" In which I get my heart broken by the player "
* * *
Blake Harper doesn't do love. He's rude, quiet, brooding, and prefers to be alone. Like all bad boys, he's untamable and unclaimed, but he isn't sure what to do when the girl he sets his eyes on...
" Catalina, if anyone has a problem with you they seriously hate kind hearts. And like I told you, Latina, Blake has issues. "
I sigh but there is no relief. How could there be? I'm probably already hated by him even if we never met. I want to laugh and hide in the corner at the same time.
Inhaling a lungful of air, I nod and smile tightly. She touches my arm and nods in reassurance before we walk into the court with Caleb right behind us with a cupcake in his hand and blasting music in his ears.
Avalon's excitement couldn't go unnoticed by the way her eyes sparkled and how I could feel her grin hurt her face. My heart melts for the hopeless romantic when she runs toward Gabriel the moment he spots her. He smiles and welcomes her right into his arms. I pout in my singleness.
" Spanish girl. "
I hum and turn to Caleb. Noticing the cupcake smudge in the corner of his mouth, I hurry to lick my thumb and reach for the spot. He leans back and frowns down at me. My embarrassment fuels my organs.
" Sorry. You got a spot with cupcake filling stuck at the corner of your mouth. "
His eyes soften and he leans forward. My heartbeat weeps in anxiety as my eyes widen and my lips part to suck in air.
" Then clean it, Spanish girl. "
I blush as I reach to clean the spot, avoiding eye contact at all costs. My heart flutters when he chuckles softly and straightens when I pull my hand away.
" Thanks. "
" You're welcome, " I whisper.
" I need to change. Meet the rest of my chaotic family in the meantime. "
" No need, I already got what I wanted to see. "
I spin around, instantly drawn to the masculine, cold tone of the stranger's voice. My eyes widen and my heartbeat speeds up when I am blessed with the sight of a godly handsome man. My lips part when our eyes clash: an electric shiver shoots down my spine, my skin tingles, and my cheeks flush.
Whisky eyes roam my face to take in what he sees and the more he sees, the more my cheeks heat. Every sweep of his eyes across my face feels like a brush sensationally gliding across every inch of my skin. I tighten my grip on the box.
I've seen many people but I've never seen someone this particularly handsome. The gods must've taken longer crafting him because oh heavens, I'm amazed at how sharp and tight his features are. And he's so large and blessed with an athletic body.
" Hi, " I blurt and blush, " I'm Catalina. "
He hums and looks irritated, shifting his focus to Caleb.
" You're late, Cal, " he curts.
Caleb shrugs.
" Sorry man, my professor held us in to talk about shit regarding end exams. "
I already knew through his rudeness he was the one and only Blake. I mean, he shot me a silent reply. My self-esteem took a hit, if not my heart.
" I'm changing. Following? "
Caleb nods and we watch Blake disappear into the building. I look up at Caleb when I feel his eyes and they are apologetic.
" I'm sorry. He's not usually this rude. "
I purse my lips and accept his apology. He shouldn't be the one apologizing in any way. Blake should. When Caleb left me stranded as well, I could finally relax and allow the stubborn tears to come. Blinking them away, I take deep breaths to lessen the intensity of the hurt squeezing my heart.
He's not worth it, Catalina. He has issues.
Their warnings were enough to warn me but I was stupid to believe he'd be nice or perhaps a little kinder. I shake my head at myself and lock eyes with Avalon on their way over to me. She reads me better than anyone and her face drops.
" Babe, I need to go change, " Gabriel explained, but by the way he looked between Avalon and I he had read the ground perfectly.
Avalon nods and pecks his lips before he leaves. I nearly weep when she wraps me into her warm, most-needed arms. It was a little difficult to hug her back with the cupcake box in one hand but once I did so comfortably, I close my eyes and blank my head space. I want to know why he was so rude, why I wasn't enough for him to be a little kinder. Why did he ignore me like that? What he meant when he said what he said.
I tighten my hold on her.
Breathe, Catalina. Like they said, the man has issues. Why are you beating yourself over?
Sighing, I pull away and smile at Avalon to reassure her worried heart.
" You were right. He is a little rude. "
Her smile is tight and pursed.
" A little? "
I laugh lightly.
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Well, Blake was rude. Comment your thoughts about their first encounter! Hate on the ass (I don't mind, he was a jerk to our sweet Catalina).
But I can't wait to get to that part where the jerk is a jerk but not to his girl *swooning* Ugh, in my singleness I wish I was a main character winning a bad boy's attention.
