Jere's POV

"I am going to be honest," I plead. "I really think this is a bad idea."

"No way," Belly almost shouts. "This will be fun!"

Somehow, we ended up on the boardwalk the Sunday we were supposed to head home. All of us, including the kids were running around enjoying the games and activities. Until we weren't.

"I don't think you're going to enjoy this," I look at Amanda with hope she'll cancel out.

She grins at me, "Jere come on it's just a game."

I know a lot about Amanda and Belly, so when they came to the conclusion to compete at Shoot Your Shot, I also knew this wouldn't end good for either of them. Belly is super competitive and athletic; Amanda is competitive and not athletic.

"You worried I'll school your girlfriend," Belly said too enthusiastically. I just looked at her with a funny look and didn't respond.

Conrad slapped me on the back, "Never thought we'd be here again."

Yeah, the last time we were is the same year I made Belly my girlfriend, but I really tried to push those memories to the side. "You know whoever wins this will end badly for us, right?"

"Yup."

"You got this Manda!" Steven shouts, Taylor slaps his arm, and I can't help but laugh. "What, she's new!"'

Belly gives Steven a look that could kill, "I mean I'll go easy on you."

"No need," Amanda smiles. She pulls her hair into a ponytail, and it reminds me of another brunette. "So, what do we win?"

"A Bad of candy," I say with a chuckle.

"I'm not really into candy," Amanda says with a shrug. Belly looks like she's about to give s whole speech when I hurry and say, "Well we're all old enough to drink now maybe that prize it outdated."

"It was outdated when I played," groaned Taylor.

"So, loser buys wine?" Amanda offers.

"Fine," Belly says annoyed. "That's fine."

And... they're off.

This has to be the most intense and anticlimactic game of Shoot Your Shot ever. Belly and Amanda are both sweating, their hair sticking to their faces and they're only five shots in. The only score on the board is the one basket Amanda made by complete accident, I think. I'm almost shocked that Belly is sucking at this.

Amanda got another one in, and I clapped and cheered, so did Steven which made Taylor laugh. "That's my girl!" I said loudly. Belly missed her next shot, giving Conrad a death glare. He just laughed, "You got this Bells."

The score was four to two and if Amanda sunk another one it would be game over. "Belly, I think you've lost your touch," I say with a cocky grin.

"Shut up Jeremiah!" She shouts behind her before making a perfect basket. "Stupid."

Madison is cheering for Belly, clapping her hands at every missed basket. Belly looks at her occasionally smiling so big, so happy to have her cheerleader there. "You got this mom!"

Though neither of them was about to be the next Kobe, I was relieved that Amanda made the winning shot and also terrified. When it was over Amanda stuck her hand out, "That was fun."

I was waiting for Belly to attack her, but to my surprise she didn't. "It was actually a lot of fun." They shook hands and me and Conrad thanked the heavens it didn't end in blood.

"So do you want a box of wine, or like are we thinking fancy restaurant?" Belly asks as we make our way back to the car.

"Box wine sounds like a good time," Amanda says with a laugh. They link arms and walk off. Did they just become best friends?
Conrad must have read my mind because he nudges me. "Looks like they hit it off."

"Weird, I thought losing would be the nail in the coffin."

"Nah," He smirked. "She's gotten so much better at being a sport."

"Only took ten years," Steven interjects. He's carrying a sleeping Luna, while Taylor pushes their son in the stroller.

"Weren't you guys leaving tonight?" Taylor asks looking at the new best friends' head of us.

"Yeah, why?"

"Because we're probably all about to be wine drunk off Boones farm."

She was right, hours later we were all sitting in the living room on the floor sharing stories while our cups reeked of cheap wine. The kids all fast sleep upstairs, adults all cozied up in pajamas and slippers downstairs. "This is giving sleep over vibes, and I like it." Amanda said this witha little dance. Shit she was feeling good.

"It's not a sleep over without games," Belly piped up.

"Games?" Steven groaned. "This sounds bad." We all nod in agreement.

"Come on!" Amanda pushes me. "Drinking games?"

"No," I beg. "Please this cheap wine is giving me stomach aches."

"Now come on, we use to down these in college!" She says with another nudge.

"No, you use to down these in college." I roll my eyes. "I used to make sure no one bothered you while you drooled on the couch."

She just smiled at me, her eyes bright and full. "You did?" I nod. She didn't notice that I was always there when she woke up from her Boones farm slumber.

"You two have a lot of history together," Belly says with a smile.

"More than I think he'd like to admit sometimes," Amanda says with a roll of her eyes. I wasn't sure what she meant by that, but I didn't want to poke the drunken bear.

"How about never have I ever?" Belly offered up. Everyone declined quickly. "You all suck."

"I agree," Amanda perched. "I really like you Belly you have great fun."

They were really the only ones drinking that box I tell you. Conrad just watched with happy eyes, a small smile on his face. I could tell he was happy to see her happy. More guilt set in as I realized I never asked my brother how he was doing during their issues. But he also never mentioned it to me either.

"How about," I say pulling Amanda up. "We call this a night before you and Belly start undressing each other."

"Ha," Amanda laughed. "I'm not into that." Belly tries to plead with me to let her stay and drink more grape gasoline, but I just ignore her and Taylor.

"Goodnight, everyone," I wave them off and take Amanda upstairs. Once upstairs I start unmaking the bed for her, throwing the decorative pillow to the side.

"You don't have to do that," She slurs. She tries to help me, but I can tell she's about to pass out now that she's away from her new friends. "Fine you do it."

I just laugh, happily surprised at how well she held her own around everyone the last three days. "Bright and early tomorrow we both have work."

"Yes, boss man."

I start making my bed on the floor, grabbing a sheet to cover but Amanda grabs my hand. "You don't have to sleep on the floor Jere."

"It's okay, I don't mind." I do actually, I'm positive a family of spiders now live in my ear, and I will be going to the doctor the minute I get back to Boston.

She shakes her head, still holding my hands. "Just sleep in the bed, don't be ridiculous." Her eyes look worried. I don't really want to get thrown up on, but I also don't want to say no to her.

"Okay," I say throwing my floor pillow on the bed.

"How'd I do for the weekend, was I a good fake girlfriend?" She asked. We were facing each other in bed.

"You were magical, to say the least."

She snorted. "Magical?"

"Yeah, for sure." I gave her a huge smile. "You fit right in, more than me actually." We just stared at each other for a minute, in silence. "Was I a good fake boyfriend?"

"You were okay." We both laughed. "No, you were great." She made another snort. "That's my girl!" She mocked me. "So cheesy."

"Oh, but you love my cheese, come on," I push her shoulder.

"I do." She says flatly. It's silent again and I realize now I'm extremely aware of how close faces are together. I gulp down my saliva. Her brown eyes are big, staring into mine with an expression I'm not used to seeing on her face. My lips are like magnets, drawing closer to hers and I'm just barely keeping the distance. She is drunk. I can't take advantage of that even if for the first time in years I feel like kissing every inch of this woman. I should tell her goodnight and turn over.

"Kiss me," she breathes, and I don't even remember moving but I'm kissing her now. We're tangled up, her hands in my hair and I have one hand on her neck while the other is caressing her side. Part of my brain is screaming to stop, to not ruin your friendship- while the other half is like a wild animal saying to rip her clothes off.

She's pulling at my pajamas shirt and before I know it, I'm shirtless and on top of her. "Amanda," I pull away. "You've had a lot to drink."

She pulls me in again, sticking her tongue in my mouth. "Just kiss me," She breathes again. I listen, I start kissing her everywhere. While my lips work their way down her neck she shivers. "Lord," she breathes as I pull off her shirt. Trailing kisses down her stomach. I stop at her pants; I know I'm not allowed to go any further.
I start kissing my way back up when she pushes my head down, "

I look up at her, "Amanda," I say more sternly.

"Jeremiah," She mocks.

"You're drunk."

"But I want to-"

She pulls me up to her face. "Do you want me?"

I look down at her body, I would be a fool to say no. An idiot. Did I want her? Of course, my body already had the correct response. I wanted to rip her clothes off and ravish her, which is not a word I've ever used in this scenario before. But I look into her big brown eyes, drunk and longing. This is my best friend, the correct response is yes, I do want to make love to you. But I also don't want to ruin what we have for one fun night.

"No."

She pushes me off, pulling the covers over her. "That was a mistake."

"Amanda," I say softly. I can tell she's embarrassed. She doesn't reply, I'm positive she's just pretending to snore now. I sigh, turning over and closing my eyes.

Hi, I did come back and edit the ending. Sorry to everyone. PLease review if you enjoy!