The Love Game (The Game #1)(7)
Author: Emma Hart

“Desperate times call for desperate measures, my friend. I always get what I want, and I want Maddie in my bed.”

“In that case, I hope you know what you’re doing. We all know what Megan is like when she gets an idea in her head.”

“Megan’s ideas can stay in her head. I never paid attention to them as a kid, and I won’t start now. Besides, it’s not like this thing with Maddie is even real. It’s all a game, man.”

“A love game?” Ryan chuckles.

“Something like that. Except the one who falls in love, loses.”

“And Braden never loses, right?” Ryan smiles wryly.

“Right.”

Chapter Seven – Maddie

I knock on Lila and Megan’s door before pushing it open. Both of them are stretched out on their beds doing schoolwork, and I drop myself on the floor between them, letting the door shut itself.

“Where’s Kay?” Lila asks, glancing at me.

“She’s, um, entertaining.”

“Oh.” Her mouth drops open slightly.

“Yes. Oh.”

“Who this time?” Megan rolls over.

“Darla somebody.” I shrug. “I have no idea, and I’d rather not know to be honest. It’s not like I’ll see her again.”

She nods. “Mhmm. Heard from Bray?”

“Why would I have? He doesn’t have my cell number.”

“Why not?” Lila smiles.

“Because I’m holding out on him.”

“Because he f**ked up the first date, asked her for a second, and she hasn’t answered him yet,” Megan clarifies.

“You didn’t?” Lila exclaims. “Oh, nice one, Mads. That’s definitely gonna keep him coming back.”

“It’s not about that.” I pick at some lint on my jeans. “I see the way he walks all over girls, and it makes me sick. I won’t be like that, running and falling at his feet just because the infamous Braden calls my name. If I’m gonna play this guy at his own game and make him fall in love with me, he’s gonna respect me while he does it.”

Megan smiles. “And that, honey, is why you are the perfect girl for the job.”

Lila nods her agreement. “It’s true, and it’s why it’s gonna work. You know what you’re doing.”

Because I know how to handle pig-headed, arrogant male ass**les.

“Whatever. I just want to get it done with. The idea of pretending to fall in love with him makes me feel sick.”

Megan’s phone chimes, and she grabs it from the side. She smirks at whatever is on screen and types back quickly.

“Anything interesting?” Lila asks her.

“Nope,” she replies, rolling over onto her back. “So, where are we on OPTP?”

“Holding out on the second date. Making him sweat.” I lean against the bed, and she grabs a notebook.

“And when are you going to give him an answer?”

"Umm." I haven’t thought about that. At all. “Wednesday, I guess.”

They both nod. “Wednesday is good. That gives him time to plan something for this weekend.”

“But aren’t we supposed to be ‘exclusive’ next week?” I look between them, confused.

“You will be.” Megan snaps the notebook shut. “You have two classes together, right? So you’ll see each other then and one of your free periods matches.”

“So?”

Lila groans. “Have you ever dated before?”

“Once,” I admit.

“Once?” She sits up. “Just once?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

Because all the guys in Brooklyn were tools. “Just… Because.”

“Wait a minute.” Megan sits up and looks at me. “Maddie, honey. Are you a virgin? ‘Cause if you are we won’t make you do this.”

There it is. My out. For some reason, though, I’m not taking it.

“No,” I reply with a smirk. “I’m not a virgin.”

“Phew.” She flops backwards. “I’d never make you lose your virginity like that.”

“What are we doing then?” Lila asks. “Are Mads and Braden gonna spend not-a-date time together?”

“Yes,” Megan replies. “Starting tomorrow. I’ll switch seats with him in English. He sits with Aston and I’m sure it won’t take much to convince Aston I’m interested.” She wrinkles her nose.

“You’re not?” I ask her. “He is kinda hot.”

“I admit his short hair is kinda sexy, but he’s also a bit of a bitch for a straight guy. He spends so long getting ready.”

Lila grunts. “Have you met my boyfriend? Ryan is just as bad.”

They carry on talking about Aston and Ryan, and I zone out, picking at my nails. First dates, now time outside of that and seating arrangements? This is getting crazy.

I mean, I guessed it would happen eventually, but it’s just too soon. How am I supposed to spend so much time with a guy I hate?

~

I twirl a lock of hair around my finger, humming quietly to myself as I enter the library. A quick glance at the clock reads 10.55am. I’m five minutes early to meet Megan – not that it means anything since she’s always late anyway.

I sit at my usual table at the back and dump my bag on the table, knocking an earphone out in the process. With a sigh, I put it back in and pull out my English work I’ve been procrastinating. If there’s one thing I hate, it’s Shakespeare. I just don’t understand him – there’s too much tragedy in his work. I’m definitely more of a Disney’s happily ever after girl.

I guess if you’ve suffered enough tragedy in your life, happily ever after becomes something to reach out for.

I open the workbook to the right page and spin my pen in my fingers. The letters blur in front of my eyes and I rub at them to clear them.

I can’t concentrate, and I know why. It’s this challenge. It’s getting to me already. He’s getting to me already.

Damn Braden Carter, damn my girls, and damn whoever created the minefield that is the game of love. I’d sure love to shoot Cupid in the ass with his own arrow.

“That book must be really interesting,” a smooth, silky voice says over my shoulder. “You’ve been staring at it for five minutes.”

“Braden,” I acknowledge, not needing to look to see if it’s him. The hairs standing on the back of my neck are indication enough.

“Want some company, Angel?” He slips into the seat next to me.

I look at him. “Apparently you’re staying, anyway.”

His blue eyes twinkle with amusement. “Is that a yes?”

“That’s an ‘I’m meeting Megan but whatever.’”

“Actually, you’re not.” He nudges my foot with his. I frown. “She said she had to run somewhere so asked me to come and let you know. Since I have a free period I thought I’d join you. If you don’t mind.”