Good @ Games (Book Four, The Flirting Games Series)

by Wilkinson, Stella

  He hadn't ever envisioned being with just one girl until he'd met Jessica. But now, as well as being very attracted to her, she was also becoming his best friend. And he wanted more, much more. He was serious about not getting involved with anyone else. He didn’t even want anyone else. He finally realized he might be falling in love.

  ***

  Jessica deliberately didn’t try to find out anything about David Emery. For a start, it might not even be him; and secondly, she wanted to give The Eagle a totally clean slate when they met and not be influenced by anyone’s opinion but her own.

  After breakfast, Jessica went straight back up to her dorm and took a long bath. She washed her hair at least three times, and shaved her legs despite the fact that she wouldn’t even be showing them. It was about feeling good underneath as well as looking good on the outside. With that in mind she also picked out her favourite underwear set. Her only sexy matching bra and knickers; that would give her a little secret confidence boost. She decided not to dress up on the outside though. It wasn’t as if she even owned anything particularly special. So many of the girls at Compass Court had rich parents and wardrobes full of designer clothes, but Jessica felt that she couldn’t go wrong with a well-cut pair of jeans and a figure-hugging top. She also decided on her brown boots with heels, simply because heels made her legs look longer.

  Make-up was a tricky one. Lipstick was out of the question for a Sunday afternoon in the library; it would look like she was trying way too hard. But she settled for a slightly tinted lip balm that would keep her lips moisturised.

  She was just grateful that none of the other girls were around to see her dithering in front of the mirror.

  She decided to go down to the library ten minutes early. That way if Reed was at the table reading, she could tell him to clear off for a bit. He would understand.

  But Reed wasn’t there and someone else was. The question was, was it him?

  She studied him covertly. He had sandy-coloured hair and a dimple in his chin, and as expected he was quite handsome. Yes, she could definitely see herself getting physically closer to this boy.

  When another five minutes elapsed and he started to look at his watch, she knew he was waiting for someone. It was him.

  Taking a deep breath, she approached the table.

  “The Eagle, I presume?” She held out her hand to shake his.

  “Soubrette.” His voice was deep and inviting. He smiled and shook her hand.

  “It’s Jessica, actually.” Jessica sat down opposite him.

  “David,” he confirmed in return.

  “Well, this is awkward.” Jessica didn’t know how they were supposed to suddenly be on their usual terms. She was normally so comfortable with him, but now everything was different.

  David reached across the table and took her hands. “It doesn’t have to be awkward. It’s me and you, we already know each other so well. Being with you in person feels right. I knew it wouldn’t change my feelings for you.”

  “So, you’re not disappointed that I’m not the fat kid from Year Three?” Jessica joked, nervously.

  He leaned over and stroked her cheek. “You’re even more beautiful in real life than I dreamed you were; of course I’m not disappointed.”

  “Oh, ha ha, well, that’s good.” she gabbled, wishing she had his gift of saying the right thing. “You’re not a disappointment either. I mean, I’m glad you’re you.” She just hoped he understood what she meant.

  His big grin told her that he did. “So that’s it? We’re properly together now?” he asked.

  “Um, well, yes. If you want?”

  “Of course I want! I’ve wanted nothing but you for weeks. I can barely concentrate on schoolwork when I’m always wondering what you’re doing, and where you are at that moment. Now I can just be with you.” He looked around the private area they were sitting in. “Is it too soon to kiss you?”

  Jessica blushed. “No, it’s not too soon. I’d like that, but I have to ask something first. Are you seeing anyone else?”

  “Oh, right. Fair question, and the answer is yes, actually I do have a girlfriend, but it’s over as of right now.”

  “What, just like that? Because of me?” Jessica scanned his face, trying to work out if he was telling the truth. She suspected he was – otherwise why admit to the girlfriend at all?

  “Just like that, because of you.” He nodded.

  “Um, David, would you mind finishing with your girlfriend before you kiss me?”

  Jessica expected him to go and find her, but instead he pulled out his phone. “No problem.” he confirmed.

  “You can’t do that!” Jessica was horrified. “You can’t just dump her by phone. You’ll have to go and explain in person.”

  He sighed. “Yeah, okay, I suppose I should. But then you and I are going to find ourselves somewhere far more private than this to get to know each other better.”

  Jessica felt her spirits soar. “Count on it,” she promised.

  Chapter Sixteen

  “She dumped me.” Michael sounded like he was in shock. “Some girl at school told her that she’d seen me with someone else and she dumped me, just like that!”

  “Did the girl see you with someone else?” Gabriel had to ask, because Michael sounded like he thought it was all a mistake.

  “Well, yes, she did. But it wasn’t any of her business. Just because she and Flora know each other – they’re not particularly close friends or anything as far as I know.”

  Gabriel resisted the urge to laugh. Michael had no idea how girls worked. Hopefully he would start learning quickly. But it wasn’t going to be quick enough to hold on to Flora. Despite the fact that his little brother was upset, Gabriel couldn’t help feeling proud of Flora for not standing for any nonsense.

  “I’m sorry,” he said, “it was bad luck getting caught.” He refrained from adding but I told you so, even though he really wanted to.

  He changed the subject. “Do you want me to come down this weekend? I can stay in Oakworth. I’ve been meaning to come anyway and see Nate and the lads. I’ll take you out for dinner on Saturday if you like?”

  “Yeah, thanks, bro. That would be awesome. See you then.”

  Gabriel couldn’t decide if he was pleased or not about Michael and Flora splitting up. On the one hand, it was good because he had become aware of his own inappropriate feelings for his brother’s girlfriend, and now he wouldn’t have any reason to ever see her again. On the other hand, that was bad!

  He knew he wasn’t going to pursue Flora for himself. It would be out of order with Michael, plus Flora deserved way better than a cold cynic like him, but he did hope she would find someone who treated her a lot better than Michael clearly had. Someone who would appreciate her like he was starting to appreciate her.

  He also wondered if he was building Flora up a bit too much in his mind. In reality he barely knew her, so why the sudden fixation? Was it just because she was the total opposite to Vanessa? He was sure that he wasn’t wrong in his judgment of Flora’s character. She was warm and gentle and kind and sweet. She was pretty and soft and feminine and smelled of flowers. She would soothe him, make him happy. He banged his head on the table a couple of times to stop his runaway train of thought.

  He should try to see Flora at the weekend. Firstly, just to make sure she was alright after being hurt by Michael; and secondly, to realise that she couldn’t really be as lovely as he remembered her.

  ***

  For the first few days of their relationship, Jessica and David were inseparable. When they weren’t together they stayed in constant contact by phone. They were openly in love and held hands and kissed at any and every opportunity. There seemed no clouds on the horizon.

  The first cloud, however, came that first Friday night, when Jessica went to have her music tuition with Byron. David kept ringing her and they were trying to practice, so she switched her phone off.

  Turning it on again two hours later, she found a barrage
of messages from him. Ringing him straightaway, she was a little surprised at the vehemence of his anger. They met up outside the doorway of North Tower to talk.

  “I’m sorry,” he said straightaway. “I didn’t mean to freak out, but Benito Byron has a really bad reputation and you are all on your own with him and you turned your phone off!”

  “But I’ve been all on my own with him for months, and nothing has ever happened,” Jessica protested.

  “Really? Are you seriously trying to tell me that in all that time he’s never tried to kiss you or anything like that?”

  “Well, I suppose he did kiss me that one time recently, and when we first met…” Jessica realised she’d said the wrong thing, as David got very purple in the face. “But it didn’t mean anything…” she tailed off again, well aware that she was making things worse.

  “Jeez, Jess! He clearly has a thing for you. And Reed too – once I started asking around I found loads of rumours that he’s in love with you as well. Can’t you see why that would make me feel like this?”

  “Don’t you trust me?” Jessica felt overwhelmed by hurt. She was usually such a strong person, but there was something about being with David that made her feel weak. She supposed it was love.

  “Of course I trust you. I love you.” He put his arms around her. “It’s them I don’t trust, particularly Byron. Do you really have to carry on with this late night tuition with them both?”

  “Well, no, I don’t have to,” Jessica stammered, “but it helps me a lot. Especially with music.”

  “Please stop, Jess. Please just do this one thing for me. If you don’t have to have the tuition then couldn’t you give it up? Just think of all the extra time we’d have to be together.”

  “I’ll think about it,” she said in a small voice. His arms tightened around her and she breathed in the reassuring smell of his jumper.

  “Thank you,” he said, and as he kissed her she knew she would do anything to make things good between them again.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Byron was in the Common Room again with Amy, Bianca and Prisha when Jessica got back.

  “Hey,” he said, “I was thinking that tomorrow morning we could have a look at some songs for the Christmas Carol Concert. Maybe you could practice a solo piece to show Miss Bracken?”

  “Actually, I’ve decided to stop doing the extra tuition, but thanks anyway.”

  “What, why? I thought you were really coming on? Surely it can only help? Or is it that you have something better to do now that you’re seeing David ‘The Eagle’ Emery?”

  Jess turned a little pink. “Well, sort of, it’s not to see him instead, it’s just, he’s not massively comfortable with how much time I’m spending with you and Reed. Especially you, with your reputation and everything. I think he’s just a little jealous.”

  Byron looked shocked. “Are you serious? You’re just going to drop your studies because your new boyfriend doesn’t like you spending time with other guys?”

  Jess shifted uncomfortably. “Well, it’s not just that. I mean, I don’t actually need to keep doing the extra tuition anymore. My grades are now in line with the school average, and Mrs Frost said I could stop if I wanted.”

  “Bull! This isn’t about your grades, and it isn’t about not needing the tuition anymore. This is about The Eagle.” Byron spat the name out. “He’s making you drop your friends for him. What a possessive poser! And what about Reed? Haven’t you noticed how popular he’s becoming with your help? You make all this effort to bring him out from under his calculator and then when he actually starts to gain a little confidence, you’re just going to leave him high and dry? What do you think that will do to him?”

  Jessica began to turn a little white as Byron’s face darkened with anger. He pointed an aggressive finger at her.

  “And what happens when he ditches you like he ditched Charlotte? Well, don’t come running back to me is all I can say! And don’t think you can use Reed as a rebound either, because I won’t let you, do you hear?”

  Jessica’s eyes began to fill with tears, though she was unsure if they were from hurt or anger. She was just rallying to reply when Bianca waded in.

  “Back off, Byron! How dare you? Why can’t you just be happy for her? But no, someone else has their paws on your protégé and you don’t like it. Talk about pot and kettle, for goodness’ sake. She can date whomever she wants, and if he doesn’t want her around you then I, for one, totally understand that.”

  Everyone looked at Bianca is absolute amazement. Jess had to force herself to close her mouth, which had dropped almost to her chin. Was Bianca actually sticking up for her?

  “And what about Reed? Why can’t she still hang out with him?” Byron asked, his voice lower, but no less angry.

  “Why on earth do you care?” Bianca fired back. “You and Reed are hardly the bromance of the century; what’s the sudden interest in his welfare?”

  Byron shrugged. “I like Reed. He doesn’t deserve to get dumped by the wayside just because David Emery clicks his fingers.”

  Jessica pulled herself together and answered before Bianca could. “I’m not dumping him. We’ll still be friends, I just don’t need the private tuition anymore.”

  Byron sent her a scathing look, showing all too clearly that he didn’t believe her.

  “Yeah, whatever. I can’t speak for Reed, but I don’t need that kind of friendship, thanks very much. So if you ever do get permission to speak to us, then I suggest you don’t try your charms on me; I’ve had enough of them.”

  He rose to go, but Jessica got to her feet as well.

  “You’re so full of yourself. You just don’t like anyone else being happy simply because you can’t stop shagging around for more than five minutes. David and I are great together, and you’re always going to end up alone.”

  Byron gave her a disgusted look and walked out, then Jessica sank back on the sofa with the tears falling down her face. Bianca put an arm around her.

  “He’s just jealous, he’ll get over it,” Bianca said soothingly.

  “I can’t think why,” Jessica sniffed. “He can have practically any girl he likes, but instead he just treats them like crap. I thought he and I were friends…” She reached for a tissue and covered her eyes with it.

  “Oh, sweetie,” Bianca said with a sigh. “You’re more than just friends, and you know it. Give him a break.”

  “No, we’re not!” Jessica frowned at her. “Nothing has ever happened between us, you know that, right?”

  Bianca smiled kindly. “That doesn’t mean he isn’t in love with you.”

  Jessica burst out laughing. “Thanks, Bianca. I needed a good laugh. I don’t know why you picked today of all days to be nice and funny, but thank you!”

  Bianca rolled her eyes and grinned. “Don’t get any ideas, it doesn’t mean I like you or anything – just that I think Byron is being a total twit by pushing you away. However, I’ve done my good deed for the day, so I think we’ll leave it there.” And with that she strode off towards the girls’ bathroom.

  Jessica turned to Amy helplessly. “Do you think I’m dumping my friends?”

  Amy tilted her hand to suggest maybe she was, a little bit. “I don’t think Reed will understand either, but he isn’t like Byron, so he won’t say so.”

  Jessica bit her tongue in frustration. How could she make everybody happy? It just wasn’t possible, and right now her relationship with David was her priority.

  “He’ll understand,” she said, more to reassure herself than Amy. “I’ve got a boyfriend now; it changes things.”

  “If you say so.” Amy collected her bag and went after Bianca. Jessica felt like she had been gently snubbed, and now she was sitting on her own.

  “He’s worth it, they’ll soon see how happy we are and come around,” she muttered to herself, but it sounded half-hearted even to her own ears.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Gabriel was furious with his brother. He’d take
n the train all the way from London to Oakworth, the village nearest Compass Court, only to find that Michael had gone into Bristol for the day. He sent him several angry text messages but Michael had made it pretty clear that he wasn’t hurrying back. Thankfully, it at least gave Gabriel the chance to see all his friends. He had been a boarder at Compass Court for six years, only leaving at the end of Year Six because he had been offered a place at the London Acting Academy, which had always been his dream.

  The first thing he did was visit his old room, and the three boys he used to share with. Nate, his best friend, and Jerry and Owen. They had a good catch-up and a laugh, and then Nate suggested they go back into Oakworth to the local pub. Nate was meeting Ellie there, and Gabriel quickly agreed, thinking that it would be a good opportunity to see Flora and check that she was okay after the break-up with his brother.

  But when he and Nate reached the pub, Ellie was there on her own.

  “Flora just wasn’t in the mood,” Ellie said.

  “Is she okay? Or is she really hurting?” Gabriel asked.

  Ellie shrugged. “She says she’s fine. But she’s being really quiet, and you know how she’s like always cheerful? Well, she stops smiling when she thinks no one is looking.”

  “Would it help if I talked to her?” Gabriel was sure that he was the last person Flora wanted to see, but he couldn’t bear to think of her being sad.

  “Would you?” Ellie brightened instantly. She fished out her phone and sent him Flora’s mobile number.

  “Yeah, I’ll be back in a bit.” He took his phone and went outside. He had intended to ring her from the pub garden, but he found his feet walking back out of the village and down the lane to the school. He looked up at West Tower, where he knew Flora and Ellie shared a room, and then he rang her.