I felt no inclination whatsoever to share the details of what I’d done. It’d only lead to another lecture about not placing myself in danger and being especially wary of dark, handsome strangers. Nathan seemed to have forgotten that we’d met in a taxi rank, and bonked in the back of a cab only a few minutes later.
‘Really, nothing? Because Sam said you came down from the green room with him looking pretty cosy.’
‘Leave it will you, Nathan,’ I barked in irritation. ‘Nothing happened. He didn’t touch me. I’ve told you that already. We’ve had one conversation since. There won’t be anymore. If you want a reason for why I’m pissed off, why don’t you ask me how my birthday treat panned out? What was it I was promised – a night to remember? Yeah, I don’t think I’m ever going to forget being walked in on.’ I wasn’t being fair, but his prodding had made me tetchy. I just wanted him to drop the subject.
Shock, then sin widened his tawny eyes. ‘Shit, Lyssa! That was hardly my fault. See if I don’t make it up to you tonight. Hell, I can stop the car now and make amends, if you want.’
I didn’t want. A quickie in the backseat, parked up in a lay-by, wasn’t going to improve my mood. Thankfully, the road was so narrow and winding, that stopping was out of the question.
‘What did he phone you for?’ Nathan asked, after we’d travelled another half a mile.
‘A date.’
‘A what?’
He hit the accelerator in his surprise, throwing us both against our seats. Thank God, it wasn’t milking time at the local farm, because if there’d been anything in the road we’d have hit it. As it was we overshot the site entrance.
‘Nathan!’
He stepped hard on the brake, thus bringing us to a screeching halt just past the turning. It was marked with an arrow, but I’d learned to recognise it by the two stone pillars that stood either side of the driveway. They were crumbling beneath a dressing of ivy, and I suspect mourned the days when they were grand gateposts to some country estate.
Unapologetically, Nathan put the car into reverse and swung the car around. ‘And?’ he enquired, once we were safely headed in the right direction.
‘And nothing. I’ve already told you I won’t be seeing him again.’
‘You’ve said it, but I don’t quite believe you. You’re hot for him; I can hear it in your voice. So why aren’t you seeing him again? Not because of me, I’ll bet.’
‘We’re not together like that,’ I replied, adding a defensive huff. I didn’t appreciate how guilt-ridden he seemed intent on making me feel about this.
‘No. No, I’ve got it.’ Nathan gave a low whistle. ‘You told him that you’re already shagging three other guys, didn’t you?’
I hadn’t quite put it like that, but nor had I told any lies.
Nathan’s mirth exploded more fully, until he was almost choking on his laughter. If he hadn’t been driving, I swear I’d have clobbered him. ‘What!’ he laughed. ‘Did you honestly think he was going to accept that? Jump right into the mix and agree to only having you on Tuesdays and Thursdays?’
‘It’s what you and the other guys do.’
‘No, Lyssa, it isn’t. We’re mates. We’ve all known each other forever, and we all know the score. Everyone understands what the boundaries are, and the guys let me know about any wacky plans they have. Victor would never agree to that.’
I actually found it hard to fault Victor for that fact. Whenever Nathan summarised what was going on between us, he had this knack of making it sound sordid, and somehow exploitative. The reality wasn’t like that, but … Well, I guess it was just something about his tone, and the fact he made me sound like a convenience. I was just a nice simple way for them all to get their rocks off without having to moderate their behaviour in order to preserve a relationship. Well, for their information I’d have liked it if they had treated me like a proper date once in a while. And it might even have been nice to have them squabble over me, because, yes, while I loved sex – upside down, back to front, even standing on my head – that didn’t mean I didn’t crave a bit of old-fashioned affection from time to time. And it certainly didn’t mean I warranted any less respect than they’d give a proper girlfriend.
‘I suggest you shut up now, unless you want to turn round and take me home,’ I warned.
My expression must have been grim, for he promptly agreed.
‘I’m sorry, Lyssa. Laughing was unnecessary, but you should have realised things would never work out with him.’
I turned away from Nathan to watch the last of the scenery roll by. We’d entered the woodland now, and even the road was furrowed by tree roots. Maybe Nathan was speaking the truth, but that didn’t mean he had to labour the point.
When we reached the end of the track, we found a small group of guys and girls already assembled outside the base camp lodge. Most of them were dressed like Nathan in some form of camouflage. All of them were toting laser guns. Some were busy pulling on goggles and sensors.
Nathan reached across the gearstick once he’d stopped the car engine, and squeezed my thigh. ‘Forget him, Lys. Let’s not argue, and just have a good time.’
‘Sure.’ I got out of the car determined to do as he suggested. Victor meant nothing. The most sensible thing I could do was to write him off as a one-night stand. It wasn’t as if that was a new experience and hence something to dwell on.
The minute I got out of the car, my mood immediately improved. Two pairs of arms surrounded me, and I was lifted off my feet.
‘Happy Birthday.’
‘Happy Birthday.’
‘Sorry we missed it.’
Anthony and Aaron, identical down to the last detail sandwiched me between their fit male bodies. They were both dressed head to foot in soft form-fitting black clothing that I wriggled against. Anthony smelled of cologne and citrus shower gel. His brother cheekily dropped a kiss onto the end of my nose, before he restored me to terra firma. ‘Are you going to run with us? You know we’ll keep you safe.’ They each gave me sly nudges.
‘What if I don’t want to be safe?’ I asked archly.
‘Then I’m happy to play the big bad wolf.’ Aaron howled.
His brother clapped him on the shoulder. ‘Wolves,’ he insisted. ‘And may I say, Lyssa, that you look particularly edible in that outfit.’
No question, the twins were good for my self-esteem. Two hours later, I’d almost, but not quite, forgotten about Victor. By then I was pumped up on adrenaline and endorphins, having crawled through countless bushes, and having zapped my way to victory, along with the twins, in the first game. Now that the twilight was deepening, and the number of players had dwindled down to a handful, we were all actively hunting each other.
Victor
