Game On

Chapter 29: Picture

Nick's POV

I don't get how people can be so nice, never hurting anyone, ever.

That's the easiest way to get things done. Hurt them or threaten to hurt them, it works almost all of the times, but it gets tricky when you don't want to hurt the person, and your threats don't work.

Like with Alex.

Then, you have to find their weakness. In this case, something as cliché as her friends.

Hurt them or threaten to, and you got yourself an angry but controllable Alex at your service.

I didn't want to make everything as bad as it is, but she left me with no choice.

Yes, I like Alex.

Yes, I know she hates me.

Yes, I know I messed everything up even more by hurting her friends.

No, I'm not sorry for doing it.

She needs to be taught a lesson or two but right now, she has to eat.

We're in the kitchen and she sits on one of the chairs by the island but she hasn't touched or even glanced at the plate with fried fries and chicken that's in front of her.

I bet it's cold by now too.

I sigh and look at her, pulling my hand restlessly through my hair.

Her raven hair falls down her shoulders in a mess but it still frames her face and brings out the icing blue in her eyes.

Even though she isn't even trying, she looks gorgeous.

I do feel lucky for having her, but I wish it was under different circumstances.

Truth to be told, I'm not a good guy. I never was and never will.

I want Alex more than I want anything else.

No, I'm not obsessed, even though that's the term she would use, but I enjoy her company at the same time as it's driving me nuts.

I admire her courage at the same time as I curse it.

I like her stubbornness at the same time as it annoys me.

I love her smile at the same time as I'm the one who washes it away.

I crave for her at the same time as I keep feeding her reasons to hate me.

And all of that am I doing because I want to keep her.

"You have to eat", I tell her but she doesn't respond. She's giving me the silent treatment and trust me when I say that I hate it.

She's acting like if I don't even exist. I sigh and decide to prove her that I sure as hell do.

I walk up to her and place myself close, very close, to her. Even though she's trying to hide it, I can feel her body tense up as my breathing hits her neck.

"Eat up", I command and as I still get no response, I wrap my arms securely around her waist, being able to do so thanks to the bar stool she's sitting on.

I wait for her reaction, but none come and I groan in frustration and start to slowly move my hands down to her thigh.

I'm almost starting to think that she, against all odds, won't say anything now either, but then I suddenly hear her bright voice, barely above a whisper.

"Please stop", she says and I obey. All I wanted from her was a reaction, which I got.

I move my hands back to her waist and then leave one there and trail up to her face with my other, stroking back a piece of hair behind her ear.