Page 22 of I Don't Need Your Love

As I’m playing, Carly and Addie laugh and shout as they compete. Carly’s got a very cute laugh and my eyes dart in her direction without my permission. Her feet are moving like crazy as she tries to keep up with the game. Addie’s feet look like they’re on fire, too. Both girls giggle and cry out and it’s not long before Addie gives up and Carly is left standing.

“I win!” she shouts, doing a victory dance. I can’t help the smile that takes over my mouth.

A sound comes from my machine, indicating that I lost.

“Dude.” Felix blinks at the score. I only got twenty-seven points. How the heck…? “I won?” Felix asks with wide eyes. Then he smiles and raises his fists over his head. “I won!”

I just stare at my score like I have no idea what just happened.

I was watching Carly have fun with her friend and I loved seeing how happy she was that I totally forgot that I was playing.

Not that I blame her one bit. This was entirely my fault.

Felix claps me on the back. “Better luck next time, dude.”

I just stare at him, not willing to accept that I lost. I want to say something, but I don’t know what. Logically, I know he won fair and square, but….I can’t believe I lost.

Felix scans my eyes and holds up his hands. “Forget the money, man. You can keep it.”

I shake my head. “Of course not. We made a deal and I lost.”

“Don’t worry about it, Ryder. It’s cool. All I need are the bragging rights and I’m good.”

“No way. A deal is a deal.”

He looks like he wants to argue, but I give him a face to drop it. I know he has more money than I’ll ever see in my life, but I’ll never be someone’s charity case. I messed up by not paying attention and I’ll need to live with the consequences.

“I just feel bad,” Felix says. “You won all the games and I only won one. Doesn’t seem fair for me to get all the money.”

I place my hands on his shoulders. “It’s okay, Felix. I really don’t mind, but if it’ll make you feel better, donate the money to charity.”

His eyes light up. “That’s a good idea. My mom’s on the board of many charity organizations and I know she’ll be happy to see the money. I mean, it’s only a tiny bit, but I’m sure it’ll help.”

I nod. Yeah, a tiny bit for him means dinner for many others. Sometimes I wonder how we have so much in common and get along great when we come from different worlds.

Carly and her friends pass us on their way out. Carly’s eyes meet mine and there’s a bit of annoyance in them. Only a bit. Maybe she’s finally warming up to me. Even though it hasn’t been confirmed yet, I’m confident I made the dance team, so she’ll need to get used to me being around her.

“Hey, good job,” I tell her as she walks by me.

She freezes and turns around, eyebrows raised. “What?”

“On the dance competition with Addie. You did great.”

She stares at me, then runs her fingers through her slightly damp hair. “Oh, um. Thanks. I didn’t know you were watching.”

“You looked like you were having an amazing time.”

She gives me a face like she doesn’t know how to respond to that. Should she be snarky? Kind? It’s like she’s not sure what I’m getting at.

I smile. “I’m glad you’re doing something you enjoy.”

Now her eyes narrow in confusion. “Um…okay. Thanks, I guess.”

As she turns around and leaves with her friends, I hear her mutter, “What’s his deal?” The door closes before I can hear more.

Felix comes over to me. “You know those girls?”

I shrug. “Carly’s my best buddy’s sister. We grew up together.”