Page 53 of Comeback
“No need to shout and punish everyone else’s eardrums,” Archer says, grimacing.
“How do we play?” I ask as I scoot closer to Archer. “Is it just like truth or dare?”
He nods, gaze locking onto my mouth. He said he liked my mouth and now it’s all I can think about. That and him placing his against mine.
“So I could just say drink and not have to admit to anything embarrassing?” I ask.
Archer’s lips quirk into a smile. “Sure.”
My stomach flips. This game has me transported right back to junior high and that was not a super fun time for me. I was awkward and taller than all the boys, which somehow made me undatable and unkissable.
“Want to do a test round?” he asks.
When I nod, he asks, “Truth or Drink?”
“Truth.”
He stares at me for a beat. The light from the firepit in front of us dances across his features, and my body warms as much from him as the fire.
“Why did you leave last winter?”
I feel like the rug has been pulled out from under me. All those happy, flirty feelings are swept under said rug for good measure. I look away from him and take a long drink of my beer.
It’s not like I haven’t considered telling him and Brogan. I never meant for it to be some secret. It’s just, I don’t know if I’m ready to talk about it. Even speaking to my parents on the phone is still hard. Those months I spent back home with my mom were the scariest of my life. I thought I was going to lose her.
When I look back to Archer, disappointment is splashed over his features. I have the distinct feeling we’ve just taken about ten steps back from this friendly truce and mild flirting we’ve been doing. In an attempt to lighten the mood, I turn it back on him, “Truth or drink?”
His response isn’t immediate, but eventually he says, “Truth.”
“Have you ever made out with anyone in the hot tub over there?” I tip my head to where two guys have one girl sandwiched between them.
Archer’s gaze flicks in that direction but doesn’t linger before returning to me. “Yes.”
“Really?”
His lips flatten and the smallest of smiles pulls at the corners of his lips.
“I had you pegged for more of a private make out kind of guy.”
“With enough booze I’m a make out anywhere and everywhere kind of guy.”
My stomach flips with excitement. I think I’d like to see that version of Archer. This time when I smile at him, he returns the gesture.
“Truth or drink?” he asks. I steel myself for another hard question.
“Truth,” I say.
“Doyouwant to make out in the hot tub?”
“With you?” I ask, then my cheeks flame hot because now I’m certain that isn’t what he was asking.
“I was just trying to get a gauge on what you’re into. There are a lot of guys here that would love to get you in that hot tub. I’d say you’d have your pick.”
I can’t get a good read on him. Is he flirting with me now or just making an observation?
“And if I picked you?”
We stare at one another, neither blinking. The wind whips my hair around my face, but I don’t make any move to tame it. Around us I’m vaguely aware that the game has started farther down the circle, but neither of us seems to care.
