Would You Rather: A College Romance (Campus Games Book 3)

Cherry bombshell

I shouldn’t be nervous.

Our friends already know we’re together since Lucas told the guys, I know the girls know, too. It shouldn’t be a big deal, but my body shakes all the same.

Twisting the doorknob, I push the door open and walk inside, catching the soft murmur of voices coming from the living room. Lucas gives my hand a warm squeeze, and I can’t help but glance at him. His smile calms the nerves inside of me, knowing I don’t have to do this alone. I don’t have to do anything alone ever again.

“Are you ready?” he asks a glint of excitement in his eyes.

A heavy breath escapes me when I nod. “Yes,” I assure him, a mix of nerves and anticipation bubbling in the pit of my stomach. “How do you think they’re going to react?”

His lips curl into a grin as he leans in and presses them to my forehead. “Only one way to find out,” he says. He gives my hand another reassuring squeeze.

“Oh hey, we were just— Oh my god.” I turn around to see Rosalie’s eyes so wide they almost pop out of her head. Her hand is pressed against her mouth as she takes me in. “You actually did it.”

I grin, flicking my burgundy red hair behind my ear. “Do you like it?”

She takes a step closer, examining the color. “So much I’m considering dying mine.”

I let out a laugh, thanking my trusted hairdresser for doing a good job. I definitely wasn’t going to use the cheap hair-dye Gabi had stored. If I’m going to go all the way, then I’m going to do it right.

“Don’t you dare,” I tell her. “Blonde is your color.”

She smiles and then shakes her head. “Gabi’s going to flip out.”

I know.

She pushes the door open, walking inside, and Lucas and I follow her in, feeling a little at ease now that someone other than Lucas has seen me.

“Give it back.” The door opens wider, and I see Gabi standing over Grayson, who has a controller in his hand, holding it away from Gabi.

“Take it back,” he says, his eyes narrowed.

“That you suck?” she says with a grin. “Never.”

He shakes his head, moving the controller out of the way when she reaches for it again. “Then you’re not getting it.”

“I feel like this is my fault,” Aiden says, laughing at the sight.

Grayson glares at him. “It is.”

She lunges for him, grabbing the controller from his hands, before she wraps her arm around his head, but when she turns her head, she freezes, her eyes widening, locked on me. “Holy shit.”

“Get the fuck off me,” Grayson wheezes, tapping Gabi’s hand, who has him in a chokehold.

She releases him, slowly walking toward me. “Holy shit.”

I let out a laugh, feeling everyone’s eyes on me. “You’ve said that.”

“Fuck, she’s strong,” Grayson murmurs. “What the fuck does she eat?”

“It’s Gabi,” Aiden says dryly. “Did you really think she couldn’t handle herself?”

“Plus, she’s a dancer,” Leila points out. “They’re strong as hell.”

Gabi doesn’t even listen to them. She shakes her head, unable to believe her eyes, as she stalks over to me. “You dyed your hair red?”

I glance at Lucas, a grin on my lips. “A bet’s a bet,” I tell her, lifting my shoulder in a shrug. “I lost, so I paid up.”

“Well, I wouldn’t say you lost,” Lucas says beside me.

I turn to look at him, a smile on my lips. “No,” I agree. “I guess I won, after all.”

“Ugh,” Gabi groans, tipping her head back. “I knew it. I’m going to be alone forever.”

“You won’t,” Aiden says adamantly.

She turns to face him, a frown on her lips. “How do you know that?”

He narrows his eyes at her. “Gabi.”

What the hell? My brows furrow as I take in their interaction.

She shakes her head, letting out a sigh. “I need a drink.” She whips her head around, pressing her lips together in a smile, looking at me. “I’m happy for you,” she says. “I really am. You need to know that.”

“I know,” I assure her. If it wasn’t for Gabi, I know I wouldn’t have taken that step with Lucas. I had been telling myself I didn’t need a guy in my life for so long that I was purposely keeping him at a distance, even when I knew I had feelings for him. Gabi made me realize that it was ok to fall for someone–that my ex didn’t set the standard for every other guy who came after him.

“Good.” She shoots me a smile, but it drops when she narrows her gaze on Lucas. “She’s my best friend,” she says.

“I know,” he replies.

“And I can fight.”

His chin dips in a slow nod, a hint of a smirk on his lips. “I can tell.”

“Which means if you hurt her…”

“You’ll hurt me?” he guesses.

She lifts her chin. “Smart guy.” She walks past us, heading out of the living room.

I turn to Aiden, my brows furrowed in confusion. “What was all that about?” I ask him. “You know something I don’t?”

His lips twitch. “I might.”

“How?”

He shrugs. “We’re friends,” he says. I try not to think too much about it, but… She told Aiden and not me? He must see the expression on my face because he’s quick to add, “She just needed to vent. You were busy with class and the public appearances with Lucas, and she just didn’t want to bother you.” He shoots me a sympathetic smile. “I’m sure she’ll tell you when she’s ready.”

I nod, thinking back to when she crashed on my bed, rambling on about something. I should have asked her, and I should have let her know I’d always have time for her. I glance at Leila, who sat next to Aiden, his arm around her. “Do you know too?”

She laughs. “Are you kidding?” She gestures to her boyfriend with her thumb. “This one can’t keep a secret to save his life.”

He grins, leaning closer to her. “Not from you, I can’t.”

Leila shakes her head, smirking. “He’s so obsessed with me. It’s embarrassing.” Her nose scrunches, but I see the hint of a smile on her lips.

His arms wrap around her waist, pulling her into his lap. “Fuck yeah, I am,” he whispers against her lips. “And don’t lie to your friends, gorgeous. We both know you’re just as obsessed with me.”

Leila furrows her brows. “I’m not.”

“No?” Aiden asks with a smirk. “That’s not what it sounded like last night.” He grins before tipping his head back. “Aiden,” he fake moans. “Aiden. Aiden.”

“Shut up.” Leila slaps his chest, and he laughs.

“Admit it,” he says. “You looooove me.”

Leila lets out a breath, crossing her arms. “I hate you right now.”

Aiden groans, shaking his head with a smile. “Fuck, that makes me so hard.”

“Meow.” I turn my head, seeing Leila and Aiden’s black and white cat jumping on Leila’s lap.

“Shit,” Aiden says, groaning into Leila’s neck. “Can’t say that in front of the kid.”

Leila laughs. “He’s a cat. Not a baby,” she says, petting Tiger, who purrs.

He lifts his shoulder in a shrug, smirking down at her. “It’s good practice for our kid.”

Leila’s lips part, and she keeps her eyes locked on his, breathing hard. A smile creeps onto my face. I love seeing those two so in love. They both deserve it.

“Hey bitches, we’re ba— Oh shit.” James winces when Lucas turns his head, his eyes widening at him. James hanging out here isn’t weird. What is weird is that he’s not alone. There’s a tall, blonde guy standing next to him, and they’re holding hands.

“James?” Lucas asks, looking at the guy whose face is as red as a tomato.

“Hey, bro,” James replies with a grin.

“Don’t you bro me.” Lucas shakes his head. “What the hell?”

“Oh yeah.” James laughs, gesturing to the guy who still hasn’t spoken. “So, this is my boyfriend. Carter.”

“Your what?” Lucas asks, confused.

James shrugs. “It’s new?”

“How new?”

James shrugs again, brushing his hair back. “A few weeks?”

“What?” Lucas furrows his brows, shaking his head. “How did I not know about this?” He turns, looking at Aiden and Grayson, who don’t seem surprised at all. “Did you guys know about this?” he asks them.

“Yeah,” Grayson says with a shrug.

“And no one decided to tell me?”

“They were just hooking up,” Aiden says. “It wasn’t any of my business to tell you. Besides, Carter only just came out recently. I didn’t want to out him.” Aiden reaches up, fixing the cap on his head. “You don’t need to worry. Carter’s a great guy.”

A sigh comes from behind us. “It’s not awkward at all hearing people talk about you,” Carter says.

Lucas turns back to face Aiden and narrows his eyes. “You vouch for him?” he asks. I know how much he loves James. He’s his brother at the end of the day, blood or not, and he won’t stand for someone hurting him.

Aiden nods, his face serious. “One hundred percent,” he says with full conviction.

Lucas nods, turning around to face Carter, holding his hand out. Carter grasps his hand in his and shakes it. Lucas leans into him, tilting his head. “You better be good to him.”

“Of course,” Carter replies.

The door opens, and in walks Gabi. She stops dead in her tracks, her eyes landing on James and Carter. “Oh goodie,” she says, cracking open a can of beer, her tone filled with sarcasm. “More people in love.” She takes a gulp of her drink, downing it down. “Yay.”

“You want to play against me?” Aiden asks, holding out a controller to her.

“As long as that cat doesn’t come near me,” she says, narrowing her eyes at Tiger. “I swear he hates me.”

“He can sense that you’re a dog person,” Leila jokes.

“I’ll give you a real challenge as opposed to Grayson,” Aiden says with a teasing grin.

Grayson narrows his eyes, raising two hands to flip him off before he turns back to Rosie, who’s laughing. “You think that’s funny?” he asks her.

She raises a shoulder. “A little,” she teases.

Grayson’s head shakes as he breathes out a laugh, pulling her into him. “Oh, you like to tease, huh?” he asks. “Well, so do I.” His hand skates around her thighs as he lifts her onto his lap to straddle him.

She gasps when he lifts himself off the couch, Rosie’s legs wrapped around his waist. “Grayson.” Her arms fling around his neck to support herself.

“Don’t wait up for us,” he tells us, slamming the living room door closed behind him.

The silence in the room brews until Aiden lets out a laugh. “Try living with them,” he says.

“Is anyone else turned on?” James asks.

Gabi snorts a laugh, lifting her hand to high-five him. “Hell yeah.” She grabs the controller and leans forward.

“Is this what you guys do all day?” Lucas asks, pulling me onto his lap when he sits on an armchair. “Play video games?” He snorts. “Useful college degrees, I see.”

Aiden shakes his head, starting up a new game with Gabi. “You have to have fun sometimes. It’s not all about work.” He grins, turning to face Lucas. “Which I guess you’ll see since you’ll be joining us soon.”

“You’re coming to Redfield?” Carter asks.

Lucas nods, his arm tightening around my waist. “Yeah, I applied a few weeks back.”

“What about you?” Carter asks James, his brows raised.

He shakes his head. “Nah, I can’t afford this place.” Lucas leans forward on his chair, but James’ head snaps to him, holding out a hand. “And before you say anything, don’t,” he warns him. “I’m good at Liberty,” James assures him with a nod. Lucas leans back, breathing out a sigh. “Besides, I’ll come visit. I am dating someone from Redfield, after all.” James laughs, shaking his head. “God, someone kill me.”

Lucas laughs, but Carter narrows his eyes at his boyfriend. “Excuse me?”

“Nothing, babe.” He leans in, kissing him. “I was just kidding.”

I turn to see Lucas’ eyes on James, a smile on his lips. “Is it weird?” I ask him.

He shrugs. “A little,” he admits. “He’s always been the hook-up kind, even after the accident.” He shakes his head, lost in thought. “But I’m glad to see him settle down with somebody. He deserves to be happy.” Lucas turns his gaze on me, reaching up to caress my face. “He deserves to feel what I feel whenever I’m with you.”

My stomach warms, and my heart beats, but I let out a laugh. “That was so cheesy,” I tell him, secretly loving it. “But I guess I’ll allow it.”

“Good,” he says, wrapping his hand around the back of my neck. “Because now that you’re mine… I should warn you I’m going to be so fucking cheesy, romantic, clingy, you name it.”

“Yeah?” I think I kind of like that.

He nods. “Kissing you,” he whispers, pressing his lips to my cheek. “Touching you.” His hand traces a lazy path down my arm, causing my body to break out into goosebumps like it always does when I’m with him. His lips tilt up, brushing against the shell of my ear. “Whispering dirty things in your ear.” A low moan escapes me, and he chuckles. “You like that?”

I open my mouth to respond, but I’m shocked by Gabi clearing her throat, making me snap up. “A little reminder that you’re still in public,” she says, amusement written all over her face. “Before you two fuck on that chair.”

“Yeah, there’s a kid in the room,” Aiden says, gesturing to Tiger who’s asleep on Leila’s lap.

My body heats with embarrassment, and I turn to Lucas, my brows knitted together. “This is your fault.”

“I’m sorry,” he says, rubbing his hand up and down my back, a subtle laugh rumbling through his chest. “I’ll make it up to you when we get home.”

I lift my head, seeing the lust in his eyes. “Yeah?” I smirk, running my hands through his hair. “How?”

He groans, his eyes darkening. “Do you want me to get hard in a room full of your friends?”

There’s a warning in his tone, but I shuffle on his lap, reminiscing the last time we were like this. “It might be fun.”

His laugh radiates through me as he grips my hips, halting my movements. “You’re a dirty girl.” He raises an eyebrow. “What the hell have I turned you into, princesa?”

I stare into his eyes when I say, “Someone in love.”