The Game ✔

Chapter four

I wake up with the sound of a rock hitting my window. I grumble and turn around in my bed, trying to muffle the sound with my pillow. It's useless and I give up.

I walk up to my window and open it. A rock flies right past my head and I shoot a glare at Ayden who's grinning sheepishly at me, a cup of coffee in his hands. He's still in his boxer right behind his own window and I have to control myself not to look down at his well-defined chest.

''Hey sleepy head.'' I roll my eyes and side glance at the alarm clock on my nightstand. I still had a full hour to sleep.

''What do you want?''

''Just a little favor, really it's nothing much.'' I raise an eyebrow and he shows me the mug, ''What about a nice, fresh cup of coffee?''

''It's really unusual for me to repeat myself but I'll try this once, what do you want?''

''Okay alright, you know how my car is still at Cameron's since we left in a taxi last night? Well I forgot this morning I had baseball practice but this far it's alright because Jake and Sammy are coming to get me-''

''Cut to the point, Ayden.'' I cut him off crossing my arms over my chest.

''Okay so I need to get to work right after the practice, I barely have any time to come here before I do so can you go get my car, I'm pleading with you.''

I groan, kick a balled-up piece of paper, and sigh heavily before glaring back at Ayden.

''What's in for me?'' I demand.

He seems to think only a second before saying, ''Monday morning you'll have coffee and pancakes?'' 

''And bacon, please don't forget the bacon,'' I tell him.

''Yeah, of course, veggie bacon?'' He asks as if he really had to ask.

''I'd never want it any other way.'' I'm about to go get changed before coming back to the window. I call for him and he sticks his head through his own window. 

''What?''

''You'll have to pay me for the taxi.'' 

''You're serious? After all the rides I give you?'' He says in pure disbelief.

''Oh yes.'' I close the window, ending the discussion at the same time, and jump into the shower before getting ready for work. I walk to Ayden's and he's already waiting outside with his baseball jacket.

''About time.'' He says and I roll my eyes. He instantly throws me the keys and I barely catch them.

''Keep calm, I'll get your car.'' Just as I finish my sentence, a car pulls over and I see Jake and Sammy in the front seats. Dear Sammy, it took only one day for him to kiss me.

He's grinning wildly at me, ''Hey lil' queen, how's it going?''

''Not bad I guess.'' I shrug.

''I give you a week.'' He says and I frown.

''What do you mean?''

''Don't mind him, he's just jealous,'' Jake says.

''No, what is it?'' I insist.

''I give you a week before it starts going downward with Cameron. You won't last a whole month this time, even less four.'' Sammy is smirking.

''Why would you say that?'' Ayden almost snaps.

''Man, this guy makes girls go crazy. I'm telling you, one week from now she will give up.''

The taxi arrives and I choose to ignore him. What could be so appealing in Cameron that would make girls give in that easily? How could he drive them crazy? I can't help but wonder why people like him so much because he's such a despicable human to me. 

I still can't believe myself falling into his trap. Now I'm supposed to flirt with him until he falls in love and honestly I don't know if I can do that much. How long would it take a guy to fall in love with me? 

It took Darius four months and I was starting to get attached. In four months with Cameron, I would maybe want to give up and quit the country.

And here I thought I was done with that game. 

My mind wanders back to Ayden, his beautiful grey eyes staring into my soul as always. I can't believe our happily ever after is still postponed but at least he knows my reasons.

''Here we are.'' I snap back to reality as the driver pulls over. I give him my own money since Ayden didn't pay me up.

My feet hit the ground and I squint under the sunlight before pulling my sunglasses over my eyes. It was rare for me to have a headache after a party since I usually preferred not to drink but I guess last night was a bit too much for me to deal with in my sober mind.

''Hey, beautiful.'' I groan before pulling a fake smile and turning around to see Cameron on his front porch with two other guys. Will and Darwin if I saw clearly.

''Hey,'' I drop my voice to almost a whisper so he can't hear me, ''jerkface.''

He stands up from his chair and opens his arms, ''What are you doing here? Couldn't stay away?'' 

''Just getting Ayden's car and leaving.'' 

''I don't like that guy.'' He replies as he passes a hand through his hair.

''And I don't like you, so that's sorted out.'' I shrug carelessly and walk the remaining meters between me and Ayden's car. Next time, I'll demand to park it kilometers from the front door.

Cameron jogs over to me, a striking smile on his face, ''Wait!''

I sigh and roll my head on my shoulders to look at him, ''Yes?'' In the distance, I see the two boys getting up from their chairs and looking at us curiously. Yes, exactly who I thought they were.

''No goodbye kiss? We can do that.'' He winks.

''No need, I keep my mouth clean.'' 

''That's why you kissed so many boys.'' 

''What do you want exactly?'' Seems like I just keep asking that question over and over again.

''Why don't you come inside? Have you eaten? I've got bacon and eggs.'' He offers a smile but I open the car door.

''I have to go to work, so no.'' I get in and close the door behind me. Starting the car, I pause and roll down the window to talk to Cameron. He's staring at me, his hands in his pockets. ''You maybe would like to take a shower, you stink.''

I surge forward, leaving a laughing Cameron behind.