CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE Emily
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Emily
H aley’s hosting a game night at Lily’s. It’s apparently a regular thing within the past two years I’ve been gone. Josh and I enter, and the atmosphere is so different from when we stayed here a couple of nights ago.
A number of mismatched chairs and beanbags are scattered in a circle around an old wooden table that’s been repurposed as the game night centerpiece. It’s piled high with chips, cookies, and bottles of soda, along with an impressive lineup of board games.
Haley strides in from the back, balancing a stack of colorful game boxes in her arms. “Alright, everyone, game night is starting soon, take your seats!” she announces, her voice bright and commanding. Right behind her is Richard, carrying two trays of finger foods that look delicious.
I walk toward a sofa, but something catches my eye. There’s a photo board on the far side of the room. I hadn’t noticed it the last time. It’s a patchwork of memories: smiling faces, silly poses, and snapshots from a life I once knew so well. As I step closer, my gaze lands on a faded photo of me and my dad. I was probably around twelve, sitting cross-legged on the floor with a chessboard between us. My dad’s grin was wide and unguarded, his hand mid-gesture as though explaining his next move.
“See, that’s how I remembered you,” Joshua says behind me. “Short-hair, glasses, braces.”
I blink rapidly, trying to clear the sudden mistiness in my eyes, but it’s too late. He notices.
“What’s wrong?” His tone is gentle, concerned.
“Nothing,” I say quickly, brushing a stray tear away and forcing a small smile. “It’s just… I haven’t thought about my dad in so long. This is where he taught me to play chess. Lily’s was kind of our hangout spot—just like it is for everyone else now.”
I let out a deep sigh, my eyes drifting back to the photo. A wave of nostalgia washes over me, bittersweet and overwhelming. The memories are sharp now—his laughter, his patience as I agonized over every chess move, the way he would ruffle my hair when I finally figured out his strategy.
I didn’t just lose my dad. I lost the version of myself that believed every problem could be solved with a careful strategy and a laugh. Like chess. Maybe that’s why I’ve been trying so hard to prove I can handle things on my own. Maybe I’ve been trying to be the person he’d be proud of if he were still here.
Joshua doesn’t say anything for a moment, but I feel his presence beside me, steady and grounding.
“I wish he were still here,” I admit, my voice barely above a whisper. “Maybe… maybe I wouldn’t have to try and be so strong all the time.”
Joshua places a hand lightly on my shoulder. “You’re allowed to miss him,” he says quietly. “And you don’t always have to be strong.”
“Thanks,” I reply. The sincerity in his voice makes my throat tighten, but before I can respond, Haley’s voice cuts through the air like a burst of sunlight.
“Game night officially starts now! Everyone grab a drink and take a seat!”
Joshua gives my shoulder a small squeeze before stepping away. I linger for a beat longer, taking my phone out and snapping a photo of this board, before turning back to join the circle of friends, the laughter and chatter filling the room.
I take a seat between Kate and Joshua. I look up and see Rob and Denise sitting across from us. Oh, great.
“So they’re here,” I whisper to Josh. “We have to be convincing.”
“I can be really convincing.”
“Alright, people,” Haley begins with the enthusiasm of a ringleader. “First up is Truth or Dare Jenga!” She holds up the makeshift tower of blocks with pride. “It’s like regular Jenga, but each block either says ‘truth’ or ‘dare.’ Pull a block, and you have to do whatever’s written on the paper you will take from these bowls.” She holds up two fish bowls with rolled up paper inside. “If you knock over the tower, you must do both the truth and the dare. Simple enough?”
“YES!” Bon screams, her energy radiating through the entire room.
Haley looks around the room like a general surveying her troops. “Great. Let’s go!”
Kate volunteers to go first, and she carefully slides out a block marked ‘dare.’ She picks a folded slip of paper from a nearby bowl and reads it aloud.
“Eat an entire jalapeno.” Kate frowns, her eyes narrowing. “Okay, who thought of these dares?”
“Yours truly,” Haley says, smirking triumphantly. “Lucky for you, we’re at Lily’s, where milk cartons abound.”
“What happens if I don’t wanna do the dare?” Kate asks, holding up the paper like it’s evidence in a court trial.
“You’re free to chicken out,” Haley teases, “but that means you take a penalty sip of the Mystery Shot.” She gestures to a small lineup of glasses filled with ominous liquids in various colors.
Kate groans dramatically but reaches for the jalapeno anyway. “Fine, I’ll do it. But if I cry, Haley, it’s your fault.”
As she bites into the jalapeno, the group erupts in laughter and cheers, everyone leaning in to watch her reaction. Kate’s face flushes immediately, and she fans her mouth frantically.
“Milk!” she croaks, and Richard tosses her a small carton. Kate rips it open, chugging the milk like her life depends on it while the group dissolves into laughter.
Haley, unfazed, pats her sister on the back. “See? That wasn’t so bad. Builds character.”
“You’re evil,” Kate wheezes, glaring at Haley between gulps.
“Next!” Haley says, clapping her hands together and ignoring Kate’s death glare.
Ryan is up next, pulling a truth block. He unfolds the slip of paper and reads it aloud. “‘What is your latest Google search?’”
He freezes, his brows furrowing in mild panic as he leans over to whisper something to Bon.
Bon raises an eyebrow and smirks. “Ryan just asked me how he can check his computer history from here,” she announces, holding out her hand expectantly. “Sorry, my fiancé is basically an old man.” She turns to face Ryan and holds out her hand. “Give me your phone.”
Ryan frowns, but hands it over, the group watching eagerly as Bon unlocks it and scrolls through his browser history.
“Ryan’s latest Google search is…” She pauses for dramatic effect, her grin growing. “‘Unique wedding band ideas. Awwwwww, Ry!’” Bon hugs Ryan, and shakes him intensely.
“Great,” he mutters, his ears red. “Thanks, Bonbon. Just air all my secrets out for everyone.” ‘Bonbon’ is a childhood nickname. We all stopped using it when she turned eighteen and begged everyone not to. I guess Ryan never stopped.
“He calls Wi-Fi ‘phone internet’.” Bon grins and Ryan scowls. She laughs and pats his knee affectionately. “Oh, come on, it’s adorable. You’re scoring major points right now.”
Laughter erupts around the circle as Ryan groans, rolling his eyes but unable to keep the small smile off his face.
“Okay, enough roasting Ryan and his Google habits!” Haley claps her hands, bringing everyone’s attention back. “Let’s keep the chaos rolling. Your turn,” she says, looking pointedly at me.
I take a deep breath, feeling a dozen pairs of eyes on me as I reach for a Jenga block. The tower wobbles precariously, and I hold my breath as I slide the block out. My eyes scan the writing, and I freeze.
“Dare,” I read aloud, my voice catching slightly.
Haley grins devilishly and hands me the fishbowl. “Read it out loud!”
I unfold the small slip of paper, my heart skipping a beat as I read the words. I glance over my shoulder, my eyes locking on Joshua. He’s leaned back casually on the couch, one arm resting behind him, his leg crossed in that way he does when he’s trying to appear nonchalant but is paying attention to everything. He raises an eyebrow, a small smirk playing at the corner of his lips. “Yeah, babe?”
I look at the paper again and say, “Have the person on your right… feed you.”
The room falls a bit quieter. I swear I can feel Rob’s eyes burning into the back of my neck, and I don’t dare look over. Joshua blinks, clearly confused. “Feed?” he repeats, raising an eyebrow in amusement. “As in… actually feed food?”
I shrug, trying to play it cool even though my pulse is racing. I reach for something off the tray beside me—one strawberry—and hold it up between my fingers. The task is ridiculous, but why do I feel nervous?
Joshua stands up slowly, his movement drawing everyone's attention as his presence shifts the energy in the room. He’s wearing his usual laid-back outfit—gym shorts and a shirt—but the way he moves makes everything feel suddenly deliberate. He walks toward me with that confidence of his, making my heart skip another beat.
When he’s standing in front of me, that same quiet intensity that’s always been there is thicker somehow. His eyes meet mine, his jaw tightening just slightly as he looks down at the strawberry I’m still holding between my fingers.
“Go on, just a bite,” Haley says, urging us to finish the dare.
Without a word, Joshua reaches out and gently takes the strawberry from my hand. He lowers his gaze, focusing on the fruit for a moment before bringing it to my lips, his hand steady and sure.
“Say ‘aaah,’” he murmurs, his voice almost intimate, sending a shiver down my spine.
The room holds its breath. I open my mouth, acutely aware of the heat between us, the closeness of his hand, the way his eyes never leave mine even as I take a bite. He’s so good at this.
Apparently, I only bite half the strawberry, so Joshua takes the other half, popping it into his own mouth. We walk back to our seat, and when I look at him, he’s already looking at me. He puts his arm around me, and the game continues.
“Okay, Rob, your turn,” Haley says.
Rob stands up and studies the Jenga tower. He takes a drink and sets it down before he continues to look at the tower, undecided on which block to pick. After a few more seconds, Richard says, “Come on, man, it’s not rocket science. Choose a block already.”
Rob glares at him, but chooses one anyway. “Truth.”
Haley hands him the bowl. He picks up a paper, and says, “What’s one thing you regret?”
Rob clears his throat, glancing at me, his expression unreadable. But then his eyes shift toward Joshua, his gaze flicking away quickly. He looks at Denise next, his lips pressing together as if weighing his words. He takes a deep breath before speaking.
“I regret not having the courage to end things with Emily properly,” he admits, his voice suddenly much quieter. “In the end, I didn’t only hurt her, but Denise too.”
A heavy silence floods the room. No one moves, no one speaks. The air seems to hang on his words, like they’re too raw for anyone to process. Rob stands there awkwardly, his posture rigid, eyes darting nervously between all of us, waiting for some kind of response. I almost wish someone would say something—anything—but the moment stretches on.
Should I say something? What could I even say? I glance over at Joshua, hoping he’ll break the tension. He catches my look and raises an eyebrow in silent understanding.
He claps his hand together and says, “And you guys say I’m the player,” Joshua says, breaking through the air. Everyone chuckles nervously, and before it gets more awkward, he adds,“Anyway, thank you for your honesty, Robert. Is it my turn next?” he asks Haley, his voice casual, like nothing happened.
“Yup!” Haley exclaims, almost too eagerly.
Joshua rises with a smirk, making his way to the Jenga tower. As he pulls a block free, the tower wobbles dangerously. The room collectively holds its breath, the sound of air drawn in sharp and expectant. The tower teeters, tips, and with a dramatic crash, the entire structure topples over.
Bon lets out a loud, surprised squeal, her hands flying to her face, and the rest of us burst into laughter. I can’t help but join in, the tension from Rob’s confession easing.
“Alright! As rules dictate, you choose both!” Haley happily hands Joshua two fishbowls.
Joshua gives her a mock bow before he takes the bowls, his fingers brushing over them with exaggerated flair. “Very well,” he says, a mischievous grin playing at the corners of his lips. He picks one and reads aloud, “What’s the most romantic thing you’ve ever done for someone?”
He pauses, his eyes briefly meeting mine. Then, his voice drops into something more playful, but still sincere. “Bumped her up to business class and held her hand on a seventeen-hour flight.”
Beside me, Kate lets out an “Awww,” but I can’t help the smile tugging at my lips. The way he says it makes it sound so casual, almost as if it were no big deal, but I know the truth. I remember the feeling of his hand in mine, how he’d pulled me closer when the anxiety of the flight almost got the better of me. He’d made me feel safe and protected, even in a room full of strangers.
Our eyes linger for a moment longer, but before either of us can say anything, Haley nudges the second fishbowl toward Joshua with a knowing smile. He looks down at the paper, still holding my gaze, and reads aloud, “Choose one person in the room and kiss them.”
A soft murmur ripples through the group, but Joshua doesn’t hesitate. “Easy,” he says, his voice low and teasing.
In a single, smooth motion, Joshua walks over to me, leans forward and presses a quick, sweet kiss to my lips. It’s brief but unmistakable, and the room bursts into cheers. Bon teases, “Get a room!” but Joshua doesn't pull back. He stays close, his presence warm and solid next to me, and I find myself a little lost in the sudden intimacy of it all.
When he finally sits back down, his arm around mine makes my stomach flip. As if he can sense my inner turmoil, Joshua leans in to whisper in my ear.
“That was pretty convincing, don’t you think?” His voice is low, and the warmth of his breath against my skin sends another shiver through me.
I want to tell him that even I was convinced for a moment. But all that escapes is a breathless, shaky laugh, as I try to process the swirl of emotions that feel far too complicated for game night.