Why now?Why choose that as our outing?She wasn’t sure she could call it a date yet.He had a lot of redeeming still to do in her eyes, even though she’d already forgiven him.Paintballing didn’t seem like a get-to-know-you activity, but then again, the standard, boring movie was hardly a date setting to know anything about someone without being shushed for talking above a whisper.
Sandy said you were adventurous, and the idea just popped into my head.
She did?That didn’t sound good.Not that it wasn’t true, but still.Telling people about their misadventures in life, especially in college, was not suitable for new relationships.Did she say anything else?
No, just that you were more adventurous than she was.Why, something I should know?
She could almost see the smirk through the phone.Nope, nothing at all.At least, nothing that I would admit to.
If it makes you feel any better, I like adventure.Stale and boring gets old.
She’d tamed down a lot over the years, but Allie did like having an adventure every once in a while.She normally had to drag Sandy out with her—reluctantly, she might add.
Oh my God.I hadn’t noticed the time.I need to get to bed.She had just happened to glance at the clock on her bedside table and saw it was close to eleven p.m.There was a sales pitch tomorrow for a new pharmaceutical company.Their company could really use the contract.She hadn’t gone over the final pitch today like she normally would.She would have to get up early tomorrow to do it.
I lost track of time too.Well, sweet dreams, Allie.
Night, Carson.
Allie set her phone on the charger and snuggled into bed with a smile on her face.She hoped the week would go by fast.For once, she was excited about a date.She wasn’t sure she would call paintballing a date, but she was excited for it regardless.
Chapter 7
“Okay, I’m going to go over the fundamentals.”Carson started to explain how the paint guns worked and where she was allowed to shoot.
They stood on a wooden platform with a cargo net in front of them as cover.Sounds of paintballs and people screaming could be heard on the other side.
It was a far cry from a battlefield, but Carson could feel his adrenaline pumping just the same.
It was a simple game of capture the flag.He and Allie were on the same side, but they had their own competition going.Whoever shot the most people won.He didn’t care about getting the flag.Okay, that was a lie.He was a completive man.He wanted the flag, but he wanted to beat Allie more.
“Got it?”
“I got it.”She nodded, the look of eagerness clear on her face which could still be seen through her helmet and goggles.“Remember the deal.The loser buys lunch.”
“I remember.”A light came into his eyes.His heart started pumping.He was in his element now.Allie didn’t stand a chance.No one was a match for his SEAL training.Carson had this in the bag.“May the best man win.”He held his hand out for her to shake.
“Yes, she will.”She clasped his hand.It was a firm handshake, like they were making a pact.Allie held his hand a moment longer, her eyes boring into his before pulling away.
He didn’t want to think too hard about her lingering touch.He didn’t know why he was putting so much thought into it.Carson should be thinking about winning, not how long their hands had touched.Or the fact she always looked him in the eye.There was no disgust or horror on her face.She looked at him as if nothing were wrong with him.
How he’d like to believe that even if it was a lie.Carson was still in fighting shape, but he knew he was a far cry from the man he used to be.He couldn’t bench press what he used to because of his arm.There were a lot of things he couldn’t do the same because of it, but he had learned to adapt, and thanks to Mario, a retired weapons specialist who’d settled here in Vegas, he had made some modifications to weapons to make them lighter for Carson.
Carson pulled back the net, and they could finally see people of all ages running around the course as people shot at others.It looked like so much fun; Carson was tired of waiting.
“Just stay behind me,” he instructed and started making his way out.
No one had seen him yet.Everyone was focused on ground level, not higher up.That was their first mistake.
“Allie, you ready for this?”He called back to her, then spun around when she didn’t answer.She was gone.
Had she been taken?No, it wasn’t that kind of game.She had snuck off.Sneaky woman.Allie thought she was going to get the drop on him.A grin split across his face.She was turning into a worthy opponent.
Carson eased himself down from the platform, which was easier said than done.His right hand couldn’t go above his head, so he had to jump half of it.He could have just used the stairs, but where was the fun in that?
He stayed low as he wound around buildings and shot anyone in his path.He didn’t care if they were on his team or not.He had chosen a bright blue color so he could differentiate his from others.Allie was using yellow.
Carson didn’t concern himself with colors right now.His only objective was to hit as many people as he could and get the flag before Allie.
