;don't look backwards, you're not going that way

I'm a sore loser. I'm woman enough to admit that. But hell, I'm sulkier than a motherfucker right now because of the fact that Maddox fucking Hunter beat me on a tie breaker.

Yep. 1-1, best outta three, the last scoring point was made by the playboy baller himself.

Furious wasn't the word when he told me what he wanted, it was simple, yet ruined all chances I had of staying away from him.

He wanted - gag - a date.

I wasn't surprised that the boys weren't surprised, however, I was taken back that Eli didn't even bat an eyelid at the mere mention of me having to go on a date with Maddox. Especially after everything that happened with Jack and Mason - he knew I had my rule for a reason, therefore baffled didn't even compare the confusion I was experiencing.

The girls were giggling, squealing messes when I told 'em today at cheer practise, ordering me to apply all my undivided attention to the date and claimed I needed to give Maddox a fair chance because he's actually a nice guy.

"You're gonna have the best time. I just know it." Hannah excitedly jumped up and down beside me.

"Y'know he's never dated anyone since being here? Like, literally, no one." Steph voiced, with slight disbelief.

"And that helps me get out of this, how?" I deadpanned, shoving the sweaty towel into my duffel.

"It doesn't, because you're not bailing on Maddox's first college date." She snorted.

"I seriously can't believe you're backing him over me." was my asshole reply.

"We're not backing anyone." she argues. "You know we've been rooting for you guys since he made up the whole - first day back to classes party - to spend time with you fiasco." Hannah shrugged, quickly realising what she just said turned into clamping her mouth shut with tight lips.

"He what?!" I fumed, arms crossed over my chest.

Steph glared at Hannah, her lips pulled back in a snarl as if to say what-the-fuck-did-you-just-do.

"He meant well, he really did, Tee. He just wanted to spend time with you so you guys could get to know each other." Steph defended Maddox with a soft tone.

"I'm so getting my fucking back on him." With that being said I stormed off, out the gym and to my car.

I dropped my duffel in the back seat and drove home at a speed I was surely going to receive a ticket for.

That blow-hard thinks he can pull the wool over my eyes?

He obviously has no freaking clue who he's messing with.

I was more pissed off that I was nagged into attending a party I didn't want to be associated with.

Staying away from ballers was my one rule, and now, I was heading out to a date with one.

I'd rather be gagged and throat punched than be sat waiting for Maddox to pick me up.

And now was my time for revenge.

He wanted to get to know me so badly he made up a fake party?

I'm gonna show him just how pointedly I react when someone tries to play me.

Being the bad bitch I am, I dressed extra freaking hot - showing him what he can't touch.

I bathed in my favourite perfume - letting him smell what he can't have.

And applied extra care and attention to my hair and make up - let him underestimate me, that gives me more fun to be had.

Just as I was packing up my black cutch with phone, keys and credit cards, I heard Steph yelling from the living room.

"He's here!!" she squealed.

I took in a deep breath as I gave myself a last glance in the body length mirror, blowing it out as I walked away from the reflection, out my bedroom and into the living space where Steph and Hannah were perched anxiously on the sofa, dressed in matching red fluffy pjs that were assaulting to the eye.

"Damn, Tee. You look hot!" Hannah exclaimed, huge grin on her rosy lips.

"No joke. Maddox isn't gonna know what hit him." Steph joined in, sporting the same grin.

"Thanks girls." I blew them a kiss, turning towards the door.

"Don't do anything I wouldn't do!" Steph called out.

"Ignore her cause that's not a lot!" Hannah snorted.

I laughed while waving them off, closing the door behind me and heading down.

Upon opening the apartment complex lobby doors, I was met with Maddox leaning against the hood of his G wagon, strong arms crossed over his broad chest that was hidden beneath a white Armani polo t-shirt, his long legs tamed in by the denim of black skinnies, and a pair of white and black Jordans.

Hot wasn't the word to explain this man.

The excitement in his brown eyes doesn't go amiss when they land on me, the smile he cracks plays havoc with my pulse.

I'm the one who's supposed to get this reaction outta him, not the other way round - is what the voice in my head is saying, my heart is saying another - something along the lines of BOOM BEAT BOPPPPPPP - the organ banging achingly against my chest - where as Maddox looks as cool as a cucumber, standing straight to his full height now, all 6 foot 5 of muscle and sexiness towering over my tiny form.

"Wow," he stammers, sinking his pearly whites into the corner of his bottom lip. "You look.. Wow." He draw in a shaky breath and inches closer towards me.

He smells so good.

Not going to lie, I read too much into Maddox's compliment, but then I think back, this is exactly what I wanted.

A reaction for his stupid, and obnoxious action.

"Are you going to stand here all night staring at me or are we gonna head out?" I asked in a purposely throaty voice, men love it.

He runs his large paw through his styled back, brown locks and grins. "I'm honestly just trying to hold myself back from macking on you, Bella."

Told ya.

"Mhm, is that so? And it's only the beginning," I replied with some kind of smirk on my dark crimson lips. "However are you going to cope a whole night without being able to touch me?"

"You're going to make this date unbearable for me ain't you?" The left side of his lips tugged up into a slanted smirk.

"You have no idea, Baller."

Nudging past him, I reach for the black handle of the passenger side, only for Maddox's colossal one to beat me too it. Looking over my shoulder, his dark brown eyes are dancing with playfulness - which is so attractive that I hate it.

"One thing you should know, Bella. When you're on a date with me, I don't want you touching these handles, got it?" his tone was husky but light.

I hold my hands up, palm out in a motion of mock surrender that earns a deep and short chuckle erupting from his masculine throat.

Maybe I'm in as much trouble as he is.. Not that I'm going to show it. I don't date ballers. Well, aside from this date, but after tonight, I don't date ballers.

After opening the passenger door for me, allowing my short legs to hop in, he shuts it behind me and does a little run around to the drivers side, sliding in and twisting the key bringing the black beauty to life.

"Prepared to be amazed." he sounds very sure of himself, I'll bite.

"I'm prepared, now the balls in your court."

"Very clever, smart ass." He snorts, pulling out the parking lot and down the street.

On the drive, Maddox absentmindedly fumbles with the large screen, scanning for a music station to leave on. I waft his hand out the way, pulling my phone out my clutch and pulling up the settings. A few pushed buttons later and I'm connected through Bluetooth.

"You expecting to be in this car more often, Bella? That's a huge commitment, y'know?" Maddox's tone was highly amused, he gave me a quick side glance before returning his attention back to the road.

"Are you expecting a mean come back or a sweet one?" I quipped back with another question, not looking up from my phone, aimlessly scrolling through my playlists that mostly held a lot of RnB or English grime artists that I doubt Maddox has ever heard of. Fun.

I decide to stick with my roots being Yung Tory ft Nafe Smallz - Told you.

One of my favourite songs to drive to, the beat is soft but has you bobbing in your seat.

As soon as the song begins, Maddox chuckles, which has my back up in seconds.

"What's funny?" I demanded, glaring over at him.

"I know this song." He admits. "your brother plays it on loop."

Oh.

"Oh." I voice my thought, sinking into my seat. "He's a well known song stealer."

"So you like the British music scene?" he enquires, another quick side glance as he licks his lips, flicking on the turn signal.

"Mhm. I am half English after all." I replied with a small shrug.

"Oh I know, that accent has made it's way into all my indecent thoughts on a daily."

"Ew." I grimace as I shove him, gently - I don't wanna die in a car with him, hell no.

"What? You think a girl like you can't make it into my shower thoughts?"

"I think you're disgusting for telling me that I make it into your shower thoughts."

"You wanna get to me, wanna know you." He cockily responded as he echoed the words in the song.

Despite myself, I actually laughed.

"So, you gonna tell me why you chose a date of all things?" I voice out my concern.

"We have unfinished business, me and you, Bella."

Well damn.

The night is young and this guy is prepared for anything I throw at him.

If he keeps up his smooth come backs and continues flashing me that cheeky smirk, I could be in real trouble of breaking my rule.

I need to be a lot more guarded than I first thought - is it going to be as easy as that though?

Lord, I hope so.

It's just one night. I can do it. I've been doing it for years now. I should be pro.

But something about Maddox's presence is throwing me off something silly.

Guard.

Guard.

Guard.

That's my rule for tonight.