The Bet (Book 1 in The Deception Series)

Chapter 7: surprises and butterflies

Taylor

~~~~~~

"Little Freak"- Harry Styles

I sit in the passenger seat of Garrett Gray's car as he drives me somewhere. No idea where. I couldn't stop thinking about what he said earlier at the restaurant. Why did he care so much about what I thought of him? I've been in his class since the beginning of the year and he never even looked my way. We were strangers. Now all of a sudden he's so invested in my opinion on him.

The sound of The Killers 'Brightside' filled the car speakers. I looked at Garrett who was tapping his fingers against the steering wheel to the beat of the song. I sigh as I look out the window, my mind filled with so many things. I shouldn't be around this guy, it's not a good idea. He was destined to ruin my entire life, I knew it. But why was I still in this car with him?

"Okay, favorite song at the moment?" He asks as he turns the music on stero down a little.

I look at him and see him focused on the road ahead, his jaw perfectly chiseled and his skin practically glowing.

"Ummm, 'Pool House'." I answer.

I watch a smile appear on his pink lips as he glances over at me, "Backstreet Lovers?" He asks.

"That's the one." I nod, trying to hold back my excitement because he actually knew what I was talking about.

"I love that song." He says.

"It's a pretty good song." I reply.

I don't why it made me happy to hear him say that but it did. I didn't expect someone like him to listen to the same music as me.

"Okay, favorite band." I announce, trying to put in the same effort into the conversation as he was.

"Easy. Maroon 5." He quickly answers.

I raise my eyebrows, "Really? Their new music is not that good anymore."

"I'm not talking about their new music. I'm talking about their old music." He explains.

"What's your favorite album?" I ask, curious about his taste in music.

"Songs About Jane." He tells me.

I smile as I look over at him, "I love that one too."

"Favorite song on the album." He announces.

"Uhhh, 'This Love'." I tell him, "What about you?"

"She Will Be Loved." He replies.

I stare at him. I was definitely not expecting that song. Out of all the songs on the album, he chose that one? I loved that song, I thought it was beautiful. And it's Garrett Gray's favorite song?

"Why that one?" I found myself asking him.

He shrugs as he glances over at me, "I just like the meaning of it." He explains.

"Wow, Garrett Gray has emotions?" I joke.

He chuckles and shakes his head, "Told you that you didn't know who I was."
I smile as my brown eyes meet his green ones, "You did say that."

He smiles at me before I look away. I looked out the window at all the buildings and trees we were passing.

"You know what song you remind me of?" He asks.

I feel my heart skip a little when I hear him say that. I look back at him and see him looking at the road ahead, "What song?"
"The Harry Styles song, 'Little Freak'." He explains.

My heart almost stops beating and my stomach does a flip. I'm not exaggerating. I swear it flips inside.

"Oh." I say in shock.

He chuckles, "Oh? That's it. Wow, is Tay-Tay speechless?"

I smile and shake my head, "Shut up, idiot."

He laughs before grabbing his phone, I watch as he taps at it making me frown.

"Get off your phone and focus on the road." I snap at him.

"Yes, ma'm." He says before he turns off the phone and puts it down. He reaches for the stereo and turns the volume up.

'Little Freak' fills my ears and I couldn't help but smile at him. He looks at me and gives me a small wink before looking back at the road.

I sigh as I look out the window, humming the song quietly to myself.

"Where are we going?" I ask him.

"It's a surprise." He smiles.

"You're full of surprises today, huh?" I mock.

He shrugs, "What can I say?"

I shake my head before looking back out the window, enjoying the song that was playing as he starts quietly singing along with the song. And it was actually pretty good too. He was singing to himself but I was glad I could hear it.

I can't believe this song reminds him of me. I was processing every little lyric as it played throughout the car.

We drive for a few more minutes before we turn into a neighborhood. His neighborhood.

"Are you serious?" I ask as we pull into his driveway.

"I want you to meet my roommates." He smiles as he turns the car off.

I groan as I watch him get out of the car. I get out and follow him inside the house, debating whether or not I should turn around and make a run for it.

He walks me to the front door and we both walk in. My ears are filled with the sound of music.

Garrett leads me into the kitchen and I see 3 guys. And one who was only wearing his boxers.

"Guys, meet Tay-Tay. My new best friend." Garrett says as he throws his arm over my shoulder.

"It's Taylor." I correct as I push his arm off of me.

"I like Tay-Tay better." The almost naked guys smirked.

"That's Chris," Garett says, "Dude, put clothes on." He adds.

"Never." Chris says.

I couldn't help but laugh a little at him.

"You already know Jake," Garrett says as he points to his friend.

I nod and give him a small wave.

"And that's Brennen." He says as he points to a tall black haired guy.

I smile at him and he nods.

"Alright, now that introductions are done. Do you want a beer Tay-Tay?" Garrett asks as he opens the fridge.

"Sure." I say.

"Hey, Tay-Tay. Come play some pool with us." Brennen calls.

I follow him and the others to the massive pool table in the mansion while Garrett gets my drink for me. I thank Brennen as he hands me a pool stick.

"Have you ever played before?" He asks.

"I tried, but I suck ass." I tell him.

"Brennen, why don't you show her how to play since you're an expert at 8 ball." Chris says.

Brennen chuckles before grabbing my pool stick and holding it as if he were about to hit the balls.

"Alright just hold it like this and make sure to use your dominant hand and spread the thumb and pointer finger out." He explains before handing the stick to me.

I tried to copy the way he held it but failed, miserably.

"Like this, doll face." He says as he comes close to me and wraps his arms around me, moving my hands to the correct spots.

I feel butterflies in my stomach as he helps me. Not good, Taylor. Stop it right now. Do not trust him. Or any of these guys. Especially Garrett Gray.

Holy fuck.