Do Players Fall In Love?

Chapter 24.

Chapter 24.

TAYLOR'S P. O. V.

"Stop!" I yell, laughing and trying to move myself away from Zach.

"Please!" He laughs back, reaching for the lollipop in my hands.

"No, Lauren gave it to me, not you." It was strawberry, my absolute favorite flavor of any type of candy, and there was no way I would give it up, not even to Zach. I quickly unwrap it, and shove it into my mouth. I turn to Zach with a victorious smirk.

"Ha." I boast, using my tongue to place the lollipop in the curve of my cheek.

He scoffs and says, "You think that'll stop me?" I'm confused at what he means, but when I turn to open my locker, he pulls on the stick and the lollipop leaves my mouth with a "pop". Before I could get it back he pops it into his mouth.

"You're kidding me right?" I huff, and roll my eyes when he laughs at me. I close-, okay I slam my locker and secure my backpack strap on my shoulder.

He tries to hand to lollipop back to me, after he's already put it in his mouth. I scowl at him.

He only smirks and says, "C'mon, it's not like we haven't shared germs before." A blush threatens to creep up on my cheeks, and it succeeds.

"Just keep it." I mumble, feeling extremely disappointed. He just shrugs and places it back in his mouth. His eyes focus on something behind me, and his bright blue eyes darken. I turn around and see Bentley walking to us. Zach's hand rests on my waist. He doesn't pull me towards him, he just rests his hand there. I don't feel comfortable Zach listening in to the conversation that me and Bentley are about to have.

I grab his wrist and move his hand from my waist. I turn my head to the side and slide my backpack off my shoulder. "Put this in the motorcycle." I came with Zach today because his mom requested that I helped them set up the dinner and help clean the house. I didn't want to because I thought it would be awkward. My mom convinced me that I should, saying that I'm probably better at helping than Zach would be.

"Are you sure?" I nod, and he gives my waist one last squeeze before I feel his presence leave.

Bentley stands in front of me and flashes a nervous smile. "Hey."

Now I kinda wish I told Zach to stay. "Hi."

"So, uhm, about tonight..?"

"Oh the party's tonight?" I honestly thought it was tomorrow, but that doesn't change my mind from not going. At least I have a better excuse now.

"Yeah," his cheeks redden, as if he already knows my answer.

"I have a dinner to go to tonight, I'm really sorry. I thought it was tomorrow."

His shoulders slump and I genuinely feel bad for him. "Well," he scratches the back of his neck, "maybe we can hang out tomorrow?"

I don't want to lead him on, but my guilt for not attending his party gets to me. "I'll text you." I try to give him a convincing smile. He bites his lip trying to hide his content look. It doesn't make me nearly as happy as when Zach bites his lip. I really need to stop comparing the two.

"Okay, just let me know." He says, smiling.

"I will." I say honestly.

I walk away and out of the building and meet Zach at his motorcycle. He's leaning against it, texting someone on his phone. His eyes meet mine and he sighs in what seems to be relief. He takes the lollipop out of his mouth to talk. "Do you want this? I have to put on the helmet."

Staring at his stained lollipop-red lips, I'm reminded of the shade his lips were when we kissed. They closely resembled the shade right now.

"Hey." He says, and I realize I didn't give him an answer. "Do you want this or not?" I nod and reach out to grab it, but he pulls it away and licks it once more before offering it again. He smirks and I scoff, but take it nonetheless. The moisture of his mouth is still there but I try to ignore it and push it to my cheek once again.