Graduation and Gifts (Untouchable Book 8) by Heather Long (best books to read for beginners TXT) 📕

running. It was more than spending time together. Not that I didn’t adore the time. It was about endurance and building strength. Jake still worked on my punching. I was getting pretty good at boxing, and Rachel and I planned to take some self-defense classes together in New York.

Jake loved the idea and promised to go with us.

“So when are you guys telling me where we’re going?” I asked as we reached the halfway point of our circuit of the lake. The sun was edging up on the horizon, and the breeze off the lake helped to dry the sweat soaking through my shirt.

“Who says we’re going anywhere?” Archie challenged. “We have a lot to do before we move to New York.”

I snorted. No takers here. We were walking. The half-mile break let me catch my breath. The burn in my legs wasn’t as bad as it had been. Months of running with them was definitely increasing my endurance, even if I did miss lounging in bed and waking up slowly as Coop pressed into me.

Shaking that distracting thought off, I focused on Archie. “Well if we don’t have plans, would you guys mind if I tagged along with Rachel for a couple of weeks…”

“Yes,” three voices answered in unison, and I grinned. Archie just gave them a bland stare before he tapped my nose gently.

“Trust me?”

“Always.”

Without any hesitation or reservation.

“Then be patient, babe. I promise it will be worth it.”

Head tilted back, I let out an exaggerated sigh. “Fine, but I will let you know that the anticipation is killing me.”

Because with Archie, literally anything was possible.

Four hours later, he proved my point when we arrived at Fort Splat, the paintball place with indoor and outdoor courses. We hadn’t been here in two years. Well, I hadn’t been here in two years. My last trip had been the summer between sophomore and junior years. If they came the previous summer, I had no idea.

“How are we picking teams?” ’Cause I wasn’t sure about the rules anymore. We wouldn’t be even if we split up. And I didn’t want to have to pick sides. I refused.

“We’re not,” Ian told me as we headed toward the front doors. “We signed up as a team of five.”

“Yes,” Coop said with a fist pump. “Hashtag Team Frankie.”

“I was thinking Team Standish, myself,” Archie said with a wicked grin.

Jake snorted. “Team Jake and Coop for the win.”

Ian locked his gaze with mine as I laughed. “I’m all Team Us,” I said ducking under his arm as he held the door open. “You can’t change my mind.”

“Did you hear a challenge?” Archie straightened.

“Oh, I heard a challenge.” Jake fist-bumped Coop, and I rolled my eyes.

“Let them play, Angel,” Ian said as he looped an arm over my shoulders while Archie headed for the counter. The air conditioning washed over us. It was kind of a perfect day outside so far. Warm without being sweltering, sunny but low humidity, and a breeze to chase away the heat. Still, I welcomed the air conditioning.

“You’re not playing?” I was more curious than anything else.

“Didn’t say that, but I know you’re on my team,” he said with a grin, then pressed a kiss to my temple. “And I’m always team you.”

Warmth bloomed in my chest and then settled in my belly. I was team them every day of the week.

“Okay,” Archie said as he turned around. “There will be two other teams out there with us. It’s open wargames. So, we’re gonna gear up.” He handed me a ticket. “You get to go to the ladies dressing room. Someone will help you, and we’ll meet you on the other side.”

Excitement threaded through me. Paintball could hurt, but the last few times we’d done it, I always had fun. I had to wonder if the guys were trying to rebuild some of our more fun memories.

I paused mid step and turned back. “Was paintball a date?”

Coop’s whole expression softened. “A friend date, yes. A romantic date, no. Though if we’d had a brain between us, we’d have all pursued you together from the beginning.”

Grinning, I pivoted and headed for the changing room. I wasn’t the only girl in there, but there were only four of us. The other three were on the other two teams. We had a couple of workers running us through the use of the paintball guns and the gear.

No face shots.

No groin shots.

Anyone who violated those rules would be booted immediately. All shots needed to be in the chest region, where the armor we’d be wearing was thicker. Also, legs were fair below the groin.

I remembered most of it from our last few times doing this. Junior summer, we’d gone paintballing more than once. It was fun as fuck. Kind of like laser tag, but with more of a kick. It also amused me that the guys were impressed that I was such a good shot.

Jake and Ian were machines at this, Coop—like me—tended to hang back and just have fun with it. We’d gotten snarked at more than once for joking. But Archie? Archie was next level. I swore these games amped his competitive side to the max. By the time I left the changing room and met them outside the course, they were all there and ready. Archie had a map open on his phone, and they were studying it.

I didn’t have to ask. My money was that it was a map of the outdoor course, and when I leaned against Jake’s heavier armored frame, I wasn’t disappointed. He flashed me a swift grin and swept his pale blue eyed gaze over me. “Hot, Baby Girl.”

A snort escaped me before I could stop it. “You’re looking pretty good yourself.”

“Right?” Coop quipped. “He looks even better with the full face mask.”

Jake elbowed him, but we all laughed. Archie scowled. “Focus, children.”

“I’m older than you,” Coop pointed out.

“By days,” Archie said with a sniff. “And Jake isn’t.”

The flash of Jake’s middle finger settled that particular line