A Shot at Love

Games We Play

Darcy tops off my champagne for the first round of Never Have I Ever before sinking back into her seat. The bubbles fizz at the rim, but I leave the flute untouched, my fingers wrapping tighter around the plastic shot glass instead.

We all lift our drinks in a toast, but my attention is on the tequila burning in my palm.

I need this shot more than I'd like to admit. The butterflies won't quit.

"To Noah!" I cheer, raising my glass as everyone clinks theirs together—but my focus stays on him. We lock eyes just as his hand sneaks under the blanket, finding my leg, his touch is confident—he knows exactly how to steady me.

I knock back the tequila, the heat sliding down my throat, spreading through my veins, loosening the knots in my chest.

It's fine. I've got this. We've got this.

Noah has a past—don't we all? What am I so nervous about being exposed in this game?

Relax, Kingston.

"Happy Birthday, Noah!" Olivia calls out, tossing back her shot and flipping her silky, walnut-brown hair over her shoulder. She immediately scrunches her face. "Oh my gosh, I need a chaser!"

"Happy Birthday, bro," Huggy says, cracking a grin as he lifts his glass. His jacket's loud—bold blues, golds, and reds popping under the lights, just like his energy. He gives Noah a respectful nod, the kind only years of friendship can shape.

Noah smiles, giving his friends a quick glance before his eyes settle back on me.

"Here, babe," Darcy says, sliding her Diet Pepsi toward Olivia, her hot pink chrome nails tapping against the can. "Now, let's get this party started! Who's going first?"

"Me!" Priya announces, raising her champagne flute. "Never have I ever... had a one-night stand."

The room erupts with ooo's as we trade glances, fighting to keep straight faces. But my body goes still, heat prickling under my skin as Noah's thumb drifts up and down my leg—slow, easy.

I've only been with one person. And he's sitting right next to me.

First, Darcy takes a sip, then Russ, and like a domino effect, each person follows—Olivia, Priya... then Noah.

My stomach plummets, and just as I brace myself, he draws closer, his head tilting toward me, eyes softening. "It was before I knew you, baby."

I give him a half-smile. I've always known about his past —but it still stings, to think of him with anyone but me.

"I know," I murmur.

"Kingston, didn't know you were such a good girl," Russ teases, slouching back with a wicked tilt of his lips. Priya immediately elbows him in the side.

"That's enough, Russ," Noah interrupts, shooting me a wink—his tone almost protective. "Like I said, she's wifey material."

Like I said? Wifey material? My stomach flips again—this time, in pure joy. Heat floods my cheeks, and I curl in closer to Noah, his hand gently melting into my thigh.

"My turn!" Huggy laughs, glancing over at Noah. "Never have I ever spent six figures on something completely unnecessary."

Noah raises an eyebrow, a playful scoff escaping him as his eyes roll back. He takes a slow sip of his drink. "I wouldn't exactly call it... unnecessary."

Huggy's deep chuckle fills the plane as he grins at Noah, then shifts his attention to the group. "This guy rented out Raymond James Stadium and paid my favorite players to come play a quarter against me for my birthday!"