Page 123 of We Shouldn't Be Together
“I…” My voice catches and I fight off the nerves to get the words out. “I really like you too.”
His hands pause on my upper arms as he lights up with a new wave of happiness. We both settle into our bucket seats, basking in our tiny space amongst the flashing lights and game noises of the arcade. I tilt my head, taking in the angles of his face. Kai really is handsome. He has high cheekbones, a straight nose, and a strong jaw. With every expression, and especially every smirk, there’s a hefty dose of character.
Unable to help myself, I gently touch his face. My fingertips glide up the side of his face, and I swipe the raised scar below his left eye.
“How did this happen?” I whisper.
He flinches, causing a distance between his skin and my fingertip.
My heart squeezes. “Forget it,” I rush. “I shouldn’t have asked.”
“No, it’s okay,” he replies, sitting taller. “It’s just… I don’t talk about it.”
My stomach knots as I grit my teeth. Good one, Tabby. “Sorry, Kai.”
He fidgets in his seat and his jaw rocks like he’s contemplating telling me. Crap. Whatever happened to him must’ve been bad.
I gently plant my hand on his thigh. “Please, forget I asked. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”
He shifts in his seat again. “No, you didn’t, it’s just...”
“Kai,” I cut in, lifting my hand from his thigh. “I obviously have. You keep fidgeting. Please forget it. I don’t want to make you talk about something so uncomfortable.”
He blows out a breath and rubs a hand over his face. Geez, is he gonna start sweating?
Suddenly, with a jolt of energy, Kai springs out of his seat. “Come on,” he says, buzzing around to my side of the car simulator and then clasping my hand. “Let’s check out something more fun.”
I slide out of the seat, letting him tug me along. Thankful for the opportunity to leave the awkwardness behind.
“This has to be right up your alley,” Kai says, leading me toward a Revolution Dance machine.
“Umm, why?” I ask hesitantly.
He gives me a questioning stare. “You took dance lessons.”
“I also told you I wasn’t good at them.”
“You also said your friend made you quit.” He tugs on my hand. “Well, this friend is here to cheer you on.”
A nervous giggle chokes out of me. “I’m not getting up there.”
“You’re not chicken, are you?” he teases.
“This place is crowded and I don’t want to be a spectacle.”
Kai leaps up on the platform. “You want me to do it with you?”
“You’re gonna dance?” My chest constricts by the second. “In the middle of the arcade?”
He tugs at his school tie. “I’ll make up for you running in your school uniform. I’ll dance in mine.”
“Oh, yeah, because that went so well last time. What if one of us rolls an ankle?”
He winces. “Well, it can’t be me, or I really won’t get my car.”
“See. You’re on thin ice with your parents.” I beckon him off the platform. “Get down from there.”
“Stop being a baby. Dancing isn’t dangerous.” He shimmies on the platform. “I wanna see your moves.”
