I yawn while turning over in bed. I had stayed out late the previous night, so I'm worn out. Clay's lips still have a taste for mine. He is a magnificent creature. My face starts to flush as I consider how his tongue parts our mouths. People conversing and music playing in the living area startles me out of my thoughts. I get up and take out my phone, checking the time- it's past ten. I'm going to kill Brie. I try to block out the noise by pulling the covers up over my head. But then I hear Clay's voice when I close my eyes.

You've got to be kidding me.

I stumble out of bed, throwing my hair up in a messy bun. I head to the bathroom and quickly brush my teeth. I need coffee if I have to deal with them today. I walk out of my room and head to the kitchen.

"Good morning, princess," Brie giggles.

"Morning, Ray." Logan follows.

"Well, if it isn't sleeping beauty herself, finally awake." My nightmare teases me with his sexy accent. I look over at him and give him a death stare, which causes him to laugh and show his perfect smile.

Does this man not sleep?

I don't bother to respond to any of them. Brie did this on purpose so that I would get up. I grab a mug and pour some coffee, taking it back into my room. I open the doors to my balcony and take in the fresh air. As I stand there, I can't help but think of Clay. I enjoy having fun with him, but part of me wants more. Do I love him? No, do I like him? Yes. I've never felt this way before with anyone. My dad's words echo in the back of my mind.

I'm raising her not to need anyone.

Why then do I think I need Clay? As though he completes me. I've never been so open to acting physically with someone as I am with him. I'm deep in thought since I didn't hear him approaching from behind.

"What are you thinking about?" The words were spoken as if he cares.

I face him now and notice him in a different light. Instead of the dark, stormy eyes he once had, his eyes are now a strange shade of grey with a hint of green. They shine brighter than before. His jet-black hair is untidy and blows across the balcony in the gentle breeze. When the sun shines, golden sparkles catch the light. I have trouble finding the right words while my heart races. I drop my cup and put my lips on his before I can stop myself. As his hand cups my face, and his other arm wraps around me.

What am I doing? I pull away, my cheeks flushed and my heart still racing.

"Clay, we need to talk." We take a seat on my bed and sit there in silence until I muster up the courage to speak.

"I'm pulling out of this game. You can have all the bragging rights, but I can't do this anymore".

He looks at me with intense eyes, as if he didn't want us to stop our little tirade. "What are you talking about?"

"You outplayed me. You win, happy?" I put my hands on my face.

"Why?" I am at a loss for words as I stare at him. To avoid letting him know that I'm falling for him, I'd rather die. I therefore lie.

"I'm bored." I stand up and move toward my door. I won't behave emotionally like he did last night. Even though I am aware that what he said was untrue, it still made my heart race, and I don't want to hurt myself. I feel a chill run up my spine as he envelops me with his arm. He makes me face him while he looks into my eyes. Again, the tempest rages inside of them. Like his emotions change their hue.

"Are you sure?" His hand under my chin. Searching my face for an answer, I don't want to give. I stand there silently.

"You fell for me, didn't you?" He smiles, and his dimples emerge on his gorgeous face.

Yes, I did, now go away!

"No, I didn't. Everything we were doing was just basic." I tell him.

He looks me up and down, "Alright then, just friends." He states. His dimples show as he smiles, and I fall more and more for this London boy.

God, I think I love him.

"Just friends." I agree.

"Cool, I'll see you tonight at the bonfire." I nod, and he immediately turns and leaves. I sit on my bed and shut the door. My eyes start to tear up. I cry as I bury my knees in my chest. This time, I went too far, and now I'm paying for it, and karma has caught up with my sorry ass. I had fun playing with the guy I like. I'm perplexed and unable to put into words how I'm feeling. To keep him close by, a part of me wants to keep playing with him, but on the other hand, I'm glad I stopped it before life turned messier.

I lay back and contemplated if I should even go tonight. We always find our way to each other, like last night at the club, the one place he wouldn't be caught dead in.

⁂

As night falls, the moon is obscured by clouds. There is something off about the cool air. When Brie enters my room, I push my thoughts out of my head. "Hey."

"Hi," I say, continuing to do my hair.

"Sooooo...."

"Just spit it out," I grunt.

She pauses and takes a deep breath.

"Clay told us you put a stop to the game because you fell for him." I look at her through the mirror, and anger fills my eyes.

"I didn't fall for him," I say through my teeth. I compose myself and turn to face her. "We're better off as friends. Plus, do you think I'm dumb enough to fall for someone who has a psycho attached to his hip and is watching his every move?"

"Uh-huh, whatever you say," she laughs.

"Listen, what Clay and I had was fun, but you know me, I get bored easily. So whatever Clay told you is false."

Brie rolls her eyes and says, "Hurry up. Logan will be here soon." I roll my eyes and tell her to leave my room as I continue getting ready. As long as I'm not left alone with him, my night might be okay.

⁂

We arrive at the bonfire near campus, groups of students are everywhere, and the flame blazes into the night sky. I sit on one of the logs beside Brie, who's all intertwined with Logan.

Great, I'm the third wheel.

Thair, Cain, and Bronx all opt to join us. Clay is nowhere to be seen, so I can now fully unwind. The commotion of the students partying stops when I look up into the sky and see the stars, and I am suddenly in my own universe. I remember the evening we spent talking at the end of Clay's driveway as I look up. I should have walked away that day, but I was being stubborn and wanted to show the bad boy I could beat him at his own game. I was deceived.

"Hey!" Bronx says as he sits next to me.

"Hi!" I smile at him.

"So, I've got a little place nearby if you want to get out of here," he suggests.

I start to laugh at his actions. "Seriously? Do you really think I would go home with you? Bronx, you're a nice guy, but I don't do relationships; I like fun, and sadly, I don't think you could keep up with me."

He looks at me, amused. "Now I can see why Clay is so infatuated with you," he laughs. "You are different."

We sit and chat; eventually, I make the decision to look around. I made the mistake of keeping my gaze on him when he allows Sloane to begin kissing his neck and cover her with his hands. The scene makes me want to gag. I make error number two and turn around to walk into the woods when someone grabs me and pushes me up against a tree. Blowing heavily against my neck.

"Since Clay is done with you, I think I need a turn." His voice fills me with fear. I turn around and see Cain staring at me with fiery eyes, as if I were his next plaything. "You do look like a lot of fun." He taunts, holding my arms down. I try to release myself from his grip, but he doesn't budge—his mouth on my neck.

"Stop, Cain!" I shout at him, but he doesn't listen.

"No need to fear me, sweet thing."

"I'm not scared of you." In an effort to get him off of me, I growl between my teeth.

"Oh, but you are. I can smell the fear in your veins, princess."

"I said stop," I repeat myself as tears stream down my cheeks. I make an effort to move, but he pushes me firmly against the tree. I groan in pain as he tightens his grip on my arms. My back begins to bleed, and Cain's eyes begin to grow increasingly hungry.

"Please," I beg him. But he just laughs and leans in closer, his hot breath on my face. I can feel his fingers digging into my skin, and I know that I am in serious trouble. Desperately, I try to think of a way out of this situation, but my mind is clouded with fear and pain.

I can't move with his body is pressing up against mine. He advances so that his one hand, which is dragging gently upward, reaches my thigh.

"STOP!" I scream, and his grip on me is no more. I hold my chest as I catch my breath. Tears stream down my face as I just make out Clay in my blurred vision. He looks at me with concern and asks if I'm okay. I shake my head, unable to speak, and he pulls me into a tight embrace.