The Game We Play *Editing*

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I don't know what sorcery is going on in my life these days but it's gotta stop. FIRST, I make a fool of myself in front of Carson Turner. THEN, I had brunch hungover and then had to travel three hours back to Tallahassee for classes. NOW, someone spilled coffee all over my sociology notes in class.

Since that tragedy happened I am treating myself to Starbucks. I aimlessly scroll through Instagram. I pause on a picture of Willow and Liam from the engagement brunch. Almost as instantly as I like the photo a phone call from Willow pops up. I sigh but pick it up.

"Darling Beckham! Finally picking up a phone call from me it's a freaking miracle," Willow says over the phone. I roll my eyes but laugh.

"Hi Willow," I say.

"Are you still on for tonight? Dinner? Liam and I are coming up to Tallahassee to try wedding cakes," Willow says.

Shit. I forgot.

"Uh yeah of course," I say. The barista calls my name and I snatch my coffee from the counter.

"Amazing. I'll text you the details, alright have to go. Love you!"

"Bye love you," I say hanging up. Well I guess it'll be nice to be alone with Willow and Liam without the family and everyone in between.

Of course I had to sleep with my brother in laws best friend and I just had to be oblivious. That's honestly not even the worse part. He's my dad's player for a very public NFL team. Also, my dad would kill me.

"Beck!" I hear someone yell just as I am about to step up to the counter. I turn towards the person and still step up. Max is running down the steps into the Starbucks. I quickly order a Strawberry Açaí refresher and turn towards him.

"Hey Max, disrupting my Starbucks run, per usual." He laughs at my comment wrapping an arm around my shoulder. Max and I met at a party our freshman year. We clicked immediately and that's actually where I met Derek the first time. So, thanks for that, Max.

"I'll take a iced coffee," he says to the annoyed barista. She rolls her eyes and puts it into the computer. He hands her a twenty and turns to me. "I'm glad you are so excited to see me because guess who I just saw?"

"Oprah?" I ask hopefully. I love Oprah. Who doesn't love Oprah, she gave people free shit on the daily. Max and I move towards the pick up line laughing.

"Ha I wish. I saw Trevor." My smile drops at the mention of his name. Max's smile falls as well turning serious. Trevor my lovely ex-boyfriend. The exact person I was trying to get over when I slept with Derek. Trevor cheated on me because that's apparently what guys do. I walked into him and some brunette banging at a party. I should have known better but I didn't. I broke up with his ass while he was naked with nothing but a pillow covering him.

Not like there was much to cover anyways.

I haven't spoken to him since that night. Of course he has tried contacting me and calling me but he gave up after two days. Showed me how much he "cared" about me. My emotions are still all over the place but I don't think I ever really liked him as much as I thought. Of course it hurt and made me look stupid but I'm glad I never fell in love with him. He didn't deserve that from me.

"Seeing an alligator on campus would be better than seeing that ass," I mutter reaching into my bag for my phone. I turn it on since I had it off for the lecture I was in. As soon as my home screen pops up of Brooke, Brittney, Max, Tristan, Jack, and I at a party, messages cover the picture.

Sista: Carson is coming to dinner tonight. Look cute, kind of fancy restaurant.

A: Gotcha! I'll send you outfits, heading to my last class soon.

"I know Trevor is a dick but you should talk to him. Maybe punch him, I don't know but you never got closure with him. I can tell it's bothering you," Max says making me look up from my phone. I look at him like he's crazy. I don't need closure. I'm fine. He can go stick his dick in as many chicks as he wants. I don't care and frankly I hope his dick falls off.

My phone buzzes again but this time with a unknown number. I furrow my eyebrows at the number slide it open.

Unknown: hi pretty girl

My jaw drops when I read and reread the text message. Carson? How did he get my number? Why does he have my number. Max nudges me making me look up at him quickly and then look back down.

"I don't and I'm fine."

"Who are you texting? And why does it involve this must concentration?" Max asks looking over my shoulder.

"It's no one," I say locking my phone quickly. Max doesn't know about him and he doesn't need to. The only people who do know are Brittney and Brooke. I would like to keep it that way until I die. Max looks at me with a look that tells me he's not convinced.

"I don't believe that but mhm okay, it's no one," he says nodding his head at me. I roll my eyes at him. Honestly I am shocked myself that this information hasn't been leaked somewhere yet or no one photographed me launching myself into Brooke's car.

"Anyways, I am not speaking to Trevor. He is a dickwad. Is that clear?"

"Crystal. All I'm saying is it would make you feel better but whatever," he says holding his hands up in surrender. I glare at him making him roll his eyes. He looks away and back up at the menu making me open my phone once again.

Beckham: How did you get my number!

I hover over the send button for a second or two before finally pushing send. My name is called for our order and we both grab our coffees moving out of the busy Starbucks. Max holds the door open for me as my phone buzzes in my hand.

Unknown: from your sister

I resist the urge to roll my eyes. Of course she did. If this was me freshman year I would be over the moon to have Carson's number. Now I want to lose it or throw my phone in a fountain.

"Beck, who the hell is that?" Max asks. I jump at his voice and lock my phone quickly once again. He has an eyebrow raised and he looks thoroughly intrigued. "I swear to god if you are hooking up with Trevor again and you literally gave me shit for-"

"No! God no!" I shake my head violently at his accusation. I will never lay a finger on Trevor. Never. Ever, again.

"Then who?" he asks. I chew on my lip looking at him trying to think of something other than the NFL player I hooked up with. I brush past a couple of kids looking at my old converse.

"A guy from my Nutrition class?" I say more as a question than a real answer. I can tell he doesn't believe me but he doesn't push it as we walk to our class together. My phone buzzes again.

Unknown: See you tonight, wear underwear this time