Subscriber Wars: An Enemies-to-Lovers-Romantic Comedy

by Kristy Marie

  I trail a finger along his jaw, pausing long enough to let it linger in that damn dimple that makes girls stupid. His cheek clenches, and I feel a grin emerge. I think I might like this little deal with Bash-hole. Being able to torture him on a daily basis feels pretty good right now.

  With slow strokes, I let my fingers drift down his neck and over his chest. His head comes forward almost as if we’re magnets pulling together. My arms go around his neck and his to my waist. There isn’t but a few inches between us.

  “I hope you slept like dog shit,” I whisper in his ear.

  Sebastian’s cameraman moves to the side, capturing the moment of two new lovers whispering in each other’s ear.

  “I hope the dumpster is fresh out of chairs,” he returns, gripping my hair in his hand and tugging. “Because you’re never getting yours back.”

  To the fans, it’ll look like we’re having a hard time not mauling each other. That’s the truth, just not in the sense they are thinking.

  My hands drift down his stomach, and I smile. What I wouldn’t give to be able to sucker punch him right now. But alas, I can’t because I made a deal with a demon.

  With a warning look to Sebastian, I trace the edge of his waistband with my fingers, before walking them down to his pocket where my keys are waiting. His grip tightens on my hips, and he folds over me, burying his head in my hair. For a moment, I wait for a shitty comment, but then I realize, he doesn’t intend to make one.

  Slipping my fingers into his pocket, I’m met with warmth and a whispered groan. I don’t know if he’s doing it for the camera or if he’s groaning that I’m too close to him. Either way, I don’t care. I just need these keys, and his breath on my neck is making it hard to remember exactly what we’re doing this for.

  Finally, I loop the key ring with my finger and pull my hand out of his pocket, without any sort of dick touching.

  “See you later,” I tell him with a fake smile.

  He nods and swallows before he aims a glare at his cameraman. “We’re not using all that footage,” he barks.

  “What’s your name again?” I ask the cameraman. I think it’s classier if I pretend that Sebastian was decent enough to tell me his name before I came over here.

  “Brick,” he says, adjusting the camera. He has a nice smile, and if I was into the Ed Sheeran look, I might consider chatting Brick up, but instead, as usual, Sebastian ruins it by taking my arm and manhandling me to the door.

  “I’ll pick you up at seven for our date. Wear something less—” he eyes my current outfit of shorts and a flannel, “—you.”

  I flip him off just as he slams the door in my face.

  We might have a truce, but we certainly didn’t negotiate the hate. That little caveat still seems to be a standing rule.

  University CamFlix Competition Submission

  Entry Number: 75

  Sebastian and Valentina

  First Interview Continued, also known as that time she threatened to kill me in a public bathroom

  “I’m assuming you retaliated after he ruined your video?”

  I look at Valentina and grin. “She tried…but—” Vee clamps her hand over my mouth. Her eyes carry a threat to not say another word. The air around us feels thick, but Tom doesn’t notice, since he was scribbling something on his clipboard.

  “What do you mean by tried?” he asks, clueless to Vee’s glacial look and our subsequent stare down. “Do you mean she was never successful at pranking you?”

  I scoff and Vee snaps her fingers in front of Tom and the camera crew. “Can we have a smoke break?”

  My brows pinch. “You want a smoke? Since when do you smoke?”

  She pushes my hand off her thigh and then remembers we have an audience and grabs for my hand, interlocking our fingers. “Since now, Pookie. Come with me?”

  I frown at the nickname, but I stand anyway, knowing she wants to ream me out, which is fine. I get off on that kind of pillow talk. “Sure, honey. Whatever you want.”

  Why are girls such pains in the ass?

  Me: Are you ready? It’s 6:30…

  Pretend Like You Like Her: Almost. I needed Aspen and she’s at Bennett’s. Pick me up there.

  Normally, this wouldn’t bother me, but today, after the video and rumors of Vee and I dating… I’m not exactly eager to face the Jameson twins and their irrational protection of Vee and Aspen.

  I don’t know much about Bennett Jameson, but what I do know doesn’t give me the warm fuzzies. He’s the football team’s quarterback and rumored to be the NFL’s number one draft pick this year. I wouldn’t know, though, because I don’t watch football.

  Drew, on the other hand, seems okay. He’s never been a dick to me, but I’ve also never “dated” his childhood friend. For all I know, he’s in love with her and is too much of a pussy to tell her.

  Rolling my shoulders, I crack my neck and rap on the door. I hear muffled whispers and then… heavy stomps that end at the door. And as it flies open with a pained creak, I’m met with a human shield.

  It’s Drew.

  He doesn’t say anything, only eyes me up and down with blatant disdain. Looks like he isn’t happy to see me.

  “Vee,” he calls behind him, “I’m not fucking playing with you. You’re not leaving until you find something else to wear.”

  He never looks back, just assumes she’ll do as she’s told.

  I, not so quietly, smother a laugh—he must not know Vee like I do. She never does as she’s told.

  “Can I help you?” He clips out at the sight of my amusement.

  I’ll forgive his dickish behavior. Valentina brings out the asshole in me too. “The girl with improper attire,” I drawl, “she asked me to pick her up here.”

  Drew eyes the phone in my hand. “Your camera better be off. We’re not fans of your little shitshow.”

  I hold my phone up and show him the black screen. “Tonight is off the record.” I almost cross my heart, just to be an asshole, but think better of it. I’m here for Vee, not a war with one of the Jameson brothers.

  “Drew!” A female voice shouts from behind him. “Don’t be such an asshole. Let him in while he waits on Vee; she might be a minute.”

  Drew’s lip curls like he’d rather drown kittens than let me come in.

  “It’s alright, I’m good out here,” I reassure him.

  He inhales and rolls his shoulders. “The lady of the house disagrees.” He steps aside and opens the door wider for me to enter, which I do, albeit slowly.

  I don’t want Drew Jameson thinking I give two shits about his permission to enter. Clearly, he has as much authority as the ‘lady of the house’ allows him.

  Bennett hovers in the kitchen and snaps at the blonde by the stove when the door closes behind me. “You go put some fucking clothes on too. I don’t understand why you both had to confiscate my bathroom to do your makeup.” He glares at Aspen. “You aren’t leaving.”

  Wow. Bennett so needs a blow job and a beer. Dude is wound tight.

  I tip my chin at Bennett as a simple hello and ignore the ‘lady of the house,’ Aspen.

  “Hi, Bash!”

  Fuck.

  I tip my chin. “Aspen.”

  Swear to God, Bennett growls.

  “How’s Maverick and Ainsley?” she continues.

  For a second, I think about texting Vee to hurry the hell up, but then I realize I’m ignoring Aspen and that can be just as lethal as talking to her.

  “They’re good.” I tuck my hands in my pockets.

  “Good,” she returns all too chipper. “Do you want a beer?”

  “No, he doesn’t,” Bennett answers for me, before turning to his brother and barking, “Go see what’s taking Valentina so long. She needs pants and a long-sleeved shirt. It’s doesn’t take that fucking long to throw them on.”

  It’s April and an easy eighty degrees out. I think the long-sleeved shirt is a bit overkill. But I get it, I have a sister too. Not that Bennett and Drew are Vee’s
brothers, but from what I know about their crew, they were all raised as family. Their parents are best friends, so essentially, they act as siblings. Except for Bennett and Aspen. The way they look at each other is anything but familial.

  When Drew lumbers off in search of Vee, Fenn, Aspen’s brother, comes barreling down the hall with his pants undone. “Asp, give me your purse.”

  Aspen scoffs. “I’m not giving you money, Fenn. You’ll have to call Dad.”

  Fenn finally realizes he has a guest and tips his chin, as if this is just like any other night. “I don’t need cash, I need condoms. I’m out.”

  Aspen’s wit rivals her brother’s. “How do you know I’m not out?”

  A low rumble comes from Bennett’s direction that makes Fenn grin. “Because of that. Now cough ‘em up. You’re not using them anytime soon as long as Chastity’s Child over there keeps up the good little soldier act.”

  I feel my eyes widen and Bennett doesn’t miss it. He snags a purse—presumably Aspen’s—and hurls it into Fenn’s chest. “I’m tired of guests, Von Bremen.” He eyes me in particular.

  Fenn bounces on the balls of his feet. “Don’t worry, I won’t let mine stay long, big guy. Have an apple and gaze longingly at my sister. That’ll make—”

  Bennett shoves him, cutting off whatever teasing word he was about to say.

  I clear my throat. “I…uh…I’m going to wait outside.”

  Bennett’s voice is thick with authority. “I think that’s a good—”

  “Wait! Sebastian!” I freeze and turn around to see Valentina Lambros, who’s not in a long-sleeved shirt and pants or a flannel; instead, she’s in a summer tank dress that I’ve never seen. “I’m so sorry. I needed Aspen to do my hair. And well…”

  She was over here like usual.

  “It looks great,” I tell her, noticing it’s in loose curls that fall over her shoulder, ending nearly at her elbows. Her look is simple, understated, and my damn dick likes what he’s seeing.

  “Thanks,” she says, knotting her hands together like the compliment makes her feel awkward.

  “Be back by ten,” Drew grits out, glaring at me.

  Vee laughs and shakes her head as she stands on her tiptoes to kiss him on his cheek. Turning, she looks at Aspen, “Will I see you tonight?”

  Aspen grins but looks at Bennett who simply folds his arms and glares. “Depends.”

  Yeah, depends on if she can get away from him. I don’t know that I’ve ever seen a college dude so possessive about a girl. I thought Mav was being all weird with Ainsley, but Bennett acts like Aspen is the Hope Diamond and he’s the one entrusted to its care. The dude has the entire campus scared to even look at Aspen.

  “Okay. Just text me so I know to lock the door if you’re not coming home.”

  Wait, what? Is that why she leaves her keys in the door all the time? Because she doesn’t bother locking the door?

  Bennett’s head whips to Vee, but he’s looking over her shoulder at me when he says, “You better handle that.”

  I nod. I assume he means making sure she locks the door when I drop her off. I can do that. I tug Vee to the door and step outside when we hear Bennett growl out, “Are you fucking serious? Do you sleep with the door unlocked?”

  Vee cringes, and we pull the door closed, leaving Aspen to fight her own battles. I exhale in the evening air as we walk back across the courtyard and to my Jeep. “You…uh…look.” I can’t even finish my sentence. Valentina Lambros looks… different.

  “Shut up,” she barks, but it lacks her usual bite. She’s nervous.

  “Beautiful. You look beautiful,” I add, when I can get my tongue to work correctly. “No flannel today?”

  She tugs at the waist of her dress and grimaces. “I thought if we were really going to sell this thing, I needed to look the part.” She pulls her eyes from the ground and stops, facing me. “You would never be seen with someone in flannel.”

  I nod, but I only do it because she expects me to. Truth is, I’m known for always being seen with the girl in the flannel shirt. It didn’t bother me then and it certainly doesn’t bother me now. “I’m okay if you want to keep the look. I think our viewers are used to your style.”

  I don’t want her to change for me or this competition.

  “It’s okay,” she says, walking forward, “We can try it and see. If the views are higher, I’ll take one for the team. If they’re lower, I’ll bring out the trusty flannel again.”

  She’s hasn’t changed at all. Not that I expected her to act like a different person, but with our history, I wasn’t so sure.

  Valentina Lambros is unpredictable.

  The rumor around campus is no one is bold enough to date her. You would think it’s because of Bennett and Drew, but that’s not the case. The truth is, Valentina Lambros is too much for one man to handle. To date her, you need a good sense of humor and a hefty life insurance policy.

  “Why are you staring at me?”

  I flick my eyes to hers. “Was I staring?”

  She nods and glances down at her chest. “Yeah, you were. Keep your eyes up top, playboy.”

  I chuckle at her scolding. I wasn’t checking out her boobs since I already did that way back when she first became my neighbor. She may have worn flannel over the top of her tank tops, but nothing masked the curve of her tits. I know what she’s working with. I’m a dude. We know how to admire tits under layers.

  “Okay, so where are we eating?” I push the start button and allow the rumble of the engine to relax me.

  She shrugs. “Tacos?”

  I nod my agreement. “Tacos sound good. Any place in particular?”

  She grins and points to the street on the right. “Turn there. I know just the place.”

  I ease off of the curb and follow her directions for a few minutes, until the silence becomes awkward.

  “So…uh. Nice roommates you have.”

  She cuts me a look that says she doesn’t approve of my sarcasm. “It was a bad day for Bennett. He usually isn’t that bad.”

  “What happened?”

  I don’t really care about Bennett’s issues. I think it’s pretty evident he needs to bang the shit out of Aspen and loosen the fuck up.

  Vee shrugs, adjusting her seatbelt. “I don’t know. Something about spring break.”

  I cock a brow. “Trouble in paradise?”

  She shakes her head. “No, just typical Bennett and Aspen drama.”

  See? Told you. They need to bang.

  “So your parents are really close friends too, right?” I mean, I know Aspen and Vee grew up together.

  Vee chews on her lip, watching the road intently. “My dad used to be homeless. Aspen’s mom took him in when no one else would.”

  Oh.

  “I didn’t mean to pry—I didn’t realize…” Way to go, Sebastian. Bring up something super sensitive for her.

  She shrugs. “I’m not ashamed of my dad. People think we’re all close because we all lived on the same street, but the truth is, we’re family.”

  It’s definitely not your basic family history. “Do you ever feel smothered with all the attention?”

  She grins. “I assume you mean by the guys?”

  That’s exactly what I mean. Drew, Bennett, and Fenn watch her and Aspen like I watch Ramen noodles boil in the microwave. Well, when I can sneak them in. My sister refuses to buy them for me.

  I nod.

  “They can get a little bossy, but I don’t let it stop me. I was raised around six Marines. Von Bremen and the twins aren’t shit compared to my dad and uncles.”

  My heart sinks. “Your dad is a Marine?”

  “Yeah.”

  Well, this conversation just took a turn. Who knew her history with Aspen and the guys was so intricately connected?

  I can feel her eyes on me when I turn onto the next street she points to. “So,” she drawls, changing the subject and easing the tension. “Do you have plans for spring break?”

  The lines i
n my forehead crease. “I don’t know. Maybe. Most of the time I go with Mav to see his Pops.” I shrug it off. “My parents travel a lot,” I lie.

  Vee nods. “Mine do too, they travel to California a lot to see my brother.”

  “He’s in the movies, right?”

  I know a little bit about Vee’s brother, simply by the pictures of him on the walls at Havemeyer. He’s apparently a musical legend around these parts.

  “Yeah, he writes scores for movies. My parents are super proud, so they try and see him as much as they can.”

  Something in her voice tells me she’s not all that excited about her famous brother.

  “Is that why you went into film? Because of your brother?”

  She lets out this scoffing noise like that’s the most ridiculous thing she’s ever heard. “No. I went into film because of my uncle Felipe.” She smiles like she’s remembering something. “He’s always loved the theater, so I grew up watching him apply a mean eyeliner while singing Céline Dion.”

  Her eyes narrow, and her voice turns hard. “But you knew that.”

  The comment is a reminder that this isn’t like old times. It sobers us quickly and casts an uncomfortable quiet over the rest of the drive. That is, until I put the Jeep in park and eye the monstrosity in front of me. “You wanted tacos out of a food truck?”

  She gets out of the car and cuts me a look through the window. “Is the diva too good to eat from a taco truck?”

  I hate when she says shit like this. “Ugh, no. But I figured since Brick is filming this ‘date,’ you might like something a little classier than a food truck.” I hop over the door of the Jeep—it was too nice out to leave the top on. “I thought you’d want all your fans to swoon over something romantic.”

  Vee points to the lights hanging in the trees over the parking lot. “This isn’t romantic enough for you?” She pulls her iPad out of her purse. “I even brought a movie.”

  Dammit. I feel myself smiling at this ridiculousness. “I’m not watching one of those low budget horror movies of yours. We’re discussing the rules of this arrangement.”

  She shrugs. “We can do both since this ‘date’ is interrupting my movie time.”