Emery bounces with unbridled excitement. “It’s not a huge event or anything, but the other high school in town throws this event every year as a fundraiser. There are a bunch of games and a few rides. What do you say? You in?”
My lips curl in a wide, genuine smile. “Of course I’m in.” I turn towards Reid. “What about you, big guy? You in?”
Reid’s eyes emanate nothing but warmth as he stares down at me. “Lead the way.”
Reid and Emery split the price for my admittance then purchased a huge bundle of tickets we can use for games and rides.
Emery reminds me of a kid in a candy store as he races from stall to stall, vibrating with excitement.
“We need to try this game! No, this game! No, wait, this game! Oh, what the hell. Let’s do them all!”
Reid and I trail along after him at a much more leisurely pace.
“Why does it feel like we’re following after our ADHD son?” I muse conversationally to Reid.
Emery pauses a short distance away, where he’s on his tiptoes to study the collection of prizes dangling from the booth. “Hey! I heard that!” To me, he adds, “Just so you know, I don’t have a mommy kink.”
That may be true, but I suspect Emery has a different kink—a kink he still doesn’t fully understand.
Just to test out my theory, I wave him back to me, and he returns willingly, sporting a huge, beatific smile.
“You’re such a good boy, Emery,” I coo, and he flushes, his eyes flaring with heat.
Interesting.
Very, very interesting.
Maybe the twins aren’t so different after all.
Reid, oblivious to my thoughts, scans our surroundings. “Where to first?”
Emery opens his mouth to respond then glances at me and snaps it shut. He stares at me imploringly, allowing me to choose, even though he’s practically bursting with excitement.
I decide to put him out of his misery. “Em? Can you choose what we do first?”
A wide grin pulls up his lips, and he races towards a stall. It’s some sort of shooting game, where you’re supposed to hit a target, which causes your horse to move. The first horse to the finish line wins.
“You ready to get demolished, pretty girl?” Emery asks, dramatically cracking his knuckles.
I snort. “You wish.”
“I’m not going to go easy on you. Not like our chivalrous Reid here.”
“Chivalrous?” Reid stares at Emery incredulously, then turns towards me. “Sorry, baby. I’m going to crush you. You’re not getting any help from me.”
“I don’t need help to destroy you.” I aim my gun at the target and listen to the countdown.
“Surrrre you don’t,” Emery drawls. “I love your confidence, but?—”
The mechanical voice tells us to go, and I immediately aim the water gun at the bull’s-eye. My horse begins to maneuver forward—at a much faster pace than Reid’s or Emery’s.
The game ends, announcing me as the winner, and I bring the gun to my lips and blow on the tip. Reid’s eyes heat, turning molten, but Emery is oblivious, staring at the horses with an incredulous expression.
“How did you…? You know what? I’m not even surprised anymore. I have a feeling you’ll kick my ass at every game we play.” He shakes his head with a rueful chuckle.
The attendant—a high school girl who stares at Emery with hearts in her eyes—allows me to pick my prize, and I choose a tiny stuffed animal with a crooked bow tie.
“Here.” I smirk as I hand Emery the bear. “I won you a prize, my little darling,” I coo dramatically.
