The Game That Breaks Us

by Micalea Smeltzer

  He sees the look in my eyes and his own grow a stormy brown color speckled with green and gold. “You’re treading in dangerous waters looking at me like that,” he warns, zipping up my dress.

  “Maybe I want a little danger tonight,” I say breathlessly.

  I squeak in surprise as he grabs me by the waist and twists me around, shoving my back into the wall and caging me in with his body. I struggle to get enough air and my breasts brush his chest with each shaky inhale.

  He ducks his head into the crook of my neck and bites the skin there. My eyes flutter close and my heart beats rapidly. God, I want him. The affect he has on me is unreal.

  He pulls away and smiles at me cockily. “We have to go, Princess. Thanks for actually wearing your ball gown this time.” He winks.

  I still struggle to get enough air, but I manage to hiss, “You’re such an asshole.”

  “So you like to tell me. But we can’t get carried away when I have a present waiting for you in your room.”

  “A present?” I raise a brow.

  He stands to the side and raises his arm to sweep toward the open door.

  “Go see for yourself.”

  I want to, only I can’t move. I’ve only just realized that Bennett is wearing a tux and holy hell the tux is tailor-made for his body. It’s cut to perfectly fit his muscular body and his blondish-red hair is slicked back and brushed to the side. He looks … sophisticated, like some Duke from a foreign land.

  Annnnd I’m turned on again. Great.

  “Your present?” He raises a brow and chuckles.

  “Oh, right.” I shake my head and step out of the bathroom.

  “Took you long enough. I was afraid you guys were doing the nasty and the thought alone made me want to throw up in my mouth.”

  I stop in my tracks and my jaw drops. “Elle? What are you doing here?” I shriek in excitement and run toward her, throwing my arms around her shoulders. I step back and appraise her dress. “Damn, you look good, girl,” I compliment.

  She’s dressed in a floor-length black-sequined dress that flares out at the bottom on a mermaid cut with black tulle. Her dark hair is straightened and hangs in long thin sheets and her makeup is done in dramatic dark colors with a smoky eye and a purple-red lip color. She looks like a sexy vampire and the style suits her well.

  “I can’t believe you’re here!” I exclaim and hug her again. “How did you do this?” I look to Bennett.

  He shrugs. “Paid for a plane ticket.” Obviously, he leaves unsaid.

  “I know that.” I laugh. “But I guess I should’ve asked why?” I turn to Elle. “Not that I’m not happy you’re here, of course.”

  “Ryland is here too.” She smiles at this and gets a wistful look in her eyes.

  “Is this the part where you finally admit you’re dating the guy?”

  She shrugs and mumbles, “We’re dating.”

  I grin triumphantly. “I knew it.

  “Yeah, yeah.” She waves a hand dismissively as Bennett steps up behind me and wraps his hands around my waist.

  He rests his chin on my shoulder and says, “To answer your why question, it was because I felt like it. I know tonight is a big deal in your family, and I thought it would be cool for Elle and Ryland to come.”

  I tilt my head to the side and kiss the side of his cheek. “You’re too sweet.”

  Elle gags. “You two are gross.”

  “Oh, stop it,” I scold her with a smile. “You’re just as bad with Ryland and that was before you admitted you were together.”

  Bennett chuckles and his laughter rumbles against my body. “Ladies, I think it’s time for us to join the party.”

  Elle runs her fingers through her hair. “Will there be paparazzi here?”

  I snort. “No, but there will probably be a photographer from our local newspaper.”

  Elle frowns. “I was hoping for paparazzi.”

  “Keep dreaming,” I tell her.

  I slip out of Bennett’s hold and pad across the room to the dresser. I put on my earrings and other jewelry before slipping my feet into my heels.

  “Ready,” I chime.

  Bennett crooks his elbow and extends it toward me like some dashing prince.

  The three of us leave my room behind and head down the main grand staircase. As every pair of eyes in the foyer flicks up to us; I truly feel like a princess. Bennett smiles down at me and my heart does a happy dance behind my rib cage.

  Ryland meets us in the foyer and he crooks his elbow, miming Bennett, and Elle takes it.

  “The ballroom is that way.” I point.

  Elle squeals and smiles up at Ryland. “There’s a ballroom.”

  “I heard, babe.” He smiles broadly at her and kisses her.

  I hear her mumble something about messing up her lipstick but as we venture closer to the ballroom it grows harder to hear each other so I can’t be exactly sure what she said.

  The ballroom is packed with people. Even though it’s nearly the same crowd every year, I don’t know most of them. I’ve always stuck close to the group I grew up with. I spot Willow and Dean sitting at one of the large round tables and make a beeline for them. Bennett calls after Elle and Ryland to follow us.

  Willow wears a beautiful, blue, floor-length dress that has intricate lace detailing and her blonde hair is worn down and wavy, with extensions for added length. Seeing Willow all dolled up is a nice change. Her normal style is about as casual as it comes.

  “Hey, Willow, Dean.” I greet them each with a hug and take a seat. Bennett pulls out the chair beside me and Elle and Ryland take two other empty seats. “This is Elle, my roommate, and her boyfriend, Ryland. Elle and Ryland, this is my brother, Dean, and his girlfriend, Willow.”

  With introductions made I let them get to know each other and turn to Bennett.

  “Thank you for flying them out here. It means a lot.” I grab his hand beneath the table.

  He leans over and brushes his lips over my cheek in a feather light caress. “Anything to make you happy.”

  Elle gags from across the table. “Sick. You guys make me sick.”

  Bennett chuckles and flashes her the finger before his hand vanishes under the table.

  Ryland looks around, taking in the shiny marble floors, and crystal chandelier. “This place is … insane.” He shakes his head like he can’t quite believe it.

  “It’s grand.” I shrug. “I guess my great-great-great … Well, however many great-grandpas it went back, really wanted to make a statement.”

  “Well, he definitely did.” Ryland nods and tugs on the collar of his tux.

  “So, what is there to do here at this party?” Elle asks, picking up a sparkling silver fork and looking it over before setting it back on the table.

  “Dance,” I say.

  “Eat,” Dean adds.

  “Eat,” Willow echoes.

  “There will be a live band,” I say and turn to Willow. “Is your dad’s band playing this year?”

  Willow shrugs. “Don’t think so.”

  “Wait …” Elle looks at Willow with wide eyes. “Are you Maddox Wade’s daughter?”

  Willow nods with a sheepish smile. She might’ve grown up in the limelight but the girl hates the attention. “Yeah, that’s me.”

  “Oh, my God,” Elle breathes. “I can’t believe you’re Willow Wade.” She shakes her head back and forth. “That is so cool. You must’ve seen some pretty amazing places growing up with all the traveling you guys did.”

  Willow shrugs. “It wasn’t as exciting as you’d think. We stayed in hotels or on the tour bus most of the time.”

  “Oh,” Elle says. “I guess that makes sense.”

  My mom comes breezing over, looking killer in her dress, and I introduce her to Elle and Ryland. I’ve talked to her about both of them, so she’s thrilled to finally meet them.

  “I just wanted to let you guys know the food will be here soon.”

  And then she’s off again.

  M
ascen and Lylah—Willow’s brother and sister—join us at our table, and Everett, Everly, Noah, Adalyn, and Mia take seats at the table next to us—they’re children of two of the other members of Willow Creek.

  It’s nice seeing everyone since I haven’t seen most of them since summer. I know I’m lucky to have grown up around so many other kids my age. We all formed a special, unbreakable, bond.

  A commotion near the ballroom’s entrance sends us all turning in that direction.

  “Liam!” Willow cries and then she’s up, dashing out of her chair. She throws herself into Liam’s arms and he hugs her tightly.

  Dean groans and moves his chair back to stand. “I better say hi.”

  I laugh. “You still don’t like him?”

  He shrugs and glances to where Willow stands with her cousin and his girlfriend. “We patched things up, but …” He trails off and shrugs like that’s answer enough.

  I watch him greet Liam with an outstretched hand and then Liam smiles and pulls him into a hug. Maybe things aren’t as bad as Dean thinks they are.

  Bennett whistles. “Fuck, you know too many people for me to keep up with all of them.”

  I laugh. “And you haven’t even met my aunt and uncle and their kids.”

  “I’m going to need a drink.” Bennett chuckles.

  I pat his knee. “That can be arranged.”

  Willow and Dean return to our table and Liam pulls over two chairs for him and his girlfriend to join us. We scoot around and make room for them. It’s cramped but it works.

  “Hey, Liam,” I greet. I last saw Liam in Hawaii over the summer when I tagged along with Dean and Willow to see him at his surfing competition. “Hello, Ari.” I lean over to wave at his girlfriend.

  I didn’t get to know her very well while we were in Hawaii and I don’t think they were dating then anyway. Who knows? Liam’s always been really secretive so they could’ve been together and not telling anyone. She seemed nice enough, if a little wary. That wariness is even more prevalent in her vivid blue eyes now.

  “Hi,” she mumbles, but it’s like she doesn’t even notice me as her eyes flit around the large room. She looks scared, like she expects someone to jump out from behind one of the large columns that line the room and get her. Liam whispers something in her ear and she seems to relax, but only slightly.

  The food is served then and we all fall into easy conversation as we eat.

  When the food is gone and the plates are cleared off the table, the band finally takes the stage.

  Bennett stands and offers me his hand. “May I have this dance, milady.”

  I laugh. “Only if you promise not to be cheesy the whole time.”

  “I’ll do my best.” He grins as I place my hand in his. He closes his over mine and my hand nearly disappears in his large grasp.

  He leads me out onto the ballroom floor and we begin to dance—and not like club-grinding kind of dancing. No this is real, like a waltz.

  “Where did you learn to dance like this?” I ask him. I can’t keep the awe off my face which amuses him.

  “Dance helps with skating so I took dance classes when I was younger.” I snort at the visual. “What? You don’t believe me?”

  I shake my head. “No, I’m just trying to picture you in a leotard.”

  He pinches my side. “I didn’t wear a leotard.”

  “Bummer.” I laugh and he spins me around.

  I hold onto his shoulders as my giggles fill the air. A few older people give us dirty looks but I can’t bring myself to care.

  I hear a camera click and I look over to see the guy from our local paper photographing us. He takes a few more photos before moving on to take photos of other people.

  Bennett’s hand settles on my waist and I look up at him. He wears the biggest smile and my heart soars. I think it’s safe to say that I’ve never been happier than I am in this moment.

  He ducks his head and presses his lips to mine. My heels put me closer to his height and I grasp the back of his neck, holding him to me when he might otherwise break the kiss. I don’t care who sees—let them all see and know that I love him and I’ve chosen him. We might’ve had the most unconventional start ever but our love is real and nothing can change that.

  Nothing.

  Grace and I sneak away from the ballroom and find a closet to fool around in. Now I really know she loves the thrill of possibly being caught. Even though there’s a part of her that doesn’t want to admit it, she was bad before I met her, she’d just never explored that part of herself.

  It’s nearly midnight and she tugs on my hand. “We need to go outside.”

  “Outside?” I raise a brow. “But it’s freezing.”

  “Don’t worry, they’ll have heaters so we won’t be cold.” She pulls me toward a large set of double doors. “The fireworks go off at midnight, and I don’t want to miss them.”

  We shove our way through the growing crowd. My wide shoulders help us move through faster, but I think Grace would be fine all on her own. The girl is a bulldozer.

  We lose Elle and Ryland, as well as her brother and his girlfriend, in the crowd but Grace doesn’t seem to care. She’s like an eager little kid at the thought of fireworks and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t like her being this happy.

  We step outside into the frigid December air and onto a large … I don’t know what the fuck you’d call this. I guess it’s a deck, but fuck, it’s so large that deck hardly seems like an adequate enough description.

  Grace keeps tugging on my hand until we reach the railing.

  “Just wait,” she breathes and her breath fogs the air. “It’s amazing.” She looks up at the pitch-black night sky, waiting for the show to start.

  I know I should look to the sky too, but I only have eyes for her. I find myself taking a mental picture of the look on her face—the one of pure happiness and awe—so I can remember it forever. There are some moments in life that should never be forgotten; this is one of them.

  The fireworks explode in the sky and still, I only look at her. Her lips part and she gasps a soft, “Ooh,” as the sparks fall through the air and disappear. Another one shrieks through the air and explodes, bathing her face in halos of red and silver. She shivers and I don’t know if it’s because she’s so moved by the experience or because she’s cold. I shrug out of my tux jacket anyway and drape it over her shoulders. She gives me a grateful smile and loops her arms into the large sleeves. She looks even smaller than normal in the jacket and I feel a tug in my gut—one saying I would do anything and everything for this girl.

  She gazes up at me and a tiny smile dances across her lips. “Happy New Year, Bennett,” she murmurs.

  “Happy New Year, Grace.”

  I kiss her and hope to whatever God is out there that this year will be as fucking amazing as the last two weeks.

  When things are too good to be true, it’s usually because they are, and eventually the other shoe has to drop.

  I sleep with my body curled around Grace’s in the mansion—it was late and none of us wanted to go home—when the doors to the room come slamming open.

  Both Grace and I sit up, fumbling for the covers, which is stupid since we’re both clothed.

  “I warned you!” Trace bellows, storming over to the bed.

  I’m too stunned to move and he yanks me from the bed onto the floor.

  Grace screams from somewhere in the room and I want to tell her it’s all right but Trace’s fist slams into my face and I taste blood in my mouth.

  “Get the fuck out of my house,” he yells, pointing a shaking finger at me. “And don’t ever, ever talk to my daughter ever again.”

  “What the fuck is going on?” I wipe blood from my lip. “I didn’t do anything.”

  “Don’t lie.” Trace’s face twists with anger. “You know exactly what you did.”

  “I really fucking don’t.” I roll to my side to stand up and Trace backs a step away, his hands fisting at his sides like he’s trying to h
old himself back from hitting me again.

  “Imagine my surprise when I wake up this morning and find your face on the news.”

  “For what?” I ask incredulously. “I didn’t fucking do anything.” My eyes dart to Olivia where she holds onto Grace. Olivia looks … sad … weary. Fuck, something bad is happening and I don’t know what the hell it is. “Whatever it is, it has to be a lie. My coach is out to get me, he—”

  “I’m sure he is out to get you,” Trace spits, getting right up in my face. “I would be too if you’d raped my sixteen-year-old daughter.”

  Grace gasps from the other side of the room and cries out.

  “He’s a fucking liar,” I hiss between my teeth.

  I’m going to kill him. I’m really and truly going to kill my coach. All I want is to get my hands around his neck and choke him until the light disappears from his eyes.

  First he took hockey away from me, the only true love I thought I had, and now that I’ve found Grace—the real meaning of love, someone that understands me and I see myself having a future with—he’s going to take that away from me too.

  He’s fucking up my life and I won’t stand for it. I’m done.

  I forget about Trace and stride across the room to Grace. Olivia tightens her hold on her daughter and glares at me. “Stay away,” she says coldly. “Don’t you think you’ve done enough?”

  I won’t be defeated that easily, though. “Grace, baby, please talk to me. You know me. You know I wouldn’t do that. He’s lied about everything else, you know he’s lying about this too. Please, baby, please,” I beg. I’ve never fucking begged in my life but I love this girl and I need her to believe me. I would never do something like this. I’ve never even met his daughter. Okay, maybe once in a brief passing, but she never hangs around the players. She lives with her mom in another state since her parents got divorced.

  Fuck, I can’t believe the asshole would drag his own daughter into his beef with me.

  “Grace, please, talk to me. I didn’t do this. I love you.”

  She turns from her mother’s arm, her face streaked with tears, “Just leave, Bennett. Please,” her voice cracks.