Page 159 of Fame & Chaos

I’m currently loading pellets into a stupid little rifle while glaring at the moving ducks I need to shoot down.

Three ducks in a row win the giant teddy bear.

And seeing as I’ve already lost every other game tonight, my masculinity desperately needs this victory.

“I wanna play too!” Indi yells over the music.

Turning to look at her, I raise one eyebrow. “What? Scared I’ll beat you again?”

She gives me an offended look that lasts all of two seconds before she grins. “In your dreams, rockstar!”

Chuckling to myself, I pay for her rifle as well and slide it across the counter.

The second the vendor loads both games and we wrap our hands around the wooden stocks, everything changes.

This isn’t a game anymore.

It’s a competition.

I can practically feel Indi straighten beside me, the playful smile disappearing as she narrows her eyes at the moving ducks gliding lazily across the backboard.

“Oh, you’re taking this seriously?” I murmur.

“You started it!”

A whistle blows, and the ducks begin to move.

I steady my breathing, line up the first target, and squeeze the trigger.

Ping.

The duck spins backward—a perfect shot.

A smug grin spreads across my face as I glance sideways just in time to watch Indi’s pellet sail harmlessly past her target, missing it completely.

“Oh, that’s beautiful,” I say under my breath. “Manhood restored.”

She shoots me a glare. “Oh, shut up.”

The second round slides into view, and she fires again almost simultaneously.

Ping. Ping.

Two ducks flip backward.

Indi lets out a triumphant little cheer beside me, bouncing on her toes before flashing me a grin that’s far too pleased with itself. “Yes!”

Huffing, I raise my gun, aim, pull the trigger, and…

Ping.

Smiling, I glance at the scoreboard.

Tied.

Of course we are.

The final duck glides into position.