Living With The Player

**CAMILLA RENÉE**

MONDAY.

After my confirmation, I heard whispers from both sides, left and right.

As though it weren’t enough, those snickers were followed by slight cooling.

The type girls usually engage in at those sleepovers. Of course.

This time it wasn’t girls, Dylan’s teammates were shared on each side, they were making those funny sounds.

“Shut it all of you!”

Dylan yelled at the top of his voice. I snickered at his attitude which worked since they all stopped making silly sounds.

“You’ll go?”

He repeated unsure if I meant my earlier response.

I smacked my lips acting like I was still thinking, fingers underneath my jaw and all.

After a second or two, I frowned my face and he fell. Suddenly, I brightened it up with a sly grin.

“I did say yes didn’t I? Or you’d rather I changed my mind?”

I asked still grinning.

“Not at all.”

He stepped over, lacing our fingers, the guys began gushing immediately.

He’s giving them a show. I can’t even figure out why.

He shoved them the finger and we walked out, Paula glaring at us.

****

“Where exactly are we going?”

I curiously asked.

“Well, where do you want to go?”

“Anywhere, there aren’t any classes.”

I responded with a slight shrug.

“Nerd.”

He retorted in a teasing manner.

“I am not.”

I argued, he chuckled elbowing me.

“You are Camilla. A nerd. A full-blown nerd.”

“I’m not really.”

I argued.

“Alright. Alright.”

We were walking towards the parking lot.

“As I said, the day isn’t complete unless I drive you to school or from.”

He cocked his head towards the bike, I understood immediately and we walked towards it.

“So where to?” I repeated.

“You’ll see. ”

He tapped his finger over the handle, handing me a helmet.

“Okay.”

I muttered under my breath.

He starts the bike and begins to drive off.

****

He finally pulled over, I took off my bike and read the scribbles on the signboard.

“Tom’s coffee and tea.”

It read.

Dylan brought me to a coffee shop? What is the name of unexpected is?

I twitched my lips in confusion.

I was expecting well not a coffee shop.

A bike shop, maybe a pitch, I don’t know anywhere else but this… he’s just one for doing the inexpedient.

He chuckled noticing my expression.

“Let’s go, Camilla.”

Taking my hand, he directed both of us towards the door.

“Why are we here?”

“Shhh…”

He cautioned immediately.

“You’ll spoil it all with questions, live for the moment.”

He answered back.

“But…”

I replied.

He smiled pulling the door open for me to lead the way.

I looked around trying to decipher the meaning behind this shop, it looked pretty average though. As a normal coffee shop would.

I didn’t peg Dylan for the coffer type bringing the question why did he take me here?

“Dylan! My boy.”

A middle-aged man emerged from one of the doors.

Dylan’s face lit up with smiles while he approached us then he hugged him and pecked his cheeks.

I’ve never seen Dylan so carefree and Smiley. What is going on here?

“Papa Tom, this is Camilla, Camilla, this is Papa Tom.”

He introduced us, I smiled softly.

“It is nice to meet you, Camilla. You’re pretty, Dylan likes pretty girls I’m sure and you must be special, he never brings any girl over.”

A blush crept up on both our cheeks, Dylan’s went away as quickly as it came but mine lingered for just a little longer.

He waved it off and so did I.

Papa Tom kept his hand across Dylan’s shoulder while the three of us walked to a table taking our seats.

“Papa Tom and my dad are friends, it might be small but this place is like my haven, factory reset in a way.”

He whispered lowly. My heart softened.

“Aren’t you going to say something?”

“Nope.” I chirped as a waiter served us tea.

“So, I have another favour to ask.”

I sipped some of my coffee.

“You know there was a practice match today at our school. Tomorrow there’ll be another at Kingston High. It’s a lot to ask but since there won’t be any school activities, maybe you could come with the team and watch me play.” He requested, I exhaled and let out a breath.

“But that would mean I would face Brandon head on…” I thought to myself silently.

“It would mean so much Camilla to know you’re there.”

He adds softly and I want to say yes so badly but my goal should be giving space between Brandon and me, Dylan already sees the resemblance, the three of us being together doesn’t sound good at all. Silence reigned between us, he waited patiently for my answer. I thought about it and inhaled coming up with an answer.

“Dylan..”

I started hoping this was the right choice.

“Yes.”

I gulped after I had said it knowing I couldn’t take my words back. I didn’t want to agree but there was something about his face that couldn’t let me mouth the words “no.”

Her face broke into a sly grin happy at my answer.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

“Thanks, Camilla, you have no idea how much it means to me.”

I sighed a little, staring at him and I smacked my lips.

“I’m glad.”

I responded after a few seconds.

“We should get going back to school, thanks for this. It might be little but it means so much.”

He suddenly laced our fingers together. I jumped slightly at his touch trying hard not to blush. I failed. He smirked.

“You’re blushing…”

His tone sounded surprised yet amused.

“I am not…..”

I argued, quickly broke the contract, stood up abruptly and walked away.

“Bye Papa Tom.”

Dylan greeted trailing behind me. I put on my helmet and got on his bike, he shook his head softly still finding me amusing. I glared hard at him promising myself not to shove him the finger not ready for the snarky response he would give after.

Seconds later, he got on the bike, started it and drove off back to school.

****

Dylan was right, it felt really strange.

After we got back to school, the news of our victory didn’t die down in fact, it rose to all corners of the school.

There were no classes after so I had time to rest a little.

Dylan spent the rest of the day with his teammates and Paula who clung to him like flies on a dead body. Talk about desperation.

What felt strange was the fact that my parents were picking me up.

They waited at the parking lot, I sighted their and instead of my usual cheeky smiles, eagerness to tell my parents how my day went, I slumped my shoulders.

Weird.

Dylan drove ahead of us and I felt weird not holding onto him instead.

Oh well. At least my parents may have been a little preoccupied with setting things up to worry about old little me. No mention of the party. I am home free.

I heaved a large sigh staring outside the window waiting until we got home. He pulled over into the garage, I stepped out ready to stay in my room, do some projects and maybe watch a movie.

I twisted the doorknob and to my surprise, Dylan’s parents were with him in the living room.

Maybe not so Scott free.

I gulped not ready for whatever this was.

Quickening my steps in an attempt to run away, it failed when dad called from behind.

“Hold it, young lady.”

Dad ordered firmly.

I stopped at the base of the stairs turning around slowly.

“Yes, daddy.” I beamed smiling sweetly.

That’s not working today is it? He folded his arms shaking his head in negation.

“You didn’t think we forgot about the party did you?”

He asked rhetorically.

“Dylan for taking Camilla to a party, you’re grounded for two weeks.”

His dad stated. This feel like a coup?

“Same with you Camilla,” Mom added.

I whined and she rolled her eyes.

“But Daddy…”

“No buts, it’s final.”

He said firmly, I glanced at Dylan and he smirked.

“You’re finding this funny aren’t you?”

“Not really, but I’ve had lots of time to think after today. It’s why I’ve felt this weird aura around you. Camilla Renee, you are hiding one big old secret, only a matter of time before I get it out of you and two weeks stuck in this house alone is a matter of time.”

His voice was low and calm but loud enough for me to hear and shiver at what seemed like a threat.

Dad could only glare at both of us, but his suspicions aren’t what I’m bothered about it.

Dylan knows something. He doesn’t know what, but there is something.

Maybe come clean me? Tell him before he digs it up elsewhere?

****

*Author’s Note*:

*Whew! I’m trying to drop long chapters these days hoping I’ll get more exposure for my book*