Bet On Us [L.P.]

4. Beauty and the Beast

This entire week Jeff and Kyle have been pestering me about tonight's gathering at Annabella's place.

I can't believe she invited you as her date.

Have you slept with her yet?

Don't think this means she'll end up falling for you.

Why did Jeff give you the rich one?

Their continuous harassment of questions has irritated me to the max, although they haven't asked me the golden question.

Do I have feelings for Belle?

That's the question I've been asking myself ever since I dropped Belle off on Monday. Her smile, her laugh, the warmth her small hand brings me when its intertwined with mine.

These are all small things I notice about her, that I have never noticed about other girls. And trust me, there have been plenty of other girls. To me, those girls were nothing more than a use for pleasure and money making. And yes, Annabella is suppose to be nothing to me also, but...I can't make myself think of her that way. It took that girl one date to completely change my view on women, and I'm not sure how to feel about that. Hell, I've been texting the girl nonstop since I got her phone number! I never text a girl.

Should I be happy? Am I suppose to tell her how I feel?

Am I suppose to end the bet?

I had no idea that I would start having feelings towards a girl that was suppose to be nothing more than a bet. Liking the girl was never part of the plan, and I hate that the feelings for her came so rapidly. It's something I've never felt before, something I can't explain. All I know is that I can't wait to see her later tonight.

"Well look at you, Payno." Kyle stands at the door frame of my room with a beer in his hand. His jeans are stained with oil and dirt, having just come from the car shop.

"Gotta dress to impress, am I right." I smile over at him while fixing up my tie in front of the mirror. Belle told me to dress formal tonight, much to my dismay.

"Maybe tonight she'll finally give into you once she sees how sharp you look." He grins at me while walking over to sit on the edge of my bed.

His comment immediately makes me angry, but I try to mask it since I can't let Kyle know how I actually feel about Annabella. Not for now, at least.

"Belle's not like that, Kyle. And if I see one oil stain on my comforter you're buying me an entire bed set." I turn to glare at him before going back to looking at the mirror.

He throws his hands up in surrender, quickly standing from my bed. "Well, if she doesn't give you any tonight, we could easily find you a couple of girls who will. There's a new club opening up downtown that Jeff and I are going to check out."

"If I don't leave Belle's place too late, I'll go. I'll text you." I lie to him. I asked for tonight off from work to be with Annabella, not to go clubbing. Even though that's exactly where you would be able to find me last week, I want to try to change the way I am. I'm not going to end the bet until I can figure out how I'm going to pay Jeff the $6,000. It's a lot of money, but I can't afford Annabella finding out about the bet.

"Alright man, I'll leave you to your grooming." He tells me patting my back, making me roll my eyes. "Let me know how tonight goes with the Royals."