Living With The Player

**CAMILLA RENÉE**

MONDAY.

Blake’s hands lingered on mine after the shake, he gave rise to his thumb and rubbed a small circle over the top of my palm.

He didn’t pull away after that, just a very intense gaze and what I’ve come to know as his signature smirk.

Taking matters in my hand, I mean that quite literally, I pulled my hand away, clearing my throat not to make that exchange too awkward and obvious.

Even afterwards, his gaze rested solely on me.

From behind, Dylan got out of the water, pulling my hand to help me.

I was close enough, could get out myself, maybe there’s an ulterior motive to that.

Since we were out, Blake took his eyes off me for a minute, directing them to Dylan.

A tensed and angry Dylan.

This entire place was tense.

“Come here!”

He cooed, pulling him in for a little bro hug.

Even I could tell he didn’t want to do it, his shoulders tensed and his face was broke out into a frown.

He’s making no move to hide the apparent dislike for each other. But why? They’re both so alike? What could’ve happened?

“I’m going to change.”

I announced pointing to the direction behind me, I left my clothes there, it’s a good excuse and I get to leave these two alone.

I emerged a minute later, but neither of them was there.

I wonder what occurred for the few minutes I was away.

If they did anything, I’ll find out.

Anything like what? They can’t fight, right? They’re brothers.

Yeah, that’s right. I can’t overthink this.

I figured they would be inside, a family reunion and all.

Peaking at the pool a final time, I rubbed my palms getting against each other and strode back into the house.

****

My thoughts were confirmed, they were in the living room laughing and talking.

Hold that thought.

Dylan’s parents were here. Mother and Father. Blake Emerton their son. A family. An incomplete one. Dylan’s not here. I spied the dinning, the same thing. Checked the kitchen and nothing’s changed there too. He left.

My stomach churned.

The lump in my throat grew bigger by the second.

One minute we’re laughing, giggling and smiling.

I think we almost even kiss.

Then, out of the fucking blue, his older brother pops up and Dylan freezes.

He shows emotions which I would not expect.

There are bent up anger. Even before I came. It’s been there.

Something is wrong. I don’t want to pry in what would seem like family issues, but I can’t also sit back and ignore these things.

I can’t even let myself do anything without worrying.

“Camilla, aren’t you going to say hi?”

Mother purges noticing my quietness. They were there as well. My Mother and Father. As I said, all except Dylan.

I shook my head, putting up a fake smile while facing Blake.

He’s already staring.

“We already met by the pool. I would not want to interrupt this gathering, I’ll be in my room since I am grounded and all.”

I clasped my palms together, a nervous chuckle falling off my lips.

“You’re grounded?”

He inquires. There’s a hint of amusement in his tone.

Of course, I don’t seem like the person people ground.

“That’s good for me at least. I’ll be here for at least a week, you being grounded indoors means you’re stuck home and I can get to know you.”

I swallowed my hard lump down.

Get to know each other?

The first thought that crossed was how Dylan will not like this at all. Somehow, I know he would not.

Get to know me? He’s in college why would he want to know me?

I shook my head repeatedly, then nodded twice, lacing my fingers and pressing them harshly into each other.

I need to get out of here fast. Dylan.

I need to see him. Make sure he’s okay. I can’t breathe easy with him on a bent.

Slipping past the happy crew, I reached the base of the stairs, Blake’s eyes followed me as I did.

I could feel it.

I rushed up the stairs, flipped my hair, tilting my head for a second, Blake stared relentlessly.

I looked away and hurriedly strode to Dylan’s room.

This aura is suffocating.

I don’t like it.

Standing at his door, I exhaled deeply then sucked in breath, balled my left hand and lifted it to knock, instead, the door creaked from the inside.

Since when does he not lock his door?

I tiptoed into his room, taking one step at a time, as I got in properly, I heard groans and grunts from the middle of the room.

Lowering my head, my lips parted in surprise.

On the list of things I prepared myself for when I get it, this was not exactly one of them.

He was doing push-ups? On the floor..?

I gulped, shamelessly checking him out.

It’s either he hasn’t noticed my loud entrance, or he’s ignoring me again.

He’s shirtless and those shorts underneath won’t cover anything, you can still see a dick print.

He’s backing me, but I bet if he got up.

Well…

I swallowed deeply.

Aside from all of this, he was sweating and holy mother of everything sweet and good, the sight is drool-worthy. Were he and his brother competing for God’s best creation?

Blake was points ahead but with this, Dylan just ate and there are no crumbs left. None at all.

“If you are going to stand there and watch Camilla, I would suggest you take a picture, it’ll last longer. That ship has sailed through, I’m done.”

With one final grunt, he pressed his belly against the floor, hopping off it moments later.

I couldn’t stop myself from peaking properly.

The view I got at the pool wasn’t enough.

Insatiable.

That’s what I am at this point.

I stood rooted.

He marched towards me, gave a very funny look, twisting his lips and all, then he brushed past me and a few seconds later I heard the door shut.

I jumped a little.

He returned with a towel in his hand, swiftly cleaning through the wet parts of his body.

“Work out when I’m stressed”

He says answering the question on my mind.

“You’re stressed? Are you okay?”

I asked tenderly.

“Yup. Peachy.”

He grinned, standing a few feet anyway, but I’m nowhere near convinced.

“Ever since Blake showed up, you’ve been acting all weird, so I don’t think you’re as peachy as your claim.”

“No, I haven’t.”

He retorted, snorting then looking away too quickly. He’s lying.

“You have.”

I countered.

“I haven’t.”

He replies, plopping on his bed.

“Yes you have, talk to me”

I pressed, taking the first forward.

“It’s stupid.”

He says falling back on the bed.

“I don’t care if it is, I want to know, so tell me.”

I demand another step forward.

“Well, I hate it when Blake comes around. I’m not sure how it started, it’s petty because he’s my older brother, but I can’t help but feel bad when he returns. Even if it’s for a day. It sucks. My parents automatically forget I exist. You can check it out, we’re grounded but I bet if I walk out that door they wouldn’t notice. Their star child is home. It’s Blake all week and I can’t take it. The worse part is when he rubs it off in my face that he is all that and I’m not.”

Wow. I didn’t expect that. Deep down I knew they were all good, but wow. I wasn’t expecting something this deep.

Dylan didn’t strike me as the feelings type, yet he’s so raw at this moment. You can see it through those eyes, they’re glistening at this moment.

“That’s not true.”

I began.

“You haven’t lived in your brother’s shadow before. Whenever he’s here, it’s like I have to compete with him always for everything. He makes it a point to show me that everything I have can become his. In an instant.”

He snapped his fingers for added emphasis.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

“That’s not true.”

I took one added step, closer than ever to him.

“It is. He saw us together and for that singular reason, you’re a person of interest to him. Come on Camilla, you’re not blind. You noticed. I noticed the way he looked at you. As long as we’re with each other, he’ll definitely go after you and that thought just makes my blood fucking boil. I can’t. I won’t. I will not let him make some sick game out of you.”

His jaws were tightening again. He needs to calm down.

Well the part about protecting me makes much better sense.

“Getting to know each other” wow. Dylan knows his brother well.

“Aside from that, the truth is I won’t be surprised if you choose him anyway. I saw the way you looked at him too. It’s obvious, he’s better than me in every way possible.”

I did think he was hot. In my defence Dylan takes lead now, it was a one-time thing because it’s our first meeting.

“Dylan.”

I call out, stepping forward and closing the remaining gap between us.

He raised his upper part, slumping his shoulders, resting his hands on the frame of the bed.

I lowered my head, lifting one hand so I could cup his cheeks.

“You’re your person. Your brother isn’t you and doesn’t worry about him trying to get me because I’m nowhere ready to date anyone after Kyle. Let alone your brother.”

I reassured him.

It seemed to work as his face softened, working its way up in a smile.

After that, it curved and that smirk was back. The Wicked. Should’ve known it was just a matter of time.

“Forget about Blake for a second, we were in the middle of something before he interrupted us right? Let’s get back to that.”

He suggested, flicking his tongue over his bottom lip.

Is he referring to the kiss? I think he’s referring to the kiss.

****

*Author’s Note*

Drop your thought lovelies! I want to hear what you think!!