Read The Love Game for Free Online Page B

being seen in public with me?” He raises his eyebrows, and I smile, stepping into the evening sunshine.
    “Maybe. Although, be warned, if we see anyone we know I will hide.” I follow him to his car – a black Jetta. Of course. I bet he doesn't foot the bill, though.
    He opens the door for me, and I climb in, sinking into the leather seats. Stylish.
    “Nice car,” I compliment as he gets in next to me.
    “Thanks.” He grins. “Graduation present. I worked hard for this baby.” He pats the dashboard and starts the engine, pulling away from my block smoothly.
    “I'm sure you did,” I mutter, looking out of the window.
    “What?” He glances at me quickly.
    “Nothing.” I wish I'd backed out earlier. In three days I've had two chances to throw my hands up and say “stuff it,” and I haven't. Why? Because I'm probably borderline clinically insane. Failing that, I'm just damn stupid.
    Hearing from Pearce yesterday has just reshaped Braden in my mind. When I look at him, I see all the things my brother did to my old best friend. I take a deep breath and let it out slowly. I won't think of that today. I won't think of how I saw him destroy her and our friendship in the process.
    “You look like you're thinking too hard, Angel.” Braden shifts in his seat, and I realize we've pulled up to the bowling alley. I turn to him.
    “Just thinking about my family, that's all,” I reply, unclipping the seatbelt. I hear his door open and close then mine opens. He's playing the gentleman game. “Thank you,” I say and accept the hand he gives me.
    “I'm sorry,” he says, locking the car and putting a hand on my back. “I forget you're from Brooklyn. It must be hard being away from your family.”
    What's left of it. “Sometimes. Sometimes I'm glad of the freedom I have now.”
    “I bet.” He smiles down at me. “Do you speak to them much?”
    “Is this twenty questions?” I'm amused.
    “Would you be annoyed if I said yes?”
    “Not at all.” I let out a small laugh. “Last I heard, a girl was lucky if Braden Carter asked her name.”
    He smirks down at me and pulls me towards the counter. “Then you should consider yourself very lucky.” He looks up at the girl behind the counter who beams at him, twirling her hair round her finger and sticking out her chest.
    He's clearly on a date. Do these girls have no morals?
    Not that I'm bothered. It's just sickening.
    “I have a lane booked for six thirty. Under Carter?” he says, ignoring her obvious attempts at getting his attention. Woah, he's good.
    “Of course, we have you booked in here. In fact, I think I took the call.” Boobs beams even wider and crosses his name off the list with a flourish. Ugh. Go look in a mirror and practice being a Barbie doll. She's practically a life-size one anyway.
    “I'm sure you did.” Braden smiles politely, albeit tightly at her. It doesn't look forced. Whoa, hold on there. Could Mr. Playboy hate all that attention? Surely not. Another glance at him. Yep. He's definitely not impressed. I file that bit of information away for the dissection of the date tomorrow with the girls. Interesting.
    “Maddie?” He taps my side. “What size shoes do you need?”
    “Oh, um, a seven, please.” I smile sweetly at Boobs. She gives me an icy look and grabs a pair of shoes. I look at the size when she slides them to me. “They're a nine,” I tell her. “I said seven .”
    She snatches them back and passes me another pair. Sevens.
    “Thank you.” I give her another sweet smile and follow Braden to the seats opposite to change our shoes.
    “Feisty,” he whispers when we sit down.
    “She gave me the wrong size.” I put my socks on from my purse. “Plus I'm pretty sure she's jealous.”
    “Oh, this again?” He winks at me. I roll my eyes and hand him my sandals as we stand.
    “Try not to get sucked in by her chest when you hand them back.”
    “Why, Maddie.” He steps closer to me, hooking a finger under my chin and