Chapter 2: Game On—Three Boys, One Bet

“Last month you were on your commute.”

“This month, I’m not.”

The push and pull between grown-ups doesn’t need much talk. We both knew what we were doing.

The flirting was subtle. But it was there, woven into every note, every message.

One day, just to see what would happen, I didn’t send him anything.

I wanted to see if he’d notice. If he’d care enough to say something. The silence stretched out, almost unbearable.

Chase waited all night. Then finally lost it, blowing up my messages.

“So you really are over it!”

He was so mad, he refunded every cent I’d ever sent him. All of it.

In just over two months? More than $58.

What a fool. Letting me play for free for so long.

I hadn’t spent a dime. Not really.

I laughed out loud when the refund hit my account. So dramatic. So perfectly his age. I almost felt bad for him. Almost.

After all that, it was time to give him a little sweetness.

So I set up a surprise for Chase.

The new piano shop? I opened it near his college. On purpose.

To keep up my mysterious older woman vibe, I never told Chase what I did for a living.

Being a piano shop owner should be impressive enough.

I told him I’d meet him today. Grand opening and all.

Grand opening. A ton of teachers and students came by.

I wore my best dress. Hair up, lips painted just so.

Suddenly, I heard three guys chatting. Loud.

“You still haven’t bagged the 73-cent sugar mama?”

“There’s three days left on the bet. Lose and you owe fifty grand!”

“Bro, come on. A woman her age? I just have to snap my fingers and she’ll come.”

A deep, magnetic voice. Unmistakable.

Chase and two guys walked in. The trio.

...arms around each other’s shoulders. Definitely close friends.

They looked like the cast of a CW show. Chase, the golden boy. The wild one. The one with glasses.

[REDACTED REDUNDANT PARAGRAPH]

As the saying goes, hot guys flock together. No surprise.

“Who said he’d bag her in three months!”

“Buy me a piano and we’re done.”

Chase smirked and waved his phone at them. So smug.

“See? The minute I get mad, she comes running!”

I didn’t expect this side of Chase. Not at all.

I thought he was an innocent puppy. Turns out, he was sly as hell.

He’d even made a bet. Betting he could sleep with me in three months?

What a dirty little game. Honestly...

But honestly? I kind of liked it.

There was something thrilling about being wanted. Even if it was for all the wrong reasons. I felt my pulse quicken, my competitive streak waking up.

So I bet that within a month, I’d sleep with all three of them. Why not?

They all took a liking to a piano. Figures.

Chase stood by it, playing a few notes with one hand. Texting me with the other.

“Does this sound good? I’m piano shopping. When are you coming to find me? I’ll play for you.”

“See you soon.”

Chase grinned. Show-off.

“She’s really coming to see me! If you want to buy, hurry up, don’t waste my time.”

Suddenly, the three of them united. All hurrying to ask the price.

“Ma’am, how much is this one?”

I walked over to help. Myself.

The second I appeared, their faces changed. Priceless.

Chase was stunned. His face clouded over.

The wild one leaned against the wall. Instantly adjusted his pose.

Even the one sitting at the piano froze. Then stood up.

I kept my smile gentle. No reason to show my cards.

“Hey there, I’m the owner. Want me to tell you about this piano?”

I spoke with confidence. Radiating charm.

I could feel the shift in the air. Their attention snapped to me, suddenly unsure. It was delicious.

Chase watched me the whole time. Couldn’t look away.

After I finished, Chase spoke up, sounding guilty. “When did you get here?”

The other two looked at each other. Realizing who I was.

“Just now. Didn’t you say you’d play for me when we met?”

I didn’t call him out. Not yet.

Because the game wasn’t over. Not even close.

Chase played the piano on the side. Trying to look casual.

I brought water to the other two. The wild one was Ryder Brooks. The refined one, Noah Ellison.

When I handed the cup to Noah, I let my fingers brush his. Leaned in close to his ear.

“You played better than him just now.”

Noah glanced at me, pulling his hand back. “You…”

The cup slipped. Water spilled on my skirt.

The music stopped. Just like that.

Chase, who’d been watching us, stood up. Glared at Noah.

“What’s your deal? Can’t even hold a cup?”

Noah hesitated. Didn’t say a word.

I smiled. “It’s fine.”

I went to the restroom to clean up. When I came out, there was Ryder.

“I saw that. You were totally flirting with Noah.”

I smiled at him. “Was I?”

Just one line. How’s that flirting?

Ryder stuck his hands in his pockets. Tugged at his lip. He looked like trouble.

“I honestly don’t care! But Chase and Noah are my boys. What if you break us up?”

Sounded like Ryder was the oldest. Noah the youngest. Chase in the middle.

Ryder walked up to me. Lowered his head, getting close.

“If you flirt with Noah again, I’ll tell Chase.”

I looked up, noses almost touching. My tone playful.

“Then if I flirt with you, will you tell too?”

Before he could react, I wrapped my arms around his neck. Kissed him right there.

It happened so fast. Blink and you’d miss it.

Ryder was pressed against the wall by me. Staring down at me in shock.

Until a cold voice interrupted. Busted.

“Ryder, what are you doing?”

Ryder snapped out of it. Pried my arms off. Lipstick on the corner of his mouth.

“You!” He was furious.

I patted his face. “Keep it between us.”

Ryder’s Adam’s apple bobbed. His breath shaky. Face burning hot.

Chase came over. “What’s going on?”

Ryder looked awkward. Didn’t say a word.

I walked over to Chase. Glanced at Noah.

“Noah came to apologize, right?”

Noah pressed his lips together. Answered softly.

But his face looked bad. Especially when he glanced at Ryder.

—Big brother got caught and wants me to cover for him. Typical.

Chase glanced at Ryder. “You’ve got lipstick on your mouth.”

Ryder panicked. “Uh, I put on lip balm when I went out today.”

Chase frowned. But let it go.

They picked out a piano. Noah was the buyer.

I got his contact info. Easy.

Chase and I went to see a movie. Date night.

Under the flickering lights, he held my hand. His palm was a little sweaty.

“Your hand is so soft.”

I turned to look at him. He was blushing.

In the dim light, his delicate features looked even more attractive. My type.

He was exactly my type. No question.

I leaned in and whispered, “I want to touch your abs.”

Chase bit his lip, awkward. “We’re in public.”

I lost interest. Pulled my hand away.

Halfway through, I went to the restroom. Texted him that something urgent came up. Left first.

When Chase chased after me, I was already in the elevator. Too late.

Back at the shop, my phone wouldn’t stop buzzing. Guess who.

“You left just because I wouldn’t let you touch me?”