Falling for my boyfriend’s Navy brother)
Chapter 117: Asher
Max is hiding somet
something
I don’t know what yet. But et seen that look before Penny’s when he handed her the soda earlier, like
the careful silence. The sharp little glances when no m’s watching. The way his hand brand meant something
He told her people on the team don’t like Tyler. Told her to be care
He wasn’t wrong. Tyler’s lazy with her. Careless. He didn’t even notice her wince when she tried to pick up her mitcase es always does.
earlier, I did. The brushed it off, she
But Max notices that kind of stuff too. That’s the part I don’t like. He’s watching her. He’s nice about it, sure. Sweet, men. But it’s the kind of nice that makes my spine stiffen. Because why”
And then there was that girl
Kayla, or Kelsey, or whatever her name was the one with the red sweater, the too sweet voice, the hand that lingered on my arm like I was something to
wrap. I could smell the vodka and body spray from a foot away. She asked if I had a girlfriend. Asked if I had a room. Asked if I liked company.
I said no
I was cute when I was gr
She said I was cute
I almost left the room.
But then Penny looked at me just once and I swear to God there was something there. The kind of look that anchors you
So I stayed.
–
Now it’s after nine. Everyone’s full, slightly buzzed some more than slightly), sprawled out in the massive living room like we’re at some holiday retreat for reckless twenty–somethings with no concept of boundaries. Somehow, the space fits all twenty of us couches, chairs, bean bags, and a pile of throw blankets forming makeshift seating in front of the fie
I take the far end of one of the couches. I’ve got my arm resting along the back, legs spread, watching everyone settle in. Penny ends up sitting right in
not on the couch, but on the floor, leaning back against the edge of my leg like it’s instinct. Like she forgot to think about it
front of me
I don’t move.
Don’t breathe.
I just let her stay there, her shoulder against my
her hair brushing against the fabric of my jeans,
“Okay, okay,” someone says – Zow, I think “Movie or
– od game
“Game,” Jonathan calls out. “Obviously.”
“Truth or dare,” Rebecca says, already smirking. “No better way to find out which of you are secretly disasters.”
“I thought we
drinking games on the first night,” someone
meune mutters.
“You don’t need alcohol to tell the truth, Rebecca shoots back, “Cowards.”
There’s some laughter, and the agreement spreads fast…
Truth or dare it i
Pany goes stall in front of me. I can feel it the way her spine tightens just slightly, the tenton in het shoulders. She’s not the kind of girl who enissa
being put on the sput.
Chapter 117: Asher
press my hand lightly on the bark of the rouch, not touching her, fint., ready, lost in case.
“Alright,” someone says. “Zoe, post go fint. Truth or dare?”
“Have you ever kissed setbeoor in this room?”
“Dub,” she grins. “Literally like fant el you.”
Everyone laughs.
“Tyler,” someone calls. “Truth or dare?”
“Dare.”
“Test your mom and tell her you want to become à male stripper.”
“Bet.” He pulls out his phone. “She’ll be proud.”
It keeps going.
Silly dares. Embarrassing truths. Who hooked up with who. Who lied about it. Who has a crush on someone in the room. Someone’s dared to lick hot sauce off a spoon. Someone else is dared to show their last text message.
It’s loud. Messy. Too warm.
And then-
“Asher.”
I look up
One of the guys on the soccer team–Mattor Mark or something is pointing at me.
“Truth or dare?”
“I don’t play,” I say flatly
stave round.”
“Conte on, man,” sorteone groans. “Just
“Yeah, what’s the worst that could happen
You have no idea
I sigh. “Fine. Truth.”
They light up like they cracked a safe.
“Have you ever killed someone?”
Penny teases again
I don’t blink. “Classified”
“A main someone says
“Pick something else,” another chimes in.
2/4
Chapter 117: Asher:
Alright, alright, the guy says, “Did you eve.
“Break into a government brkling?”
“Clawdied.”
“Jesus,” someone mitters. “What can you answer?”
There’s a pause. Then Zee uirks,
“Can you shoot a target with a knife or a mindleddet?”
The room quicts. People look at me,
It’s like I dropped a grenade,
“WHAT?
“Shut up.”
“Dude, that’s insane.”
“Do you do, like, knife twirls?”
“Can you teach me?”
They’re laughing and cheering like I just said I had a cool party trick.
I stare at the fire, jaw tight.
They think
think it’s cool.
It’s not
That kind of skill comes from necessity. From muscle memory carved through far. From months in combat where blinking at the wrong moment meant your team didn’t come home.
They don’t understand.
And I guess I don’t want them to.
“Okay,” “someone says. “Penny, your turn.”
My eyes snap to her.
She freezes.
So do L
“Truth or dare
I’m already calculating–what’s the worst they could ask? Who would need to drag outside if they say the wrong thing?
Then the guy who asked her see my face and laughs anxiously, probably changing his mind about the question last minute,
Chapter 117: Asher
“Would you dare… punching Asher?”
I raise an eyebrow
Before she can answer, I speak.
“She already has,”
A few people laugh.
Penny groans and face–palms.
“Not my best moment.”
“I would never hurt a man like that,” one of the girls says, leaning forward with a syrupy voice. “That’s, like, a crime against humanity.”
I am so done with this game.
But
Penny leans back a little against my leg again, her shoulder brushing me just slightly. She’s not laughing much. Not joining in
And I don’t care what game they’re playing.
As long as she’s sitting right here, I’ll stay.
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