Poke.

Then again.

Poke.

And again.

Poke.

One more time.

Poke.

"Nat, can you please stop touching it?" I ask the little seven-year-old.

"It's so big, Elodie."

My zit.

She's talking about my zit.

I've been blessed with pretty good skin but when I get a zit it stands out and this one is no different and Nat here is reminding me just how brutally honest kids can be. I sigh in defeat as she keeps poking it.

I thought my skin was supposed to glow?

"Can we get back to your schoolwork, Nat? You're going to make it worse if you keep touching it."

"But it's so big and red. If I stick a needle in it will it pop?"

This is painful. "Nope, it will just hurt, and can you stop calling it big?"

"I think you should let me try. It can be my science experiment for the fair. I'd make you famous in my class."

"I don't think I want that kind of fame."

"What would come out if I stab it? Blood?"

"Maybe," I answer. "Most likely that and pus."

Nat scrunches her little nose and purses her lips in disgust. "Ew, but the boys in my class would really like that."

"Okay, let's get back to this math worksheet that's due tomorrow. You need to add 37 plus 68."

She ignores me. "You'll never get a boyfriend if you have a zit. At least that's what my brother tells my sister."

"I have a boyfriend," I say with a smile and am ready to own up a second-grader. "And he's gorgeous."

"Does he know about your zit yet?"

"No."

"Then you won't for long."

I'm dead. "Do your work," I demand as I try holding back my laughter.

As Natalie does her worksheet, I go through my mental list of all the exams and papers I have coming up, all while sucking on a mint to help with my nausea. School is back in session and Tariq and I have decided to keep the pregnancy quiet for a while, which I'm relieved about. The only people who know are Tariq's family and Heather. It's not that we're trying to keep it a secret, we just have heard too many horror stories of couples announcing it only for things to go very very bad. Once we are in the clear, we will make the announcement to his hockey team.

I've been much better lately. I mean, I still get sick and puke my guts out from time to time, but not nearly as much. I keep myself hydrated and make sure to eat in small doses throughout the day as the doctor had suggested.

Tariq's been attentive but he's also been busy with classes and hockey. He texts and calls throughout the day to make sure I'm alright. Exercise has been my best friend, and by exercise, I mean walking. Getting fresh air, despite the bitter cold, lifts my mood drastically. We've also started our dinner tradition again, except now he tries helping me in the kitchen, which... has made it more work.

I'm kicking him out tonight.

As much as I appreciate the heart of the gesture, the mess left behind is atrocious.

There's a tap on my shoulder and I turn to see Cecilia the head of the youth center. "Hey, Eolide, can we talk for a second? I have something I want to ask you."

"Oh, sure," I answer and turn to Nat as she continues answering her math questions. "I'll be right back. How about you try the next section yourself and when I come back we'll go over it."

I follow Cecilia into her office and sit down as she goes behind her desk. "Abbey quit today."

My eyes widen and my jaw hits the floor. Abbey is the heart of this center and helps organize all the tutors, helps teach, and plans field trips and summer activities for the kids.

This is a huge blow.

"Why? What happened?"

Cecilia's smile tells me it's nothing bad. "She got engaged this Thanksgiving and she and her fiance are moving."

"Oh! Well, that's exciting news."

Cecilia laces her fingers together and leans, pressing her elbows into her desk. "I want to offer you the job."

I freeze.

A job.

Here?

"Are you serious?" I ask in disbelief.

"Elodie, you don't give yourself enough credit. You do as much as Abbey. Half her responsibilities you're already taking on. It would be full-time and we will work with your class schedule. You'd get health benefits of course and pay. It isn't much but it's something. You'll still have to get me your resume and go through the interview and hiring process, but the job is yours if you want it."

She had me at health benefits.

I'd have health insurance.

I wouldn't have to rely on Tariq's parents to pay for everything out of pocket.

"Yes, oh my gosh yes!" I get up and shake her hand. "Thank you so much, Cecilia. I'll get you everything right away."

She pulls me into a hug. "It was an easy decision to make. I'm excited to have you on the team. I'm hoping you can start by next week and that Abbey can start training you in the stuff you don't know. I have no doubt you'll be a perfect fit."

She ushers me out and I practically skip back to Nat, beaming. I'm finally finding my footing and I am about to have a full-time job, insurance, and the ability to pay for my bills and food. I sit down next to Nat and check her answers, not caring in the slightest as she takes her pencil and stabs my zit with it.

A thought crosses my mind, something I think Tariq and Rasheed would enjoy and I want to celebrate in the best way possible.

In a way that is simply... me.

The targets are fast approaching.

I hide out underneath the stairs in a secret compartment. Their footsteps resound as they walk down, unsuspecting of what's to come, the Chinese takeout on the table serving as the perfect distraction.

Their footsteps cease and my heart beats fast in my chest as I press the plastic close and it whines from my grip. Deep voices mumble and I know...

They have found it.

I close my eyes and listen closely, trying to pinpoint their exact location. In front of the table or behind?

"Oh my god," Tariq whispers.

"It's happening!" Rasheed shouts.

Using the upper half of my body, I slowly and quietly push open the trunk where Tariq stores his hockey gear. Both their backs are turned to me, staring at the note on the table made out of magazine cuts outs. Tariq's hockey gear is my armor, a toy gun holster wrapped around my waist, and a throw pillow my shield, wrapped with Duct tape to keep the yarn stationed on it so I can have it slung over my shoulder.

The sound of hard plastic cocking back makes both the big muscular men freeze.

Tariq and Rasheed dash around the table and both scream when they see me. Before they can grab their little pea shooter Nerf Jolts I left on the table next to the food, my finger pulls the trigger. One lone dart sails straight through the air and hits the wall right between the two of them. They put their arms in the air, my N-Strike Elite RapidStrike Blaster pointed at them, both their eyes, staring at the barrel of my Nerf gun.

"You may want to rethink that, boys."

"Special Agent Mitchel," Rasheed pleads, making me aim my gun at him. "Don't do this. We were partners, friends... lovers."

Tariq grabs his nerf gun and shoots, the dart bouncing off Rasheed's temple and the foam and rubber tip, colliding with the floor. "You're an idiot."

Rasheed grabs his gun, aiming it at Tariq. "Am I though? Has it ever occurred to you that I might be the father? Tell him, Special Agent Mitchel. Tell him of our tryst."

Now it's my turn to shoot Rasheed. "This is not a Soap Opera, No tryst ever commenced between us. Now back to business. If either of you has any hope of beating me you must work together."

"I'd rather die by your hands," Tariq replies, dark eyes gleaming. "Or maybe seduce you... if necessary."

I cock my gun back again. "Good luck with that."

War breaks out. Their Nerf Jolts no match for my Blaster that has 25 rounds of darts. I use my shield as Tariq tries to aim for me. Rasheed keeps losing their ammo and is searching for his darts. They only have three darts at their disposal.

Yes, I am sinister.

I rush into the bathroom, careful not to touch the string. Tariq is right behind me and easily pins me to the bathroom wall, one hand holding both my wrists above my head, my gun clattering to the tile floor, and the cool plastic pressed against the skin under my chin. "Is this your way of proposing to me, Blue? Because if it is, my answer is yes."

I give a haughty laugh. "I would never propose to my nemesis."

"I'm your nemesis now?" he asks with a cocked brow.

"Yes," I whisper, heat building between us. "I would never fall for you or your seductive charm."

He leans in, his hot breath on my ear. I close my eyes as his thumb lightly grazes against the throbbing vein on my wrist. His body dominants every part of mine, making heat coil in my stomach and flush through my veins. "Then why do you burn so easily for me, Blue?"

I let out a needy breath and then suck in that desire in an attempt to lay it dormant... for now. I lift my chin, my lips right at his. "I don't, now, are you going to shoot me or not?"

"No," he hums, his mouth agonizingly slow as it glides across my cheekbone, his lips so warm, soft, light to the point it tickles, forming a knot in my throat. "I'm going to kiss you."

Just as his mouth hovers over mine, a dart blasts him right in the face, making me snort out an ugly laugh. Rasheed barrels in, slamming into Tariq, and as the two grapple, I slide open the shower curtain where my nerf machine gun waits, ready for destruction.

Tariq almost had me, I'll give it to him.

He has definitely mastered the art of seduction.

But I am a master strategist.

Thanks youtube. "Oh, boys," I sing out, both look over at me, now hiding behind the bathroom door, holding a string, pointing to what is aimed at them. As they turn to look, I slam the door shut and pull, and am delighted harsh whip of darts hit either their intended target or walls. Both men screaming, cursing, as havoc is unleashed on them.

"Why the heck would you do that? I had her!" Tariq yells.

"Cause your seductive face looked stupid!" Rasheed shouts back. "Here's a better question... Why aren't you opening the door, you moron!"

I jump back, my hands going to my gun holster, whipping out my cold metal cans. The door flings open and I fire, dosing Tariq and Rasheed in Silly String. At this point, they both just stand there and look over at one another until I'm out.

Rasheed's eyes lock with mine. "Who are you? Kevin McCallister?"

Tariq grins. Silly String in his thick black hair, dark eyes flickering across my face, a devilish gleam to them. "Rasheed get your food and go."

"What? Why?" Rasheed asks, confused.

"Because," Tariq's deep voice startles me a little, but it's exciting. "I want Blue all to myself now."

My heart skips a beat and I lick my lips.

"Unless you want to see me kiss the crap out of her."

"Yeah, I'm out," Rasheed says, grabbing his food and rushing up the stairs. "But my ears are open! One protest for Special Agent Mitchel and I will be rescuing her in an instant."

When the door closes, Tariq's hand cups my face, his padded fingers beautifully harsh against my soft skin. "How long did this take you to do?"

I smile a little into his palm, breathing in his scent and it doesn't go unnoticed by him. "A few hours, mostly because of the machine gun set up. I'm honestly shocked it worked."

He yanks me into him. "Well, it's a good thing I have a surprise for you then."

I stumble back as he leads me to the couch. My knees hit the cushions and he catches me before I fall, gently lowering me down into the seat.

"But first," he hums.

My lungs expand in my chest as he slowly hovers over me until I'm laying down underneath him. I can't take it anymore and grip his shirt, pulling him down to me, his lips meeting mine. He chuckles into our kiss, vibrating every part of me. "I thought you said you'd never fall for my seductive charm?"

"I lied," I whisper between his perfect lips.

A deep groan rumbles from his throat. "I know."

Our tongues meet and he tastes so good, perfect, addicting, and all of him is mine right now. He wants me and I want him.

His touch awakens me.

His lips devour me.

And his deep groans excite me.

"What's my surprise?" I ask between kisses.

"The start of our LotR marathon I promised you. I bought all the extended versions to stream."

His mouth starts leaving a blazing trail of kisses down my neck and I whimper. "I'm going to cry at the end of Fellowship."

His deep laugh beats on my neck, echoing in my veins. "I'll distract you then."

"You promise?"

His mouth retreats from my neck and goes to my ear, my head laying over to the side, giving him full access. "I promise but for now..." His lips touch right where my lobe and jaw connect. "I want to make you burn just a little bit more."

He doesn't just make me burn... Tariq incinerates me. Branding me with his soft touches that are so light and respectful it nearly makes me cry, his kisses that seem to take a piece of me the deeper they get, and his voice demanding me to give him more without ever having to utter the words.

All we do is kiss and yet it is so much more than when we had sex. There's more there and we aren't doing this in a need of comfort. We allow ourselves to explore it and relish in it to limited points. Neither of us caring about our cold Chinese food.

Oh my gosh 10K!!!!! Thank you to each and every one of you, you all have blessed me exponentially!!! I can't believe it! 🥰🥰🥰🥰 I am actually considering submitting this into the Watty's this year. I'm not sure yet, but it's a thought.

I had so much fun writing this chapter! I hope you all enjoyed it ❤️ I was going to post this last night but Wattpad was being very glitchy for me so I waited and decided to make it even better.

Hit that star button if you all enjoyed the Nerf gun war!!!

Also, nine more chapters left! 😬I'm hoping to be done with Hang On next week. Are you all ready for Tariq and Elodie's story to come to a close? I'm already so sad to part with them 😫

Love you all and the continued support you give me!!!

LivingRed