The Love Game (The Game, #1)

CHAPTER Five - Maddie

I detour to the dorm room after my morning class. I shut the door behind me loudly and lean against it, shaking my head.
I'm about to go on a date with Braden Carter, resident playboy, all because of a stupid dare. But is it the dare that's stupid, or me for agreeing to it?
I think I'm voting for both.
I run my brush through my hair and touch up my make-up, glancing at the sheet on the wall. Stage One, Attachment. Today's goal is to leave him wanting a little more, to make him come back tomorrow. I sigh and leave the room, running down the stairs and out into the California sunshine. My floaty skirt swishes as I walk towards the campus Starbucks, butterflies going crazy in my stomach. Why do I have butterflies? I hate this guy. It's not even a real date.
That thought doesn't stop the extra loud beat of my heart when I see him. He's leaning against the wall outside, headphones in, and his head is bobbing to whatever he's listening to. His hands are in the pockets of his slim fit, dark blue jeans. As if he can feel me watching, he looks up and electric blue eyes collide with mine.
He smiles as I approach him, and the butterflies turn to stampeding elephants. I feel sick.
“Hey there, Angel,” Braden says and reaches to open the door for me.
“Hey,” I reply, walking through the door. “Thank you.”
“You're welcome.” He puts a hand on my back and guides me towards the counter. “What are you having?”
“A grande double chocolate chip frappucino, please.” I smile at his confused face. “What?”
“Chocolate chips in coffee? Why?”
“Why not?” I shrug. “It's yummy.”
“Okay, I'll try that.”
“What do you normally have?”
“Uh, normal coffee. You know, like a normal person drinks?” He laughs.
“Are you saying I'm not normal?” I raise an eyebrow as we reach the counter.
“Not at all.” He smiles. “Hi, can I have, er, what was it again?” He looks at me sheepishly.
I sigh, roll my eyes and shake my head. “Can we have two grande double chocolate chip fraps please?”
“And two blueberry muffins,” Braden adds, looking down at me. I blush slightly, and he slides his hand round so it's holding my waist. The barista steals glances at him as she prepares our drinks. It's all I can do not to roll my eyes again. We take our drinks, and Braden pays.
“Is it always like this for you?” I ask as we sit down.
“Like what?”
“Girls staring at you.”
“Who was staring?”
“The barista. Did you not notice?”
He shrugs one shoulder carelessly. “I don't pay much attention to it. If they're good enough to catch my eye then I'll pay them attention.”
“Oh, I feel so privileged,” I say sarcastically.
“Hey.” He raises his eyebrows. “I'm on a date with you, so you're not just good enough, Maddie. In fact, you're probably too good.”
I sip my drink and pick a piece of muffin off, popping it into my mouth. “So why are you here then? If I'm too good.”
“Because I'll never know unless I try, right?” he asks. “Like this coffee. I never knew how good it was until I tried it. I'll never know if I'm good enough for you unless I try.”
Wow. Braden wants in my pants. Bad.
“You win that one.” I smile.
“And Kyle has his eye on you. I don't do well with competition.”
“Ah, so that's what yesterday was about.” They were fighting over me?
Neanderthals.
“There's a slim chance of you bein' right there, beautiful.”
“I'd say there's a really good chance.” I sigh. “You really were fighting over me? Me? Wow.” I shake my head.
“Don't sound so shocked, Maddie. We're not the only guys in that house that have an interest in you,” he admits.
“You just thought you'd get in there first?” I comment wryly.
“Yes. I mean, no. I mean. F*ck." He groans. "This is so not the way I wanted this to go.”
I raise my eyebrows and glance at the clock.
“Yes. I thought I'd get in there first, but only because I'd get stupidly jealous if I saw you with one of those guys.”
“Right,” I say. “We need to get to class. It starts in five minutes.”
Braden sighs, and we both stand. I wrap my hands round the take out cup and back out of the door. We walk back towards the main campus in silence, and I almost wish we didn't have class together. This no talking thing is tense, even if I do hate the guy.
“Maddie,” he says, pulling me aside before we walk into the room. “That wasn't supposed to go like that. I'm sorry.”
I look towards the open class door. “It's no big deal, Braden. I mean, you don't date, right? Now you know for sure you don't.”
He reaches forward and tucks my hair behind my ear. “It is a big deal, to me it is. Let me try again. Please?”
I narrow my eyes and look at him. “Are you asking me for a second date?”
“Yeah,” he says in a soft voice. “I am askin' you for a second date.”
“I'll think about it, and then I'll call you.”
“You don't have my number.” He gives me a small smile.
I walk towards the classroom and look back at him when I reach the door. He's still standing by the side, watching me with that same smile playing on his lips.
“Then I guess you'll just have to wait, won't you?” I smirk and Megan rounds the corner. Her eyes shoot between both of us.
“How long?” Braden asks.
“However long I feel like making you wait.” My smirk changes to a grin. “Come on, you'll be late for class.”
I walk through the door with Megan, and we slide into our seats.
“Second date?” she whispers in my ear.
“Yep,” I reply. “He just doesn't know that yet.”