I shut my eyes for a second before forcing them open and glancing at him. “Sure. Two versus two sounds fun.”
“Score!” Jasper rushes to grab two more controllers before plopping down next to me. “Ready to dominate, Rave?” He holds out his hand for a fist bump.
“If you never call me ‘Rave’ again,” I say as I bump his fist.
He laughs. “As you wish.”
Even though there are only three of us on the sofa—Beckham is sitting on the armrest—it feels like we’re squished together. Actually, it feels as though I’m squished with Kylen. But I know it’s all in my head because there’s still plenty enough room between us, even though his thigh touches mine every so often. I also feel his body heat leaping off of him. And his shampoo or soap makes him smell so darn good.
“The girl monkey is mine,” I say as the character selection loads. I choose her before any of them can object.
“Aw, that’s a shame,” Beck says. “Kylen always chooses the girl monkey.”
“He’s just messing with me,” Kylen says.
“Why? She’s got tiny muscles just like you. Squishy boy.” He squeezes Kylen’s arm.
Kylen flicks his hand away. “She may not have as many muscles as your guy.” He nods to the monkey with the largest chest. “But she’s got agility and more wits than all of the rest of the monkeys combined. Isn’t that right, Raven?” He offers me another one of those sweet smiles.
My throat grows dry. I stare at the screen as I mutter, “Yep.”
“Let’s start!” Jasper whines.
We begin the level. It’s so chaotic because there are four monkeys running and jumping around on the screen. I’ve never played with more than two players before, so it takes a few seconds to get used to this. The guys seem totally cool with it. I guess the four of them play video games with each other all the time.
“Sorry I took Leo’s spot,” I tell them.
“What do you mean?” Beck asks.
“Don’t the four of you play together? Many games have up to four players in multiplayer.”
“Meh,” Jasper says, sticking out his tongue a drop as he concentrates on the game. “He’s used to it, since he was replaced with Carrie basically all last year.”
My heart drops to my toes. “Carrie?” Is that Kylen’s girlfriend?
“My sister,” Jasper tells me. “Twelve years old and a pro already. She plays professionally and wins tons of money.”
“Really? That’s cool. She should show the boys at this school.”
“She wouldn’t step foot in this place,” Kylen says with a laugh.
That laugh. Why does it still stir something inside me?
“Almost at the finish line, Rave!” Jasper says. “We can do it!”
“What did I say about calling me ‘Rave?’” I demand as I press hard on my buttons.
“You know you love it.”
“I know Idon’t.”
He chuckles as he focuses on the game. Just a little bit longer and—
“Heck, yeah!” He holds out his hand for a high-five, and I give it to him. “Rave and I are dynamite.”
“Call me ‘Rave’ one more time, Jasper, and I swear I’ll—”
“Yo, Jas!” Leo calls from the foosball machine. “Game’s free. You in?”
