Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79308 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79308 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
And of course I would need a ticket. They had to keep people inside safe. It was sad that this had to be the case. “I don’t. I’m friends with Spencer…” Spencer what? I didn’t even know his last name. “He works here and invited me. I’m Corbin Erickson. I can call him and—”
“He’s with me,” Spencer said, coming outside. He wore a button-up shirt with a bow tie, something I’d noticed he often did when he worked. “I was just about to tell you he was on his way, but he got here too fast.” He glanced my way and winked. “He missed me.”
Wow. I liked Playful Spencer. I hadn’t gotten to see this side of him before. Maybe a little bit that night on the beach.
“You’re The Charmer!” the guy at the door said. “I listen to your show and follow you on social media.”
I grinned. “I am. What’s your name?”
“Mike.” We shook hands, and then I did the same with the woman, whose name was Emily. “I can’t believe you’re friends with The Charmer,” Mike told Spencer.
“Right? Spencer should totally feel lucky,” I replied.
Spencer shook his head, but a small smile curled his lips. I’d take that as a win. “Let’s go, superstar.”
“Nice to meet you both,” I told them before saying to Spencer, “you should definitely keep calling me that. I like it, CB.”
“CB? Do I even want to know?” He cocked a brow as he led me down a hallway, the music getting louder as we went.
“Cuddle Buddy. Cute, isn’t it?”
Spencer chuckled. “It’s something, for sure. Come on.”
“I feel like you’re always saying that to me… It’s something. I’m something.”
“I feel like you’re right.”
“Finally. Someone who admits I’m always right!”
“Pretty sure that’s not what I said.”
“I’m pretty sure it is, and I’m perpetually right. You said so yourself.”
Spencer laughed, deep, contagious, making something spark in my gut. I really liked making him laugh. It was something I tried to do for most people, but it didn’t fill me with the same kind of joy it did with Spencer.
“This is going to be an interesting friendship, Corbin. I’m still trying to figure out how I let it happen.”
“Don’t put yourself through that. There’s nothing you could have done to stop it. I’m The Charmer, remember?” I winked, Spencer shaking his head before ushering me into a large party room filled with a whole bunch of teens and young adults. Pop music pumped from speakers throughout the space, and there were round tables all around the room with different board games at each one, people playing them. Along the back wall were long, rectangular tables with food and drinks.
Some of the kids danced. Some stood around talking. It was clear they were all having fun and felt safe here.
“This is incredible,” I said, taking it all in. When I looked at Spencer, his brows were pulled together, nose wrinkled cutely as if I’d said something to surprise him. “What?” I asked.
“Nothing. Just…come on. I’ll introduce you.”
I moved in step with Spencer as he led me around the room, introducing me to some of the kids and those who worked and volunteered here too. When we got to the charades area, I grabbed ahold of Spencer’s hand. “I love charades. We’re playing.”
“Um…no we’re not. Well, I’m not. You can.”
“Come on! Don’t be boring, CB. Play with me…unless you’re afraid you’ll lose.”
“Ooooh! He called you out, Spencer!” one of the kids said.
“You have to play with us,” another added.
I cocked a brow.
“I’m not afraid of losing,” Spencer countered.
“I don’t know…I kinda think he is. What about you all?” I asked the group of teens around us. I crossed my arms, eyeing him.
“Totally agree!”
“Play with us, Spencer!”
“It’ll be fun!” echoed voices around us.
The look in Spencer’s gaze changed, his resistance slipping, and maybe a little bit of excitement sparking in his eyes.
“Challenge accepted,” he replied, and I couldn’t keep myself from smiling. This was going to be fun.
Spencer and I each went to one of the teen teams. I had Liz, Jerome, and Farrah on my team.
We shook up the basket with the slips for the phrases we had to act out.
“I’ll keep score,” Jerome said.
“I’ll take care of the time clock,” one of the kids from Spencer’s team announced.
We did rock, paper, scissors to see who went first, and Spencer’s team won, damn it.
I looked at the name tag for the person who drew the paper, and her name was Erica, pronouns she/her.
“Oh God,” she said.
“That’s not a good sign,” I told my team.
“Keep quiet over there, Erickson!” Spencer said.
“Did you just last-name me? Are we jocks now?”
“Oh God. Gross. Why did I say that?” Spencer asked, making me laugh.
“It’s superstar to you.” I winked at him and earned myself an eye roll.
We jumped into the game, and unfortunately, they guessed. We got our first one too, so I wasn’t too worried. The score stayed tied through two rounds.