Roommates with a Player

Chapter Twenty Two: Don't Take the Player Out of the Game

            “I don’t think you should be with Emma,” I blurted out, regretting it the moment the words were hanging in the air. “You’re just another person who’s going to hurt her. And she’s had enough pain for a while.”

            I watched James’ expression carefully, studying the different emotions that played on his face.

            “What are you talking about, Ricky?” James said. “I would never hurt her.”

            I snorted. “Then explain Tiffany.”

            I’d struck a nerve when I’d spoken her name. James’ face contorted into remorse and he looked away, biting his lip.

Tiffany and James were still a sensitive topic, as James was clearly not over her. But it was his own damn fault. He’d been the one caught in bed with some other chick.

“Emma’s different,” he mumbled. “It’s real with her.”

“You’re full of shit,” I spat.

“Why do you care, huh?” James snapped.

“Because I don’t want to see her hurt. I’ve explained this to you.”

James paused, his anger melting away. He stared at me, his weirdly-bright green eyes piercing my own. As much as I wanted to, I couldn’t look away. His stare had me frozen in place. I felt as if he was digging around inside me, looking for something I wasn’t telling him.

“Just as I thought,” he muttered, tearing his eyes from me.

“What now?” I asked.

“You’re in love with her, too. You want her just as much as I do,” his voice cut through the air and straight into my ears. I winced at the sound of truth.

Denial only made my feelings worse. And now James knew and he was going to make me work for him to keep his mouth shut.

“Ricky, I’m sorry I’m late. I-,” Emma’s voice echoed through the air as she rounded the corner. She was cut off when she laid eyes on us both.

“Hey, cutie,” James said, stepping up to kiss her on the forehead. His eyes were watching me, as were Emma’s.

“What’s going on?” she asked.

Emma’s cheeks and nose were stained pink from the nippy winds and her curly, black hair was tucked into a hat. She looked just as cute as she did years ago, when she’d pulled me out of the water. The sharp memory of the murky water suffocating me abruptly filled my mind and I felt as if my throat was closing the same way it had before.

It had been so terrifying to be drifting down into the water, the sight of life growing smaller and smaller. But then Emma had jumped in. One minute I’d been drowning and the next I was being pulled out by her surprisingly strong arms. And now, ten years later, Emma didn’t even remember saving my life. The girl who I’d been in love with since I was six didn’t even acknowledge me.

The exact moment when mom had told me Emma would be joining the family, I’d been filled with such hope. It was like I was getting a chance to win her over; to show her how much I loved her. When I saw her for the first time weeks ago, she’d looked so worn out and miserable. All I could think about was how I wanted to change that. All I wanted was to make her happy.

But I’d blown it. Emma couldn’t stand the sight of me. She did everything she could to dodge me. Hell, she even set her alarm an hour earlier so she could shower and get ready for school before I was even awake. And it was all because I’d gotten mad and snapped at her. The look on her face when she’d processed my words; it nearly did me in. I was terrified of myself after that. I could only think about what kind of monster I was and how easy it’d been to crush Emma’s feelings. It was selfish of me to think I deserved her.

“I’m just being a dick, as usual,” I muttered. “Let’s go.”

“Alright. I’ll see you tonight, James,” she said, confusion in her eyes. I knew as soon as we were alone in the car, she’d bombard me with hundreds of questions.

I watched agonizingly as Emma stretched up to kiss James gently on the lips. Jealousy flared and I clenched my fists, looking away. I’d gotten my turn. I’d been her first kiss. But she didn’t even know that, as I was too much of a coward to tell her.

“Bye,” she breathed and quickly danced away to my truck.

I shuffled to the driver’s side, only to be called out by James once more.

“You had your chance,” he said. “I’m sorry, but I’m not going to let her go.”

It hurt to think that a girl was going to get in the way of our friendship. It had been an unbreakable bond for all these years.

“Then I’m not going to give up.”

 

Sorry for my absence. I’ve been trying to get back to my old self after seeing Breaking Dawn (which was epic). That's why I'm updating at 1:45 am. xD I hope y’all like this. For all you Team Ricky fans out there, this is for you. I see your point; Ricky is a sweetie. But don’t give up on James and Nate. There’s going to be MANY more surprises headed your way! (;

NEXT UPDATE IS THE THANKSGIVING SPECIAL. GET EXCITED.

I love you all and can’t thank you enough for all the awesome support. I love ALL the comments and want to be able to talk to you all, so PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE comment! :D