Page 46 of Trick or Heat

“You should have seen the guys’ faces. They were so stunned.”

We both fall into laughter, shushing each other to stay quiet as we hide in our own little world.

When the laughter dies down, I suddenly realize how close Casey is. We’re practically breathing each other’s air, our lips just millimeters apart. He must notice, too, because his breath becomes heavy, his eyes darting down and staying there.

I place my finger over his lips—his soft freaking lips—and push him away. “Don’t kiss me.”

He pouts. “Why not? It’s not like they’re going to care.”

“I think we should let them in on this”—I pause, thinking of the word—“development before we start with the public displays of affection.”

He ponders for a moment before nodding. “Okay, then when are we going to tell them?” he asks, his gaze trailing to my lips again.

I hit him in the shoulder. “Don’t look at me like that! We’re in the middle of an all-out war.”

He snorts. “You and DJ are one and the same.”

I arch a brow. “What are you talking about?”

“You’re both super competitive—” He’s cut off before he can finish, a war cry sounding out from around the corner. DJ is close, and we have to split up. “Just watch. You’ll see.”

Then Casey is flying out from around the corner, hauling up his laser gun and pointing in the direction of the alphas who have undoubtedly found us. It’s obviously not hard for them, considering our scents are beacons to them at this point, but Casey gives me an in to evade their defenses. I crouch lower, darting behind one of the dividers, and look around the corner. They’re all distracted by Casey running in the other direction, but Raivat spots me, leaving his spot to come closer.

I decide not to risk it. Instead of fleeing, I jump up from my position and catch him by surprise. The light in his chest flickers before going out with a sad and pitiful beep.

Despite that, he looks anything but disappointed. “I knew I saw your beautiful white hair.”

My lips turn up in triumph. “I’m a sharpshooter, Raivat. You should have seen it coming.”

“I’ll keep that in mind for the next game.”

When his chest armor starts to blink, his life being revived, I flash him a grin.

“Later!” Before he can say anything in return, I zip around the corner and zoom away.

I feel like I’m alone for ages, scouring the empty darkness as I look for anyone I can mark, but then there’s a familiar haircut up ahead, his black hair a beacon as I aim and shoot.

DJ turns around, his eyes like saucers. “You didn’t!”

I laugh in victory before running away from him. I hear his steps behind me, but I dart through the barriers, losing him quickly. He may be a soccer star, but I have the agility of a rat.

That’s probably not the best analogy, but it’s definitely the most accurate.

I get in about ten more shots between the alphas, each of them just as surprised by me. When we get out and see our scores, DJ and I are in first and second place, but with a significant difference in shots taken which pushed me right to the top.

Brodie is still laughing about it as we enter Coal’s Diner, a staple in our little college town. “You beat our asses, El.”

There’s checkerboard all over every surface, and the walls are covered in timeless trinkets and posters. I slide into one of the booths, the red leather squeaky but soft beneath me. I flash Brodie a smile. “Don’t underestimate me next time.”

Casey laughs, climbing into the booth beside me. “I may be sassy, but this one is cutthroat.”

“Agreed,” the alpha says with a smirk that makes me lose my breath a little bit. “I’ll no longer think otherwise. Our Elsie is a badass.”

“Thank you,” I say exasperatedly.

The waitress comes over quickly, taking our order. We all order milkshakes, which is customary when you come to Coal’s, and a variety of burgers, except for DJ, who orders a tuna melt. The guys promptly make fun of him, but he doesn’t let that get him down. He never does, always a ray of sunshine.

“I’m surprised you’re so okay with that loss you just went through,” I tease, and the other alphas make noises under their breaths.