Love Game

Chapter Thirty-Two: Trade Bait

"Holy shit, Varly. What the hell did we just do?" I whisper as I push myself away from him, soon feeling the guilt wash over me. 

"It was your idea," he mumbles as he crosses his arms over his chest. 

I cannot believe I just did this. I had sex with Varly. And not only did we have sex, he destroyed me. It was the greatest sexual experience of my life. 

"I know, I know," tears swell up in my eyes as I sit on the edge of his bed, trying to straighten up the covers from our activities moments prior. 

Varly sits down next to me and rests his hand on my knee. We sit in silence for a moment before he speaks. 

"You said just one time," he starts, "but how are we going to go on like this didn't happen?"

I shake my head and my face falls in my hands. I just screwed everything up for one night of passion. I just destroyed everything I have ever had with Gabe. I know I won't be able to keep this a secret. It will come out soon enough. I just fucked up my life even more. 

"Shh, Mal, we will figure it out," he whispers as he wraps a protective arm around me. 

"I need to break up with him, Varly." I say in between sobs as I feel him rub my back. 

"Then what will you do?" Varly asks me, resting his head on my shoulder. 

"Ask for a trade," I respond as I look up at him. 

Varly frowns at me, sighs and then nods his head in agreement. I tilt my body into his, feeling his fingers run through my hair. 

"So, there is no us, then?" he whispers softly, pressing his soft lips to my temple. 

"I'm sorry," I shake my head. "I can't put you through this." 

"Okay, no us. No worries," his voice cracks and I hear him cough to cover it up. 

"Will you help me come up with a plan?" I look up at his gaze and his eyes meet mine. 

"Yes," he replies, forcing a smile.

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GABE'S POV

I've tried reaching Mallory on her cellphone several times. I feel as if she is ignoring my calls on purpose. I dial the number again and her phone goes right into voicemail. She turned off her phone. She is ignoring me! 

I toss my phone across the couch, pushing myself up and walking to the kitchen. I open the fridge and I grab my twelve pack of beer. I walk back over to the couch and sit down, cracking open a cold one and chugging it. I crush the can and throw it across the living room, then I open another. And another. And another. 

"She's probably fucking him," I mumble to myself, crushing another beer can. 

"Don't bother coming home," I text her. 

I grab my phone again and dial her number, still going straight to voicemail. I growl to myself and go to my contacts. Two can play at this game.

I dial an old, but familiar, number. I press my phone up to my ear as I hear several rings, then finally a soft voice answers the phone. 

"Gabe?" a blast from the past jogs my memory. My ex-girlfriend, before I even met Mallory.