The Game: Rebels of Ridgecrest High (Book 3)
The Game: Chapter 18

Hunter wraps his arms around me as soon as I walk over to him at school. He pulls me in close. I miss not being able to see him… but now I’m not grounded anymore thanks to dad this morning.

My hairs up in a ponytail today, and he tugs it gently. Pulling my head back so he can kiss me. I smile up at him and his face grows serious.

“And good morning to you.” I poke his ribs. He lets go of my hair as I straighten.

“What do you think he wants?” he asks, getting straight to the point about Alessandro and the message. I had almost forgotten about that… almost. Fuck, that message can’t be ignored. I still need to respond. But this morning has been… interesting.

“Don’t know but, I also don’t want to know.” He runs his finger down my nose, and I relax under his touch.

I really don’t want to hear any bad news today. I want to think we are all safe for another day. Roman comes towards me from where he’s just parked his motorcycle. He has a blue denim jacket and a white tee with jean jeans on today. Holy, hell and heaven. That’s new and I think I need to tell my lady parts to stop drooling.

He stalks over and I feel like a statue, as I can’t believe this Roman is the same guy from last week. This is the Roman I knew when we were kids. He is more confident, surer of himself. He grabs my hand and squeezes as a half-smile on his face. Afraid I will say something dumb while my hormones are still running wild I just blink at him.

I’m not the only one to notice Roman. A few girls turn their heads, but he doesn’t notice them. He only has eyes for me. My heart races as he tips up my chin. Oh my God, he’s going to kiss me in front of everyone. My mouth parts a little and I lick my lips in anticipation.

He brushes his thumb over my lower lip and smirks. Okay, I think I need to change my underwear. Hunter hasn’t let go of me yet, and I no longer see the surrounding crowd. It’s just the three of us.

Roman dips down and takes my mouth with his, and I grab the back of his neck and tug on his hair a little. He lets out a little grunt before pulling away. He runs his fingers down my arm and holds my hand.

Hunter clears his throat, and the world comes rushing back. I notice the crowd around us now. Some people have gathered nearby with their phones out. Are they taking photos of us kissing? Who does that?

I hadn’t been sure what would happen now that he doesn’t have to worry about Amato Family, his father and where his next meal is coming from. Would he hold my hand still, or would he kiss me in the hallways in front of everyone? I guess I have my answer now. Or maybe the text from Alessandro sparked something in Roman, because he wasn’t like this yesterday.

“We need to hear him out. See what this is all about. I need to know if it’s been taken care of.” Hunter says. I understand that, and I want to know that everything has been taken care of. But I’m just so scared that he’s going to tell me that his dad has changed his mind, that they did nothing wrong, and they will be after us again.

“We need to talk to him.” Roman adds. Ugh… I knew I would be outvoted. I shake my head a little. I don’t want bad news. Not after Roman just kissed me in front of the entire school… it will be the entire school by the end of the day with all the phones that were out taking photos of us.

“It’ll be all good. Maybe he loves your winning personality and wants to be part of your little harem.” Hunter teases. I slap him on the chest.

“I do not have a harem.” I narrow my eyes at him.

“Not yet, at least. Need more than two guys to make it a harem, but happy to help there and make it official.” Jace chuckles from behind Hunter. As he opens his arms to me and puckers his lips. I just shake my head. Good try.

“Oh my god, you shut up.” I roll my eyes, but I love this. The playful banter is back. We’re back. The awesome foursome. My best friends… but why do I feel like a piece is still missing? Asher…

“I’m just letting you know three’s company, fours a crowd.” Jace teases.

“With Asher, it feels like company. But with you, it feels like a crowd.”

Jace just stands there. His mouth drops open, then closes again. He doesn’t have a comeback for that, and it makes me laugh. Hunter and Roman laugh too.

“Well… fuck Asher.” He mumbles under his breath before raking his fingers through his dark hair.

“I will.” I reply just as the bell rings for the day and his mouth falls open.

First class of the day has Britney in it. It’s always such fun when she’s around.

“Killer,” she hisses as she passes me, shoving me out of the way. I ignore her, but it’s getting old and tiring. It’s been long enough that she should have already got a new nickname for me by now. Maybe after she sees me kissing Roman, I will get an upgrade.

“Hi, Roman,” she practically purrs at him. I freeze and so do the rest of the guys. Well… that’s new. Roman ignores her and she sashays over and takes her seat. I eye her as I pass and take my seat beside Roman. Jace and Hunter take the table behind us and we turn to talk.

“So, good news. I’m not grounded anymore.” Hunter grins and wiggles his brows at me, and I try to ignore that. I have a whole day of school to get through first and the day has barely started, and I already need to change my underwear.

I don’t need to be all worked up, I won’t be able to concentrate in class, I will be thinking of… well later.

Speaking of later. “Do we have all the teams ready for tonight?” I change the subject to the laser tag Walker has organised for us all. Said it’s on him. Can’t believe how nice he is to us all. He hardly knows Roman… hell, most people barely know Roman. But Walker booked out the whole arcade just for him.

Walker said he will never forget my trip to the mobsters’ house. I smile at the thought. He told me, “I never felt scared.” Then admitted later, he freaked out and tried to stay calm by talking football with Alessandro.

“Yes, can’t wait. Gonna kick all your asses. Grady’s in,” Jace lets me know. Awesome. I haven’t seen him much lately, but I guess having different classes and no longer living next door to him that’s bound to happen.

“Awesome. What about Emerson?” Hunter nods. “Okay, and Cadence and Sadie said they were in as well. That makes…” I count on my fingers. “Ten.” Perfect.

The teacher tells us to all turn around and be quiet. Ugh… I can’t wait for school to be over. I’m excited about tonight, but I’m nervous about what Alessandro is going to say.

I quickly text him underneath the table to meet us at the Arcade in Ridgecrest at seven. That we’re there for Roman’s seventeenth birthday and if there’s going to be any bad news not to come.

I watch the… on the screen and hold my breath. I don’t think I can get through today if he says he won’t come.

He replied, “I’ll see you there.”

I let out a deep breath. Okay, this is good. This isn’t bad news, but I hope Hunter is wrong in saying he wants to be part of my harem. I don’t have a harem. I have no interest in dating the guy and I sense he isn’t the sharing type.

“What do you mean, you can’t come anymore?” I ask Sadie as I stuff another French fry in my mouth. I need her there tonight. I haven’t seen her very much, and I really wanted her to be there so we could hang out. She changed her hair to pink on Monday and I love it. Not that purple wasn’t rocking.

“I’m sorry my mom is making me do this stupid family stuffing recipe. She told me I can’t go. Stupid stuffing recipe. I don’t even want Turkey. I want to come with you all.” She sighs. Picking up a fry, she drops it back on the tray.

I wish her mum didn’t want her to make Turkey stuffing, but at the same time it’s nice that her mom wants her to do that with her. A family recipe. My mom never did that with me. I don’t think she’s ever cooked a day in her life. Makes me wonder what she’s up to right now? Probably turned my room into a nursery and stocked it with the most expensive baby stuff. I bet Malcolm’s super excited to be an old dad.

“I can still come, though. But can you pick me up? I’ve been having car trouble and my dad said he will look at it tomorrow when he’s off work. But I can’t make it if I don’t have a lift.” I smile over at Cadence and bump her shoulder with mine.

“Of course, I’m over in Lakeview, but I’m sure I can swing around, or I could at least ask Jace or Emerson to come get you.” Her eyes widen at his name, and I poke her.

“Is there something you’re not telling me here? Or have you and Em—” her hand flies across to cover my mouth and my eyes widen. Oh, something happened.

“Nothing happened.” She whispers. She lets go of my mouth and I smile.

“But you want something to happen?” She shakes her head, and her cheeks grow red as her hair and Sadie giggles.

“Oh yeah, she wants something to happen.” She wiggles her brows.

“Shut up,” Cadence hisses under her breath. I grin. She shakes her head at me and points.

“You told me to stay away from him, but…”

“I need to know what happened.” she shrugs and sighs.

“I’m not blind. I’m too smart to hook up with him. But I also have only one chance in high school to hook up with a football player. I guess you could say it’s on my bucket list. I don’t want to leave here and regret not knowing how he kisses.”

“And leaving with your V card. Don’t tell me you’re going to give him your virginity, Cadence?” Sadie asks and my mouth drops open at that. I shake my head.

“I can tell you from experience that’s not who you want to give that to. Seen it in movies, about waiting for the right person. Always thought that was a crock of shit. But now I wish I had. Roman waited for me, he gave me all his firsts. I had nothing left to give him in return, and I wish I did.

“But Emerson… he’s a fuck boy. If the rumours are true, he’s good at what he gives. But that’s it. He fucks and leaves. I don’t want that for you. I want you to have better than that for your first time.”

“Back up, Roman waited for you? And you have no firsts? None at all? Like as in you’ve done anal,” Sadie whispers the last part, and I cough and laugh at the same time.

“Okay, that’s the first I’ve got left, but Roman’s cock is not going anywhere near there. He’s huge.”

They both try to hold in the giggles, but it doesn’t work and we all end up laughing together.

“Mila, thanks. And I get it. My mom tells me to wait for the right boy. Only sometimes… I think Emerson is the right boy.”

I nod. It’s up to her if she wants to lose her virginity to him. If she does, I will make sure that he treats her very well or I will kill him. And I will support her in that as best I can as her friend.

The bell rings and we all groan.

“Okay, I will see you tonight Cadence. Sadie, say hi to your mom for me.”

I quickly text Hunter to let him know Sadie can’t make it anymore. Who can we ask at late notice to come play laser tag with us?

When Walker said that he hired the arcade, I assumed he meant that part of the venue with the laser tag and seated area. But he hired the whole venue, including all the gaming machines and a ball pit. I haven’t been to this place in years. Hell, since we were kids. We would come here and all jump in the ball pit and throw the balls at each other’s heads.

Yeah, we weren’t very mature. But those balls hurt when they hit your face. I always played up I was injured and when they stopped, I would hurl a ball right at their nose. Lucky for them, I wasn’t the best aim. But we would get kicked out more often than not. I smile at the memory. I loved those days.

There’s pizza and ribs, and Walker smuggled beer for everyone to celebrate. I turn my nose up at it. I don’t really like beer. It’s not my thing, but I grab a bottle just to join in with everyone.

Emerson’s talking to Cadence. I love the way she twirls her hair as she flirts back with him. They’d make a cute couple if Emerson wasn’t such a player. They’re both great people, different from each other, but I think that works. She’s level-headed and smart. She’s confident in her own way, she’s happy in her own skin. Okay, normally she is, but right now she seems a little insecure talking to him.

But the thing about Emerson is, I might not know him super well now. But he’s just as insecure as she is. Aren’t we all? He was this cute nerdy kid in elementary school. So, he knows what that feels like, to not be the most popular, or the strongest, or even the best football player.

I can see him flirting with her, but his usual pickup lines aren’t working. He actually has to work to get Cadence. She isn’t the usual cheerleader throwing herself at him.

“What time did you say our special friend is arriving, Mila?” Walker asks from beside me, I almost jump. I’d been so focused on the two lovebirds over there. I didn’t even see him approach me. I put my hand to my chest. I’d almost forgot Alessandro’s coming.

“Ah, seven. Why?” I look at my phone and it’s almost that time now.

“Just I saw a car pull up front and I think he’s waiting for you.”

I look to the front doors of the building and sure enough there’s Alessandro. He tips his head up in greeting and points to the locked door.

I see then he has three men with him in suits. He’s wearing dark jeans and a black polo. He must really like polos? reminds me of my dad and his love of polos.

I walk over with Walker. Roman sees where I’m going and jogs over. Walker opens the door to let Alessandro in. One man in a suit steps inside with him and I take a step back. The other two stand guard at the door as the one inside locks it and stands behind Alessandro.

At least they don’t look like Johnny and Carlos, and I’m glad. But why’s he here? To tell us they are now dead? I don’t think I want to know that part. As much as I love my true crime, I don’t want to be an episode of it.

“Hello firecracker, breakdown any gates lately?” I roll my eyes at him, and he chuckles.

“Happy birthday Roman.” Alessandro holds out a small green box to Roman and Roman hesitates before taking it from him. I didn’t expect him to bring Roman a gift, and from the look on his face, neither did Roman.

“Thanks for letting me intrude on your special day.”

Roman says nothing. He just stares at the now open box and I peer in. There’s a watch in there, a silver band and the face of its green. It’s pretty, not very Roman. But maybe he will wear it somewhere fancy. Oh, like graduation?

“Is that a real Rolex?” Walker asks casually. It’s a Rolex?

Alessandro seems a little offended at Walkers’ remarks of it being real.

“Why would I give someone a fake Rolex, Walker?” Alessandro seems a little upset with that question. Walker takes a step back and shrugs.

I can see people who don’t have a lot of money giving fake ones. It’s an honest question. My stepfather has one. Its real, it’s gold. Don’t like it much, but this one is much nicer.

Everyone surrounds us now. Interested in the newcomer and the watch Roman’s now holding. Now my gift seems crap in comparison. Not that I’ve given it to him yet.

Asher comes up beside me and looks. He leans in close, “that’s at least a thirty grand watch. Maybe more.”

My mouth drops open. I can see why Walker questioned it. That’s an insane gift to give someone. Roman’s speechless. Hell, I almost forget words. I quickly clear my throat.

“Thank you, Alessandro. Roman’s not a man of many words, and I think you’ve just shocked him speechless.” Alessandro just grins and nods. Dang… that’s a scary hot grin.

“It’s the least I could do after everything. Now the reason that I’m here.” I lean in a little closer and Alessandro eyes Emerson and Cadence. Then his eyes scan to Grady.

“Ah, let’s go talk in private.” I lead Alessandro over to the ball pit. The suit follows him. And Hunter, Roman, Asher, Walker, and Jace follow me. I guess we were all there that day, so it makes sense we all hear what he has to say.

“I spoke to my father; he was… not impressed.” I suck in a breath. “That our family name had been used in such a manner. The problem has been dealt with. But you mentioned the cops sniffing around with our name in their mouth. My father wasn’t happy to hear this and had it looked into.”

I swallow down the lump in my throat. Is he here because he’s angry that the cops are looking into the connection between us and his family? That’s not our fault.

“My father has… friends. It’s just a cop and his daughter looking into the connection between us. You might know her. She attends Ridgecrest high.”

“Britney Montlake,” Roman hisses under his breath.

Alessandro nods. “So, you know the girl. Her story is that she witnessed the murder of Damon Valentine, but named Roman as the killer. Not you Mila.”

Alessandro tilts his head, gives me a once over, and raises his brows. “Honestly, from looking at you, I wouldn’t think you could kill a person, even in self-defence. But you have a bit of a death wish about you, trying to break into my family’s estate and all. But when you look at Roman…”

He didn’t finish. I knew what he was implying. Roman looks big and strong enough to take down a man like this, father. Not me. What was there to say? Alessandro’s right. But how would Britney know it was Roman? The three of us look to the only other person who knows what really happened that night.

Jace’s eyes widen and he shakes his head. “No, don’t look at me like that. We trust each other. I would never break your trust again, Mila. I swear to God I haven’t said a thing to the cops or Britney.”

Hunter speaks up, “Sorry man. Just so much is going on and I thought it was you for a split second and I should have known you wouldn’t betray us. But you came to us after Britney and the cops questioned you. We told you then. You had no idea beforehand. You’re not that good of an actor.”

Jace lets out a deep breath and chuckles nervously. “That’s why I don’t do drama.”

It’s then I realize Walker and Asher have been listening to everything. Their expressions showing, they know what we’re talking about. Asher reaches out to me and I shake my head. I don’t know what he wants to say, but I don’t need it right now. I need to focus on how Britney knew this. Or did she guess?

“Alright, well, I’ll be on my way now. Enjoy shooting each.”

I think all our mouths drop open at that statement from Alessandro. He just chuckles and even that makes my stomach warn me he’s a dangerous guy from a family. One that can kill and bury you and no one would ever replace you again.

Roman finally speaks up as Alessandro saunter towards the door of the building.

“We only have nine players, the tenth couldn’t make it. If you want to stay around and play for a bit. You’re welcome to play.”

My mouth drops open. I can’t believe Roman just invited a mobster to play laser tag with us all. I’m more surprised that he said so many words to someone that’s not me or the guys. Maybe it’s the expensive watch, or maybe this is the new Roman. No longer having a shadow over him at every step. This is Roman free, living his life to the fullest.

Alessandro grins.

“Whose team am I on?”

Well, I hope he’s on mine. I bet he knows his way around a gun.

Even if it is just a laser one.