Page 79 of Disobedient Pawn

As I glanced at her, I realized I was holding my cup to my lips, smiling like an idiot. Clearing my throat, I turned around and sat the stupid cup down. I wanted to punch Blake.

“Yer wrong,” I said.

“No, I’m not, and they’re coming this way.”

“I need to make her jealous,” I whispered.

“What? Myles, that’s a stupid plan. Jealousy is crazy, unpredictable, and it will backfire on you.”

“Ya don’t understand. The only time I get any real emotion out of Ren is when I make her jealous. Please help me,” I begged Lisa.

“Oh, heck no. I’m not getting in the middle of whatever shit you and my cousin have going on with her. I’ve seen your games, and I don’t approve.”

“It’s no game. Lisa, please, I’ll owe ya a favor, and ya know Blake would never extend the same gratitude.”

“I’ll think about it,” she said, her voice low and barely able to be heard with the loud music.

I knew Ren was close as the air around me electrified.

“Hi there, cuz. Good to see you again.”

Lisa pushed away from the bar, and my entire body shook with the energy coursing through my veins. I could feel her behind me, and I wanted Ren to reach out and touch me so badly that I would’ve paid any amount to make it happen. I didn’t do love or anything mushy because it all seemed like false advertising. But there was something about Ren that drove me insane.

“Do you mind passing me the ginger ale,” Ren asked from right beside me.

She was so close I could feel the warmth of her body caressing mine, or maybe I was having a hot flash. Either way, I needed to get control of myself before I pushed her up against the wall. Wondering how she’d taste and the feel of her body under my hands was a continuous loop in my brain. Grabbing the large bottle, I dared to look at her. I figured she’d take it, make her drink, and walk away. Instead, we stood with our fingers touching, holding onto the green plastic, Ren didn’t pull, and I didn’t let go as we stared into each other’s eyes. I wanted to stand like that forever. Fuck, I was turning into a hopeless romantic.

“I’m sorry,” I managed to blurt out finally. “For the way the other night went. I swear I’m not playing ya, Snowflake.”

I was tempted to tell her about the bet and lay all my cards on the table, but if I did that, it could lead to a shitload of other issues. I’d never been so intimidated by someone’s eyes searching mine, but to have her take a moment and listen was worth a thousand interrogations.

“I’m tellin’ the truth, I…I do have a rep, but…”

Blake chose that moment to wrap his arm around my shoulders, and just like that, the moment between us burst.

“Hey bud, where are the rest of the guys?”

A thousand bullets could cut him down where he stood, and I would still spit on his body for how furious I was. He smiled, choosing to be completely oblivious to my murderous glare. Ren turned to greet Lisa, and as the two girls spoke, Blake whispered in my ear.

“Don’t worry. I’m sure you still have a tiny chance to win.”

He held up his fingers to demonstrate just how little he thought that was, and my jaw twitched along with my fist.

“Why are ya doing this,” I asked, even though it was a stupid question.

“Because I want to win, and seeing you twisted like this is worth every second.”

Giving my shoulder a clap, he turned his back on me to speak with Ren and Lisa as Ivy, and Chantry joined them.

Marching away, I wandered over to the beer pong game and tossed my money down to play the next round. Making Ren jealous was the only card I had left. Blake had charm and impeccable timing, and Nash would take what he wanted until she finally caved. Neither of those things would work for me. I wasn’t like, at least not with her.

She could be spitting mad as long as she looked at me like she had the other night. I did a quick scan of the room. Now I just needed to find someone to help me.

NOVEMBER 12 – SATURDAY 10:03 PM

Ren

I’d been dreading this moment but couldn’t take it any longer. I had to break the seal and use the bathroom. Pushing through the crowd that had doubled in size since I first arrived, I noticed Ivy making headway with Zigzag. They were talking and laughing, so I gave them their space. Chantry had found a couple of her friends that went to this school, and she was happily chatting in the corner.