Playing the Player's Game

Chapter Sixteen : Late Nights

Who thinks that True is stupid?

Who thinks that True isn't stupid?

Late Nights

Mandolin Carter POV

I was sitting on the couch watching TV. I still had ice on my cheek from where True punched me two days ago. It had left a pretty nasty bruise too.

I hadn't talked to Lexington since that night. I haven't really tried but I bet if I did she'd ignore me. I would ignore me too.

I did her wrong. Really, really wrong. I checked the clock and frowned. True got off an hour ago. Where was she? I sighed and decided to just chill out.

She wasn't me. She wouldn't be out fucking bitches and smoking. Or at least I hoped not.

But there's one thing I did know. She was with Don and that didn't sit right with me.

I called her and she answered when I thought it would go to voice-mail.

"Hello?" I asked, uncertainity clear in my voice.

"Yeah, wassup Mando?" she said but I heard her shushing someone in the background.

"Where are you?" I asked, frowning already upset.

"I'm out with Java and Ali." she said.

"Is Don there?" I asked, hating the insecurity flowing in my voice.

"Uh, yeah. Look I gotta go." she said.

"Wait. When are you coming home?" I asked.

"Soon." she said.

"Okay, I lo-"

She had already ended the call. Was this how she felt? Because I felt like shit.

Overwhelmed. Sad. Depressed. Needing attention. Craving smoke. Craving drank. Craving touch.

I frowned to myself. I couldn't just go fuck another girl could I? Of course not. That'd be wrong. Inconsiderate. Dirty. Stupid.

But that's what True was doing? But she's not physically cheating on me. If anything she's gaining feelings for Don.

And soon they're going to be stronger than hers for me. I can see it in her eyes when she looks at Don. They light like they used to when I was still her baby. When I actually treated her right.

Why did I have to go and fuck up? I had a girl and played her. If only she'd give me the chance this time. To make it right. I could do that, couldn't I?

I thought about the way I was craving someone's attention. What was wrong with me? Why did I need so much attention?

Surely a normal person didn't crave attention 24/7.

I sighed and checked the clock. It'd only been twenty minutes since I'd talk to True but it seemed like a lifetime.

I felt sick. I needed someone to give me attention. Without attention I felt worthless. Like I was nothing. Nobody. Like nobody cared.

I called Jay, my hands shaking and my body covered in sweat. Was I having a panic attack?

"What it do my nigga?" he greeted me.

"J-jay." I stumbled out.

He sounded concerned, "Mando, what's wrong? Where the fuck you at?"

"H-h-home. I don't feel so good." I said, feeling tears building in my eyes.

What the fuck was wrong with me?

"Why?" he asked.

"I-i don't know. I'm shaking and sweating and I feel like I'm going puke." I said.

"I'm 3 minutes away." he said, ending the call.

I curled into a ball hugging my knees. I felt tears roll down my cheeks.

What the fuck was wrong with me?

True Bennington POV

I enjoyed my night. I checked my phone for the time. It'd been 3 hours since I last spoke to Mandolin.

I pulled up to my apartment, seeing Jays car I frowned. Why is he here? I got out and walked towards the front of my apartment.

Upon entering, I saw Mando and Jay smoking in my living room. I groaned, she knew I didn't like that shit.

"Please put that out." I said, sitting my purse on the table.

"Where you been?" Jay asked.

I rolled my eyes, "Last time I checked you wasn't my nigga. So get out my business and out of my apartment."

He smirked, "Will do."

"Bye nigga."

He walked out and didn't slam my door. Bet not.

"True, where was you at?" Mando said, standing up and walking towards me.

"I told you I was out." I said, looking up at her.

She looked so sad. But she deserved it. One night of sadness doesn't compare to 912 nights of crying and wishing my girlfriend cared enough to bring her ass home.

"Who was you with? You knew I was waiting on you, why you stay out so late?" she asked, grabbing my waist.

My stomach stirred at this. She never grabbed me anymore, she barely touched me.

"I was with Don, Ali, and Java. And because I was enjoying myself." I said, looking her in the face.

She licked her lips. My stomach ached at what was about to happen. I wanted it so bad. Mando hadn't fucked me in so long and I wasn't going to physically cheat on Mando. Not like what she's done to me. But I owed this to Don.

I wasn't about to have sex with Mando. She swooped down and kissed my lips. I barely remembered the last time we kissed. She locked her arms around my waist and her kisses trailed down to my neck.

I will not moan. I will stop this when she thinks for sure she's getting some. Like she used to do me.

She pushed us back until we hit the couch and I felt her nibble on my neck. I pushed against her when she began to grind against me.

"Baby, why you pushing me?" she asked, kissing me again.

"I'm not feeling this." I said, quoting her exact words the last time I tried to have sex with her.

She looked shocked. She moved off of me and watched me from the corner of her eye.

"Are you fucking Don?" she asked.

I laughed, "Nope."

"Do you love her?" she asked, her eyes glazing over.

I felt bad instantly. I didn't answer her and I hurried away before she cried. I never seen her cry before and I didn't want to now.

Nothing would detour me away from my plan. Not her pain, not her crying, not Don leaving. Nothing will.

This had to be done. It's justice. It's what has to be done. Two wrongs don't make a right but in this case, it didn't have to. She had to learn a lesson about cheating and hurting. She had to understand the pain. Maybe if she understood the pain, she wouldn't cause it.

I started the shower on warm and felt myself instantly relax. I needed to relax. This plan can't take more than a month. I promised by next month that I'd be done with Mandolin and happily dating Don.

I knew this would be true. Part of me never wanted to see Mandolin again. Part of me hated her. Loathed her. Despised her. But the other part still clung to the possibility that she was the same old Mandolin who loved me.

But that part of me was so small. The pain she caused me overshadowed it. I tried to be a good girlfriend. Pretend it wasn't happening but a girl can only be so oblivious before they changed.

And I changed.

End of chapter Sixteen. I hope you enjoyed it. If you did leave a vote and comment. If not, then tell me how to improve. I love feedback. Unedited.

Xoxo,
Lesha.