Playing for Keeps (The Game #2)(53)
Author: Emma Hart

“It doesn’t make sense.”

“What doesn’t?”

“Why you love me.”

“There’s no logic to love. It just is. Just like us. We just are.”

~

Everything is easier when a secret is out. Now I don’t have to worry about looking at Aston wrong or saying something that might look suspicious. I don’t have to watch my every movement, bite my tongue or clench my fists so I don’t touch him.

And I love it.

I love that we can just be.

I don’t care about the whispers from people outside our circle of friends, the ones who don’t know the truth, and I don’t care about the looks that come from other girls. I just care that I can fall into his arms when I find him standing outside my classroom, just like he is now.

“Shakespeare hasn’t killed you yet, then,” he says as he smiles at me, taking my hand.

I look over at him. “No, not yet, but there’s every possibility of it in the future.”

“Not a damn chance.”

“How do you know? Have you ever read act after act of Shakespeare?”

“Because I’d revive you before you completely died.”

“And just how would you do that?”

He tugs me out the door and catches me against his body. “A bit like this.” He grins and presses his lips to mine hotly, capturing me in a kiss that would most definitely revive me if I was dying.

Hell, I think it would revive me if I was freakin’ dead.

“Think that would work?” he mutters, a smug grin on his face.

“Yup,” I mutter back, slightly dazed.

He laughs, keeping his arm locked around my waist, and steers me in the direction of Starbucks. I snuggle into his side, sighing happily. It’s strange to think that a month ago we were constantly bickering, whether it was real or fake, genuine or pretense. Everything has changed so quickly.

We order coffee and take a seat by the window.

“I guess you’ll be going home this weekend. For Thanksgiving?”

I look at him and shrug. “I guess so.”

“You don’t sound happy about it.”

I’m not.

“I guess it’s the thought of having my mom looking over my shoulder every five minutes. I’ve had freedom for the last three months. Plus we usually do a thing with Braden’s family, but he won’t be there this year.” I stir my coffee. “I’m pretty sure it’s gonna suck without him.”

“He isn’t going home?”

I shake my head. “He’s taking Maddie back to Brooklyn. She doesn’t know yet. She thinks they’re going to his parents’.”

Aston smirks. “He’s sneaky.”

“He always has been.” I smile. “But his sneakiness means I have to suffer through dinner alone.” I sigh. Nothing is more tiring than the manners my mother insists on.

“Sounds like fun.”

“You could always come suffer with me, you know,” I offer. “Mom would love that.” Once I’ve told her about us.

“I dunno.” He pauses, taking my hand. “I don’t wanna leave Gramps alone.”

“You don’t have to. My nan will be there, and she’s about as normal as a straight-sided circle. They’d get along like a house on fire. She’d probably talk him into going to Bingo with her on the Friday night. And she smokes like a train.” I roll my eyes.

“Perfect match,” he says dryly. “And your Granddad?”

“He died in the Vietnam War. He was in the air force and got shot down. I never knew him so it’s kinda hard to be sad about it. My other grandparents – Dad’s parents – moved to Canada when they retired.”

“Canada?” Aston raises an eyebrow. “Isn’t that kind of an odd place to retire to?” A small smile creeps onto his face.

“Yes … But I never said they were normal.” I grin. “I thought they might have gone to, oh, I dunno, the Bahamas or something. Even moved from Colorado to Cali to be closer to Dad since he moved here to be with Mom after college, but nope. They went to freaking Canada, and we’re expected to pack up and go there every winter.” I shiver. “It’s so damn cold in Canada.”

“You really are a Cali princess.” He laughs.

“So I grew up in SoCal. Don’t shoot me for liking the sun.”

“You definitely grew up on the right side of California.”

“That’s why you and your Gramps should come with. He can go into cahoots with Nan and cause trouble, Mom can entertain the way she loves so much, and me and you can disappear the whole weekend.” I shrug. “Sounds good to me.”

“I dunno. I’ll have to talk to Gramps.”

“What would you normally do?”

“Uh …” Aston scratches the back of his neck, and my lips twitch in amusement. “Eat take-out, watch crap television, and drink beer.”

Typical guys. I giggle. “Okay, you’re definitely coming with me.”

~

“That was traumatic.” I drop onto the sofa next to Braden, shaking my head. He grins, and I know exactly what he’s about to say.

“She took it well, then?”

“You could say that,” I deadpan. “‘You have a boyfriend? A real boyfriend? Oh, Megan, that’s wonderful! Although, I do hope you’re using protection. We’ve had this discussion before, and you need an education, house, and job before you get yourself pregnant.’” I shake my head as if it’ll clear the headache brought on by my mom’s speech.

“She just cares.”

“Oh, I know. I love that she cares so much, but there’s really no need to bring it up in every conversation we have. We only spoke ten or so days ago. I’m not that forgetful.”

“She means well.”

“Yeah?” I raise an eyebrow at him. “Then why can’t you stop laughing?”

He shrugs and tries to stop. “I’m sorry, Meggy. I’m just secretly wishing I could see this meet the parents episode.”

“Oh, it’s meet the grandparents, too. Not doing anything by half.”

“Start as you mean to go on.” He grins. “Oh, man. I’m gonna have to call Mom three time a day for updates. How much are we betting your mom sits Aston down and gives him the pregnancy chat?”

My eyes widen and I look at him in panic. “She wouldn’t.”

Braden grins widely, amusement dancing in his eyes. “Oh, I can almost guarantee she will.”