Kei wrinkles his nose. “Don’t ever call it that again.”
“Sexual intercourse.”
“Nope. Stop it.”
“Making love,” I say in a sing-songy voice.
“You’re dead to me.”
I steal the card from his hand, swiping it on the machine and starting a match. Balls roll down the ramp towards us. I pick up the first one, tossing it up towards the hoop and scoring. I can hear Kei cursing beside me and I can’t help but chuckle, my chest blooming with warmth.
When was the last time I felt like this? When was the last time I felt so free with another person? I’m havingfun. Genuine, certified fun. I’ve laughed so much today with Kei and everyone else.
Maybe dating doesn’t have to be this serious thing. Maybe I’m allowed to keep being myself, just alongside Kei instead of alone. Maybe it’s not as scary as I thought it would be.
It feels like this whole time, I’ve been holding my breath and at this moment, I’m finally allowed to exhale.
“Ha,” I call out, scoring again. “You suck at this, Kei.”
“You suck. Full stop.”
“Are you complaining about that? Thought you’d love a boyfriend who sucks.”
“Shut up,” he hisses out, jamming his elbow into my side, making my next shot go sideways off the hoop.
“You asshole!” I try to stomp on his foot but almost slip and fall. He starts laughing and before I know it, the timer is buzzing, letting us know the game is over. Somehow, we end up tying.
“This thing is rigged,” Kei says with the most adorable pout I’ve ever seen on a grown man. Gods, I sound so cringe.
“Keep telling yourself that,” I say, patting his shoulder.
We go around the room, playing a few games against each other. Near the center of the arcade is a table set up for beer pong. Maki and Rin are already there so we decide to play together.
Maki and I decide to team up against our boyfriends.
Shit.
Right.
When did I start calling Kei my boyfriend in my own head? Hello? We’redatingbut he’s not myboyfriend.
Right?
“Ready?” Maki asks, handing me a plastic ball.
“Thanks,” I say softly, doing my best to shake whatever inner panic is trying to take hold of my chest. I pick up the ball and toss it, landing it in a cup.
“Nice shot,” Maki murmurs, tossing his own ball and making it in. “I have a question for you.”
“Let’s hear it,” I say, thankful for the distraction. If I focus on Maki, then I don’t have to think about Kei who’s looking at me with such soft brown eyes from across the table. Makes me wanna poke his eyes or something.
“How did you win that first laser tag game? There is no possible way you could have gotten that many kills. I can’t figure it out.”
“Oh,” I breathe out, grinning up at Maki. “That’s easy.”
Maki looks down at me, waiting.
“I cheated.”
