The Love Game (The Game #1)
Author: Emma Hart

Chapter One – Maddie

I hated him on sight.

I’m not a hateful person. In fact, I’m actually really friendly, but something about Braden Carter rubs me the wrong way, and has ever since I first saw him five weeks ago.

Maybe it’s the arrogant, smug smile on his face when girls eye him admiringly, or maybe it’s the undressing with his eyes thing he does to said girls. Maybe it’s the bragging, the I-don’t-give-a-crap attitude or the knowledge he can get any girl on campus. Or, rather, any girl in the state.

Maybe it’s because I’m attracted to him when I most definitely do not want to be, combined with the fact he reminds me of everything I left at home in Brooklyn.

I shake those thoughts off and carry on looking around the room of the frat house as if he doesn’t exist. It’s hard to do – especially when he has three girls on his arm and other unmentionable body parts. Did I mention the guy is sinfully hot?

He has this messy, sun-kissed blonde hair with natural highlights that most girls would – and do – pay a fortune for. His eyes are so blue they’re almost electric, and his skin is naturally tanned from the California sunshine. I’m sure I don’t need to mention his perfectly lean, muscular body because, after all, this is California and surfing since you can walk is a requirement to life.

“Stop ogling him.” Kayleigh steps up next to me and nudges my shoulder.

“That’s about as likely as me doing a striptease for the whole house,” I reply.

“Honey, I can name several guys that would not walk away from that.”

Kyle winks at me across the bar in the kitchen and I sigh. “They can keep dreaming. Never gonna happen, Kay.”

“Shame.” She grins at me. “I can’t say I’d walk away either.”

I shake my head, but I’m smiling. Since the day Kay walked into our dorm room five weeks ago, she’s been open about her sexuality. She’s bisexual and doesn’t care who knows. I respected her from the second we met. Her openness is refreshing to me.

“You’re incorrigible,” I mock scold.

“Hey, if the shoe fits!” She winks and snaps her fingers towards Kyle. “Drinks, mofo!”

“Wait your turn, ya pain,” he replies, pouring two vodka shots and handing them to someone at the end of the bar.

“I bet he’d jump to it if it was you askin’,” she whispers not so quietly.

“Now you’re talkin’, Kay!” Kyle turns and hits me with his thousand-watt smile. “Would you like a drink, gorgeous girl?”

“I’m fine, thank you.” I smile politely. “I’m sure Kay will take one, though.”

“Bull. Shit.” Kay leans forward and slaps a hand on the bar surface. “Four vodka shots, Kyle. Tonight I’m showing Miss Maddie how it’s done.”

“Right on!” He turns and lines up four shot glasses.

“Kay,” I hiss. “You know I don’t drink!”

“Didn’t,” she corrects. “Didn’t drink. You do now.”

“Kay.”

“Maddie,” she mimics my tone of voice and accepts the glasses Kyle slides to us. “One, two, bam. That’s how we’re doin’ this, baby girl. No thinkin’, no messin’. Down them both.”

“This is such a bad idea,” I mutter, picking up both glasses and peering at the strong smelling liquid. “If I vomit, you’re cleaning it up.”

“Always.” She winks. “Ready? One, two, bam!”

Tip. Swallow. Tip. Swallow.

My throat burns as the alcohol slides down it, and I pat my chest as if that’ll stop the red hot feeling. Kyle smirks at me.

“Thought you didn’t drink?” he asks.

“I don’t,” I reply, putting the glasses down.

“She’s gonna be a hard one to crack.” Kay wipes her chin. “Sure you haven’t ever drank before, Mads?”

I shrug one shoulder, the lie falling easily from my lips. “Obviously I’ve drunk alcohol, just not enough to get me drunk.”

“This changes tonight!” Kay bangs the counter again. “Kyle, six more shots.”

“Of?”

“Of whatever the f**k you wanna put in the glasses.”

“Make it twelve,” Lila says, sliding in next to me. “Three for me, three for Megan when she gets here.”

“Twelve? How many glasses do you girls think I have?” Kyle jokes and opens another cupboard. There’s a shelf of shot glasses neatly lined up.

“I’d hate to be whoever cleans those tomorrow,” I say.

“Braden.” Kyle laughs. “I just get to serve them to your beautiful faces. Unlucky for him, but definitely lucky for me.” He leans forward and places three glasses in front of me with a smile that would melt any other girls heart. I raise an eyebrow and wait patiently as he hands everyone else their shots.

“Did I miss anything?” Megan shuffles between me and Lila, her blonde hair bobbing as she bounces excitedly. “Ooh, so many shots? What’s the occasion?”

“Maddie’s getting drunk!” Kay announces, lifting up the first glass.

“No way!” Megan tilts her face towards me. “For real?”

“Apparently,” I reply dryly.

“Aw shucks, Mads. It’s fun!” She wiggles her body and Kyle’s eyes move to her chest. Megan’s very well-endowed in the boob department and likes to let the world know.

“No more talkin’!” Lila huffs, picking up a glass. “One, two, three, bam?”

“Yah, duh!” Kay laughs and picks up the second glass.

I take a deep breath and pick up two glasses. What the hell is wrong with me tonight? I don’t drink, at least, not like this. I can’t be out of control.

“Bam!” Kay shouts.

One. Two. Three. Fire.

Whee.

I blink a few times and swallow. “Holy sh-crap.”

“It’s working,” Lila giggles. “Maddie doesn’t swear, ever!”

“I didn’t swear,” I protest. “Crap is not a swear word.”

“Fine, you almost swore.” She rolls her dark, kohl-lined eyes. “I will have one naughty word out of those pretty pink lips before the night is up!”

I resist the urge to roll my eyes.

“I’d like a few things out of those pretty pink lips,” Kyle comments, winking at me.

“Fuckin’ pig!” Kay punches his arm over the bar.

“Jesus, Kay. Your fist made of f**king iron?” He rubs his arm.

“For you, Kyle honey, my fist can be whatever you want it to be.” She winks and stands up straight, grabbing my hand. “Come on, baby girl, we’re goin’ to shake our booties!”

I shoot Lila a ‘help me!’ look and tug on Megan’s shirt.