Emerge (Evolve Series #1)(52)

“We can re-rack if we want. They have to rearrange the cups like we want, but we can only do it once. I like a square, or we can

wait and do a straight line at three cups, your call.”

Well obviously there’s only one person to answer such a difficult question for me, I consult the expert. Sawyer’s already holding

up three fingers when I look to him. He knew I’d seek his infinite wisdom in all that is college party games. “Wait for three

cups?” I ask him.

“Yup,” he says with a nod.

“Uh, no fair,” Whitley’s whine is barely worse than her regular voice. “You’re not in the game, Sawyer, you can’t help her.”

I roll my eyes and turn my head, Bennett snaring my attention. Covertly, she acts out her evil little plan. I finally figure out

what the hell she’s trying to tell me and shake my head no at her with a laugh. Pegging Whitley in the head with my ping pong ball

is probably a bit much. Love the way your mind works though, Bennett!

“It’s no big deal, Whitley, she’s never played before,” Dane tells her with an exasperated look on his face.

Now that all that’s settled, I step up to throw and swoosh it right in the cup again. This time I look at Dane and he’s beaming.

I give him a smirk in return; how ya like that, mister? He winks.

“You got this,” I encourage my partner.

Zach misses his shot and drops his head on my shoulder in defeat.

I giggle and pat his back. “Next time, killer.”

Whitley steps up, her ball sailing over all the cups and I instinctively reach out and catch it.

“Atta girl, Lanester! Fucking drink up, Whit!” Sawyer hoots, throwing mad Jersey Shore fists in the air.

I turn to Zach and shrug my shoulders causing him to laugh. “Catch in the air means we get to pick one of our cups for them to

remove. Doesn’t really matter since we have a re-rack coming, so tell her which to drink, superstar.”

I randomly point to one of the cups on their end and smile over at Bennett while Whitley has to chug a lug again, putting my team

at two cups left!

Dane steps up to throw and all of a sudden I feel bad. We’re whipping their asses, he’s noticeably uncomfortable, and I’m

antagonizing the hell out of him. So I decide to throw him a bone...I raise my arms above my head and lean back, like I’m yawning

and stretching at the same time. The coolness hits my tummy as my shirt rises ever so slightly and I pop back up, pulling it down

in mock shyness. “Oh my, sorry about that.” I bat my eyelashes at him then quickly look to Bennett for telepathic moral support.

Tate looks up at me and mouths, “you are terrible,” but his smile confirms he loves watching me torture his brother. I guess Dane

made his shot because Zach is drinking when I turn my attention back to the game.

I miss on my next turn, still a little flustered from my sudden brazenness, but am rewarded nonetheless when I finally dare a peek

at Dane. He’s staring at me, as though just waiting for when I’d look, and the light in his eyes makes me feel beautiful, brave,

and silly...like tonight is okay.

The game is over in just a few more throws and as much as I don’t really want to, I begrudgingly ask everyone to leave since I

have an early morning. Zach gives me a big hug and makes me promise we’re set partners anytime there’s pong to be played and I

eagerly agree while Tate and Bennett sneak away to sleep in his room so they don’t keep me up. Whitley awkwardly hangs out a few

minutes longer than she should before finally asking Dane to walk her out.

When they’re gone, Sawyer turns me by my shoulder to face him. “He’ll never just be blatantly rude to her, Laney. He can’t, and

he doesn’t have it in him, anyway. But don’t get it twisted; he’s never looked at her, or anyone, like he looks at you. Try and

remember that, okay?” His eyes seek mine for acceptance of what he’s just revealed.

Shocked into a silent stupor I simply nod.

“Night then, kick ass tomorrow, sweetie,” he playfully throws over his shoulder on his way out.

I swat his butt at his sarcastic attempt at humor, cause we swat each other’s butts now, right?

Just as I make my way out of the bathroom, teeth brushed and jammies donned, I hear a light knock at the door. A peephole isn’t

even an option, but I’m not too worried about it, probably just one of them forgot something.

He’s looking at the ground when I crack open the door, but slowly his head lifts and his soulful brown eyes move to mine. “Dane,

did you forget something?”

“No, but can I come in for a sec?”

I pull the door open further to allow him entry and then close it behind him, taking a moment for a deep breath before turning to

face him. His presence usually puts every sense I have on high alert, but I feel the spark of something even more intoxicating in

the air right now.

He reaches out and takes one of my hands, giving it a light squeeze. “You were on fire tonight. Did you have fun?”

“I did, a lot. Did you?” Our joined hands hang between us and his thumb rubs across my wrist, so faint it’s almost as though I’