Page 50 of Hinder


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Everyone bursts into laughter, even Opal.

“Fuck you!” Austin laughs and tosses his napkin across the table. “I can do way better than you.”

Sean puckers his lips. “Saving yourself for someone special?”

Fuck. I don’t want to hear the answer to that, especially when Austin’s gaze lifts to Opal.

“Let’s play a game,” I interrupt before she and Austin start making eyes at each other.

“Game?” Trent lifts an eyebrow.

Here I am trying to get them to see me as a man, but I’m asking to play games like some child. I tap my fingers at my sides under the table as my nerves skyrocket. Fuck it. I can’t take the suggestion back now. “Yeah, I’m too pumped up from the show to fall asleep or lay around.”

“I’m in. As long it’s not strip poker.” Sean winks at Austin. “Sorry, Aust.”

“I’ll live.”

“Okay, drummer boy. Your idea.” Trent leans forward on his elbows and steeples his hands under his chin. “What are we playing?”

“Never Have I Ever.” Next to Truth or Dare it’s the only game I can think of that doesn’t require a board or deck of cards. And while Truth or Dare has its benefits, there are things I can never share with these guys unless I want to kiss my job good-bye. I’ve done enough lying for one day.

The guys look at each other and nod their agreement.

Opal stands to clear the table.

“You in, too?” I ask.

She shakes her head.

Trent rises from his seat. “We’ll all pitch in and clean up. Get yourself a drink. We want you to play. Don’t we, guys?”

Hell, yeah. I do!I manage to stifle my enthusiasm with a grunt, letting the others convince her to stay.

“Okay,” she finally relents. “I’ll play.”

Hell, yeah. The next few hours of this trip just got a lot more exciting.

* * *

“Never haveI ever been caught in the act by paparazzi.” Austin grins widely.

“That’s highly specific.” Sean tips his beer for a long swallow.

I grin because once again I don’t have to drink. Resorting to this idiotic game as a way to change the topic of conversation wasn’t meant to be anything other than just that. A distraction. But it’s actually fun. Educational even. I haven’t looked at my cell to check the time because we’ve been laughing and talking non-stop, but it’s got to be pushing one or two o’clock by the collection of empties on the table.

I was surprised the guys didn’t object when I grabbed a beer. Even more shocked no one said anything after Opal took one, too. Not that she’s had more than a sip or two to drink. I swear the sweet girl act isn’t an act at all. She hasn’t done much of anything.

“Okay, I’ve got one!” Sean hits the table with his palm. “Never have I ever gone by a stage name.” He waggles his brows and everyone’s eyes zero in on me.

I tip my beer before taking a drink and let loose a deep laugh. “Got me there.”

“Leighton Stix.” Austin shakes his head. “Who the fuck came up with that name? I hope not you.”

“My mama if she named me right.” I wink and try not to think about my cringeworthy last name.

The guys all chuckle. They don’t care what my real last name is as long as it’s not Wellington. Bedo thoughtStixwould be a great conversation starter, but it felt more than lame in all the interviews today. A bit unoriginal and lazy if you ask me, but no one did. Since Bedo’s ass is on the line if anyone discovers my real name, I have some trust he won’t totally screw me over. Still. It’s pretty bad.

“Your turn, Opal,” Trent says.