“We’re starting to play darts downstairs. I was told to come grab you guys.” Is all he says before he takes off down the stairs again, toward the back deck.
I shake it off before I stand holding my hand out to Scarlett to help her up and we silently make our way downstairs.
…
We split into two teams. Scarlett and Gigi on one, myself and Steele on the other. The room falls quiet as I aim the dart at the board before I wind my arm back slightly and release. The softthud of the board sounds. Not quite a bullseye but close enough and a soft cheer sounds from the boys.
“You’re up, Quinn.” I say as I move to grab my beer while Scarlett grabs a dart and sets up. She rolls out her shoulders, tilting her head from side to side making a show out of it. A grin pulls at my lips. She’s so cute.
“Let me show you how it’s done, Carter.” She smirks.
I’d expect nothing less from Scarlett Quinn. I’m almost convinced that there’s nothing that she can’t do.
Her tongue pokes out of her lips slightly, her eyes narrow as she pulls back her arm, throwing the dart. Thud. The room is silent for a second before it breaks out in cheers. Because of course she got a bullseye. The guys pull her in for small hugs as she makes her way over to me until our chests are flush against each other in a challenge.
She faces off with me as Steele has his go, getting the outer bullseye. At least someone is pulling his weight because God knows I’m no help.
Gigi goes next getting a double, making me think Benny and I might actually have a shot of beating the girls.
Silently, Scarlett reaches behind her to grab a dart before handing it to me, something mischievous glinting in her eyes as she tilts her head toward the board, signalling that it’s my turn.
I sigh as I stand walking toward the dart board as Scarlett moves toward Gigi where they start giggling about something.
I test the weight of the dart in my hand before I start to align it with the board. Winding my arm back, I feel a dull ache throb in my shoulder which I ignore. I throw the dart, causing a sharp pain to shoot through my shoulder as the dart hits the outer part of the board – no points. My head drops.
In my peripheral vision, I notice Scarlett’s head snap toward me, eyes narrowed. I know at this point that there’s no way I’m getting one past her.
I move to the side as Scarlett steps up for her go. She nudges me with her hip as she picks up a dart. “Just another thing I’m better at than you. That’s gotta hurt, Carter.” She arches a brow before setting up and throwing the dart.
Another bullseye. I shake my head, but can’t help the smile pulling at my lips, though, she’s not smiling.
She turns, crossing her arms over her chest pushing up her breasts as she cocks her hip.
I roll my eyes, turning back to the game as Steele steps up. Scarlett moves into my space, pushing me softly to guide me into the corner of the room. I already know what’s coming without her saying a word.
“Levi, how’s your shoulder?”
“It’s fine.” I say on a shrug, flinching slightly at the tightness in the shoulder.
She narrows her eyes at me, before turning and stalking out of the room. I sigh, turning back to the game to see Gigi and Steele starting to get more competitive and the other guys entranced in whatever battle is going on. They won’t miss us when we’re gone, surely. So I follow Scarlett into the house.
I find her in the kitchen, moving around doing mindless cleaning. Fuck. That’s never a good sign.
“Scarlett?” I wait for a reply only to never receive a response, so I try again. “Scar.” She whips around. Her brows are drawn together slightly, her lips pressed into a thin line. “Is everything okay?”
I know that it’s not okay. I just don’t know what’s wrong, and that's frustrating to me.
She sighs exasperated. Throwing her head back, she takes a few deep breaths. She centres herself before she looks back at me, pinning me in place with her eyes. Pushing off the counter, she moves toward me purposefully, pointing a finger at me. “When are you going to stop lying to me, Levi?”
My jaw drops open. “Lying to you? How have I been lying to you?”
Scarlett rolls her eyes, unimpressed and I feel my cheeks starting to heat, whether from embarrassment or anger, I’m not too sure. “Your shoulder, Levi.” She waves her hand at me, causing me to fold my arms across my chest defensively. “You’re obviously still injured but you play it off like it's nothing and that everything is fine. Everything is not fine, Carter. You need to let me in, otherwise you’re preventing me from being able to do my job. I want to help you get better, but you need to meet me halfway.”
Her chest is heaving by the time she is done. I know she might be right but I’m having a hard time accepting that right now. I know my body better than anyone. If I needed help, I would ask for it.
“Scar, God. Can you just give me a minute to breathe? Please. I haven’t had a moment to myself in weeks. I’m dealing with this injury the only way I know how, and you know that. I don’t know how to open up more than I already am.”
She just shakes her head at me, looking up at me with those soft, green eyes. “That’s not good enough. You need to let me in otherwise there’s not much further I can go with you. It’s not just your reputation on the line here, Levi.”
