Rachel Lawrence
This wasn’t the first time my little brother’s birthday had crushed my dreams.
When I was seven, I’d landed a role in the school play. I’d practiced for months and invited my whole extended family to see the final performance. But just before my big moment, my mom’s water broke, and everyone jumped into action to get her to the hospital. I eventually forgave him. But a decade later, it was happening again.
“I thought you loved laser tag, Winnie.” Ian slid his feet into his still-tied sneakers and tugged them over his heels. “Luca’s sister might be there. She’s nice.” He studied the floor and frowned. “I don’t want you to hate me.”
“I could never hate you, Ian.” I sighed. “I’m disappointed I missed the concert, but celebrating you is the best reason. Carter Cutrer will have other shows. My little bro only turns ten once. Besides, someone needs to school you all in laser tag.”
Satisfied, he wrapped his arms around my waist in a quick hug, then skipped outside to the van.
“Thank you for being understanding, Win.” My mom’s soft voice was laced with pride as she walked in from the kitchen. “If I’d known your favorite artist was coming to town this weekend, I’d have planned differently.”
“It was a last-minute thing,” I said. “It’s no one’s fault.” I thought back to Monday when my best friend had called me screaming about the surprise addition to the music festival. We’d been Carter fans long before he went viral, and it had almost killed me to tell her I couldn’t come. But Ian had begged me not to miss his party, and as much as I loved Carter, I loved Ian more.
Half an hour later, I stood in a dark holding room, geared up with a target and laser gun, listening to instructions from a teenage employee while my brother and his friends bounced around with anticipation. I couldn’t help smiling, especially knowing I was about to crush them all. I felt slightly bad for the group of older strangers who’d joined our game. They didn’t stand a chance either.
The doors swung open, the equipment powered up, and we were off into the arena. I made a beeline for my favorite secret spot upstairs and around the leftmost column. It was the perfect perch for picking off competitors without being seen. As I turned the corner, though, I collided with a solid form.
“Sorry,” a melodic voice I’d know anywhere apologized.
Gasping, I stared straight into the barely illuminated face of my celebrity crush. “You’re—”
He clamped a gentle hand over my mouth. “Please don’t blow my cover,” he pleaded. “I’ve had a long day, and I need just a few hours to be a regular person playing laser tag with friends. I promise I’ll sign whatever you want before we leave later.”
My fangirl excitement gave way to compassion at the desperation in his eyes. I grabbed his arm. “Come with me.”
He followed, apparently used to being dragged around. “Here.” I tugged him into my hideout. “You keep my secret, and I’ll keep yours.” I angled my gun and hit the red target on a player’s suit a floor below us before retreating back around the column. “That’s my brother and his best friend down there next to that tall guy.”
Carter didn’t miss a beat, whipping around to take a perfect shot, too. “That’s my guitarist. This spot is golden.”
We spent the rest of the game in silence, lighting up targets and racking up points. Before the lights came back on, I led him back downstairs to preserve our post’s secret location. But rather than the darkness lifting, a voice boomed over the speakers. “Game Two commences in five, four, three…”
Carter reached for my hand and took off. “I forgot they told us it was unlimited play for some kid’s birthday party tonight.”
“My brother.” I panted, trying to match his speed back up the ramp. “I missed the festival today because of his birthday plans.”
“Good call.” Carter nudged me with his armored shoulder. “Having experienced both, this is by far the more fun option. Plus, there was no cake at the music fest.”
“He chose cookies,” I reported between attacks on the unsuspecting kids and band members below. “And we have extra if you want to join us. No ten-year-old boys are going to swoon or ask for autographs.”
“You’re being remarkably cool about this, considering your initial response. I was worried you were one of those rabid fans who forget that artists are actually just people who sometimes need a normal night out.”
“Oh, believe me, I’m freaking out a little on the inside still. But, less in a starstruck way and more in the way I’d be if I’d met any other cute guy playing laser tag.”
He chuckled. “Okay. I can respect a girl who’s bold enough to shoot her shot.” Leaning closer, he added, “Pun intended.”
I smiled and aimed at the target on his chest, then pulled the trigger.
“Uncalled for.” He waited for his vest to recharge before shooting my shoulder in return. “Now we’re even. I’m Carter, by the way.” He grinned, and my heartbeat blinked in sync with my laser sensors.
“Winnie.”
“Nice to meet you by chance on this regular night of average stranger activities. Maybe we could exchange numbers so we can chat more sometime about normal teenager things?”
“Normal teenager things?”
“Yeah,” he continued. “Like laser tag and brothers and favorite colors and stuff.”
The sounds of the game echoed around us, but I focused on my new friend. “I’d like that. But we can start now. What’s your favorite color?”
He shot at a passing player. “Red. Yours?”
“Same.”
He waited a beat, then asked, “What kind of music are you into, Winnie?”
Laughing, I answered, “I’ll sing you my favorite song later. It’s called Happy Birthday.”
An author of sweet contemporary romance, she especially enjoys writing NA and YA fiction. Her debut novel, Seashells and Other Souvenirs, released in 2025.
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