Ever After Awaits (Layla) novel Chapter 65

Chapter 65: Layla POV

The drive home is tense and quiet.

Al and Cade hold my respective hands as they rest on each of their laps. Al’s thumb is softly caressing the back of my hand, while rade is drawing sta circles on the inside of my wrist. I think I’d be spiraling right now if it wasn t for their gentle touches.

Because I’m lost in my own little bubble, I don’t immediately notice that when Hunter brings the car to a stop, it’s not in front of their house de Tessa’s townhouse.

Al grabs my attention when he slips from the backseat and holds his hand for me to take, but I still don’t notice my surroundings

However, what does bring me out of my dazed stupor is the flashing of neon lights and the sounds of gaming machines intermixed with the joyous laughter of people having unadulterated fun.

My jaw drops when I see we’re standing in front of a gaming arcade, and my somber mood lifts immediately. I look around to see where the guys went and find them standing a few feet behind me, nervously waiting to see what my reaction will be.

The huge–ass smile I give them must settle their anxiety as they come strolling closer with responding smiles on their handsome faces.

Al is the one to speak as he stops in front of me, “It was supposed to be all of us tonight, but just because Xavier decided to put his foot in it, doesn’t mean we still can’t have fun.”

At the mention of Xavier’s name, I get a slight twinge of hurt in my heart, but I decide not to let him spoil the rest of my night with the three men who’ve been nothing but amazing to me.

Shucking off the last remnants of the blow–up in the stadium parking lot, I give them all a cheeky smile before saying, “I hope you boys are ready to have your asses handed to you?” Suddenly, I turn around and skip inside, leaving them in my wake with surprised looks on their faces.

It takes them a couple of seconds to recover before I feel Cade rushing up behind me, wrapping me in his arms as he whispers in my ear, “How about a little wager, Sunshine?”

Turning in his hold, I see the other two flanking him, eager to hear my reply. “What did you have in mind?”

Cade looks to them individually, and they give him a subtle nod. Looks like they planned this little competition ahead of time, probably thinking they’ll win by a mile. We’ll have to see about that.

*Best out of five. We’ll choose five games, and whoever wins the most gets whatever they desire, within reason, of course,” Cade says, with a naughty grin at the end.

Placing a pointer finger against my chin, I fake being deep in thought. “And who gets to choose the games?

Al is the one to answer me, “We’ll do the gentlemanly thing, and let you choose.”

Hiding my smirk behind my fingertips, I pretend to think hard about their proposal, but I’m like an Energizer bunny inside, just waiting to make them eat their words and wipe the cocky looks from their faces. Any idiot can see they think they will win this challenge hands–down.

“Fine, but you have to remember I’m a girl and I don’t have such good ball–sense as you guys,” I slightly pout for added effect.

“Of course, Cupcake,” Al says earnestly, and I practically beam on the inside. This is going to be easier than I thought.

“Okay, fine,” I say as I try to sound unsure of this deal I’m making.

“What will it be, Beautiful?” Hunter asks as his eyes dart around the spacious room filled to the brim with every game imaginable,

Stepping from Cade’s arms, I turn in a slow circle as I pretend to peruse the whole room to see what is available to little old me to maybe win these strapping young lads.

Unbeknownst to them. I’ve already had the games lined up in my head way before they so gallantly allowed me to choose. Knocking them off that self- imposed pedestal they’re so comfy on will be real fun.

Chapter 65: Layla POV

“Air Hockey, mini bowling. Donkey Kong, Whack A Mole, and basketball.” I reply, surreptitiously landing at them in gauge eating grins on their faces, they think they’ve got this in the bag.

“Are you sure, Cupcake? Al dares to ask. “Some of those can get a bit competitive.”

is that his way of implying that I’m not competitive enough to go up against them and heat them?

Playing along with the obvious ‘she’s a girl, so she can’t be good at sports‘ look AJ and Cade are giving me, my only answer in lepratint amex how it goes. If it gets too much, I’ll forfeit or sit it out?”

Hunter’s knowing grin, though, makes me suspect he has caught on to the fact that I’m being purposefully obtuse. I’ll have to keep my un

We start with mini bowling, apparently to allow me to warm up my arm this round. I thank him kindly before beating them by a landslide.

–

AJ’s words, not mine. Cade has the nerve to tell me I shouldn’s Beef to f

They chalk it up to beginner’s luck, still doubtful that I can hold my own against a bunch of sporty boys.

Hunter on the other hand, throws his arm over my shoulders as we’re heading towards the air hocky tables, and softly says in my ear over the din iế room, “My money’s on you because I’m one hundred percent sure you’re hustling the shit out of them.”

The conspiratory smile I give him behind their backs has him laughing softly. “Keep my secret, and I’ll owe you one,” I say just before we reach destination.

Looking from my eyes to my mouth, and then back to my eyes, the shit–eating grin he gives me is all I need to know he will be my partner in crime. have yourself a deal, Beautiful,” he says before giving me a quick, hard, promising kiss,

Crushing the other two is going to be ten times more fun now.

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