The Love Game Read Free Page B

Bray?”
    I snort. “Of Kyle? Yeah, right.”
    “Okay,” she whispers disbelievingly. “But you're turning into a walking green-eyed monster.”
    “Whatever, Meggy.”
    “Seriously, Bray, if you wanna talk to her, just talk. She won't bite.”
    “I might like it if she does.”
    “You're such a pig!” She shakes her head. “I can see you're interested in her, so just ask her out.”
    “I don't do dates, Meggy, you know that. If I decided to take her somewhere, I have no idea where.”
    “You'd take her out?” She grins.
    “I'm not saying yes or no,” I reply. “But I might consider it.”
    “Starbucks. She likes their blueberry muffins.” She smiles, satisfied and amused. “Just let her get to know you. Not walking horn-dog Braden, the real Braden.”
    “Maybe.” I look back at Maddie, and she's looking at me and Megan with her eyes slightly narrowed. She shakes her head, and I glance at Megan questioningly. She looks away, and I shake my head. Girls. I'll never fucking understand them.
    A date. Why didn't I consider that shit when I agreed to Aston and Ryan's plan last night? Why did I think dates wouldn't come into it? Of course they fucking would, and they are.
    Aston calls for us to start playing again, and I get up, handing Maddie my water bottle with a wink. She half-smiles as she takes it, and I can feel her eyes on me as I go back to play. Kyle pulls his top over his head, and I know this has turned into a pissing contest.
    It's no secret to any of us that Kyle has his sights set on Maddie, and if I wanna complete the challenge the guys set, I gotta take it up a notch.
    I glance over my shoulder, and her green eyes are on Kyle. Fuck no. I grip the bottom of my shirt and yank it over my head, stretching after and chucking it to Megan. She wrinkles her nose, and I laugh, noticing Maddie's eyes are back on me.
    Good.
    Kyle narrows his eyes at me, and I smile a shit eating smile, knowing he looks like a ten year old boy compared to me topless.
    We all get into position, and the game starts again. Kyle and I seem to come head to head more than often, and I know he's trying to make me look like a prick. Fortunately, everyone already knows I am one and when it comes to football, he can kiss my fuckin' ass.
    He catches the ball, and I tackle him. He falls face first on the grass and curses.
    “What the fuck, Braden?”
    “Slipped. Sorry.” I grin.
    “Slipped my ass!” He gets up and comes towards me.
    “Woah, woah!” Ryan jumps in between as my muscles tense. “Turn the testosterone down a notch, guys. It's just a game of football.”
    “Yeah, Kyle, turn it down,” I goad him.
    “If you're tryin' to convince her you're the better one out of the two of us, then good luck. She isn't as stupid as your usual clientele.”
    I start forward, and Ryan puts a hand on my chest. “Dude, no. Go and chill.”
    I take a deep breath and nod once. “Fine.”
    I kick the ball away and turn back to the girls.
    “Can't you even play a game of football without turning it into a pissing contest, Bray?” Megan laughs.
    I shoot her a look, grab my shirt, and take my water from Maddie.
    “Everything okay?” she asks softly.
    I sip the water and look down at her. “Yeah, everything's okay, Angel.”
    “Good.” She smiles up at me, and Kay sighs.
    “I'll move over,” she says in a mock annoyed tone.
    “Oh, Kay,” I say and sit in the spot she just vacated. “How did you know?”
    “You look like you could rest your back against the wall.” She winks and Megan laughs.
    “Or against Maddie.” Lila giggles.
    I look at Maddie, and her cheeks flame a little. “I'd rest a whole lot of things against Maddie, none suitable for public viewing, though.”
    Her mouth opens and closes once. Megan, Lila and Kay all roar with laughter, and I nudge Maddie.
    “I'm sorry. Did that embarrass you?”
    “Nope.” She squeaks the word out. “Not at all.”
    I laugh and put an arm around her shoulder. “I think it did,