Living With The Player

MIRANDA COSGROVE

SATURDAY.

“The audacity of you to come here! You animal!”

I shriek, knocking my nose, which forces me to step back.

“Why does everyone keep hitting me today?”

Rocking my head, I disregard the comment he made and what he might mean. He deserves all the punches in the world.

“Get the fuck out of my dorm. You better not try to speak with Camilla. Not after what happened. I refuse to let you get close to her.”

Shoving a finger in his face, I propped my shoulders to seem taller and more intimidating.

“Where is Camilla? Dylan came to my place screaming about how I tried to get her into the dorm. I came back here to make sure she was okay. He got a call and ran off. Have you seen her?”

My bag drops to the floor and I panic.

“What? He hasn’t found her? He hung up, and I thought, maybe…”

I lower my knees and retrieve my cell, dialling Dylan’s number first. Straight to voice mail. I did the same to Camilla. Voice mail.

What the hell is happening?

“What did you do? What did you and that sick bastard Harper do?”

I yell, folding my fist for a second hit

“He wouldn’t. Harper would not hurt her. It’s Dylan he’s after. Camilla isn’t a target…”

Jimmy rambles, turning away from me.

“Unless he sees Camilla as an obstacle. Of course. He’s been abandoned his entire life. Dylan is the one thing that feels right to him, and Dylan would not give in because of Camilla. He’s tried to separate them before, but that didn’t work. The next best thing is taking her out of the equation.”

“Jimmy! Where the fuck did he take her to? What did Harper do to her?”

“I do not know. I’m just speculating. Maybe he called Dylan and threatened him. Maybe Dylan is on his way there.”

“Or maybe you’re with him!”

“What!? I would do nothing to hurt Camilla. I love her!”

“Say that again and I’ll smack you straight to heaven! Right, I forgot. You belong down in hell with the other demons.”

I yelled.

“I can’t imagine I tried to set you both up. You’re an animal. A sick, demented, and twisted animal! How could you let the bastard get close to her through you? You knew Harper was evil, and you still played conduit. If you loved Camilla, you wouldn’t let anyone that dangerous have access to her life. You don’t love her. You never did.”

I take out my phone and try another number.

“What are you doing?”

“Being useful, since everyone around me is incompetent.”

“Paula.”

I grit.

“Hello, Miranda, lovely to hear from you. How’s college treating you?”

I can hear the sarcastic twitch. Paula stayed back in New York and went to a college there while I had to move very far away.

“I need your help.”

I bite my tongue quickly to prevent spitting silly things.

“That’s a first.”

“Cut the crap, okay? Dylan is involved. If you don’t help, he might be in danger, and I know you still have this fantasy of being with him after this long.”

Rolling my eyes, I spy Jimmy tapping his foot.

“No dear, I’m over Dylan. One day he’ll realise how perfect we could’ve been, but I’m over him.”

“I don’t.” I muse with a roll of my eyes. She didn’t hear me.

“But I’m thrilled to be the hero of this story. The one who saves everyone’s asses. Do tell, what is it you need?”

“I need the contact of the FBI agent your dad knows. It’s urgent.”

“FBI? It must be serious.”

“It is.”

I answer impatiently.

“Alright dearest. I’ll text it to you. Don’t forget it was me who saved all of you and I’d hate to say you owe me one, but you do.”

She chuckles and then ends the call. Sighing, I head to my inbox for the number which comes in half a minute later.

“Where are you going?”

“To save my best friend and the love of her life. You can either come with us or stay here. The choice is yours.”

I shrug my shoulders, sprinting towards the elevators and praying they were both out of harm’s way.

**

“We tracked your cell phone before the signal died and we’ve been waiting for an opening. Luckily no one was injured except Harper. He’ll survive.”

Agent Tom explained. I wonder why he couldn’t aim for the head. Something about disarming the weapon or whatever.

If I had the gun, I’d shoot twice. One on his arm, and the other straight to the head. But it’s not my call. Once he’s all healed, he’d be taken to prison.

There’s an illegal fight club. Kidnapping. Withholding and usage of an unregistered weapon. So many counts.

“Thank you.”

Camilla whispers in my ear for the fifth time.

“I would not stand by and let them kidnap you, not while we still had that movie date.”

“You brought Jimmy?”

“Well, he was at the dorms when I got there. Dylan may have ruffled him up a little.”

She laughs.

“Speaking of Dylan, how are his arms and knuckles?”

“The doctor checking, but it’s just bruised. I’m sure he’ll be fine.”

“And Claire?”

“She’s resting. They took her yesterday. She’s been with them for almost twenty-four hours. I’m not sure what they did to her. She hasn’t said a word to me since we got back.”

“And you? How’re you?”

“I’m just glad Harper’s been taken away. Everyone’s fine, that’s all that matters.”

**

TWO WEEKS LATER.

CAMILLA RENÉE.

“Hey…”

“Jimmy.”

I nod my head curtly, pulling my books, ready to leave class.

“I just wanted to apologise. For real this time. What I did was unforgivable, and not just helping Harper. Everything else.”

“It’s going to take a while, Jimmy.”

“I know, but I also need you to know that whatever you offer me, I’ll take it.”

“Jimmy…”

“No, I don’t mean a relationship. I understand that you and I will never be like that again. We are in the same department, and our paths will cross. I’d like it if we don’t avoid each other when it does.”

I chuckle lightly.

“Speaking of the department, Dylan tells me you’re helping Claire?”

“Yes. She came over a few days ago and we’ve been talking.”

I arch a brow.

“She went through a lot with Harper, more than you’ll know.”

“Care to expatriate?”

“Patient doctor confidentiality gorgeous.”

He hums.

“Alright, I’m just glad she’s getting help. I didn’t get to know her much before this entire thing.”

“She’ll be fine. It might take a while, but she’ll be okay. I’ll make sure of it.”

I bob my head a few times.

“This is my cue to leave. I got injured the last time and I’m still healing.”

I furrow my brows in confusion. It clears up when Dylan appears behind him.

He and Jimmy share a nod before exchanging spots.

“We were just talking.”

“Okay, Darlin.”

He kisses the top of my head and then pulls the rest of my books.

“What are you doing here?”

“I just got back from the station. Harper is out of the ICU and has been taken in. I went to give my statement. The trial date will be set soon, and you might have to testify. I don’t think Claire will be up to it, but I’ll ask.”

Dylan squeezes my right hand reassuringly.

“I can testify. It’s fine.”

“Are you sure?”

He halts and comes forward, palming my entire face.

“Yes, I’m sure. I need him to be put away for good.”

Tilting his head, Dylan presses his lips against mine. Softly at first. I look around to be sure we’re alone in the lecture room, although I doubt he cares if someone sees.

No one else is here. So I shut my eyes and kiss him back. This past week has been tedious. Once they heard, my parents flew here. My mother did a full-body inspection and then gossiped about Dylan and me – more like rubbing it in my face about how right she was.

My father did the unexpected. He laughed at Dylan’s joke and then whispered something about his blessings.

And Dylan? He’s been nothing short of amazing. He’s also whispered those three words when he thought I was asleep on Wednesday night.

The three words I know he’s waiting to hear back.

“I got you something.”

Pulling away, he tucks a hard one into his pocket and retrieves a small box.

“What’s this?”

“A reminder. Open it.”

He’s grinning. That’s suspicious.

Slowly, I pop the lid and a tiny pendant comes into view. There’s a small bike attached to it.

“What’s this?”

I laugh.

“It’s a reminder. None of this would’ve happened if you never got on the bike. I saw it in the shop and thought it was cute, plus it made me think of you, so I went and bought it.”

He smiles.

“Mr Emerton, are you being cheesy to me now?”

I move forward, stepping on my toes to pinch his cheeks.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

“I am, but it’s only for you.”

Pinning my hands, he moved my entire body so my back was facing him, unclipped the jewel, and placed it over my neck.

“I love you Camilla Renée.”

His words are silent whispers against my neck. Caressing the little object in the middle, I chuckle and face the back entrance.

“Well, I like you. I like you a lot.”

I grin.

“You like me. That’s all?”

“I wouldn’t have sex with someone I don’t like.”

“Mmmm.”

He spun around.

“I need to hear you say it before I lose my mind.”

“What if I don’t want to? Or worse; what if I don’t love you?”

“Maybe I can still get into Harper’s Crazy Train then.”

I elbowed his rib, frowning at my face in return.

“Dylan Emerton, I love you. I’m in love with a retired player. I like you a lot, but I love you even more.”

“Who’s being cheesy now?”

He coos, cutting me off with a kiss before I could conjure a comeback.

**

We have one final chapter which would clear a few doubts and questions, of course, an epilogue. Enjoy!