Page 17 of We’re All Going to Die Tonight!

“Sorry to disappoint, Lucas,” I say, rolling my neck. “But what you saw was the truth. I kicked Delaney off the team because she couldn’t take being told no by her captain and threw a tantrum. I don’t need a team of girls who can’t take accountability. I don’t have time for weak people.”

I let the words hang there, not caring if the others believe me or not. How could it really matter? I’ve been getting the bitch edit ever since I can remember. Whatever happens tonight, that’s not going to change.

Chapter 9

Caulder

October 17

12:28 a.m.

I should’ve thought this through before agreeing to play, I know. I can tell by the way Avery’s eyes keep cutting to me that she’s thinking the same thing, trying to launch her disapproval directly from her eyes into my skull.

I haven’t stopped thinking about Emerson’s taunting earlier, trying to get under Avery’s—and my—skin. I should’ve stopped him right when he started in on her. But I have to admit…part of me wanted to know what, exactly, Avery would say. What is going on with us? At least, what would she say? Because I know I have my reasons.

But one thing’s certain: I shouldn’t have let Emerson keep going. I should’ve stopped that shit the second it started.

That’s why this game is so clearly a mistake. Sure, so far, no one’s dared to poke the bear—well, unless you count Lucas’s question about Delaney, but Kaitlyn looks so unfazed that it doesn’t seem like it really bothered her that much. Someone will ask something soon that gets to the heart of what’s festering at the center of this team, though. Someone will ask something real.

Currently, Marlene’s hands are trembling as she reaches for a piece near the middle of the tower. We’ve cleaned out the easy picks at the top, so it’s getting more precarious. She swallows, steadies her fingers, and slips a piece out. She exhales and smiles with relief, then considers the group as she holds on to the wooden block.

Her eyes land on me.

“Caulder,” she says in a shaky voice. “Truth or dare?”

So far, I’ve only had to go once. Mostly, people have been picking on Lucas because he’s an easy and cooperative target. Plus, Lucas has been retaliating with easy truths and dares. I said dare the first time Lucas picked me and had to attempt a handstand. Marlene would probably do the same, right? Give me something easy?

“Don’t be a bitch, Grant,” Emerson says, still sipping from his glass. Avery keeps glancing at it, and I know she’s bursting to tell him not to drink.

“Truth,” I say, just because I know it’ll piss him off.

Emerson groans. “I thought this was going to be exciting. Where are the stakes with you guys?”

“We’re just trying to decompress,” Avery says, drawing my gaze to her. She’s perched on the edge of the biggest leather couch, balanced as if she might bolt at any moment. She must feel me watching her because she glances at me, only to immediately divert her eyes to the Jenga tower.

“I hate to say it, but Emerson’s right,” Kaitlyn says, tossing her hair over her shoulder. “You guys are being so boring. Ask a real question, Marlene.”

Marlene’s cheeks burn bright red, and she fidgets with the block still in her hand before speaking.

“Fine,” she says. “Caulder, have you ever been in love?”

Immediately, it’s like someone opened the door and let in a blizzard. Kaitlyn stiffens from her place on the couch, blue eyes staring straight ahead. Next to her, Javi sits up straighter, his eyes finding mine and immediately boring into me.

We don’t talk about Kaitlyn. In fact, the last time we did was when he found me after a game in the locker room and told me, “Hey, man. There’s no easy way to say this. I’m with Kait.”

He didn’t ask my permission because he didn’t have to. Kaitlyn could do what she wanted to, after all, and so could he. Plus, he’d been playing three years of baseball with me and knew me better than most guys. Most importantly, he knew I wasn’t torn up about ending things with her. If anything, I was in a better mood since I didn’t have to worry about checking in with her all the time. So I told him I was happy for him, and I meant it.

But this? This is different. Kaitlyn and I were together for a year. People had their ideas about us. Hell, we had our ideas about us. But I know the truth now. What I felt for Kaitlyn wasn’t love. And frankly, I don’t think she loved me, either. But that doesn’t matter now. Because if I say I never loved her, I’m the asshole. I’m the dick who dated Kaitlyn Bendix, future Olympian, and didn’t love her.

Even without looking, I know Avery’s watching me—shit, everyone’s watching me, waiting for my answer. I focus on keeping my face steady, expressionless. Wiping it clean the way I do when I need to go out on the mound to impress the coaches and scouts. Because if I have to give up an answer right now, the least I can do is avoid showing them how I really feel on top of it.

“No,” I say.

It’s one word, but it lances through the room just like Marlene’s question did. No turning back now.

“Well then,” Emerson says, blowing out air. “Maybe it is getting interesting. Caulder, your turn.”

I nod, looking at the tower. I’m running out of easy options, but there’re still a few for me to grab. I set my sights on a piece near the bottom that looks to be surrounded by plenty of other blocks that can hold up the tower without my chosen piece. I pinch the edge of it and slowly slide it out.