Four Can Play That Game: Part One

by Ostle, J. L.

  “Hello, beautiful,” he breathes into my ear, causing me to shiver. “I can show you where to go if you like.” He presses further into me.

  Why am I not pushing him back?

  If any other guy touched me like this, I would have punched him in the face by now. But my body is humming from his touch.

  Maybe it’s not him. Maybe I’m still having side effects from the other guy. But this guy smells so good. His scent is surrounding me, hugging me.

  I turn around so we’re face to face and he’s smiling down at me. I lift my hands, placing them on his stomach, and, holy Jesus, I can feel his hard abs. I glide my hands up until I reach his chest, my eyes still on his. I can see the heat in them already.

  Too bad I’m not that kind of girl, even though right now a part of me wishes I was.

  I lean forward then use all my strength to push him away. He stumbles back before balancing himself, looking at me in shock and surprise

  “Sorry. I like my personal space,” I say calmly.

  The busted lip guy snickers and the bad boy gives him a look, making him go quiet before looking back at me. He walks towards me but stops a few inches from me. His eyes trail down my body before meeting mine again.

  “You like playing hard to get? I do like the chase.” His tongue pokes out, licking his bottom lip. I have to stop myself from fantasizing about that tongue on me.

  I swear my hormones are in overdrive today. I feel like I haven’t been around boys before, like I’ve been in a convent the last few years, but as I think about it, I’ve never really had a chance to look twice at one. Growing up, I studied and helped look after my mom. Boys were never on my radar.

  Until now.

  “I don’t play games and you’re not my type. Sorry.” I turn back around, praying Clarissa will hurry up.

  “What a shame. I think my friends would have liked you,” he says in my ear before I feel him walk away.

  After a minute, Clarissa comes out with her backpack and guides me out the door. I turn, and the guy is looking at me. He gives me a wink before I look away and head outside.

  Clarissa starts talking, telling me that the bookstore is in the library and that she’s surprised I’m going to be buying the paperbacks and hard copies as most people download books onto their tablets or Kindles.

  “I do have a Kindle, and I use it to read stories, but when I’m studying, I prefer holding onto a real book. To go through the pages. To highlight the parts I think are important,” I say as we walk down a busy hallway.

  “I can understand that. It's refreshing to see someone who still wants to read from a proper book and not from a machine.” We continue to talk until we reach the library that’s double the size of the one at my last school.

  Getting the list I made from my purse, I purchase all the books I’ll need, and I scope out the aisles before heading back out. Once we’re outside, Clarissa takes me to the coffee shop just off campus and we both order a drink and take them outside.

  During the moments we sit in silence, I’ve had time to think of the two guys I’ve met already. They are so opposite from one another, and yet they both made me feel tingly. I’m lost in my own thoughts when Clarissa starts waving her hands in front of my face, bringing me back to reality.

  “Sorry. I was in my own head.”

  She giggles. “I can see that. You were lost in thought.”

  I debate asking her about the two guys, but the first one, I didn’t catch the name of. I bet she will know the second though. I’ve seen girls in the past who will take whatever you say and use it as gossip, but looking at Clarissa, I can tell she isn’t one of them.

  “Can I ask you something?” I ask, before taking a sip of my drink.

  “Ask away.”

  “You know that guy who came into the office?”

  She nods. “Devon.”

  There were two guys there. How would she know which one I’m talking about? “The one who looked like he didn’t have a mark on him.”

  “Yeah, that’s Devon. He gets into fights all the time. His father pays a lot of money into this school. That’s why he will never be kicked out. He is dreamy, but so are the other two he lives with.”

  “Other two?”

  “Yeah. His best friends. They’re inseparable. They live together not that far from here. They throw the best parties, get the most beautiful girls, but rumor has it that they share their women.” She whispers the last part, even though no one is around.

  I sit up straighter, intrigued. “Like, they pass the girl around them?”

  “They do that, but they also have, like, foursomes and stuff. I wouldn’t know if it’s true or not so don’t quote me on it. It’s just what I heard. They ask a girl if she would be interested in something like that, and if all three agree to have her, then they do.” She shrugs.

  “And they haven’t asked you?”

  She chokes on her drink and starts coughing, shaking her head. “I think by just looking at me they’d know I wouldn’t be into that kind of thing. You should see the other two. They are gorgeous. They would turn a straight man gay.”

  I can’t help but laugh at that. “Well, you’ll have to point them out when we next see them.”

  “They’re all in our business class, so you’ll get that privilege tomorrow.” She winks at me. She looks at her phone before standing. “Right, I need to head to my study session, but give me your number and we can meet here first thing tomorrow morning, if you want?”

  I hand her my phone and she types in her number and gives herself a call, saving my number. She beams at me before walking away and I sit there, smiling. I made a new friend, and within a couple of hours.

  I type a quick text to Mom saying that, and she replies, telling me she knew everything would be fine.

  I guess it will be.

  I decide to get myself another hot chocolate before heading back to my new home. I have more of a hop in my step now. Hopefully, I’ll get along with my roommates and we’ll become close friends. I like to think we’ll become best friends, and have pamper nights and movie nights.

  I’m waiting in line to place my order and looking in my bag for my purse, making it harder now that my new books are in there, when my keys fall to the ground. I bend down, ready to pick them up, when I notice another hand reaching for them.

  I look up, my mouth hanging open to see another good-looking guy. He reaches for my keys first and stands before passing them to me. I stand up straighter, placing them back in my bag.

  Is this school just full of model lookalikes? Is there something in the water around here?

  This guy has sleeked-back blonde hair and big brown eyes, but it’s not his face that catches my attention first. He’s shirtless and his body is well-toned and muscular. Sweat drips down him.

  “Thank you,” I say, realizing I’m standing there looking at his perfect body.

  “You’re welcome.” He smiles before walking around me and ordering himself two bottles of water.

  I look at his broad back. My eyes trail down to his ass and I have to look away before he turns and catches me looking down there. Once he pays, he leaves, but my eyes follow him.

  As soon as he steps outside, he opens one bottle and pours the whole contents all over him, shaking his head, the water dripping down. He places the empty bottle in the trash before opening the second and taking a sip before jogging away.

  I’m still standing there when the barista guy asks what I want and I place my order and take it outside, sitting in the same spot I was before. Sipping my hot chocolate, I go through my Facebook newsfeed, messaging some of my friends to tell them I got here safe and that I’m missing them. I stay for another hour or so before deciding I should go meet my new roommates. They should be back from their classes by now.

  On the way back, I spot a supermarket and quickly pop in, grabbing the food essentials, making sure I have something for dinner and breakfast. I’m heading back to where I’m staying, and nerves fill me again
. Soon, I’ll meet the people I’ll be living with for the rest of the year; the people I hope I get close to. I just hope they like me.

  Placing the shopping bags on one arm so I can open the door, nothing could have warned me of what I was going to see.

  On the couch, there’s a girl with short blonde hair who, I’m guessing, is one of my roommates, having sex.

  But not just with one guy.

  With three.

  Clarissa’s words come back into my head. That will mean that Devon guy is screwing her as well as his friends. Couldn’t they have taken this to her room? There is no way I’ll be able to sit on that couch ever.

  Unsure what to do, I decide to come back later. I’ll have it out with her when I know she’s alone.

  I close the door behind me and head back to the coffee shop, taking my shopping with me. I roll my eyes, hating that I’m kind of being forced out of the place that’s going to be my home for the next few months.

  After ordering a fruit tea, I take a seat outside again, placing my bags on the floor near my feet. Rubbing my temples, I groan, knowing I’m going to have to say something to my new roommate. I don’t want to be bossy or a pain in the ass roommate, but surely she will have to understand that sex in the living area knowing other people live there is a little disrespectful.

  I look at my phone, tempted to text Clarissa to see if she is still at her study group, but I just met her and I shouldn’t be throwing my problems on her already.

  I stay put for another two hours before I reluctantly head back. If they’re still at it, I will just sneak to my room, hoping they don’t notice me.

  Putting the key in the door, I poke my head in and sigh in relief to see no one is there. I look at the couch, pulling a face before quickly heading to my room and locking the door behind me. Who knows if they will come back or if she will go for round two, so I stay put. I watch some Netflix and it doesn’t take long for my eyes start to feel heavy.

  That night, I fall into a very deep sleep.

  * * *

  My alarm wakes me up from a peaceful sleep. For a moment, I forget where I am until I sit up, looking at my surroundings. I grab a quick shower then decide on a white and purple flowered sundress to wear. I blow dry my hair to its natural waves and opt for natural make-up.

  I grab an energy bar that I bought from the shop. I can’t believe I went to bed without having dinner. My stomach thanks me when I start eating.

  Grabbing my things and locking my door behind me, the place seems quiet. My roommates are either still in bed or have gone to class already. I will have to meet them eventually. For now, later is better.

  I put in my earphones and walk back to the coffee shop. I smile when I see Clarissa there already with a drink in her hands, waiting for me. She passes me a cup, and I thank her before we take a seat.

  “I got you what you had yesterday, I hope that’s okay.”

  “This is great, thank you.” I take a sip, enjoying the chocolatey goodness. “How was your study session?”

  “It was blah, but it helps when there is a group of you talking about the same thing. It stays in your head more.”

  “I hope you won’t protest if I ask to join once I’m settled in my classes. Don’t want to fall behind or anything.”

  “The more the merrier. You will love everyone too. They’re great.” She smiles. “So, how was your first night?”

  I sigh. “I walked in on one of my roommates having a foursome on the couch. One of them was Devon. I couldn’t see the others because I quickly bolted out of there, but who has sex in the early evening, in the middle of the room, where anyone can walk in?”

  “Obviously your roommate. I guess it’s going to be a fun semester living there. You never know; it might not happen again. It's rare they go back for seconds once all three guys have been there with the girl,” she says hopefully.

  “Won’t stop her from having sex with anyone else. I think once we get the introductions out of the way, I’m just going to ask her to only have sex in her room. It’s a reasonable request, right?” I look at her.

  She nods. “I think so. Just make sure you say it in a nice way and not in an ‘I think you’re a slut’ kind of way.”

  I stare at her, confused. “What way can you say that?”

  “Well, if you’re looking at her like she’s a slut while you say it. Girls who like sex get very defensive, so just be careful.” She takes a sip of her drink.

  I get what she means. I’m living there, and if I say something offensive, it will make being there even harder. “I will be careful. I just don’t want to see any more male asses when I come home.”

  “Unless they’re your male asses,” Clarissa jokes, causing us both to laugh.

  “Yeah. Unless the ass belongs to me, I don’t want to see it.”

  Once we’re finished with our drinks, we head to campus, and I’m upset knowing my first class isn’t with her. I head to Algebra, and the room is already half full. I take a seat right in the middle. Grabbing my laptop and notepad, I quickly look around the room. My eyes, of course, had to fall on Devon.

  He is at the opposite side of the room, leaning forward in his seat, talking to some redhead. He had sex with my roommate yesterday and I bet he’s finding his next conquest already. I glare at him, hoping he can feel the pain I’m shooting through my eyes.

  “Be careful. You do know the saying if looks could kill,” a voice says beside me. I turn to see the guy I bumped into yesterday, and the air rushes from my lungs. I open my mouth to say something, but nothing comes out.

  Again.

  He chuckles, and I feel myself blush.

  He starts to walk away when I shout out at him. “He slept with my roommate.” He turns and looks at me. “Sorry, that came out way too forward. I’m seeing him over there looking at his new conquest, knowing he slept with my roommate…” I mumble. “Sorry.”

  “Don’t apologize. You can’t help how you feel.” With that, he walks over to Devon and takes a seat next to him and they do that guy fist bump thing. I inwardly groan, hating that I just said that and they are obviously friends.

  Great work, Jamie.

  My eyes are still on them when the guy turns and looks at me and gives me a smile. I could hit myself for saying all that to him. Devon turns to see who his friend is looking at and his eyes connect with mine. I quickly turn away and start up my laptop, deciding to keep facing forward for the rest of class.

  I was afraid I was going to be behind, or that they would be at a different stage from where I was up to, but it was all okay. I know the material, and I’m confident I will pass this class.

  The day goes by quickly, but I’m thankful when it comes to lunchtime, as I could literally eat my own arm right now. Finding the cafeteria wasn’t difficult as most of the student body was heading in that direction.

  I got a cheeseburger and fries with a Coke. Luckily, I found a near enough empty table and took a seat. Once that burger reaches my lips, I moan at how good it is. I feel like I’m wasting away already.

  Looking around the room, seeing groups of friends laughing and talking, I start to miss my old friends. I feel a little bad as I kind of lost touch with them when my mom was ill, but it’s when I’m alone that I miss them more.

  I look for Clarissa, but instead, I spot Devon again, but with a different girl in his lap, with a table full of guys and girls nearby making it too obvious that they want them. I even spot the guy I bumped into first and the coffee shop guy.

  The girl in Devon’s lap has curly brown hair, and the skirt she’s wearing leaves nothing to the imagination. She wraps her legs around his waist and he moves in his seat, adjusting himself, and now I’m in his line of sight.

  He looks up and his eyes connect with mine.

  His hands glide from the girl’s thigh to her ass, and she pushes herself closer to him. I should look away, but I can’t. I feel like his eyes have taken me under some kind of spell.

  His hands glide up her
back, pushing her hair to the side and exposing her neck. He leans forward, kissing her shoulder to the nape of her neck, but the whole time, his eyes never leave mine.

  The girl starts to kiss his neck to his jaw, but it’s like he’s not paying attention to what she’s doing, wanting me to keep watching them.

  To keep watching him.

  I feel another set of eyes on me and I finally look away to see guy number one looking at me then at Devon. Embarrassed, I turn away and look at my food, not hungry anymore. He must think I’m some kind of nut, first glaring at Devon then watching him making out with another girl.

  Grabbing my things, I throw my food in the trash and leave the cafeteria. I don’t have class now, so I decide to see if the campus pool is quiet so I can do a few laps. I love that this college has a pool, as I find swimming therapeutic. I like running too; it helps me to clear my head. I’m happy I packed my swimsuit today.

  When I reach the changing rooms, I quickly get changed, and I smile when I see only a handful of people are in here. I grab a lane and just start swimming. I let all thoughts go, all my worries, and especially my stupid hormones.

  I don’t usually think about time when I’m in the zone. I just keep going until I can’t go anymore, or until someone tells me it’s closing time, but I know I have a class left to go, so I keep my eyes on the clock on the wall.

  When I stop to take a breather and check the time, I’m surprised to see coffee shop guy standing at the far end, watching me. It looks like he’s been swimming also. He gives me a little wave, which I return. He looks at me for a moment longer than is normal and then leaves; which is a little strange. I get out too, take a quick shower, half dry my hair, not having time to fully pay attention to it, and pull it up into a high ponytail.

  Once sorted, I look at my phone to see I have two text messages from Clarissa, asking where I am so we can head to business studies together. Quickly replying that I’m at the pool, we arrange to meet halfway.

  “I didn’t know you liked swimming. I have to be in the mood if I want to swim, but it’s more like floating around than doing laps,” she says once we meet up.