Page 206 of Embriagado

“Wanna go next?”

“After you?” I scoffed. “Fuck no.”

He stared at me, somehow still looking awfully serious, considering the stuffed bunnies hanging over his head.

“I’ll teach you.” He handed me the rifle before I could refuse.

The vendor had already pulled the targets back up, so, ready to shoot, I grabbed the air rifle when Ari moved to my side.

“Stand with your feet apart.”

I glanced at him. “Aren’t you a bit too serious for— Gotcha,” I chuckled after he kicked my legs wider apart.

“Now, grip below the trigger.”

“Like this?” I asked, sliding my hand down the handle.

“No.” He shifted closer as he grabbed my hands and fixed my grip. My chest tightened at his proximity, and I was more focused on his profile than on the damn rifle.

“Now, keep it rested against your dominant shoulder.” He spoke slowly, eyes on the gun until he glanced up and caught me staring. “Are you even listening?”

“You said something about shoulders.”

His smile slipped, and he shook his head before he turned to look at the targets.

“Go for the duck on the second shelf.”

Nodding, I closed one eye to focus⁠—

“Keep both eyes open.”

I did.

“You on it?”

Biting my lip, I squinted my eyes and nodded. “Yeah, boss.”

He stepped back. “Then take the shot.”

I pulled the trigger, watching the duck fly off the shelf a split second later. A huge smile spread on my lips, and proud, I quickly looked at Ari in time to catch him smiling.

Fuck, he’s gorgeous.

But as it turned out, my first shot was more beginner’s luck than anything, as I missed pretty much all the other targets. Not that I cared. And after Ari gave up the stuffed teddy bear he won to one of the kids who patiently waited for my lame ass to finish, we continued our little date around the fair.

Between me eating food and him winning more prizes in silly contests, I tried processing the situation we were in. A date. An actual date. Now munching on my third slice of pizza, I watched Ari fishing ducks from a tank of water. With his baseball cap and blue jeans, he seemed so normal for a change, and I loved it. I loved knowing that there was a possibility for a different life for him, one without debts, crime, and danger. The issue was… it made me greedy, and I began imagining what life like that could be. And not just for him, but for us. Would we date for a while before choosing to live together like normal couples? Would he get a day job, and what about me, would I give a real boxing career a shot⁠—

“You’re gonna get a stomachache in this place,” he said after he came back.

“It’s really good.” I held the slice in his face. “Wanna bite?”

Ari’s eyes narrowed on me, then at the pizza before he leaned close and took a bite. My brows shot up with surprise, and I stared at him chewing until he swallowed.

“You’re right.” He wiped the corner of his lips. “It actually does taste good.”

“Did you just eat junk food?” I beamed, enjoying the rare moment, before he pulled something out of his pocket.

“Look what I won.” He held up a keychain with a plastic rottweiler charm attached to it.