The Player novel 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 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.