;if I can't lose, imagine what I can do

When asking Eli what a good date for Tori would be, I quickly found it to be pointless.

At first he was reluctant to reply, then finally said feed her, she'll be happy.

Yeah, thanks teammate.

I got why he was a little apprehensive at first, it wasn't the fact that we were going on a date, it was my baller status that he struggled with.

After a small - somewhat heartfelt - conversation, he then understood I wasn't Mason, I wasn't this Jack guy. I was Maddox.

I wasn't planning on forcing myself on his sister - unless she wanted me too, that is - and eventually Eli realised this, he was just struggling with that fact that his twin didn't have a good past with the jocks, understandably.

Admittedly, I thought I held all the cards tonight, until she came out looking like a walking fucking wet dream.

A tiny, high thigh, strapless, black dress that hugged her in all the right places, the cleavage game was strong, and although she was 5 foot 4 ish - even in the 4inch heels - the dress gave her legs for days.

Seriously, I was losing the will to breathe like a normal human being.

The long dark curls tamed back with a big grip, a curl either side framing her perfectly painted face, hazel eyes standing out beneath the long, black lashes. Pouty lips painted with a dark red lipstick, that holds beautifully against the tanned skin she's rocking.

Taking the feeding her idea and running with it, I spent all day planning tonight.

A rooftop dinner, looking down on the buzzing Miami city.

Bright lights and busy bodies beneath us. Candles, champagne, a five star meal, and the whole floor to ourselves.

If this was the only date I was going to get with Tori, then I was going to make it the best one we'd ever experience.

Notably, Jason and Miles did chime in when I was playing with the idea of having rose petals scattered everywhere, they told me it was too much and too cliché, girls didn't actually like the shockingly expensive flower. - true or not, I don't know, but I took their advice. Bella didn't strike me as a flower type of girl anyway, and I'm glad I did listen to those two degenerates because once we reached the rooftop everything was perfect, better than I could of ever imagined, thanks to the top notch staff here at Mariani's.

Tori's brown speckled eyes were wide, her structured jaw was hanging, and her tiny frame tensed up seeing the lay out in front of her.

Flickering candles surrounded the small square dinner table, silver metal stand holding up a bucket of ice and a bottle of champers.

Even if this night turned out to be a nightmare, it was worth all the trouble just to see her face glow from the candlelight, and to shut her up for five whole minutes.

"Aw, are you bushing, Bella?" I couldn't help but tease her.

"Only in your wildest dreams, Hunter."

I took her hand, and led her over towards the soft glowing table, when she abruptly stopped before crossing the candle threshold.

"What's up?" I asked, turning slightly to look at her behind me.

Her eyes drop to the flickering flames. "Are these gonna burn my legs?"

I chuckle. "If you scared of a little heat, tonight is going to be terrifying for you." I remarked with a smug smirk.

She didn't seem amused though, flustered maybe, which was hella cute.

I lightly rolled my eyes before whisking up her into my arms, bridal style, which earned a high pitch yelp from my Bella's red lips.

She was lighter than a feather in my arms, her warm body pressed against my chest, smooth toned legs hooked over my forearms.

"Maddox!" she scorned as I placed her on her feet on the other side of the candles.

"I'm just trying to save those pretty little legs from burn marks, sweetheart." I shrugged nonchalantly.

After taking our seats, the pre ordered menu's first plate was on it's way out.

The black haired waiters lusty eyes lingering a little too long on my date pissed me off, which vanished when I realised Tori doesn't notice as she's all about drooling over the crab cake starter, garnished with some sort of green leaf.

The perverted waiter leaves us, finally alone.

Tori wastes no time digging in, which in return has me biting back a smile.

It's not everyday you meet a girl who doesn't care about eating like a normal person in front of you, not trying to impress you in anyway because of where you stand in the social hierarchy.

It was refreshing. She was refreshing.

"So tell me, Bella," I drawl out.

Her round hazel eyes look up from the plate of food, warily searching my face for some kind of clue as to what I'm about to say.

Is she always this suspicious of people?

A small hum in response, edging me to continue as she swallowed a mouthful of fish in breadcrumbs.

"How did you end up here, in the sunshine state that is Miami?" I say, stretching my arms out either side, enhancing the world around us.

She took a few beats to reply. "My dad owns a chain of luxury car showrooms, he conquered New York, and wanted to bite into the juicy apple that is, as you say, the sunshine state," I notice a little guard goes up as she speaks. "or so I'm told, anyway." she mumbles under her breath.

"You don't believe that's the reason?" I press, picking up my glass of water and sipping, eyeing her as I do.

She sighs, placing the fork on her plate, then adjusting her arms so they're sitting in front of her. "What is your angle here, Hunter? You win a game, and now you're trying, what? Fish out my dirty laundry?" the sharpness of her tone proves me right when I said she's a little guarded.

I can't help but smile, she's hot when she's mad.

"Hey, I'm just trying to make first date small talk, y'know, get to know you like I didn't that night at the bar.." I shrug. "Although I remember you being a lot less hostile and way more fun." I keep my tone light, I don't want this night turning into a screaming match, she's already visibly on edge.

Her hazel eyes roll. "If I knew you were a Baller, trust me, that night wouldn't of happened." my basketball-hating date hissed.

For that reason alone, I ask. "Why do you do that? Hate on us ballers like we're all the same?" I can feel my eyebrows furrow, a pinch of annoyance in my tone. "I'm not Mason, Bella, and I'm not -whoever this Jack is - either."

Now that causes her to give me a full on death glare, like if it could kill, I'd be face first in my fishy starter, no doubt.

"You know nothing about Jack . You don't know if he's the reason I have this rule-"

I can see the tension pent up in her narrow shoulders, the tapping of her black heel on the concrete ground - she's jittering, I've never seen her nervous - cry, sure, angry, you bet - but nervous? Nah. And I don't like it either.

" If you think I like having this rule, if you think it's because I like being a judgemental bitch, I can assure you it's not. Rules are there for a reason, and I have mine."

I can't stop myself from reaching under the table and placing a gentle hand on her bare knee to stop it bouncing like Tigger from fucking Winnie the Pooh, but I like the fact it works and she doesn't instantly push me away.

"Then tell me, Bella. I'm all ears."

"That's the thing Maddox, I don't want to tell you, if I did, I would."

I remove my hand and bring it to the bridge of my nose.

"Look, this was a stupid idea. We should just take the L and move on." her abrupt tone, and the fact she's now standing, has me leaping to my feet, my hand on her dainty wrist to stop her leaving.

"First, this wasn't a stupid idea - none of my ideas are stupid," that comment earned a held back giggle. Small victory, but I'll take it. "And secondly, I don't lose, Bella. So, sit back down. Please?"

Call me stupid, call me pathetic, call me an egotistical mad man, but the pleading eyes worked. Tori shuffles back in her seat and eyes me warily as I say thank you to her for doing me a solid, and not have me chase her out this damn restaurant.

"Let's change the subject. What're you majoring in?" I asked, picking my fork up and stabbing at the fishy goodness.

"English Lit, Social and Business Studies," She smirks at me. "As you know. What about you, aside from business?"

"I took Health and Physical Education. They're just stepping stones though. Hoping my season goes well, the drafters are looking to take me on." I admit, earnestly of course. I don't want her thinking I'm stuck up.

She nods her head while twirling the straw in her glass around. "And do you know who you're wanting to go with, assuming they pick you that is?"

"I'd say Heats, assuming they don't want me, I'm hoping the Bulls do."

"How long have you being playing?"

Damn, she's showing interest, shocked, but I'll take anything she's willing to give.

"Since I was 6. I was kinda born into it."

There's the bomb. Not as hard as I thought.

"Born into it?" Her eyes looking at me for more. "Like your family are huge baller fans or actually born into," It clicks. Her amber eyes widen, her mouth lets slip a gasp as her hands fly up slapping her mouth shut. "No fucking way! As in Damien Hunter?! Kole Hunter?!"

I can't help but laugh at her reaction. She was genuinely shocked.

Normally girls don't click on to who my dad and uncle are - mainly because they have no interest in the sport, just the status that comes with the players.

Tori obviously isn't one of those girls - as her rule has it, she wants nothing to do with me or my kind.

"You know you're like an heir to a legend!?" she exclaimed.

"I do." I nod, solemnly with a smile.

"Well with that in mind, I really hope Heats draft you, that would be epic."

I flick an eyebrow up, eyes studying her. "I can't tell if you're being serious or mocking me." I admit, slightly amused at the fact I can't read this girl for the life in me, and her answer doesn't help the situation.

"Guess we'll never know." She stays silent for a moment, watching the waiter who's arrived to take our plates away, finally speaking up once he disappears. "I'm surprised you didn't name drop sooner." Her admission pangs me a bit, she obviously doesn't think too highly of me, but the fact I didn't name drop makes her respect me a little, I think..

"Maybe if you quit yelling at me whenever I'm around, you'd find I'm not actually a bad guy?" I retorted.

"Okay. Okay. So since you're not a bad guy, what kinda guy are you?" She drops her chin on the back of her hand. "One that creates a fake party in order to spend time with me?"

Fuuuuuck.

The irony isn't lost on me as I laugh. "Okay, I admit. I forced my boys to have a party so I could spent time with you, but y'know what? I'm glad I did."

She raises an eyebrow, giving me one of those beautiful not-smiling-smiles.

"I don't think sometimes, I just say it and do it - no regrets this way, I got to play hero and comforter in one night, so hey, I call it a dub."

"You would."

The rest of the dinner goes pretty much the same; I'd tell her something about me, she'd throw a sarcastic comment my way, she'd tell me something about herself, I'd hit her back with something snarky or flirty. I guess that's just us.

We're the frenemies.. with a huge attraction to one another.

With the date coming to an end, much to my dismay, so I take a detour.

"Where are you taking me?" She asked warily, pausing some British banger she's got playing.

"You'll see." I smirk.