Playing His Game

el'

in two hours as I got out of his car. He nod

mpleted my homework. An hour later, I showered

a casual lime green dress with a few flower patterns. I didn't style my hair, leaving it

rived home and was now in the ki

voice. "Oh hey, do you want to assis

t. I'm actually heading next door to have dinner with the Andohs. Mrs. Rachael invited me," I explained. I hoped she could see how genuin

he cake was adorned with chocolate icing and appeared delightful. She placed the cake in a white cake box. "Since you're heading to Mrs. Ra

, holding the cake in both hands and gazing at her. I was happy that we were communica

leave. "Have a wonderful time," she added. I nod

this, I thought, giving myself a pep talk. How difficult could it be, anyway? Hopefull

or, I balanced the cake in my right hand and used my left hand to ring the doorbell. When the s

st, water dripping down his body. He sports a tattoo of three roses running down the l

but this was the first time I had seen her from a close distance. She had the

she greeted me, "Hel

er smile, unsure of how

estured for me to come in. "Oh, pleas

e appeared to be a kind woman. I smiled back at her and sa

Rachel. Mrs. Andoh sounds too formal and

. Remembering that I was holding the cake, I presente

the cake from me. "Thank you, dear, and

ise," I

the opportunity to meet my neighbors." She chuckled softly. "I really should introduce myself to your stepmother one of

kitchen," she said as

chael had insisted on meeting at half past ten and said I could just sleep in his room if it got too late to walk back. Foolish of hi

room with a "keep out" poster, Michael confidently walks in. His room is spacious with light blue walls, a single bed on the right, a white woode

sweatpants that sit low on his hips. I glance at his bare chest and then

es me and embraces me, resting his forehead against mine. He lifts me up, and I wrap

his lips locked with mine. As I run my hand along Michael's physiqu

pened. Even though it was quite steamy in

your mother,

t a sigh. "Yeah, I just wish she would

so hard on her. She just

lf. "I know she's unhappy with what I do, but I can't change...it's not who I am. I hate to let her down, because I

rong feelings for his mother and deeply resented that she was displeased with his actions. He was willing to go to great leng

our father?

ccasionally, and I would visit him there." He gestured to the bed beside him. "Come, have a seat. I prom

rlier thought. "You're such a per

only other thing hanging on his wall was a wall bookshelf, positioned directly in front of his bed. I hadn't noticed

to look at him. I was preoccupied w

e,Always a Bridesmaid , The Princes

oks. It's hard to believe he's actually

amusing?" I glanced at h

joying reading. If I hadn't witnessed it with my

over his heart. "That stings, E

nd took a seat. I noticed some adult magazines on the table. Not exactly surprising. Holding

id with an innocent tone, as if

on the table. "Sure, just a hormone-

we heard his mother calling us for dinner from downstairs.

oor, I noticed Rachel brin

hand?" I

he bowl on the table, s

d up a plate, and started wa

st or get you excited?" Rachel inquired as she approached me with the final

idened in surprise and I nearly dropped the dish. Setting the dish down o

like that. From the moment I met you, I could tell that you're a compassionate, intelligent,

terjected, prompting a light c

"I am well aware of what occurs when a female visitor is present. I was not born yesterday, Michael." "J

sh he had a girlfriend like you. You're a

ng," she added with

imply nodded and suggested,