Page 35 of Bleeding Hearts (Pine Valley College #3)

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

A s I stare down at our matching shirts, I wonder how the hell she talked me into this. Oh, that’s right. She distracted me with her boobs.

She cheated.

Alice swings our joined hands as we walk down Main Street. I can’t be too mad, though, because she looks so happy. Last night, she was so worried about what happened, and seeing her upset killed me.

If I can make her smile, then I’ll dress like a fool for the rest of my life.

“So where are we going?” she asks.

“It’s a surprise,” I tease as I tug her out of the way of a man who isn’t looking where he’s walking. She’s oblivious as I keep her inside the path just in case. Her trust in me to keep her safe makes me feel some sort of way, and I like it.

To keep her safe, however, I need to be sober. I’ll admit I’ve been tempted over the last few days, craving that numbing ecstasy, but I know one drink wouldn’t be enough. I would spiral, and she needs me. It’s what I clung to when the desperation for alcohol became hard.

We don’t have far to walk, and I pull her to a stop before the towering building. It opened recently, sponsored by Solar Hunters, to get Pine Valley excited about its team and upcoming games. The front door spins with neon lights, and inside, it’s supposed to be a haven of games, food, and fun.

“Arcadia Land?” she reads with a frown. “Wait, is this the new gaming center?”

“Yup, four floors of video games, retro dance machines, and food.” I smile at her, but it fades as she stares at me. “What?” I ask as she looks at me with a hesitant smile.

“When you said our first official date, I thought you’d try to woo me or something, like fancy dining and stuff,” she explains.

Frowning, I glance around the four-story building I brought her to, wondering if I made the wrong choice.

I consider my response and decide honesty is best. “You kept saying you wanted to come here with me. Your favorite memories as a kid were going to arcades with Alek. I thought it would be a good place. Besides, you hate fancy dining. You always say the portions are too small, and you prefer burgers. After, though, we could go to that place a mile down and then go home and watch that new K-drama you wanted to see.” She stares at me for a moment, and I worry I fucked up. “I did this wrong, didn’t I?”

“Not at all,” she whispers, and then she flings herself into my arms. I catch her, and she kisses me. “You’re perfect. I love you so much. Everyone else would try to impress me with something I didn’t want, but you gave me the perfect first date.”

Relief floods through me, and I tug her toward the door. “Then let’s go. Keep up if you can.”

I shouldn’t have been concerned about her keeping up with me because I’m having a hard time keeping up with her.

She’s like a golden retriever puppy with endless energy.

I drag myself after her, exhausted and dazed from the games we have played so far.

We’ve been here two hours, and she’s pulled me from floor to floor, more excited about each find.

She’s happy, and that’s all that matters, but Jesus, where does she get all that energy from?

“Oh look, Resident Evil ! Oh my god, a dance machine!” I get whiplash from her turning around as she tugs me into a machine in the corner, the curved bars empty. The pads glow and flash with the game music as it waits for players.

“Can we?” she asks with such hopeful eyes, I don’t even bother trying to protest. I simply walk over to the side where it flashes for coins.

After removing my wallet, I add some in without complaint.

I went to the change machine before we even got here so she wouldn’t have to worry.

Putting my wallet away, I walk past her to the first pad as she waits on the second one.

I leave her to pick the song, and when it starts, I try to keep up.

She moves so quickly, twisting her body to hit the pads perfectly, and halfway through, I forget to dance and just watch her.

When the song is over, she’s panting and grinning, but when she sees me, she tilts her head. “What?”

I pin Alice to the bar, my hands on her ass as I press my mouth against her ear. “Do you know you pant like that when you’re under me?”

“Lals,” she whines with a giggle, halfheartedly trying to push me away. She stares up at me with happiness gleaming in her eyes as I cop a feel and nip her earlobe before stepping back. “There are people around,” she whispers.

“So? They’ll be jealous that they don’t have such a beautiful girlfriend.” I nip her lower lip. “Too bad she’s mine.”

“They are watching,” she complains as she rolls her lips in.

“Let them,” I whisper. “They can see this, but only I get your little moans, understand?” She’s quiet for a moment as she slides her hands down my chest. “Don’t tempt me, baby.”

“Do you think we’d get kicked out if they saw my hand up your skirt?” she asks, blushing as she leans into me.

“Probably, or we’ll be arrested,” I murmur.

She shrugs. “We know a good lawyer.”

I lean in and kiss her. “Behave. You can feel me up later. Come on, let’s dance.”

She grumbles but lets me distract her with another three turns on the dance game before we head off to see what else we can play. Not once do we mention Risk. It’s like we are in our own little paradise.

“Look, a claw machine! I’ve always wanted to win a plushie.” Alice hurries over, but a man steps into her path and smiles at her as his eyes travel down her body.

Glaring, I stop at her side and drape my arm around her shoulders. He glances at me, his lecherous smile fading a little before he looks at Alice.

“Here, I have some tokens. I don’t need them.” He holds them out.

“No thanks, I have ours,” I say. I wish I could just tell him to fuck off, but I don’t want to be kicked out when my girl is having so much fun. I hate the way he’s looking at her though.

He ignores me and holds them out to her. Alice looks uncomfortable, but she takes them rather than arguing.

I just glare at the man, and his smile fades as Alice elbows me. “That’s great, thank you so much,” she says sweetly.

“Aren’t you sweet and beautiful? You look incredible in that outfit, by the way. Your legs are to die for, and your boobs look great. What size are you? A C cup?” he asks as she steps back. “I don’t suppose you’re single.”

Rolling my eyes, I push Alice behind me and step between them, crossing my arms. “She isn’t.” I consider hitting him, but I decide to make him just as uncomfortable as Alice feels. “Your legs, though, look good in those jeans. Your ass too. Tell me, what size is your underwear? Small, right?”

His eyes widen, and his cheeks heat as I step closer.

“Are you single? You look so sweet. And that outfit?” I bite my lip as I run my eyes down him. “Just my type.”

“What are you saying?” he asks, shooting embarrassed looks around as people notice.

“I’m just repeating what you said to her. Don’t like it?” I reply as I get in his face. “How about you stop being such a creep before I decide to be one to you? I could feel your ass up, but I have a feeling you’d like it.”

His mouth opens and closes as he gapes at me before he hurries away. I simply arch an eyebrow, and he nods and swallows before disappearing.

“You don’t need to scare everyone,” Alice scoffs.

“I don’t scare you,” I grumble.

“No, you don’t, my moody melon,” she teases.

“A melon? A fucking melon?” I exclaim.

“You’re ripe and sweet,” she flirts.

“That isn’t sticking,” I warn as I wander away, and she skips after me.

“Apple? Orange? I know, pomegranate!”

Shaking my head, I try to hide my smile, but her happiness is infectious. I walk over to the machine and put my coins in. When I remember Alice is still holding that man’s, I take them from her, toss them in the trash, and gesture at the machine stuffed with rainbow teddies.

“Go on then, baby.” I lean against the side and watch her as she looks at the controls and then moves the claw. The crane comes down, barely touching anything, and jerks back. Groaning, she tries again and again . . .

And again.

I keep adding coins, and each time it misses, she grows more annoyed. I don’t tell her she looks so fucking cute when she’s mad. Instead, I cover my mouth and watch as she fails again.

“Want me to try?” I offer.

“No, I can get one,” she snaps, her face twisted in determination as she glares at the game. When she fails again, she looks at me with so much rage, I have to bite back my laugh. “It’s rigged.”

“Okay, baby.” Kissing her head, I gently move her out of the way and add more coins.

After watching her, I think I have it down.

Jerking the lever up, I wait until the last second then turn it right and hit the button.

It descends slowly and grips the bear. I grin as it lifts it, and when it drops the plushie in the slot, we both cheer.

I grab it and hand it to her. Alice clutches it to her chest with loving eyes. “You are so amazing.”

“I’m good with my hands,” I remind her, and a deep blush stains her cheeks.

A commotion catches our attention, and we turn to see a guy in a gaming jacket winning bear after bear farther down. Girls and guys surround him, collecting the plushies as they cheer him on and take pictures, but he seems oblivious.

“Oh, I wonder who he is,” Alice whispers.

“Looks like he’s from Solar. He’s wearing their jacket. Come on, before we’re swarmed.” I lead her away, and we explore the rest of the floor. Alice finds some coin machines and pays for a ball. When she opens it, she shows me a spiked heart sticker.

“It’s a temporary tattoo,” she says. “Get one.”

I put my coin in and open my ball as she starts to apply hers to the back of her hand with a wet wipe from her bag.

Mine is a bird, so I put in a few more coins until I get the matching heart, then I discard the others on the side for someone else to use as I hold out my hand. “Here, put mine on me.”

She glances up and smiles when she sees it’s the same. “It matches mine!”

“Lucky me, I guess,” I tease as she delicately presses it onto my hand and blows on it, her warm breath making me shiver. When she’s done, she looks at mine and then hers. “Cute.”

“Just like you. Come on, I better feed you before you get hangry.” I loop my arm through hers and steer her away.

“I won’t,” she mutters.

I nod. “Sure thing, baby.”

She’s happy after eating, and we change into comfy pajamas and get under my duvet.

I put on her latest show as she cuddles into my side and pay attention as much as I can, knowing she enjoys this episode and likes to talk about it.

I’ve even tried to watch her old favorites, but I haven’t had much time.

Contentment rolls through me as I look down at her smiling.

This is where she always belonged—in my arms, my bed, and my life.

I was an idiot to push her away. No matter what happens, we are together now, and I won’t let her go, but what I promised her is true—I’ll keep her safe no matter what it takes.

She’d be mad if she knew what I planned, but I can handle her anger.

I soak up this hard-won peace we have. I know it won’t last, not after everything that will happen, so I make the most of it while I can. This is what I would miss most, not the crazy dates or even the sex—her just at my side, making me feel complete.

I just hope I’m around long enough to experience it again.