Page 81 of Chess Not Checkers
I sigh. “We just went over this—we’re not undefeated.”
Carson blinks. “Oh, yeah. Once defeated, nevermore!” he chants again, earning more whoops and hollers from the crowd.
I give Brayden a look and hook my thumb toward Carson. “Do you want to end up like this guy?”
“Hey,” Carson hiccups. “I take offense to that.”
Brayden groans. “Fine. I’ll watch, but we would dominate.”
“Good. You won’t regret it; I promise.” I pat Brayden on the shoulder. “Don’t let me see you with anything other than soda.”
He grumbles his agreement before stalking off toward the backyard where the beer pong is likely happening. I search for Jasmine in the crowd again while Carson rambles next to me.
“You know, I’m an engineer. That means I’m smart.” He trips over the last word.
“I know, buddy,” I say, frowning when I see a guy stumbling toward Jasmine and her friends. He’s hunched over, swaying like a tree in a hurricane with every step. There’s a bottle of what looks to be Fireball hanging from one of his hands.
“You know that guy?” I ask Carson and point to him.
“I know everybody,” he says matter-of-factly, then spins toward where I’m pointing. “Nope, don’t know him.”
The guy staggers toward Jasmine, who backs up with a good-natured laugh. My gut tells me something isn’t right. It looks like Marigold says something to him, her face twisted into a scowl. Whatever he says in return makes her head rear back. That’s my cue. I set off toward them, pushing through the throng of sweaty bodies.
“Leave us alone.” Jasmine’s voice carries over the crowd.
A few people turn to look toward her.
The guy leans in more, leering. One of his hands reaches out and touches her skirt.
Jasmine jerks back. My adrenaline spikes and I make it to them in seconds.
“That’s a pretty uniform. I think it would look better on my floor,” he slurs as I step up behind him.
Red. That’s all I see. I snatch the guy back by the collar of his stained shirt and whip him around. He’s shorter than me and scrawnier too. There’s a flash of anger in his eyes before it gives way to fear as I pull my fist back and send it flying toward his face. He stumbles back into the crowd. Whoever he falls into doesn’t appreciate it, and they push him to the ground. He hits his knees, his nose dripping blood on the dirty hardwood floor.
“Leave,” I growl. “Now.”
Everyone quiets around us. Even the music seems to dull in comparison to my thundering pulse. The idiot scrambles to his feet, clutching his nose, staggering as he struggles to stay upright.
“Faster,” I order.
With a whimper he stumbles his way through the crowd, people parting once they see the state he’s in.
I turn to Jasmine. Her green eyes are wide with shock and residual fear. Before I can say anything, she throws her arms around my neck.
I pull her close and murmur, “Are you all right?” into her ear.
I can feel everyone’s eyes on us, but it all fades away as Jasmine pulls back to meet my gaze. Gratitude shines in her eyes. She slowly nods in answer to my question. My heart is pounding in my ears. She trembles in my arms. Before I can check on her again, she pushes up onto her tiptoes and crashes her lips into mine.
Around us, the crowd erupts in cheers. Phone cameras flash.
Jasmine pulls back, and I watch as the realization of what she’s done pours over her like ice water.
The secret is out. And I can’t think of a worse way for it to be revealed.
Chapter forty
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