Page 49 of Game Changer
Smooth as ever, Cameron wraps his arm around his date’s shoulder. “Change of plans. I think the girls would prefer the romance, right? We should give them what they want.”
Complaining about sitting through an hour and a half of a romance movie sounds appealing, but if I did that, I wouldn’t get to watch Maya’s date unfold, and curiosity gets the better of me.
~
“You started without me.” Maya joins me in the kitchen later that night. I’ve already scooped some cookies and cream into a bowl and pause mid-spoonful to my mouth when she reaches my side.
Truthfully, I didn’t know if she’d want to continue our tradition with Emmanuel in the picture. From the row behind them, my eyes were glued on them the entire movie, and although she didn’t reciprocate the kiss when he leaned in, she still went on a date with the guy. It must mean there’s some interest there.
“How was your date?”
I clear my throat. “Fine. How was yours?”
“Fine.”
She usually grabs her own spoon, but now she takes mine and scoops some ice cream out of the bowl then brings it to her mouth. I dip my eyes to her lips and how they wrap so perfectly around the spoon, internally groaning at the thought of her mouth on mine.
I look forward to these intimate nights between us. These secret ice-cream sessions have allowed us to become vulnerable on top of having a friendship. It gives me a confidence that I don’t have with anyone else. It allows me to be honest, which is why I say, “I don’t like him for you.”
Maya seems taken aback by my boldness. “Emmanuel? Why?”
“Come on. You mean to tell me he’s the guy for you? He tried to make out with you ten minutes into the movie.”
She tilts her head to the side. “I didn’t realize you were analyzing my date.”
Fuck. I need to be more careful with my words. While I’ve never said I’m interested in Maya, it’s hard to deny the chemistry, and the more we have these conversations, the more it’s becoming impossible to stay away from her. It won’t be much longer until I break.
“You deserve better than him,” I say after another bite of ice cream.
She lifts a brow. “And who do you think I deserve?”
“Someone with the decency to open the goddamn door for you.”
Christ. Way to be subtle, Ethan.
When I have my emotions back under control, I add, “You’re a hopeless romantic, Maya. Anyone close to you knows that, and being a hopeless romantic means you have high standards.”
Shehuffs a breath. “Unrealistic standards.”
“No, you just choose guys who don’t have the desire to meet them. Where do you think the ideas for those movies stemmed from? When a man is genuinely in love and wants to pursue something with you, you’ll know it. You won’t have to question it. You won’t have to beg them to do better. You won’t have to lower your bar because he’ll do everything fucking possible to surpass it and then some.” My chest is heaving by the time I’m finished.That guy should be meis what sits on the tip of my tongue, but I swallow it back down instead. I know there are guys willing to put in the effort because, if given the chance, she’d never have to second-guess with me.
“Ethan—” Her voice catches. “I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything at all. Just know that your standards aren’t too high. You deserve someone better than Emmanuel.”
When she reaches for the spoon to fill the silence, she frowns. “There’s only one bite left.”
I nudge the bowl with two fingers toward her. “Go for it.”
“Really?” Her brown eyes twinkle, and a genuine smile appears for the first time of the night. “Thanks, Ethan.”
“Anytime.” And because I’m a selfish bastard who can’t leave without dropping some sort of hint, I add, “Unlike Emmanuel, I’m a gentleman. It’s the least I can do.”
~
I wish I was a confident guy.
And it’s not necessarily that I think I’m unattractive, but when I’m out with friends, I compare my personality without realizing it. Other guys are funnier. More outgoing. More intelligent. I thought it had gotten better after Cameron left. All of these insecurities started when we got into high school, but since this semester began and I’ve had a chance to just bemein college, I haven’t felt any of those doubts creep in.
