Read The Love Game for Free Online Page A

gonna put him in his place. As a mother, she'd warn me to be careful and not lose my own heart in the process. I snort at the idea. Lose my heart to Braden Carter?
    Never going to happen.
     
    ~
     
    “Casual,” Kay shouts from the bathroom.
    “No, casual dressy,” Lila argues, shaking her head.
    “Lila, they're bowling.” Megan huffs. “She needs to be casual yet comfy. I'd say a casual dress or a nice top and those tight jeans you have.”
    “The ones that give my ass its own ass?” I raise a brow.
    “Yes. We need to show him what's on offer.” She moves towards my drawers.
    “Make me sound like a promotional display at Target, why don't you?” I roll my eyes. “Besides, I thought we were making him fall in love with me, not turn him into a walking erection.”
    “The way to Braden's heart is through his dick.” She takes the jeans, shuts the drawer with her hip, and passes them to me. Kay roars with laughter and comes back into the room.
    “Braden has a heart?” She laughs. “Funny, Megs, funny.”
    “Hey.” Megan turns and points her finger at her. “He does. It's just wrapped up in latex and usually between some girl's legs.”
    “Nice,” I mutter, taking the jeans. Lila pats my arm sympathetically.
    “It won't be that bad, Maddie,” she reassures me. “Besides, if you tell him you wanna head back to the party afterward, we'll be there and you can escape for a few minutes.”
    “But it's gonna be like, two hours.” I watch Megan rifle through my closet. “Two hours alone with Braden. This is gonna be torture. You guys don't even understand it.”
    “You can't hate him that much, Mads.” Megan turns. “Can you?”
    I sigh, looking at the carpet. “You have no idea. I wasn't joking when I said he was everything I hated.”
    “Then don't do it.” Kay spears me with her gaze. “Give up. Quit.” She shrugs a shoulder.
    “What?” I frown.
    “If it's that bad, then back out. We won't hold it against you, but it'll be you wondering whether or not it would have worked.”
    “Don't do your reverse psychology trash on me, Kay.” I sniff, standing and moving to my closet. I pull out a long, white top with a floral design and grab my white gladiator sandals. “You all know I won't give up. I'll just have to suffer for your amusement.”
    I turn and storm into the bathroom to get changed. Quit. I might be annoyed I have to do this, but I'm not going to give up. I said I would do it, and I will.
    I change quickly, brushing my hair and securing it into a ponytail with a band. A quick brush of mascara on my lashes, a hint of bronzer along my cheekbones followed by a slick of gloss on my lips, and I decide it's as good as it's gonna get.
    Kay whistles when I walk back into our room.
    “Sexy lady!” She winks and I crack a smile at her.
    “Good enough?” I spin and bow.
    “Perfect,” Megan declares. “Braden won't be able to resist you.”
    I move to the mirror and slightly tease my bangs. That's what I'm worried about.
    A horn beeps outside and Lila squeals, running to the window. “He's here!”
    “Great,” I mutter, grabbing my purse. “Have fun without me, and try not to think of me too much, yeah?”
    “You'll be fine, baby girl.” Kay grins at me. “Shake your ass, flick your hair, and bat those eyelashes a few times. Do that and this is in the bag!”
    “Right.” I sigh, waving over my shoulder as I shut the door behind me. I skip down the stairs, not wanting to prolong this “date”.
    I can see him through the window of the main door. His hands are in the pockets of another pair of washed-out dark jeans, a black top covering his muscular torso. I open the door, and he smiles at me, his blue eyes brightening under his blonde hair.
    I get why girls fall over him. That smile is disarming.
    “Maddie.” He says my name softly. “You look beautiful.”
    He's laying it on thick tonight, apparently. “Thank you. You don't look so bad yourself.”
    “You mean you can deal