Love or Lust (LOL): Part 1

“Yeah, well, you only see what I want you to see. Keep that in mind. I have an evil side to me too.”

“Don’t we all,” he remarks as Claudia calls our attention and announces the start of the game.

Ten minutes later, Callen and I are seated at a table, drinking our Olympic Torches, taking bets from the other losing teams.

“I have twenty on Drake and Teegan. She was playing better than he was, and I think it pissed him off even though they beat us,” Jace says.

“We’ll take twenty on Gage and Kyra, then,” Callen nods, taking Jace’s money and turning to where Milo and Courtney are sitting, both with their arms crossed in annoyance. “You want in on this or not?”

Milo grunts, digs around in his pocket, and then pulls out a twenty. He slaps it on the table. “Lennon and Bella better win or I’m going to be pissed. I still don’t know how he didn’t miss a single fucking toss.”

We threw our game on purpose, only hitting a fraction of our shots. The ones I did hit, I wasn’t trying to, which made the game closer than we expected. Milo, on the other hand, didn’t hit a single shot, and Courtney was forced to carry the team. She did well, but it wasn’t enough to claim victory.

Which is why she’s mad at him and he’s pissed at himself. Not that it’ll last that long. As soon as the final game is over, we’ll all be at the pool, happily celebrating with whichever team wins. At least I hope that’s what will happen.

Bella and Lennon are taken down by Drake and Teegan first, joining us in the tent where Milo started talking shit immediately. First, he lost to them, then he lost another twenty bucks.

The final game seems to go on forever. The rules state you have to win by two points, and they’re battling back and forth. Just as I think Gage and Kyra are about to take it, she misses her toss, coming up just short of falling in the hole. It’s literally hanging on the edge, refusing to drop. Teegan nails her shot, and so does Drake, snagging the victory.

Jace hollers as if he won the tournament himself. All eyes are on him as Callen hands over the money from the side bet. But not mine. I’m paying attention to where Gage and Kyra are standing. His back is to me, blocking my view of her, but I can see him shaking with anger.

Standing, I’m about to save her from his wrath when she bolts toward the villas. Callen grabs my arm and shakes his head. “Let me. She’ll be expecting you. Plus, I feel like your energy will be better spent giving Gage a piece of your mind.”

“You have no idea,” I reply, stalking toward Gage as he makes his way to the tent.

Don’t hit him, Presley. Don’t do it. It doesn’t matter how much he deserves it. You’ll get yourself in trouble.

“What the actual fuck, Gage!” I holler as soon as he’s within arm’s reach.

“What?” He shrugs his shoulder, pretending to look innocent.

“Do me a favor and pull the stick out of your ass. We’re all here to have fun, and you’re making life miserable.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. Are your boyfriends not giving it up yet? Did you need me to take care of you?” he sneers, stepping so close to my face I feel his breath against my cheek. “Maybe another kiss. One you won’t forget this time.”

A shiver of disgust runs up my spine. Anger courses through my veins, and I’m clenching my fists at my side to keep from knocking him on his ass. I’m so focused on Gage I don’t feel two arms wrap around me. One around my waist, another around my shoulders.

“Should we let her loose?” Jace asks.

“He wouldn’t stand a chance,” Lennon replies.

“Why don’t the three of you just lock the door and get it over with,” Gage says, attempting to step around us.

“Why don’t you calm the fuck down, go jerk off, and come back when you can act like a civilized human being,” I spit.

Gage stomps off as the guys stand laughing.

“Did you just tell him to jerk off?” Lennon asks, removing his arm from around my waist and moving to stand in front of me.

“I think you just stole my heart,” Jace says, pulling me close. “Let’s get you another drink. Feisty looks good on you.”

Side by side, the three of us walk back to the tent where our remaining friends are pretending they didn’t see anything. Right. I’m sure every last one of them was watching with fascination.