Page 2 of The Game
“No, Dad,” Mila answers. “We didn’t have a fight. I’ve just had a lot on my mind with everything, and it’s exhausting trying to catch up on all of my work.”
James nods slightly. “Maybe you shouldn’t see Hunter and Roman as much. Then, you will have a chance to catch up. I will call the school and explain why you need more time.
“You can take all the time you need, sweetheart. They need understand that you will be behind after what happened.”
I perk up—that’s a great idea. If she sees Hunter and Roman less, I could help her with her homework and maybe fix what’s broken between us.
When Mila shifts slightly, her arm brushes mine. My breath hitches slightly, and she pulls it back just as fast. My chest grows heavy. I did this. I messed up everything.
What we had before was amazing, and I miss it that now I don’t have it. I would rather be heartbroken and still have the flirty, fun Mila than what I have now. I miss the way she would always come find me first when she came over to the house. The way she would flop onto my bed and poke my ribs and tell me silly jokes. The way she laughed at my dumb jokes and bad flirting.
“I can help with your work. I’m a great tutor,” I blurt out.
Mom’s brows raise, as if she has just caught me in a lie, but then I see her smile and nod.
“No,” Mila whips out quickly, then straightens up beside me. “I mean, no thank you, I’m fine. Hunter has been helping me. He knows the work already, since we go to the same school and have the same classes.”
Well, I read that loud and clear. Just like a stab to the heart.
* * *
“What do you mean you’re going to crash a Rebels Halloween party?” Walker yells as he turns to me from the passenger seat of my car. He flicks his eye patch up to glare at me better, and I roll my eyes.
“I’m not crashing…I just wasn’t officially invited.” I whisper the last part under my breath.
So what if I wasn’t invited? I know Emerson Henty is throwing it and that Mila will be there. I saw what she was wearing earlier, and I just…I need to see her. I need to apologize to her. To Hunter and Roman. Fuck, I have no plans going into this. All I know is that I have to see her and make this right.
“I thought we were going to Melissa’s. I had that hot dancer from Royale Academy all lined up for tonight.” He huffs.
Crossing his arms against his chest, he sags into the leather seat. I don’t say anything; I just continue with my stupid plan.
He sits up, running his hand over his face and shakes his head. “I love you, man, you know that, but fuck. You need to give her up. You told her how you feel, and you fucked that up by spending the entire night drowning yourself in any alcohol you could get your hands on. Then you passed out on the recliner downstairs.
“I’m sure Tanner loved that, though. He took the room I gave you and hooked up with Trisha. Lucky son of a bitch.” Walker shakes his head and whistles lowly.
I don’t want to hear what he’s got to say next because I know what happened.I was there.
“You were still drunk when you went charging in there. Trying to be what? A knight who smelled like sweat and booze and rescue her from her boyfriend—who I happen to like, and I thought you did too. Hunter’s a good guy, and as much as I want to be your friend and say positive things, I can’t, man. You don’t stand a chance against him. Mila and him, their history. They’re the type of couple you see in movies. Endgame shit. White picket fence and kids, man.”
“I want that,” I mutter. I do. With Mila.
“Look, think about it this way. She cockblocked you, she is probably gonna be your stepsister, and I still think you want her because she is the one girl who won’t fall at your feet. You used to be a player at parties, but when was the last time you got laid?”
“Fuck you.” I grip the steering wheel a little tighter.
“Exactly. Fuck…some chick. Preferably tonight, so you can stop this shit. She’s there with them, you know. This isn’t the fairy tale. She isn’t gonna run at you with her arms wide and declare she loves you. She’s gonna be all loved up with Hunter and Roman. Her boyfriend’s. So, let’s turn around and go to Melissa’s.”
I roll my head from side to side; my neck is tight, and I’m anxious. I’d hoped to have Walker on my side. Hunter’s a good guy—I’m not denying it—but I need to do this. I have to fix this now before I go home, even if I have to lie to make this weirdness stop. Looking out to the road in front of me, I let out a deep breath and shake my head.
“I know, but I just…you don’t get it, okay? I need to fix this. I need to tell her that I take it all back. She doesn’t feel the same way, and I want us to be like we were.” I miss that. Being so honest and telling her all my secrets. I loved having someone to confide in.
He doesn’t speak again; he just sits there, tapping away at his phone, as I head toward the party we weren’t invited to. When Mila sees me there…I don’t know what I’ll say first or how I’m going to say it. Will she realize I’m there for her, that I want to fix whatever this is between us?
I’ll have to pretend that I’m not falling in love with her. That I want to be friends and spend time with her like we used to. Even if I have to watch her all coupled up with Hunter and Roman. Hell, I want to ask her what that’s about and how it works. Maybe there’s room for me? But how? I can’t without sounding like a jealous asshole, and I don’t want to be that.
“I gave Hunter a heads-up, but you need to stop this after tonight. Find another girl, and fuck Mila out of your system. There are plenty of girls waiting for us at Melissa’s, so go, say you’re sorry, then let’s go get some pussy. Hell, I’ll even let you have the hot dancer.”
My fingers tighten around the steering wheel. I don’t want some hot dancer. Walker doesn’t get it, but I can’t blame him. I’d be acting the same way in his shoes. I didn’t know that you could feel this way about someone. He doesn’t get that I just can't fuck Mila out of my system. That's not how this works. At least, it’s not going to work for me.
