Zenon's Game Chapter 197

I didn't even realize I was smiling. She made me smile so damn much.

When weird sh*it happens, I can't help but want to know what Candace's thinking. I want to get her perspective on everything. It's unique, deep and sometimes crazy.

Always unpredictable.

"I've longed for you all these years, as I watch you evolve into the handsome guy you are today and the future basket," Bryce coughed before he finished, "Basketball star of tomorrow."

Axel and I turned back to see what Bryce was smoking. He had opened the love letter and was reading it out loud.

"How poetic," Bryce remarked, looking up from the letter, "Should we give these tips to Jake?"

Axel grabbed the letter out of Bryce's hand, "Let the writer stay anonymous."

I let them bicker over a love letter while I looked back at Candace. She was freaking out at her phone now. She raised her phone in the air as if she was cursing at it.

No... wait... her lips are moving. She's actually cursing at it.

Bryce and Axel were now engaged in a tug of war. I ripped the letter out of Bryce's hand and chucked it through the open window of my car. Axel kept the candy cane.

I got into my car, ignored their antics and slowly drove towards Candace to pick her up.

When I watch her alone like this, I think about what it's going to be like next year. She'll be here in this parking lot without me.

~Candace's POV~

Joe handed me back my pen that I'd accidentally left in the computer lab. I stuffed it into the front pocket of my backpack as he headed off and I looked back down at my phone.

I wanted to text Zenon to ask where he was. I finished class a bit later than usual, so I wasn't sure if he'd already left for Bryce's house.

But then a text rolled in from demon spawn.

Kaden: How long will jocks fight your battles for you?

Why does Kaden have no guts to stand up for himself when the guys are around? Instead he sends me these passive aggressive messages afterwards.

I raised my phone in the air. You keyboard warrior! You spineless jellyfish!

Then I furiously texted back: I hope your self-loathing eats at you

Take that!

Kaden replied almost instantaneously: We need to talk

"Hey."

I glanced up and saw my boyfriend's car slowly stop in front of me. Zenon's elbow rested over the open window as he had the other hand on the steering wheel.

I texted Kaden back: No chance

"Hey!" I stretched on my tip toes and tried to kiss Zenon through the window.

I pressed my hands against his arm on the car window ledge. He leaned forward to kiss me back. A car honked at us to move out of the way. Zenon's car was blocking the path.

"It's been a long day," Zenon greeted me, over the aggressive honk in the background. He paid it no attention.

"It's been a long year," I responded, running to the passenger side to hop in.

"And it's not over yet," Zenon looked at me with his s*e*xy blue eyes, "I want to invite you as my date to my college acceptance party."

"Your what?"

Day one of winter break and I was on a mission.

Axel was pacing back and forth in Zenon's living room. Rain was pattering down on the windowpane outside, but we were warm in here.

Mrs Albert had come in earlier looking for Zenon. She then returned with an 'aromatherapy reed diffuser' - whatever that means. It smelt good though.

It sat on the coffee table next to glossy fashion book covers and a mason jar of matcha tea latte. They were all clues that pointed to Zenon's sister being home for the holidays.

"I think I'm ready," Axel said, inhaling as part of a breathing exercise I just googled.

We had spent the last ten minutes rehearsing his lines.

"Showtime?" I asked, wanting to double check before I made the call.

At that moment, Zenon jogged down the staircase in black sweatpants that hung loosely around his h*ip*s. His upper torso was bare and on full display. I tried not to stare but he caught my gaze and smirked.

I really hope he put more clothes on before I can't control myself... and before I turn this next moment into a non-PG scene.

Poor Axel.

Axel fist pumped the air to motivate himself and said, "OK, make the call Candace."

"Oh-kay," I started pressing random buttons on my phone, while my eyes were very much still focused on shirtless Zenon.

Zenon walked towards the couch and picked up the hoodie he left there. I watched in disappointment as he pulled it over his broad chest and covered his abs.

"I wish I had a fake moustache," Axel sighed, getting distracted by his own thoughts.

I was still distracted by Zenon. His hoodie was classic black and tapered around his waist.

"Why?" I asked, struggling to pay attention to the mission.

"A fake moustache would really help me get into character," Axel replied.

Zenon interrupted us, "You should make that call, Candy, before he gets into character."

I squeezed my phone and almost turned it off by accident. I needed to pull myself together. The more flustered I got, the more confident he got.

It probably even turned him on, the j*e*r*k-

"Why do I feel like I shouldn't be in the room?" Axel asked us both, "Isn't this supposed to be about me?"

"Break a leg," Zenon tapped Axel's shoulder as he strolled out of the living room.

I tried not to watch his retreating form. He pushed open the kitchen door and stepped inside to get food. I looked down at my phone, found Cynthia's phone number and clicked call.