s that I can’t live my life in fear.” Tabitha shakes her head slightly. “Archie, I have a life to live. No matter what it throws my way, it’s mine.”
