They bet on me? My chest aches, cheeks flushed red as the weight of the remaining eyes in the room land on me.
"W-what? No. no you didn't, you wouldn't! Tell me it isn't true" I demand, the lump in my throat hurting. Alex stays with his feet planted by the chair he was sat on and his gaze flickers to the ground. Ethan, still with the phone in his hand just sighs and moved toward me.
"I can explain..." he tries, discomfort and possible regret sat within his facial features. He scratches the back of his neck awkwardly. No, he can't explain.
"So what you're turning into him now?!" I point a finger at Alex accusingly, looking up to Ethan who is a whole head taller, but I don't feel intimidated.
"In my sixteen years only now did I choose to get to know him! Why? Because he does this. You're home for what a two weeks and you're already acting like him?!" I scream, Ethan groans, putting his face into his palms and muttering under his breath.
"And you!" I turn hot on my heels, stalking across the living room so I'm inches away from Alex. I point my index finger close to him. "I didn't think even you would sink this low..and you took Ethan with you. You're toxic Alex Parker!" I wipe furiously under my eyes, refusing to cry in front of them. Alex looks at me blankly, he had always been good at looking like nothing was effecting him.
"The bet wasn't made to hurt you!" Alex defends himself. Making me feel like it is one of those moments you're told the world doesn't revolve around you.
"Then what exactly was it supposed to do?!" I snap. "Stay away from me. Both of you. I guess you both have to pay up" I grab my jacket and head out of the living room, focusing my stare on the door.
"It wasn't for money" Ethan whines. "Max I'd never do that to you"
"You don't get to act like the good guy" I tell him, leaving the house and taking the cool night breeze against my face refreshingly.
~~~
Alex POV:
One week ago :
"O'Donnell! There's this thing called passing the ball" I yell, closing my helmet. It was Ethan's first training session for our lacrosse team and he was testing my patience. Is that because he isn't passing enough or because I don't like him?
We join the back of the line, of course I'm paired up with him. The aim of this training method was for two players to get through the defense team and shoot successfully, easier said than done.
Once we reach the front of the queue again, I start with the ball. We run as fast as we can, in low competition to run faster that the other . Charging at the defender and dodging at the last moment, swinging my lacrosse stick and throwing the ball over another defenders head . Ethan catches it and shoots, not very well of course. The ball is easily caught by our keeper and we return back to the queue.
"Learn to shoot and score" I tell him, frustration most likely clear in my voice.
"My shot was perfect" he defends himself. "Let's talk about the real reason you hate me yeah?" he teases. "You really like her huh? Well you need to say away from her"
"Like you are any better for her" I scoff, rolling my eyes and turning to watch Grayson take out the defense.
"Oh I am" the over confident arsehole is really getting on my nerves now.
"Just work on your scoring" I dismiss him, shutting down the conversation and with any luck, he will get the hint and I won't have to listen to his voice for the remains of the session.
"I'm pretty good at scoring...Max will be my next" the jerk winks chuckling to himself.
Don't lash out
Don't lash out
Don't lash out.
"She wouldn't get with a loser like you" I tell him. "She has standards"
"Exactly, which is why whatever shot you think you have with her is non existent. I'm just here to get my girlfriend back" he states. Now I'm beyond mad, but I refuse to let him see that.
"If I don't have a shot, you definitely do not have any shot at all" I laugh, trying my best to sound confident. Bluffing was something I have always been good at, but at this moment I felt insecure about it.
"Okay let's see about that. Prom night is three weeks away. Whoever can convince her to go and get her in bed on the night, wins" Ethan suggests a smirk forming on his lips. At first I want to laugh hysterically, what a childish game to play.
However, instead of laughing and turning him down , I find myself with my jaw locked in place and asking "Loser walks away?"
Ethan nods once in agreement and that's when I notice the three lads stood beside us in the queue, still out of breath.
"Woah man, think about what you're agreeing to" Grayson warns me, but I don't care, I do what I want.
"Deal" I shake Ethan's hand firmly and he runs off to get a drink.
Kyle, who's staring at me like I'm an alien, shakes his head. "What?" I ask
"Dudeee" he 'tuts', pulling the lacrosse jumper over his long messy hair.
~~~
I stand, fists clenched in the now silent room.
Kyle opens his mouth as though he's about to speak but I cut in. "Nobody likes an I told you so" I snark.
It then becomes clear what I have to do, I swing the door open, not bothering to close it and race down the street in the cold air. I can see her, she's at the end of the long street now, turning the corner. I push my legs faster, to focus on my breathing doesn't even occur to me, it isn't a problem, it's completely forgotten. All I can think about is her.
~~~
Max's POV:
"Max!" I hear my name and I know who it is, but I continue to walk faster now than before. Hasn't he screwed with me enough?
"Max!" He calls louder, I can hear his fast footsteps getting closer.
He finally reaches me, touching my shoulder and saying my name once more, I turn on my heels to face him, embarrassed that I'm crying, but my anger is much more prominent.
"Leave me alone Alex Parker" I beg- whine almost. Wiping once again at my damp cheeks.
"Hear me out" he breathes heavily and I sigh. Why am I giving him this chance?
Because you're addicted to the bad boy. The little voice in my head whispers.
"I don't know why I agreed to the bet. I knew it was wrong, but Ethan God damn O'Donnell feels like a threat okay." He tells me, running both hands through his hair, pushing it back so it is messy.
"Once again, you make out nothing is ever your fault . I don't have time for this" he looks panicked as I begin to turn away.
"No stop! Listen, I knew it was wrong, I haven't even tried to bring up prom night to you! I don't even want to get into your pants" he exclaims, then widens his eyes with a mortified look on his face. I raise my eyebrow, crossing my arms.
"That came out wrong! It's not that I don't want to - I do!" I scoff shaking my head. "I'm lost." He admits.
"The point is...I usually talk to girls, get into their pants and move on, but I don't want to do that! I just-" he sighs in frustration, pinching the bridge of his nose and shutting his eyes. I've lent comfortably against the wall now, I don't want to leave. I want to hear what he has to say.
"I'm not sure what you're trying to say" I admit, confused thoughts running wild in my head.
"I made the bet because whoever lost had to walk away." He says. "And I wanted him to walk away"
I just look at him, brows furrowed, clutching my jacket in the cold air. "I think I should go" I whisper, though I want to stay, for him to make clear what his point is. I turn and get about two steps in before I freeze.
"I think I might be in love with you!" He shouts so loud his voice echoes. I turn to see he has his back to me, his hands behind his head as he turns swiftly.
"You really can't stand losing can you?" There's no way he meant that, it's impossible. We hate each other, we fight and insult each other and it's been like that for sixteen years.
"For real Max, God I can't believe I'm saying this. To you of all people" he remarks. Um...Should I be offended?
I shift uncomfortably, my heart racing as he continues. "I've never felt this way before. It's like...when I'm angry you're presence calms me. I tease you, upset you, but when somebody else does it I want to rip their heads off. Oh god it's the most confusing feeling, to go from despising someone to thinking you may be in love with them. It makes me wonder if I ever really did hate you. Perhaps I was just in denial" His hands find his hair, combing it back for what seems like the millionth time. I stand in awe, never had I ever expected these words to fall from Alexander Parker's lips.
"You-...you think you're in love with me?" It sound frail and pathetic compared to his bravery. Is this a dream?
"And then I saw you kiss Ethan at the party..." he looks down, staring at the pavement. "I didn't know what to do, so to protect my own feelings I shut you out" he admits, his walls are shattered, crumbled to the floor and the emotion he shows right now is overwhelming. Guilt, frustration, dare I say love?
"I'm not in love with Ethan, maybe I was once upon a time, but it feels like a different life time" I tell him, may as well join in with the truth right?
"But not me either right? I went to far . I hurt you too much" he sighs. He is right, he did go to far, he did hurt me too much. But oh he is so wrong.
"Take me to prom" I say. I didn't think about it, just blurted it out.
"What?" He asks to which I roll my eyes.
"Well?" I ask.
And then, he closed the distance between us and kissed me. Not like the other times, it didn't taste of him mixed with paint nor did either of us 'fall' , but we kissed because he liked me, and I liked him.
~~~
Double update because I love you guys! I'm sad to say this book is almost finished:(
But on the bright side , the chapter we have been waiting for is here:)
Vote, comment your thoughts. Be critical! Lots of love xoxo