The Bet (The Badboy's Claim Series #1) ✔️

SIXTY-SEVEN

"I suggested it'd be ours since we've been stalling to show everyone our place and this could be the perfect opportunity."

As she started to think, I knew she believed the lie. Okay, I know we weren't supposed to keep any lies between us but, I'll tell her after the graduation party and once things are settled down. She already had too much on her mind right now.

"Yeah, you're right," Kimora said and then gasped. "We have to get decorations and get snacks! Oh! And we can cook up something! I don't know what I'm going to make! What do you want to make, Jaxon?"

"Whatever you want to do, I'll do it."

She blushed and nodded before going back to trying on clothes.

Tyler laughed on the other side of the line. "Lying ass."

"Shut up, Tyler. I'll call you later."

"Right. Have fun keeping this lie now."

I rolled my eyes, hanging up the phone. Kimora was bouncing with excitement as she tried on her clothes. She was thrilled as if she was glowing with happiness. It comforted me to see her happy now. I won't keep this lie for too long and it'll be disappointing to see that bright smile fade.

"So, what do you think about this dress?" Kimora posed in a white lace summer dress that flowed down to her knees. It fit her well. Too well. She is just too beautiful in everything she wore.

"I may end up keeping you from the whole entire party if you wear that."

"Good." She avoided eye contact as she started to change back into her original yellow sundress.

I shook my head, standing up from the bench. "You're such a tease."

***

"Can I at least get a little bit of help with the bags?" I asked, dragging in about a thousand groceries and shopping bags. I could handle heavy things but, the elevator was down until tomorrow so I had to lug this up nine flights of stairs.

I'm starting to regret choosing a place so high. Then again, the killer view was satisfying.

"You're fine. Just bring everything in the kitchen." Kimora said as she shuffled around in the cabinets."

She didn't have to tell me twice. Shuffling over to the kitchen, I dropped the bags on the kitchen floor, pretending to collapse along with them. I felt something lay on my back and I knew it was Alex. "Welp. I've been defeated."

Kimora laughed, shooing Alex off of me and he scrambled off somewhere. She grabbed my hand, tugging on it for me to get up but, I didn't move a muscle. "Come on, Jaxon. Get up."

"I'm too weak to move." I groaned. "I need a true love's kiss."

She rolled her eyes. "I'm not kissing you just for you to get up. We both know it's going to lead to more-"

"Ahhh! The pain!" I rolled over onto my back, throwing my hand over my heart. "I don't think I can last any longer without the love of my Queen. I won't move from this kitchen floor until I receive a kiss."

"You're talking a lot for a person who is supposed to be dying."

I ignored her. "I think this is it! The light is fading away-"