Chapter 8: Lightning, Lies, and the Look in His Eyes
The rain came out of nowhere.
One second, the sky was cotton candy blue. The next, dark clouds rolled in like a warning, thunder cracking in the distance.
Everyone scrambled inside the resort's main lounge just as the downpour began, wind howling through the trees.
"Well, this is romantic," Percy said, dripping wet. "Feels like the perfect night for a murder."
"You say that every time it rains," Keigan muttered.
Jay wrapped a blanket around herself, shivering slightly as thunder rumbled again.
"Power's out in the west wing," someone said.
Perfect. Room 308 was in the west wing.
Keifer came in behind her, brushing rain from his hair, water dripping down his neck. Jay pointedly looked away.
"Guess we're stuck here," Ella said, sitting down beside Aries on the giant couch like a model in a thunderstorm.
Keifer flopped onto the floor near the fireplace, too close. Jay could feel the warmth from his skin. His knee brushed hers.
She scooted away.
He noticed. "You gonna act weird all day or just tonight?"
"Don't flatter yourself."
"I'm not. I just miss the version of you that kissed me."
Jay kicked his ankle under the blanket. Hard.
He winced but grinned. "There she is."
Later – Truth or Dare
Someone — probably Percy, again — decided a stormy night needed drama.
So now, everyone was in a circle, resort candles flickering, wind howling outside.
And Jay knew this was going to end in disaster.
"Okay," Percy clapped. "Let's spice this up. No skipping, no safe truths, and no wimping out."
Jay sighed. "You just want someone to confess a crush or strip."
"Preferably both."
"Gross," said Ella, sipping hot chocolate.
"Alright," Percy said, spinning the bottle.
It landed on Jay.
Of course.
She glared at him. "Truth."
Percy grinned wickedly. "Do you have feelings for anyone in this room?"
Everyone suddenly leaned in. Even Keifer. Especially Keifer.
Jay paused.
"No," she said quickly.
Lies.
The bottle spun again. Keifer, this time.
Jay smirked. "Truth or dare?"
He held her gaze. "Truth."
Jay raised an eyebrow. "Do you have feelings for anyone in this room?"
There was a long silence.
Keifer leaned forward, eyes locked on hers.
"Yeah," he said. Simple. Direct.
Jay blinked.
"Ohhhhhh," Percy said.
Ella sat up straighter.
"Who?" someone asked.
But the bottle had already spun again.
Later That Night – Hallway Tension
After the game, people started to drift off. Keifer and Jay walked slowly back toward the west wing, flashlights from their phones guiding them.
The halls were dark. Quiet. Dripping with unsaid words.
Jay kept her arms crossed. "You're playing games."
Keifer walked beside her, voice low. "I wasn't lying."
Jay stopped. "About what?"
He turned to face her. His jaw flexed.
"You."
Her heart stuttered.
Thunder cracked above them.
"I hate this," she whispered.
"I don't."
He stepped closer. "I like this tension. This back and forth. It means you're not running anymore."
"I should be."
"Then run."
Jay didn't move.
Keifer exhaled, frustrated. "You kissed me like you wanted me, Jay. Don't do that if you're gonna pretend it didn't happen."
She looked up at him, defiant. "You're used to getting what you want. I'm not going to be another yes for you."
"You think you're a yes?" he asked softly. "You've been my maybe since the day you walked back into my life."
Silence.
Then—
"Jay?"
They turned.
A guy stood at the other end of the hall. Tall. Blonde. Smile like trouble.
It was Rafa — one of the resort staff Jay had helped earlier when someone spilled drinks.
"There you are," he said to her. "Wanted to ask if you still wanted to join us for that board game downstairs?"
Jay hesitated.
Keifer's jaw clenched.
Jay smiled. "Yeah. Why not?"
She brushed past Keifer without looking back.
"Don't wait up," she said coolly.