The Player

Chapter 21

Brielle

6:32 AM

"Here you go," Christopher said, handing me a cup of coffee from Starbucks. "I wasn't sure what you

like in it so I just got sugar and cream on the side. Is that okay?"

Christopher had just picked me up from my house to take me to school. I tried to tell him that I didn't

mind just getting a ride from Sam like always, but he insisted.

"It's perfect," I said, taking the cup from his hand. "But you didn't have to get me anything."

"I know, can't I just do something nice for my girlfriend?"

A smile spread on my face at the sound of the word. Girlfriend. He had only asked me to date him a

week ago, and every time I heard it butterflies went off in my stomach.

"Well, thank you," I said, leaning in to give him a kiss on the cheek. At the last moment he turned,

causing my lips to press to his instead.

"Hey!" I yelled playfully, slapping him on the arm.

"You're welcome," he said, pulling out of my driveway. "I knew that you wanted to kiss me, so I just

wanted to make it easier for you."

I rolled my eyes at his cockiness. "Well jokes on you because I didn't even want to kiss you on the lips."

"And why is that?"

"You're kind of a bad kisser," I lied, wanting to knock his ego down a peg. "It's just a little bit slobbery.

Kind of like kissing my dog."

A dangerous smirk danced across his lips. "That's funny, because that's not what you were saying at

my lake house."

My head whipped towards him. "What's that supposed to mean?"

He took a long pause, dragging on the silence to get on my nerves.

"Let's just say that you talk a lot when you're asleep."

My face turned beet red when I heard him. "You're lying!" I stammered. I was so embarrassed that I

could barely string together two words.

"Nope," he said, popping the p. "You also get really grabby, I basically had to pry you off me."

I covered my face with both of my hands, wanting to hide behind them for the rest of my life. I made a

mental note to never fall asleep near him again.

"Hey, there's nothing to be ashamed of," he said softly, prying my hand off my face and intertwining it

with his. His face was sincere until it morphed into a giant smirk. "I don't blame you. Very few women

can keep their hands to themselves when they're around me."

I pulled my hand from his grasp and punched him in the arm, earning another round of laughs from

him. By the time that he had finally gained his composure he had pulled into a parking spot in the front

of the school.

My breath hitched in my chest at the sight of everyone flooding in. When we walked in together hand in

hand, people would know that he and I were dating. I knew that I would be the main topic of gossip for

the day. A wave of panic set over me. I hated being the center of attention.

Christopher turned towards me, seeming to sense my sudden nervousness. "Hey are you okay?" He All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

asked, his eyes growing soft.

I nodded my head unconvincingly.

"Don't worry about what anyone says, you're going to be fine." He wrapped his arm around my

shoulder and pulled me close, planting a kiss on my forehead. I leaned into him, feeling all my worries

melt away.

He pulled away too soon and hopped out of the car. Before I had a chance to get out he was on my

side of the door, holding it open for me. After I climbed out he interlocked my hand in his and squeezed

it.

As we walked in, I felt all eyes on me and Christopher as we walked into school. The hallways that we

walked into suddenly grew quiet and filled with hushed whispers. I felt my cheeks grew red.

Instinctively, I tried to pull my hand from his, wanting to shrink away from the attention. But he held me

there, instead sending me a reassuring gaze.

By the time we reached my locker it felt like I had walked for hours. Sam was waiting there, leaning on

a locker a few away from mine. Christopher leaned over and planted a kiss on my lips.

"How are the love birds doing," she chimed in a sing-songy voice. I playfully rolled my eyes. "We're fine

Sam."

"Good because if not," she paused, sending death glares at Christopher, "I am not opposed to murder."

He took a step back, raising his hands up defensively.

I couldn't help but laugh at the fact that Christopher was afraid of Sam, who was only a little over five

feet tall. Even though she is tiny, she sure can be intimidating.

"On that note," Christopher said, placing his hands in his pockets, "I'm going to go." I pouted, not

wanting me to leave.

He planted a kiss on the top of my head. "Don't pout, it makes your forehead wrinkle," he murmured. I

watched him walk away, already missing his presence. When I turned my focus back on Sam, my eyes

were welcomed with her exaggeratedly gagging.

"You are so lucky that you're my friend, otherwise I would have thrown up at you guys by now." I rolled

my eyes.

"Come on, let's go to class," I reached my hand up to close my locker, but someone beat me to the

punch, slamming it in my face. My eyes widened as I spotted the culprit.

Melanie, Christopher's ex-girlfrined, stood in front of me, her eyes squinted at me in hatred. Her gaze

alone was enough to make me want to run and hide. Her reaction was the one that I was most afraid

of. However, I knew that if me and Christopher were going to work, I was going to have to face her

eventually.

I stood up straighter, recovering from the initial shock of her presence. "What do you want?" I snapped,

trying to sound as intimidating as possible.

She rolled her eyes at me. "I just wanted to warn you. It's only a matter of time before Christopher gets

tired of you and comes running back to me. That's how it always is." She plastered a fake sincere look

on her face.

"And I just felt bad because everyone knows it but you, and I would want someone to give me a head's

up if it were me."

"Gee, thanks for that, I really appreciate it." I deadpanned, taking a step closer to her, our faces nearly

touching. "But I just want you to know that he picked me over you. And no matter how many lockers

you slam, or drinks you pour on me, at the end of the day I'm the one that he kisses goodnight." I spat,

venom practically dripping from my words.

"You're nothing but a bitter ex that can't handle rejection, and everyone can see it."

I took a step back, faking a heartfelt smile. "And I just felt bad because everyone knows it but you, and

I would want someone to give me a head's up."

And with that, I spun on my heels and walked away.

~~~~

Christopher POV

"We've got this game against East Valley in the bag," I said, punching my teammate JP in the arm. We

had just come out of our practice, and we killed it. We were totally going to make state this year.

We walked separate ways as I made my way alone down the hallway. Out of nowhere, someone

placed their hand on their shoulder. I turned around, and faced Scott, Brielle's brother. My face instantly

hardened. All I could see was red.

"What do you want."

His face contorted in anger. "I want you to stay the hell away from my sister."

"Don't worry," I smirked, "I'm taking good care of her." His fist balled up at his sides.

He squinted his eyes at me. "I know that you're just using her to get back at me."

"And what about it?' I seethed. "I think that it's about time that you get a taste of your own medicine,

and if Brielle has to get hurt along the way so be it." As soon as I said it I regretted it, but I couldn't let

him know that.

"I swear to God Russel, don't test me or-" I cut him off.

"Or what, you'll tell her to stay away from me? While you're at it, tell her why you and I have history,

and make sure to include the shit that you did to my sister, I'm sure that she won't be able to look at

you the same way again."

His silence told me that he knew I was right. "There's nothing you can do about it except watch it

happen, and you'll have to live with the fact that it was because of you."

I took a step back, lifting my duffel bag from football over my shoulder. "And I can tell you from

experience, that it's not fun."

I walked away from him. Once I was out of sight, I leaned against a locker, pressing my forehead to the

cool metal. I can't believe that I just said that. If Brielle found out... No, I didn't even want to think about

it.

For once in my life I genuinely like someone, and yet whenever I get around Scott I can't think straight.

All I want to do is to hurt him for how much pain he caused my sister.

I punched the locker before angrily running my hands through my hair. As long as no one heard, then I

was alright. I took a look down the deserted halls before letting out a sigh of relief. I should be okay.

~~~~

Sam POV

"Thanks for giving me extra help Mrs. Wayne, I was totally lost on this upcoming chemistry test."

She flashed me a smile. "It's okay, just remember your polyatomics and you'll be fine!"

"Thank you!" I called once again as I walked out of her room, closing the door behind me. As I made

my way to the corner of the hallway I stopped in my tracks, hearing faint yelling.

I peeked around the corner and spotted Scott and Christopher aggressively talking to each other, each

of their faces contorted in anger. I quickly hid myself once again, pressing myself to wall as I tried

desperately to hear what they were saying.

"...you're just using her..."

"...if Brielle has to get hurt along the way so be it..."

My jaw dropped. That evil son of a-

My though was interrupted by the sound of angry footsteps pounding towards me. I pressed myself

tight against the wall, trying to hide myself from whoever was coming my way. It wasn't until

Christopher had completely passed by my hallway that I let out a sigh of relief.

I quickly made my way straight down the hallway, passing the hallway that Scott and Christopher were

arguing in. However, I jumped in surprise when on the other side I spotted Melanie leaning against the

wall.

She pouted. "Poor Brielle, it would be a shame if someone was to tell her..." she trailed off, an evil glint

in her eyes. She flipped her hair over her shoulder before sashaying away.

My eyes grew wide, still not believing what had enfolded in front of me in the past few minutes.

Holy. Crap.