Page 124 of We Shouldn't Be Together
I narrow my gaze at him. “You want to check me out?”
“I’m human, aren’t I?”
Somehow, I let him pull me up onto the platform. “I dunno, Malakai. Are you?”
He blinks at me, and his lips hesitantly curl. “What did you call me?”
I tilt my head. “What?”
“You full-named me.”
I laugh. “Is that a problem?”
“Only my mother does that.”
I grab onto his tie and tug. “Does she do it when you’re being annoying?”
He smirks. “Yes, but it doesn’t sound as velvety as when you do it.”
My heart rate double times as I watch the brown and green in his eyes interact with the neon of the Revolution Dance game. The game plays a demo and the music increases in volume, coaxing us to play.
Kai gestures at the screens in front of us. “Shall we?”
“Don’t get hurt,” I say, stepping between the arrows on my side. “I don’t want to be blamed for your car being taken away.”
“If you get hurt, do a better job of hiding it from your dad. I don’t want another lecture.”
“You were carrying me. It’s your fault he suspected anything.”
His eyebrows wiggle at the memory. “If you think I’m gonna apologise for carrying you, you’re dead wrong.”
I laugh. “Just shut up and play.”
Gosh, this boy is nimble on his feet. Okay, it’s been a while since I danced more than just swaying my hips to a song on my playlist. I’m a little rustywith my timing and planting my feet where I’m prompted. But Kai’s a quick learner.
“How are you so good at this?” I ask over the music.
He shrugs, stepping behind him and then in front, and then spins around. He pants a breath and replies, “You just gotta look ahead. It gives you the next three moves.”
“It’s hard enough getting the first move right. How the heck can I think three moves ahead?”
He laughs, nailing the position of his feet again. “You wouldn’t last on my soccer team.”
“Oh, I’m aware.”
When the game ends, and Kai asks if I want to go another round, I’m quick to jump off the platform. “I’ve had enough of making a fool of myself.”
He lands beside me. “What are you talking about? You were great. Admit it, you had fun.”
“I had fun watching you.”
“But you were dancing. Don’t you think dancing is fun?”
“Why are you so obsessed with this?”
“I just think it’s suspicious that you’ve said you want to get fit, and have also said you were forced to quit dance lessons.”
“Kai, stop looking for the conspiracy.”
