Emerge (Evolve Series #1)(26)

This night has gone way off track, but this is Bennett’s room, too, and she’s really in to Tate, and thou shalt not cockblock.

“Anything...except peppers. Or onions. Oh, and no anchovies!”

“So...pepperoni?” So smug, that Dane.

“Sure.” This is my room. I’m coming out in my pajamas.

“What the f*ck are those?” Sawyer’s face looks pained, like my sleepwear is actually the biggest disappointment he’s ever had.

“You kiss anyone with that mouth, Sawyer?” He gives me the same weird look I always get when I say it, but yeah, I’d had to

change the phrase.

“Sorry! But seriously, Laney. Hot girl says she’s putting on pajamas, I’m thinking she’s gonna show me her secrets, like sweet

Victoria. So what are you wearing?”

“I’m wearing my pajamas, and I don’t have any secrets.” I don’t. Well, I might...haven’t decided if I’m telling Evan

anything more about tonight or not yet.

“Oh, I bet you do,” he says with a leer.

Dane’s leaning back against the counter, arms crossed over his chest, smiling right at me. It’s a familiar pose that tugs at my

heart, all the while I wonder why I consciously take note of where he is in the room. When I catch his gaze, he crooks his finger

at me to join him.

I walk closer to him, but not too close. “Yeah?” “Laney, I’ve known you a minute, but I can tell you’re uncomfortable. I can

make all this go away right now if you want. I’ll take my boys back to their room, and I’ll even leave you some pizza here. Just

say the word.”

Dane’s giving me an out, I should definitely take the out...I turn to look at Bennett. She’s sitting on the couch with Tate,

Sawyer leaning over them. They’re writing and laughing and eating...I look back to Dane.

“Can I be honest with you?” I ask sheepishly, but for some reason, I get the distinct feeling I can.

“No, lie straight to my face. I love it when people do that,” he simpers. “Yes, tell me.”

“I don’t feel unsafe or anything, but this is weird. Two girls invite three guys they just met into their dorm room? Well, one

girl, at least; not sure I invited anyone.” I smile to alleviate any harshness. “I just don’t know about all this. No sense in

going all out the first social event, right?” I chew my bottom lip a little.

“I get it, and I’m not surprised you get it, frankly.” “What do you mean?”

“Well, not many girls don’t want us in their rooms. Take your roommate, for example, she’s not thinking about getting us to

leave. In fact, she’s in cahoots with Sawyer, whether she’s realized it yet or not.”

“Uh, huh?” Still lost.

“Laney, they’re over there getting 21 questions ready to play. They both want to play some BS game; Sawyer so he can get to know

you and Bennett so she can get to know Tate. They’ll base it on shots so that everyone gets loose-lipped and tells their real

story. This is college, Laney; guys and girls feeling their way through the masses until they find their someone. Using games and

booze masks the fact they’re too scared and insecure to just ask questions openly. It’s just everyone playing the same game,

Laney. But if you don’t like this, or feel too uncomfortable, I’ll fix it.”

He’s right. Well, about Bennett, anyway; who knows about Sawyer. Bennett’s just a girl who likes this new boy and really just

wants to get to know him. The game and shots give her an outlet to do that. Man, Dane’s got it all figured out and he puts it

right out there. I like and respect that. If he’s running a game to fool me, he deserves an Oscar; I’m picking up no deceit.

“Ok, Mister Meaning of Life, I have a few stipulations.”

“Shoot.”

“No boys sleep here. At some point, you drag them out. If Bennett gets too drunk, you take my hint to end things.” I tick off my

rules on my fingers. “No one gets naked, no one has sex. No one invites anyone else over. No one tags this on Facebook, no one

tweets...oh, and no one steals my pizza. Sound good?” I quirk an eyebrow and cross my arms over my chest.

He smiles and laughs. “Yeah, Laney, that sounds good. Now relax and quit worrying. Can you do that?”

It seemed like a rhetorical question so I don’t answer him.

“No harm will come to you whenever I’m around, I swear it. Welcome to college, Laney; welcome to life.”

“Game on!” Sawyer yells from the living area.

So apparently the game is 21 questions, and not as trite as Truth or Dare. Sure. Bennett has claimed the spot right beside Tate on

the couch, and I do mean right beside him. Sawyer grabs the chair and Dane and I sit on the floor on opposite sides of the coffee

table. We all had to put four questions in the cup, which is only 20 questions, but no one seemed to care. If you refuse to, or can

’t answer a question, you do a shot. I’ve never done a shot, but I’m pretty smart, so I’m not too worried.

“Ok, ladies first, one of you draw and we’ll go clockwise.”