Page 19 of Game Changer (Hidden Attractions #2)

Ethan

Cameron Who needs Vogue when I have this gem?

Ethan How the hell did you get that picture?

Cameron Maya sent it to Maddie, who, of course, sent it to me

Ethan DON’T SHOW IT TO ANYONE

Cameron Why not? You look hot with makeup. I’d bang you

Ethan Tell Maddie she’s a brat for sending it to you

Cameron Sorry, but that word will never leave my lips when it comes to your sister. I can think of some other ones she enjoys, though . . . ;)

Ethan Fuck me. Why? Just why?

Cameron I might after seeing you all dolled up 3

~

On the night of Maya’s birthday, which also happens to fall on Halloween, the dormitories are buzzing with excitement.

Halloween is the one holiday a year that has almost everyone getting dressed up and joining in on some party or other festivity on campus.

I’m not a fan of Halloween because I absolutely hate dressing up, but this year Leo didn’t give me a chance to decline when he slapped a cowboy hat on my head.

It’s the shittiest costume of all time, but Happy Endings is throwing a party that requires one for admission, and since Leo isn’t letting me stay inside tonight, I’ll suck it up for a few hours to make him happy before I come back to the comfort of my bed.

But first, I have a gift to deliver.

I rap my knuckles against Maya’s door, a bag with pink tissue paper clutched tightly in one hand. I’m trying to catch her before she leaves, and since it’s only eight, I assume she’s still getting ready.

The door swings open, and my world stands still.

Maya is an angel.

Literally .

But she’s not an angel I’d find in heaven. The way that tight miniskirt is hugging her curves is downright sinful. She’s temptation wrapped in a white corset that pushes her breasts up, and a pair of white wings are splayed behind her back.

“Jesus.”

It’s ironic since Jesus doesn’t seem to be in the room with us at all, but it’s the only thing I can think of to say.

“That good, huh?” She spins to give me the full view, and my mouth dries out at the sight of a white thong peeking out of the top of her skirt.

Long, sleek hair falls to the middle of her spine, and her makeup is done just like her outfit—light but radiant.

Her skin is glowing almost as brightly as her smile.

Whatever rope that’s been holding me back from her is fraying second by second, and it takes everything in me not to push her onto her bed and have my way with her. I’m so tired of running from this attraction to her. Tired of trying to convince myself my infatuation will pass.

She’s it for me.

Always has been, always will be.

“I have a gift for you,” I say, holding the bag out to her. “Happy birthday, Maya.”

Pink tinges her cheeks and she holds the door open wider for me to enter.

She takes the bag and sits on her bed, fumbling with the tissue paper until she sees what’s inside.

I hold my breath, scared she’ll take the gift the wrong way after our conversation a few weeks ago, but the same breath whoosh es out of my lungs when she releases a choked sob and smiles .

The box encasing the latest hairstyling tool sits in her trembling hands. “Ethan . . .”

“Is it the one you wanted?”

“Yes, but—” She shakes her head in disbelief. “How did you remember that?”

I remember everything you say , is what I want to reply, but I refrain from doing so and shift my weight from one foot to the other.

“It was all you could talk about for a month when it first came out. You were saying you wanted to try it on Maddie’s hair, and now with you starting up this side business at school .

. .” I shrug as if it isn’t a big deal. “You should have it.”

“I can’t accept this.” A sheen coats her eyes when they lift to mine. “It’s too expensive, Ethan.”

My lips tilt into a grin. “Consider it an investment. I believe in you, Maya. If no one else does, just know that I do.” I swallow thickly and add, “I always will.”

A tear slips onto her cheek before she curses and swipes it away.

“You know, you’re the first person who makes me think I really can succeed at the salon thing.

I mean, Maddie is supportive, don’t get me wrong, but you’ve always made me believe in myself in a way that no one else can.

Not even my own parents , and I—” She inhales deeply.

“I’m so sorry it took me so long to realize it. ”

My brows lift. “What does that mean?”

“It means—” Knocks interrupt us, and I want to tell whoever is on the other side to fuck off, but it’s her dorm room, not mine.

Maya opens the door, only to be bombarded by a set of thick, bouncy blond curls. “SURPRISE!” My sister grips her with a force that nearly knocks her over, and Maya squeals before she reciprocates the gesture.

“Oh my god, what are you doing here?”

“I wouldn’t miss your birthday for the world. Are you kidding? And, boy, do I know you well. I’m glad I came prepared.” She gestures to her nurse outfit, which makes me nauseated. She shouldn’t be wearing that if she’s going to party with Maya alone, and—

“Hey, do you know where—” Cameron, who is too tall for the damn door, dips his head to enter the room. He freezes when he notices me standing behind Maya, his notorious grin coming out in full force. “Oh, I’m sorry. Did we interrupt something?”

Maddie, who finally notices I’m in the room too, cringes before taking a step back from Maya. “Shit. Sorry. I didn’t know . . . ”

“You weren’t interrupting anything,” I blurt, turning to my best friend before he embarrasses me. He may be a dick at times, but I missed the hell out of him. He’s my brother, and without him, I don’t feel as complete. “How the hell did you guys plan this?”

Cameron pulls me in for a hug and claps me on the back. “I had a weekend off from football, and Maddie cleared her schedule. You actually have my dad to thank. He paid for the tickets.”

“Oh, shit. I’ll have to text him. I’m so fucking happy you’re here. Where are you staying? Do you need to crash with us?”

He shakes his head, shifting his eyes to my sister. “Nah. We got a hotel a few minutes away from here.” And it’s only then that I notice his costume. He’s dressed in a hospital gown, and with Maddie being a nurse . . .

I wave a finger between them. “This is sickening.”

Maddie rolls her eyes. “Get used to it already, Ethan.”

I have gotten used to it. If I’m being honest, I’m happy for them.

It’s been years since I’ve seen my best friend the way he used to be.

He laughs and smiles more, and his relationship with his dad is getting better every day.

If it wasn’t for my sister, who knows where he’d be right now?

They found solace in each other, and the way my sister stares at Cameron like he hangs the moon for her is enough validation for me.

He’s good to her. That’s all that matters.

“I can’t wait for you to meet Destiny and Callie,” Maya gushes.

“You’ll love them. We were just heading to Happy Endings!

It’s the bar closest to campus. The one I work at.

I tried to work tonight, but my boss refused since it’s my birthday, so .

. .” She wiggles her ass in the miniskirt, and I shoot my eyes up to the ceiling as Cameron stifles a laugh. “We’re partying, bitch!”

“Is that where we’re heading?” Cameron asks me. “If not, can we tag along with the girls? I can’t be without my nurse.” His hand lands on Maddie’s waist before he tucks her into his side.

“Do you do this on purpose?” I ask, but fail to hide my grin.

“What?” He fake coughs and places the back of his hand on his forehead. “I’m sick , Ethan, and there’s only one person who has the cure.”

“Fucking hell,” I mutter, and Maddie and Maya erupt into giggles. “But, yeah, I was heading there anyway with my roommate, Leo.”

“Sweet. Can’t wait to meet him.”

The thought of Leo and Cameron together?

Lord help us all .

“I’m glad to know you’ve changed your mind about country music,” Cameron continues, waving a hand over my outfit.

I changed into jeans, a white T-shirt, and cowboy boots (courtesy of Leo).

The man seems to have an outfit for everything, and although I feel out of my comfort zone, Maya can’t take her eyes off of me.

Leo’s accessories were worth it. “It’s not so bad, is it? ”

“Please,” I scoff. “I still think that genre is garbage.”

“Same,” Maddie adds. “Something Cam and I will never agree on.”

Cameron opens the door, and as we all file out he adds, “Well, you certainly look the part, Ethan. Now all you need is a lasso so you can wrangle in a cowgirl tonight.”

Or an angel .

Maya glances over her shoulder with a devilish smile. “Ethan doesn’t need a cowgirl. He just needs to find someone who can ride that cowboy hat right off of him.”

Well, I’ll be damned .

Her words act as scissors, cutting the last strand of rope holding me back, and now all I can do is pray I can keep my sanity for the rest of the night.