The Love Game (The Game, #1)

CHAPTER Forty-Six – Braden

My eyes traveled around the frat house a million times on Saturday night, yet I didn't see her at all. She's here, but she wasn't there. But she's here – in California.
My Maddie is back in California.
And it's taking every ounce of self-restraint I have not to run over to her dorm block like my ass is on f*ckin' fire. Because, like Megan said, I'd probably end up pinning her to a wall – and that's never good.
My leg shakes as I sit in English class, and my eyes are traveling the room again. I can't help it. She didn't show before she left. I want her to now. I need to see her.
The door opens, and Aston walks through. He crosses the room and sits next to me. “She's coming.”
I nod once and fix my eyes on the door. If she's coming, then she'll be here-
Now.
She's here. Megan's arm is linked through hers, but Maddie is smiling. It's a weak smile, and I hate myself for that. My hands tighten their grip on the edge of the desk, and I clench my teeth together. Aston kicks me.
Maddie's hair falls down and blocks her face from my view as she sits, not making eye contact with me. In fact, she didn't look anywhere close to me. I can't pretend that shit doesn't hurt, 'cause it damn well does.
I watch her all lesson instead of paying attention. How am I supposed to concentrate on anything but her? All there is, is Maddie. All there is, is everything that could have, would have, and should have been.
When class ends, I push my way through towards her table, catching them as they leave. Aston shakes his head, but I don't care. I have to talk to her.
“Meggy.” I nod at her and look at the person I'm really there for. “Maddie.”
She looks straight ahead, clutching a book to her chest. “Braden,” she says softly.
“How was Brooklyn?”
“It was.... Fine, thank you. How are you?”
“I'm....” I catch the warning look Megan shoots me. “I'm good. I guess.”
She nods slightly. “I've gotta....”
“Sure.” I open the classroom door for them, wanting to rip it off its hinges. “See you later.”
“Yeah, see you,” she whispers and leaves quickly. Megan shoots me an evil glare and points her finger.
“Not what she needed,” she hisses.
“I needed to see her, Meggy.” I meet her eyes, and they soften. “I needed to speak to her. She is.... She's okay, right?”
She sighs, her whole body sagging. “I don't know what you want me to say, Bray. But.... Sure, if it makes you feel better, she's fine.”
“And if it doesn't?” I clench my teeth.
“Then she's still fine.” She turns around and runs after Maddie.
I make a sound of disbelief and anger. Aston grabs the door to stop me slamming it and gives me a look.
So I get a little crazy where Maddie is concerned.

~

I avoid the cafeteria like a plague knowing she'll be in there. It was more painful seeing her than I thought it would be. Instead of going there like I normally would, I head back to the frat house. I dump my backpack on the floor by my desk and drop back onto my bed, my hands clasped behind my head.
I had so many grand plans of how I'd get her to talk to me. I was determined to make her listen, make her believe I love her, but then.... I see her, and all that disappears because I don't wanna talk to her.
I just wanna grab her. I wanna hold her tight and stroke her hair. I want to kiss the corners of her eyes and never let go of her. Because she's mine.
Goddammit, Maddie Stevens is mine. And that's the bottom line. It always will be.
She'll always be mine – and I'll always be hers.