“This game is stupid,” he mutters, flipping his card over with a sigh. “Oh, great. I have five kids now. Guess I need a second car.” His voice holds that blend of disbelief and amusement only a board game could inspire.
I laugh. “You’d make a great dad, you know.”
Bruno lets out a dismissive scoff, rolling his eyes. “Right. Because I totally have my life together.”
“You do,” I insist, giving him a gentle nudge with my knee. “You just don’t want to admit it.”
Thomas lands on a pay taxes space and groans theatrically, letting his forehead drop onto the table with a loud, exaggerated thud. “This game is juvenile. Why would anyone play this for fun?”
I take my final turn, a grin spreading across my face when I realize I’ve landed on Millionaire Estates, crossing the finish line with a triumphant flourish. I shoot both hands into the air, feeling the rush of victory.
“And the winner is… me.”
The boys let out a collective groan. “You totally cheated,” Rowan accuses, pointing a finger at me with a grin.
I shrug casually, echoing his earlier words. “I don’t make the rules. I’m just naturally better than you.”
Bruno leans back against the couch, a playful smile on his lips. “Alright, champ. What’s next?”
I tap a finger thoughtfully against my chin, considering my options. “Well, since I’m the winner, I get to choose the next game,” I announce, feeling mischievous.
Rowan rolls his eyes. “Of course you do,” he retorts, feigning exasperation.
I brush off his comment with a wave of my hand. “How about… Truth or Dare?” I suggest, the words hanging in the air like an invitation.
Bruno scoffs. “What are we, thirteen?”
But Thomas grins widely, leaning forward with excitement. “Oh, I’m in. This could get interesting,” he declares, rubbing his hands together as if ready for mischief.
Rowan tilts his head, studying me with curiosity and amusement. “Fine. But if we’re doing this, we’re doing it right. No backing out,” he warns, both serious and playful.
I lift three fingers solemnly. “Scout’s honor,” I promise.
We shuffle around, forming a loose circle around the table, the anticipation crackling in the air like static electricity. Thomas is the first to take the plunge, turning to Bruno with a daring sparkle across his face.
“Truth or dare?” he asks, the words almost a challenge.
Bruno lets out a resigned sigh. “Dare,” he replies, as if bracing himself for the inevitable.
Thomas’s lips curl into a triumphant, smug grin. “Chug that beer in one go,” he dares, nodding toward the can in front of Bruno.
Bruno rolls his eyes dramatically but complies, tilting his head back and downing the beer in one smooth motion. He slams the empty can on the table with a clatter, a defiant gleam in his eyes.
“Weak,” he comments, and his voice is laced with bravado.
Bruno then turns to Rowan, eyes narrowing with intent. “Truth or dare?”
Rowan doesn’t skip a beat. “Dare,” he replies confidently, keeping his gaze steady.
Bruno’s grin widens, a hint of mischief dancing in his eyes. “I dare you to kiss Jinx,” he declares. His words send a ripple through the room.
The atmosphere shifts abruptly, the playful banter replaced by a charged tension. I glance at Rowan, expecting him to crack a joke or dismiss the dare with a laugh, but he remains silent, his dark eyes fixed on me.
“Well?” Bruno presses.
I swallow hard, feeling my heart flutter in my chest. “Fine,” I force out.
Rowan leans in slowly, as if granting me ample time to retreat if I choose.
