5 | Games

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"You put me on a pedestal and tell me I'm the best. Raise me up into the sky until I'm short of breath...Fill me up with confidence, I say what's in my chest. Spill my words and tear me down until there's nothing left. Rearrange the pieces just to fit me with the rest"

~ Monster (Wonder)

HANNAH

Chloe was shooting me knowing looks as we headed into the stadium for the hockey game. She'd brought Garrett along since they had plans for dinner after the game. I already knew the game was going to be packed from how many people were still outside, waiting to get in. With enough people already drunk before the game had even started, I already felt a headache coming on. As soon as we walked into the stadium, my fears were confirmed. There were people everywhere.

I took in a deep breath, calming myself before turning to find Chloe watching me with a grin. "Stop looking at me like that," I whisper-yelled at her.

Her eyes widened in feigned shock. "Like what?"

"Like you expect something to come out of this game."

She rolled her eyes. "You are so annoying. He invited you to the game. Unless you are Patrick and living under a rock, you'd know that's a sign he likes you."

I snickered. "After knowing me for a day?"

"It took Romeo less than a day to fall for Juliet."

My eyes narrowed in her direction. "Their whole love story took place in like four days. Not exactly an inspiring love story."

She glared at me before looking up at Garrett. "Will you tell her Matthew inviting her to the game means he likes her?"

I had completely forgotten Garrett was listening in to our conversation. When I turned to him, he spoke cautiously. "Probably."

Her eyebrows arched. "How probable?"

He laughed at that. "Very probable," he said, looking at me from Chloe. "He's probably just gauging how he feels."

That caught my attention. "What does that mean?"

He rubbed the back of his neck. "He's an athlete so he's busy. He has to like you enough to get seriously involved. Relationships and sports are hard to balance."

Chloe tilted her head, turning her body so that she was fully facing him. "Speaking from experience?"

Garrett's lips twitched. "Yeah."

And at that moment, I was instantly forgotten about. I almost laughed. Before they could whisk each other away, though, the last people entered the stadium and the game started.

I saw him as soon as he entered the arena. It was so cold in the stadium, but one look at him, and my body felt as though it was melting. He looked around in the crowd for a moment before he saw me. An infectious smile took over his lips and I couldn't help but smile, too.

The game was good. I think. All I know is they were both incredibly competitive teams; this I gathered from the people around me. I was surprised to see how respectful the opposing fans were of each other. If this was soccer...let me just not go there. Regardless, though, I cheered when our team did well and cheered even louder when it was Matt in the spotlight.

Garrett and Chloe had to leave as soon as the game ended to make their reservation. Even at a game like this, they were too caught up in each other to pay much attention. That only broke for a second after the game when we headed outside and Chloe forced me to promise to tell her all the details tomorrow. I didn't argue. They only had to wait a couple of minutes with me before I convinced them I would be okay with waiting on Matt on my own. Chloe reluctantly went. I promised to text her every thirty minutes until I got home, at her request. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry, seeing how my paranoia has rubbed off on her.

I sighed, shrugging off the thought. It's been a while now and not one teammate has come out. To be fair, they did win. They were probably busy with fans. As soon as that thought crossed my mind, fans began spilling out of the stadium in droves, a couple of the teammates surrounded by them. I squinted trying to look for him. I almost considered getting on my tippy toes to get a better view of the now-crowded field.

Then our eyes met and my breath hitched in my throat. My lips automatically split into a huge smile. He took the first few steps toward me before my legs moved me in his direction.

"You were amazing!" I yelled when we stopped a few inches from one another.

He grinned, his eyes shining down at me. "Does that mean I deserve a hug?"

I answered by getting on my toes and putting my arms around his neck. He immediately put his arms around my waist and pulled me against him. The butterflies in my stomach were going insane. With what Garrett said and how Matt was holding me, I didn't know how much longer I could look past it, whatever it is.

When my thoughts finally got the best of me, I slowly pulled out of his arms. As soon as his hands left my waist, I regretted pulling away. I considered hugging him again, but I would've probably looked crazy, so I refrained.

He was unaware of the turmoil going on in my thoughts, though. He was still beaming, his energy high. Before he could say anything, some of his teammates walked out.

"You coming, Matt?" One of them, a blond, asked.

Matthew turned to the group, giving them a nod. "Yeah, I'll be right there."

"Party's still on, right?" The other guy in the group said, ruffling his sweaty hair.

"Yeah. You're coming?" The blond answered, but directed his question to Matthew.

He nodded. "Wouldn't miss it. I'll catch up with you guys in a few."

Their eyes flew to me for a second before they turned to each other and smirked. Glancing at Matthew, the blond said, "alright, don't be too late," before they walked away. A couple more of the teammates walked out a few seconds later. They stopped to chat with Matthew before they also walked away.

"Wow," I finally let out with a breath, "you're all so...tall."

He chuckled. "Is that a good thing?"

"Of course." I tore my eyes away from his teammates and caught his eyes. "So you're going to a party?"

"Yeah, to celebrate." He wiped his forehead, pushing his hair away. "You're coming, right?"

The sting in my heart was too hard to ignore. "No. I'm sorry."

He shook his head. "No, don't apologize. You don't wanna come?"

I sighed, struggling on how to answer. "No. It's just crowded and I don't know anybody. Plus, it's just mistakes and accidents waiting to happen."

"But you came to the game, which is crowded." He pointed to the stadium behind us with his thumb but didn't take his eyes from mine.

I chewed on my bottom lip. "I know. I did it for you."

He blinked, then continued to stare at me for a few more seconds. Then he said, "really?" in a softer tone.

I couldn't help but answer truthfully. "Yeah."

The dumbfounded expression he wore in response made my nerves skyrocket. So, I scrambled to save face. "Um, but you should go. You deserve it after what you did in there."

He licked his lips. "But I have to buy you dinner. Remember the bet?"

I waved him off nervously. "I know, but you don't have to. Really."

He let out a chuckle, taking a step closer. "Let me rephrase. I want to buy you dinner."

The way he said it alone made me want to swoon. That look in his eyes though...whew. My knees almost gave out. There was an intensity in his eyes I couldn't decipher, but it made my heart beat faster. "Is that so?" Was all I could get out.

His grin grew a little, but he didn't step any closer. "It is. Let me get changed and we can go."

I nodded, not trusting my voice.

"Do you wanna come to my place to wait?" He asked, that smile dwindling.

"Is that where the party is?"

He nodded.

I grimaced and bit my lip. "I can wait for you here if you don't mind."

A look of genuine concern and curiosity crossed his eyes. "It's night and we're on a college campus. Are you sure?"

I tried to force the sadness from my voice, even as it tried its hardest to worm its way in. "Yeah, don't worry. I can take care of myself."

He opened his mouth to say more but paused. Then, he sighed. "Okay, if you say so. I won't be too long. Ten minutes tops, okay?"

"Okay," I said, but I could see the hesitation in his features. So, I wrapped my arms around his neck and brought him into a hug. The flutters in my stomach sprung into my chest, almost leaving me breathless. But I held on to his shoulders and calmed myself down. "I promise I'll be okay. Get changed and I'll be waiting for you. Right here."

His arms tightened around me in response, not letting go as I had expected. Then, he left a kiss on the top of my head, sending a chill down my spine. When he pulled away then, there was a small smile on his lips. "I'll hold you to that promise, you know?"

I chuckled. "Yeah, I know. Now, go."

Laughing, he stepped away from me. "Okay, fine. I'll see you in a few?"

My smile grew. "Definitely."

***

"Stop touching me, Perrie," a deep voice that sounded just like Matthew bit out. The harshness of his voice snapped me out of my focus on the video I was watching. I was sitting at the bus stop near where he'd left me. I stood up fast when he spoke again, this time with urgency in his tone. "Perrie, please. Stop. I don't want to hurt you."

"I don't understand why you're playing so hard to get when we've already slept together," her voice whined. She sounded eerily familiar, too.

"And that was all it was."

She scoffed. "Yeah, right."

"Perrie," he practically growled, "stop."

"No, what are you gonna do about it?"

My heart pounded at her question. My feet didn't wait for permission to step up, carrying me in the direction of their voices.

When I finally saw Matthew, I let out the breath I was holding. The calm only lasted for that second, though, because when I turned to see the woman next to him, I realized it was her. The girl from that night. The one who...I don't even know. I mean, I know what happened. But I just...I don't know.

The muddy thoughts in my head didn't stop me from seeing what was happening though. The pleading look in his eyes threatened to tear my heart open. And when I spoke, the hostility in my voice almost floored me. "I thought I told you to stay away from him."

Her eyes flew to mine, anger immediately seeping into them. "You again. What are you, stalking us?"

I didn't feel like playing her game. No part of this was funny, no matter how lighthearted she wanted to make their "relationship" seem. "I am a witness to what you did to him that night. And if you keep harassing him, I will go directly to the police station and then your head of department at the school."

Fear flashed into her every being, taking firm hold of her startled eyes.

I didn't give her a second to respond. Stepping right up to her, I spoke clearly. "Take this as an informal citizen restraining order. Do not come anywhere near him. Do not speak to him. Do not force yourself on him whether he is sober or not, whether he is awake or unconscious. If you breathe in the wrong direction toward him, you put your future at risk. Do you understand?"

The small light of bitterness that still swam in her eyes didn't faze me as she nodded frantically. Then she gave him one last glance and practically ran away. I didn't watch her. Rather, I turned to him. "I wouldn't go to cops unless you want to, okay? That was just to scare her off."

He looked utterly lost, so shaken up that it took him a solid moment before he focused on me. He nodded slowly. "Yeah, no. I know. I just-why did you do that?"

"She was trying to take advantage of you," I explained, stepping a little closer to him. "Right? I heard your conversation from the bus stop where I was waiting for you."

He gave me another slow nod, leaving me unsure of his state of mind.

"Coercing you into sex is not okay. Matt, you know that right?"

That snapped his attention fully on me. He shook his head fast and cleared his throat. "We should go."

My eyebrows furrowed in frustration. "Matt."

His eyes hardened in my direction. "We should go."

"Okay," I breathed out, my shoulders falling in defeat as I watched him close himself off right before my eyes. 

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