The game begins

As much as I love a man on his knees, this isn’t exactly what I had in mind.

His grunts make me wince when I notice the green liquid dripping off his jacket. My hand flies to my mouth, my eyes widening when I see the aftermath of my bad decision from last night.

“I’m so sorry.” I crouch down, extending a hand to the man on the ground, cursing at me, the world, and smoothies.

He shakes my hand off, glowering at me. “Just drop it,” he says, shaking off the spilled drink from his t-shirt. “I’ll get up on my own.” He lifts off the ground, staring down at this drenched t-shirt.

“I really am sorry.” I attempt to smooth over this situation, but the way he scowls at me lets me know nothing I do can rectify this, especially when he curses at me before walking off.

“What just happened?” I hear Rosie’s voice coming from my phone, clutched in my hand beside me.

I lift it to my ear and exhale, letting my eyes close. "I'm a disaster this morning."

"Fill me in," she says. "I heard a bunch of grunts and cursing." The spilled drink on the ground brings a sigh out of me as I head towards the classroom. "I wasn't looking where I was going, is what happened." I let out a breath. "Bumped into some guy; he fell over; I died of embarrassment. The end." I let out a sigh. "That's the last time I hook up at a party." She snorts on the other end, which makes my lips twitch. "Fine, it's the last time I leave so late," I amend.

"Who did you leave with?"

I chew on my bottom lip. "Some jock."

"Nice name," she muses. "Has a ring to it."

I let out a laugh. If only I had snuck out a little earlier, I wouldn't be in this mess. "I can't believe I forgot to turn my alarm on." I walk a little faster, pulling my phone away from my ear to check the time. "Now I'm late, and I lost my green smoothie."

"You still went to get a smoothie when you're late?"

"I need all the energy I can get if I'm going to be bored to death for an hour."

She laughs. "So dramatic. Is it really that bad?"

"Extremely," I sigh. "Remind me again why I haven't dropped out?"

"Your mom would kill you?" she offers.

Right. Well, it's not like my mom doesn't have another daughter she prefers, anyway. "And I care because?"

"Because even if you try to not let it affect you, you know you care about what she thinks."

Well, damn. She's right again.

"Are you sure you want to go down the designer route?" I joke.

"You'd be a good therapist." My shoulders drop when I I see the door to my impending boredom.

"Of course I would, but then who would dress you?"

I snicker, reaching for the door handle. "I've got to go; I'm about to go in."

"Have fun."

Not likely.

The line goes dead, and I pocket my phone. My breath shortens before I take the plunge and pull the door open, heading inside.

The room quiets when over 50 heads turn to look at me. This, right here, makes me want to die.

Their eyes on me feel like a huge spotlight of judgment. You would think with my line of work, I'd be used to the attention, but I'm not.

My confidence slips a little, the roaring in my stomach an indication of the anxiety brewing inside of me.

"Leila. I see you don't value my time," Professor Wilson says, making the spotlight on me even brighter.

I swallow, blink, and slip my mask back on, squaring my shoulders and give him a smile.

"Sorry, sir. Won't happen again."

"Doubt that," a low voice says to my right. My eyes drop, seeing Jordan Wright sitting at the table closest to the door. He doesn't look my way, though. He never does.

The one and only person I can stand in this class, Mia-who happens to be sitting near him-shoots me a smile and calls me over. I take a seat next to her, placing my bag on the floor.

"Where were you?" she whispers, nudging me on the shoulder when the professor turns back around.

"Forgot to set my alarm," I offer with a shrug.

With a smile on her lips, she shakes her head, probably knowing there's more to the story.

She'd be right.

"Having a great product isn't always the end result," Professor Wilson drones on, making my eyes glaze over. "Marketing is the main focal point of any business.

You could have the best product in the world, but no one would know if you didn't market it." Yeah, I've heard it all before. It would be easier to figure out what exactly I preferred over business, but therein lies the problem. I don't know what I want. I've always admired my dad running a business. It seemed so cool when I was younger, but then my mom got me into modeling, and that became my life.

She stopped pushing me into modeling once I had gone through puberty and gained a lot of extra pounds that made me inadequate for the modeling she wanted. Modeling was fun and I loved dressing up and posing for the camera; so I didn't give up. I found a plus-size modeling agency and haven't looked back since.

But by then, my mom had already made up that I wouldn't go anywhere if I didn't lose weight, so she pushed a college degree on me. I didn't mind it, I could do both, but the problem was, I didn't know what I wanted to do once I got here, so I settled on something I already had knowledge of. Business. Too bad it's a bore.

"The papers on the end of the table have the assignment on them," Professor Wilson says. Mia reaches for the papers on her end, handing one to me and Jordan. She hands one to the guy sitting next to her, Toby... something. She tucks her straight hair behind her ear, smiling at him when she hands him the assignment. Hm, little Mia has a

crush.

"New boyfriend?" I tease, dropping my voice so only she hears.

She glances up at me. "It's nothing."

I shrug. "I could smell the sexual tension from here."

She shushes me, a small laugh escaping her while she stuffs the

assignment in her bag. When the door opens, everyone's

head turns to the noise.

Aiden Pierce.

Redfield's basketball captain.

I grew up watching basketball.

Every Sunday, when my dad was home, we'd sit on the couch and watch the game while he snuck me some alfajores from his food truck. My mom would have slapped me on the back of my head if she caught me eating them.

And when I came here, the tradition still stood. Even though I couldn't be with my dad on Sundays, I would still attend every basketball game I could, which means I've watched Aiden play. A lot.

And as much as I don't like admitting it, he's good, like really fucking good. It could be an advantage because the guy is as tall as hell, but it's not; he has skill. I can appreciate that.

But what I'm not a fan of? How everyone treats him like he's a God around here. Girls fall at his feet, fanning themselves whenever he's near, and he eats it up; of course he does. A guy like that can get any girl he wants

with a snap of his finger. "Aiden," Professor Wilson sighs.

"Class started thirty minutes ago."

"Sorry, sir," he says with a shrug.

"I had early practice this morning. It ran over."

Professor Wilson sighs again and turns back around.

Add that to the list of things I'm not particularly fond of.

He gets special treatment.

"We've already assigned assignments," Professor Wilson says. "Grab one from the table closest to you."

Which would make it mine.

Oh joy.

Aiden sits beside Jordan, grabbing the piece of paper Mia hands over to him. He winks at her and stuffs it in his bag.

"We didn't have practice this morning," Jordan whispers, which makes my ears tip up.

Aiden grins. "He doesn't know that."

A liar too. How the list keeps expanding. A scoff escapes me before I can stop it, which makes both Jordan and Aiden turn to face me. My skin burns under the examination of his blue eyes burning into mine. It's not fair. He can't be tall, talented, and attractive. Pick one.

His eyebrows lift when he sees me.

Seeing as our best friends are dating, you'd expect us to have met before, but that hasn't happened yet.

The corner of his lips tips up in a smirk, which makes my eyes drift to them. Good lips too. Asshole.

"Leila Pérez."

My name on his lips has my head spinning. I lift an eyebrow at him.

"Do I know you?"

He laughs, fixing the hat on his head. "You're Rosie's friend, right?"

"Yeah."

He smiles, leaning forward on the table. "She's told me about you," he offers.

I nod. "Unfortunately, I can't say the same."

He laughs, which makes me glance at him. "What's with the hostility? Did I do something?"

I blink. "I'm sorry. Did you want me to get on my knees and bow for you?"

His tongue darts out to trace his bottom lip, and he lets out a low laugh. "Well.." I roll my eyes. "Forget it."

"The assignment is due in two weeks," Professor Wilson says. "I expect you all to put in the work.

Class dismissed."

Thank God. I pick up my bag, stuff the paper inside, and push the door open. I reach for my phone to meet up with Rosie, but a familiar, annoying voice stops me.

"You've been avoiding me."

I lift my head, seeing my roommate from hell standing in front of me, her arms crossed as she looks at me.

The lack of my smoothie is really taking its toll on me. I don't have the energy to deal with this today.

"I've been busy."

"Your plants are all dead," she states, making my heart break a little. "You haven't been over all week, and they're not mine to take care of. Where the hell have you been sleeping?"

"With friends."

Her face contorts, judgment and disgust painted all over it.

"Sleeping around for a bed?

Really?"

I would have thought I'd be used to the judgment from her already when she has said so many more degrading things before, but the shock is still there. "I don't have time for this." I try to push past her, but she stops me.

"If you're not coming back, I need your room."

"For what?"

She shrugs. "For my stuff. It's hard living from one dresser."

I restrain the urge to roll my eyes.

"Oh, the travesty."

"And your clothes take up so much space," she emphasizes, making me want to punch her.

Just a little. Fine, a lot. "Can you

do it?"

"Do what?" I don't even know what she's talking about; I just want to get rid of her.

"Move out."

Move out? Lord knows I want to, but I pay for that room. Granted, I barely use it anymore, but I can't crash at Gabi and Madi's forever.

"And where am I going to go, Tiffany?"

She shrugs. "With those friends of yours. Or you could ask for a transfer."

"Trust me. I've tried." No one wants to switch, and there are no available rooms left, which means either I move out or I'm stuck with her.

"I don't care what you do; just do it. Honestly, the quicker, the better."

Like that's an option. "I've got to go." I push past her and pull up my phone, texting the girls. Guess I need to find a new place to stay.

to be continued.......

Aiden

I know your secret There's nothing I miss about Texas. It's always way too hot, too many bugs, and, oh yeah, my family lives there.

For eighteen years, I've wanted to escape that hellhole, and now that I have, nothing in my body misses home. I hated it there.

But here? I'm a completely different person. I'm someone.

Even though I know who I really am, these people don't. The girls looking at me right now? All they see are my good looks and skills on the court. They don't see beyond the image I've tried so hard to keep. I fucking love it.

I lift my chin at the group of girls walking past me, the redhead in the mix keeping her eyes on me until she leaves the room.

Jordan nudges me on the arm, bringing my attention back to the assignment in my hands. "Can you talk to Grayson about it?" he asks.

"He doesn't do that anymore," I tell him, stuffing the paper in my pocket.

He stops in his tracks. "You've got to be kidding me."

I shrug, opening the door. "It's business class. It's not hard." Grayson's side hustle of doing assignments for people stopped months ago. Even though I've never used his services, many of my teammates have, and now that he's not doing that anymore, they have to actually work for their grades.

He laughs. "For you. I don't have time for this shit. I have practice all week."

"Coach still busting your balls?" I ask him, knowing damn well he is. Jordan's good, but he can get distracted. Can't fault Coach for wanting him to be more prepared.

"You have it easy." His eyes narrow, and he lets out a laugh. "He treats you with kid gloves."

"That's not true." His eyebrows lift, and I shrug. "Don't be jealous just because I'm the best player on the team," I joke, pushing through the doors to the courtyard.

He scoffs. "Best player, my ass." I let out a laugh. I might be teasing him, but I work hard for that spot. Being captain isn't a joke to me or a pastime.

Basketball is my number one priority. My only priority. So even though he might not agree, I will get there. I will be the best on the team, and I will get drafted. It has to happen; otherwise, I have nothing.

He lifts his chin. "You want to come over and play some games?"

"You sure you want to get another beating?"

He laughs. "Fuck you. You got lucky."

"Right." I let out a breath, shaking my head. "Can't. I have work tonight."

He laughs, like working is a joke to him, and it might as well be.

"Dude, come on. You can get out of it."

"I can't."

His eyebrows lift, humor coating his expression. "Are you broke or something?"

My stomach cramps when I let out an uncomfortable laugh.

He claps a hand on my shoulder. "See you at practice." He heads away to the frat house where he lives, where I tried to apply freshman year and got turned down, or I quit. The logistics are still blurry. That whole night is blurry; all I remember is chants and alcohol and a line of coke in front of me with my name on it, watching as the other pledges snorted the line, huge grins on their faces.

But I'd seen what it could do to someone once the high wore off and once they became addicted to it, hooked on it, dependent on it.

By the time I've reached my place, I've re-lived that whole night in my head. I blow out a breath, shaking the image from my head when I hear my name. I blink, seeing Grayson getting off the back of his motorcycle, a bouquet of flowers in his hands; no doubt for Rosie. That girl gets more flowers than the dead, I swear.

"What's up?"

"You blanked out for a sec," he says, his eyebrows bunched, looking at me with worry.

I run a hand down my face. "It's all good," I tell him, or maybe I tell myself. I don't know.

"You working tonight?"

I nod. "I have class in like an hour, and then I head straight there."

He nods. "You want me to pick you up later?"

"Nah." I shrug. "I'll walk."

"You sure?"

I roll my eyes. "Yes, Jesus, go see your girlfriend. She's probably waiting naked in bed for you," I joke.

He doesn't think it's funny, though. He narrows his eyes at me. "Don't think about Rosie naked, asshole."

I snort. "Too late." I'm fucking with him. Rosalie is pretty, and my best friend definitely agrees, seeing as he's deeply in love with her, but she does nothing for me. She's way too tiny and way too good. I like a girl who can keep me on my toes, someone who will play with me, who'll make it worth my time. Too bad I haven't found her yet.

I let out a laugh when he flips me off, walking inside the house. I follow him in, heading to the kitchen to grab a glass of water and down it.

My phone buzzes, making my head twist to where the screen lights up on the counter. I set the glass behind me and grab it, opening up the text.

Unknown:

I know your secret.

What the fuck? My eyebrows bunch up, my eyes burning a hole into the screen. I head towards the door, push it open and look around at... nothing. No one's there.

I look down at the phone in my hand, my eyes scanning the words, reading them over and over in my head.

There's only one secret I can think of.

Who is this?

In less than thirty seconds, I get another text, but there's no name, no words, just a picture.

My throat burns at the picture in front of me.

How the fuck did they get this?

What do you want?

to be continued........

Leila

Ex-Roommates

Fridays are good for one thing. Well, two. But the first is definitely my girls. I barely see them during the week, between classes and meetings with my agent, it doesn't leave much room for anything except a bath and heading into bed early.

The second thing?

Well...

Gabi flops onto the bed, pressing her hands under her chin, her blue eyes shining up at me.

"Wanna go to a party?"

That's the second thing.

I've never been one to turn down a party, contrary to Madeline, who drops her head back and groans.

"When?" I ask, trying not to laugh at Madi shooting me a glare.

"Tomorrow. Grayson's house."

Madi shakes her head. "I need to study."

Gabriella turns her body, facing Madi, who's sitting on Rosie's pink couch. "You've been studying all week," she says. "It's a Saturday. Loosen up, woman."

She narrows her eyes at Gabi. "I have an assignment."

Gabi kicks her feet over the edge, sitting on the edge of the bed. I glance over at Rosie, who's smiling already. We all know how this is going to end. Gabi begs, Madi gives in, Gabi wins.

"It's one night," Gabi says to her friend. "I promise we'll leave early."

Madeline laughs. "We both know that's bullshit. If you stay late, I'll have to as well." Madi and Gabi moved into an off-campus apartment for their sophomore year. And knowing Gabi, she'll either make a huge noise and wake Madeline up anyway, or end up passed out at the party.

"I promise this time," Gabi says with determination. "We'll leave at two."

"Twelve." Madi rebuts.

"One?" Gabi compromises. Madi stares at her, mulling it over until Gabi groans. "C'mon."

"Fine," Madi says with an eye roll, giving in just like we all knew she would. We can't say no to Gabi; she's our weakness.

"Fuck yes." Gabi turns her head.

"Who else is in?" She eyes Rosie.

"The party is at Grayson's house," she says with a shrug. "So, I'm already going to be there."

"Are you sure you can spend one night without your boyfriend?" Gabi teases her.

"She's in love," Madi replies.

"Leave her alone, you bully."

"Hey." Gabi's head snaps to Madi.

"That's how I show my love."

"I know I haven't been around as much," Rosie replies. "I'm sorry about that. It's just..." She smiles, lifting a shoulder apologetically. "I spent so long seeing people in love and wanting that for myself, and now that I have Grayson, I never want to leave him."

I smile at my best friend. I know exactly what she means, wanting to be around that person all the time. I thought I was in love once, gave so much of myself to that person, just for it to end up being a lie.

Gabi eyes me warily, probably knowing what I'm thinking about.

"You're in, right?" she asks.

"You're coming?"

"Of course." I shoot her a smile, trying to forget all about what went down in high school. "I'm there."

She grins. "I knew I liked you."

"Speaking of..." My eyes search for Gabi and Madi's, both of them looking my way. "Can I stay over again?"

"Of course," Madi says. "You're a better roommate than this one, anyway." She gestures with her head to Gabi.

"Take that back." Gabi narrows her eyes at Madeline, who's smirking. She shakes her head, laughing at Gabi's expression.

"Actually," Rosie says. "I've been meaning to talk to you about that."

"About what?"

"Well, I know you can't change roommates, but would you like to move in here?"

I blink. Move in here? "You're serious?" She nods, a smile tugging at her lips. Shit. That would be amazing, but... "Where would you go?"

She shrugs, tucking her blonde hair behind her ear. "I was thinking of moving in with Grayson."

My eyes widen. "Really?"

"Whipped," Gabi sings.

She shakes her head, a smile on her lips. "Yeah," she says. "I practically sleep there all the time anyway, and he's asked me once or twice."

My eyes widen. "And you said yes?"

"Not yet. But if you want this place, then it's yours."

I smile at my best friend since high school. "I would love to, but I don't think I can afford this place." I know I can't afford it.

This apartment is 1000 square feet of wealth. The couch Madi is sitting on probably costs more than everything I own. There's no way I could ever pay for this place.

Rosie shrugs. "My mother pays for it," she says. "She'll never know."

I eye the girls, and their expressions say everything. Do it, they scream with their eyes. I glance at my best friend once more, mulling it over, knowing everything in me wants to say hell yes. "You're sure?"

She nods. "I'm very sure. It's a win-win, Leila, just say yes."

I blow out a heavy breath, unable to contain the grin on my face. "I don't have to put up with Tiffany anymore?"

"Thank fuck," Gabi mutters. "She was a disaster. I knew it from the moment I saw her."

"You can't judge someone by how they look," Madi says. "She could have been a really nice girl."

Gabi shrugs. "But she wasn't," she says. "She said the only reason I was bi was because I'm a whore."

Damn. I didn't know that. "She looks evil and is evil."

Tiffany was one of the worst people I've ever had the displeasure of being around. She was judgmental and had no regard for my personal space.

And now, hearing that she offended my friend? I owe Rosie big time for finally being done with her.

"And you didn't slap her?" Madi asks, her brows lifting.

Gabriella flicks her brown hair behind her shoulders, letting out a sigh. "It's not worth it. People are just going to say what they want no matter what I do." She glances at Rosie, a smile on her lips. "You're moving in with Grayson."

We all note how Gabi seems to want to change the subject, so Rosie smiles, a blush peeking on her pale skin. "Yeah," she breathes out. "I am."

I nudge her. "How do you feel about that?"

She blows out a breath, a huge grin on her face. "Good," she says.

"I can't wait."

Her phone rings beside her, and by the smile on her face, I can already guess who it is.

"Is that lover boy?" Gabi asks.

Rosie lifts her eyes, a laugh escaping her. "Don't call him that," she says, scrunching her nose. "But yes." She drops her eyes again, texting away. "Do you guys want to come over later?" Rosie says, lifting her head to look at us.

"To Grayson's?" Madi asks. She nods. "We can watch a movie or something, to celebrate." "Well, since someone's dragging me to a party tomorrow, I only have today to study," Madi says apologetically. "I won't make it. I'm sorry."

"That's okay," Rosie says, eyeing Gabi. "What about you?" She shakes her head. "Dance practice," she says. at me.

Rosie frowns, looking A laugh escapes me. "Sure, I'll be there. I just have to get my stuff from my dorm before I do."

Gabi lets out a snort. "Good luck dealing with her."

I don't need luck. I need resilience.

to be continued....