The Game ✔

Chapter twenty six

My eyes flutter open, a headache already threatening to take over my brain. I thank the world I don't have to study for two weeks still because it feels like I might need those two weeks to get over my hangover.

I turn over in the bed to meet a naked back. I almost jump in surprise but then remember the night before, how I woke up in pure panic. What would he think about me now? What was happening to my feelings these days? It was clearly affecting my brain.

For a moment I just stay there, dumbfounded, staring at his back. My brain, newly recovering from alcohol, starts to bombard my thoughts with questions about last night. What did he mean when he said he used to have those dreams? Because of his father? Did his mother know about all this? Why weren't they moving away from him? 

The headache threatened to take over my brain so I stopped thinking and just stared again at his back. What was I doing exactly with him in my bed? The party of the night before was just a blur in my head, I guess I had a bit too much fun.

Oh, and how about Daisy? How could I forgive him this easily? Again, I guess it was good for the Game but definitely not for my feelings. And had I kissed Darwin? Maybe I was the one who needed to be forgiven.

I groan as I roll on my back before remembering Cameron is next to me. How was it that I had to remind myself constantly I was playing a game with him? He was making it harder. Confessing like that to me sure didn't help with all the questions I have.

Quietly, I get out of bed, making sure I don't make any noise before tip-toeing to my bathroom with some new clothes, in mind to get rid of that smell of alcohol.

All newly cleaned up and smelling like myself again, I walk back into my bedroom to see Cameron on his cell phone in my bed. As soon as he sees me, the words are stuck in my throat. Worst scenarios came into my head and I was scared of what he would say. Would he take everything I said against me? Again, I could do the same.

''Hey princess.'' He greets huskily before settling his cell phone on the side table. ''How about you come closer?'' 

My doubts about the night before slowly vanish as I get back in bed, on top of him, ''Hey handsome.'' I kiss him slowly at first before it gets hungrier but I stop him at some point, not wanting to go too far.

''How about we stay in bed all day?'' He asks, smirking.

''You'd like that.'' I state and sit back up, ''But no, I have to work this afternoon.'' 

''That's too bad.'' He says before passing a hand in his hair. ''Look, about last night-''

''Let's forget about that,'' I say without looking at him and get up. But he's too quick because in a second he's standing in front of me, only in his boxers.

''Don't push me away now Lexa.'' I have to keep the surprise out of my face as I hear the nickname Ayden usually gives to me. ''It's fine if you don't want to talk about it anymore but I just want you to know I'm here anytime.'' With that, he reaches out to a strand of my wet hair and curls it around his finger. ''And sure enough, I wouldn't mind coming to sleep here any other time.'' He winks at me.

''Alexa, are you awak-'' My mother barges in the room and immediately yells in surprise before closing back the door. I guess she wasn't expecting a half-naked boy in my room this morning.

''Err, one minute mom,'' I yell back as Cameron has big round eyes.

''I'll get dressed.'' He whispers and lets go of my hair.

He quickly gets all his clothes off the floor and put them on before I go open the door. My mother is waiting on the other side, her arms crossed.

''It's really not what you think,'' I tell her.

''Nevermind, who's your friend?'' She asks and I know the yelling will come later, probably when Cameron will be gone.

Just then, he comes out of the room and offers his hand, ''My name's Cameron ma'am, nice to meet you.''

For a moment, my mother seems taken aback, almost horrified as she looks at him but then goes back to her senses. ''Sorry, you looked like... Never mind, nice to meet you.'' She doesn't take his hand and looks back at me, ''Just tell me when you're ready for work.'' She tells me and goes downstairs.

Cameron finally takes back his hand to pass it in his hair, ''I sure would have preferred to meet her another way.'' He whispers.

Confused, I try to smile at him, ''How about we catch up later?''

He nods slowly before we both make our way downstairs. We whisper to each other goodbye and he leaves my house without another word. I sigh and turn around to go join my mother in the kitchen.

''What was that all about?'' I demand as I reach her. She's sitting on a tool around the counter and keeps staring down at her coffee. She slowly looks up.

''I could ask you the same thing.'' She says lowly, her rage under control.

''He's a friend from the party last night and I offered him a place to stay.'' I say rolling my eyes, ''I wouldn't have been safe if he had driven.''

''No of course not, but it's no good reason for him to sleep in your room in only his boxers!'' She gets up and I see a fire starting in her eyes, ''You can't just bring boys here and you need to tell me if you ever do!''

''You never complained with Ayden.'' I retort.

''You used to take your baths with Ayden, sleepovers over the years were nothing since you two are only friends! You're too young for this!''

''Like Stacy was? C'mon, mom, I know what I'm-''

''No, you don't. Stacy thought that as well and look where it got her.'' I bite my tongue, controlling my feelings. ''You can't move from boys to boys, they'll have the wrong idea. First Darius and now that Cameron? What are you doing?''

''Funny you ask, I thought you didn't care.'' 

She raises her eyebrow, ''You thought I didn't care? I keep on asking questions about your life but you shut me off.''

''That's why you weren't there at dad's birthday? Or you wouldn't look at me for weeks last year? That's why you never talked about it until so recently when you finally realized you're not the only one dealing with all of this. You shut me off as well!''

''That's not fair Alexa, I want to be there but it's hard.''

I nod slowly, ''I think I'll get to work on my own if you don't mind. You don't have to get out of the house today? Good.'' Without waiting for an answer, I turn on my heels and leave the house with the keys and my coat barely on me.