Do Players Fall In Love?

Chapter 13.

Chapter 13

ZACH'S P. O. V.

I breathed in her coconut scent slowly. I never knew how good coconuts could smell. I didn't let go of her waist when I whispered, "How do you always smell good?"

She laughed and pushed my arms away. "Why are you always touching me?"

I backed away a little. I smirked anyway and said, "Because I know it drives you crazy."

She looks back at me and just as she does, I pull my bottom lip into my mouth. As the days go on the urge to say fuck it and kiss her has been growing out of control.

"I'm perfectly sane, thank you very much," she adds with her smart mouth. I reach out to place my hands on her hips. Wanting to feel more, I gently trail them up the her ribs, feeling her shiver underneath my fingertips. I bring them back down to my sides, loving the shade of pink her cheeks are.

***

"Oh my God! Where do you learn to cook like this?" Lauren moaned as she ate her omelette that Taylor made. I took a bite of mine and had to admit, it was really good. I nodded in agreement with Lauren.

"It's nothing really. I just like to cook. My dad said he would let me cook in the restaurant once I turn eighteen. I'm going to ask him about it tomorrow." I couldn't help but notice the way Taylor's eyes lit up when she talked about cooking. She doesn't talk about it often, but I notice the shift in her demeanor every time it's brought up.

"You should cook for me more often, baby girl." I said, taking an other bite.

"Shut up." Taylor muttered, but I still caught her smiling.

TAYLOR'S P. O. V.

We finished breakfast in silence. I stacked all the plates together and stood up.

"Do we get to open our presents now?" I questioned excitedly.

Zach rolled his eyes. Lauren and Blake stood up too.

"My present for you is still upstairs so I'll grab that quick." I said to Zach. I placed the dishes in the sink and rushed up the steps. I walked into my closet and picked up the neatly wrapped box that was hidden there for the past week. I walked back downstairs and saw everyone in the living room.

"So, do you want to go first or should I?" Zach asked. I could tell he was trying not to sound to excited, but I know he really was.

"I'll go first." I said, sounding extremely selfish. I couldn't help it. I was dying to know what Lauren got and especially what Zach got me. Blake said that his present was with Zach's but what does that mean?

"Okay, open mine first." Lauren said smiling. I smiled back, and moved to sit down next to Zach.

"No, here please," he says, motioning to his lap. Maybe it was the please or maybe it was the fact that it's our birthday, but I comply without a fight. He grabbed my waist and lifted me a little to adjust my position. When he was done, he still left his hands on my waist. I could feel myself blush a little, but I don't think anyone noticed.

"Happy birthday." Lauren said, handing me a little black box with a pretty little bow sitting on top. I smiled and opened it.

Inside was a beautiful necklace with an infinity sign. Little diamonds were placed around it, making it shine in every angle. When I flipped it over, the back of the infinity sign said 'Best Friends Forever.' My heart swells for the thought behind her gift. 

"Lauren it's beautiful. Thank you so much." I leaned over, still on Zach's lap, and hugged her. When I let go, I saw her reach under he shirt and pull out a similar necklace, but her's was a heart. I laughed a little and set the box back on the table. I took the wrapped flat square from the table and saw Blake smirking. I impatiently unwrapped it.

It was a CD, confirming my thoughts. It wasn't one of my favorite bands, or singers. It was a CD that Zach made. I love Zach's voice and he knows that. To have an actual CD is unbelievable. The cover was a picture of Zach and Blake with their arms crossed and their backs leaning against each other. They had ridiculous sunglasses on. Now I know what Blake meant that his present was with Zach's. Blake played guitar since he was in middle school, I remember Lauren telling me that a long time ago. He must've played guitar while Zach sang.

I flipped the case over and read over the list of songs. I notice one of them is She will be loved, and smiled remembering our time in the car. The smile from my face grew as I quickly turned on Zach's lap to hug him. I wrapped my arms around his neck and laughed.

"So, you like it?"

I pulled away a bit. "I love it!" Then I remembered the present wasn't only from Zach. I hopped off Zach's lap and made my way to Blake to gave him a short hug.

"Thank you so much. Both of you, little shits." Everyone laughed and I sat down next to Zach this time, so I could see his reaction for when he opens mine and Lauren's present for him.

"Okay now it's your turn to open my present!" I gushed.

"And mine." Lauren included, jokingly glaring at me.

He chuckled lightly and picked up the medium sized box and shook it playfully. I waited in anticipation for him to open it.

ZACH'S P. O. V.

I slowly ripped the paper from the box, knowing that it was killing Taylor to see my reaction. To be honest, I had no clue what she would've got me. Taylor huffed at my speed, so I just teared it open.

It was a box with a lid, so I took the lid off. Inside neatly tucked, was a brand new pair of cleats for baseball. I'm pretty sure my jaw dropped. My mind travels back to the other day when Taylor was in my room with me, yelling at me to clean it. She kept calling my old ones junk. When I went to order a new pair online, they were sold out, so I have no idea how she got a hold of these. The whole bottom was a deep red color and the sides were black. There was a red check on the outside, with a white outline. I gave Taylor a swift kiss on the cheek.

"Thanks, baby girl." I saw her blush and look at me with innocent eyes.

Blake cleared his throat, and I turned to him. He handed me an envelope, which I was assuming was my gift. I took it and opened it up, peeking inside. I pulled it out, and inside was two tickets for a Drake concert that was next year, and sold out. Damn, these people know how to get their hands on shit.

"Bro, Drake?? I thought these were sold out?"
I shot up, giving a full blown bear hug to Blake. I squeezed him as hard as I could.

"Can't. Breath." He gasped.

I laughed and pulled away and couldn't wipe the smile off my face. "So are you coming with me?" I asked, my voice shaking from excitement.

"You know damn well I'm coming with." He nods his head proudly.

"I'm so fucking hype my guy."

"If you guys are done with your... moment, I would like to do something."

I roll my eyes and face Taylor. "Well what does my birthday babe want to do?"

"Well, we could go out and do something before the game." Suggested Lauren.

"Like what?" I ask.

"Well I would rather stay in, to be honest." Taylor said.

"Me too." I agree.

"Well I bet I could smoke all you bitches in a game of Mario Cart." Blake cockily remarks.

I scoff. "Yeah right, we all know I would win."

"In your dreams. I think you know I'm the real master at that game." Taylor insists, picking up the wii remotes.

"It's on" Lauren says.

I chuckle and sit down on the couch. Lauren ends up on Blake's lap and Taylor sits on the floor, with a determined look in her eye. Since I already admitted I like her, I think it's safe to say she's adorable. While she puts in the DVD and hands everyone their remote, she catches me staring at her. Instead of turning away, I send her a small smile.

I pick baby mario, Taylor is baby peach, Blake is Luigi, and Lauren is Yoshi. Oh, it's definitely on.