The Love Game (The Game, #1)

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*cked 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 a*sholes.
“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.”
Sneaky little witch! “I guess not, then. I'll warn you though, I don't talk much when I'm studying.”
“Neither do I.” He smiles at me, and I inwardly sigh. I appear to be sighing an awful lot lately.
I set my iPod on shuffle and put the other earphone in. I turn my attention back to Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing and attempt to sift through the old language. It doesn't go well.
I've been fighting against thrices and m'ladys and hasts for way too long when I feel Braden's arm rest across the back of my chair. He grasps a bit of my hair, teasing it between his fingers. I ignore him. Or, I try to.
He's sitting next to me, so casually. He's chewing his pen and flicking through pages of what looks like a chem book. He's also oblivious to the fact I'm looking at him.
I'm looking at him? Sheesh. I turn my attention back to the book, with him still playing with my hair, and carry on dissecting the scene for Mr Jessop.
An earphone falls out of my ear.
“Ready?” Braden asks.
“For what?” I frown.
“To go to class?” He smirks. “You really do get lost in studying, don't you?”
“Sometimes,” I answer, shoving everything into my bag. I stand, and he takes my bag from me. “I can carry my bag, you know.”
“I know.” He starts walking, and I follow him, shaking my head. He holds the library door open for me, and I pass through it, holding my hand out.
“Bag. Please.”
“Why won't you let me carry it?”
I raise an eyebrow. “Braden, I don't think I've ever seen you carry someone else's bag for them.”
He shrugs and puts a hand on my back, leading me towards our English room. “You're not anyone else.”
I purse my lips, and my eyes widen when I see Megan sitting in his normal seat next to Aston. I glare at her, and she smiles sweetly.
“Apparently I'm sitting with you.” Braden smiles.
“Apparently.” I sit down and he hands me my stuff. “Thank you. It was unnecessary, but thank you.”
“Any time.” He turns to me, blue eyes bright under his messy mop of blonde hair. “Have you decided if I get that second date yet?”
I turn my eyes to the front as Mr Jessop walks in. “I'm still thinking.”
Braden leans in to me, his mouth millimeters from my ear. “You'll give in, Maddie.”
“Will I now?”
“Yep,” he breathes. “I'll have that second date, and a third, and then more.”
“You're really confident for someone who messed up on the first date.”
“And that's why you'll give me more dates. They're chances to redeem myself.”
He's right. He'll get more dates, of course he will.
Just not for the reason he thinks.