Zenon's Game Chapter 311

Zenon walked in, wearing a black bomber jacket with a white stripe that circled his broad shoulders. Under his jacket, he had a white shirt that peeked out from underneath.

The music grew louder. Zenon looked towards the stage, where the competition had started. He rolled his eyes and walked towards the bar instead.

Axel was already a few steps ahead and closer to the bar. He drummed his hands on the bar table and said something to the bartender that made her laugh.

Zenon leaned his arm on the bar and raised two fingers. The bartender cracked open two beer bottles just as some girls approached them. Zenon and Axel attracted attention almost immediately.

Oma, Stacey and Bianca came up to them also, saying hello. I saw Zenon's expression change as Bianca greeted him and he looked down at his phone.

I was worried he would look up and catch me watching him. I didn't want to give off stalker vibes, so I turned towards the stage to watch the first performance. It was a DJ and singer duo and they weren't bad at all.

I wish I could pay attention. All I was thinking about was my hot boyfriend by the bar.

He's so used to everyone running up to him the moment he walks in. I wanted him to find me, instead of expecting me to find him. But maybe I need to be more direct. Maybe I should just walk over there and pull him away from everyone. We needed to talk, didn't we?

I turned around, feeling confident, until my eyes landed on him, and all that confidence disappeared. He was watching me.

He was leaning back against the bar, his blue eyes fixed on me. He saw me looking and didn't flinch. He raised his beer to his lips and took a swig.

Then I watched him lower his drink to the table and push himself up to his full height. I don't know why my heart skipped a beat. But he walked towards me, his eyes never leaving mine.

It's hard to deny desire. I felt it with every step Zenon took towards me. His blue eyes were fixed on me like I was the only person in the room. I wanted us to be.

And to feel his breath on my lips – even though I had so much to say, a kiss has the power to say more.

He could kiss me where it hurts until it doesn't.

Zenon reached me and stood in front of me, in the middle of the crowd. I've waited for him. A strong and impulsive boy who turned me into a hopeless romantic. I had almost been ready to trade my values for him.

We all have those frozen parts of ourselves that only melt if we open ourselves fully to someone. I don't think I'm ready. I've experienced heartbreak one too many times to open myself up again so easily. But with patience, I can.

I want him to give me time. In time, I can grow into someone who can openly love and trust. Zenon stood opposite me, so close to me, but not touching.

"How do we move past this?" he asked in his deep voice, and the music from the stage was a dramatic accompaniment to his words, "We've been arguing so much."

"I'm tired of it too," I responded, "It's because we're learning about each other and ourselves at the same time. It's difficult."

"We're very different people."

"True. But we've always known that."

The music got louder as the chorus of the rock band on stage started to play. The crowd around us got more active and someone accidentally pushed me. Zenon shoved them back and held my waist, while I held onto his muscular arm for support.

Zenon was willing to change, but he's also strong willed. He won't trade his values. So I guess we're similar in that sense.

I never would've guessed that watching Zenon bully people would be where the line was drawn between us. But that is a line I will always stand by. We live in a vicious world and, in my mind, intimidation is never ok – it's not ok when the athlete does it, when the camp counselors do it, when the ex-best friend, the ex-boyfriend or the adults do it.

If I have to lose the man I love over it, then he isn't the man I thought he was.

~Oma's POV, twenty minutes before~

The bar was getting loud as it filled up ahead of the singing competition. It wasn't our usual hangout.

I don't know much about Jake. He showed up this year out of the blue and then rumors started to fly around that he was Zenon's brother. Zenon never confirmed it.

Turns out, Jake likes to sing. Finally, a guy in this group who isn't an athlete.

I've known Zenon for a long time now, and I respect his privacy. He's a fun guy, and there's no denying his dedication to basketball. Everyone has their own affairs and, if he wants to keep certain things private, he should. That's why I didn't like this idea.

"B, I wish you told me we were here for Jake," I said, as we carried our cocktails to a high-top table, "You said we were just going out."

"We are just going out," Bianca answered with a sly smile, "Zenon doesn't have a say about where we go or who we see."

Sometimes I think Zenon must have powers because he's played a real mind game on my friend. I just hope he wouldn't do the same to Candace.

"Is it necessary to antagonize him?" I replied, "Zenon's our friend and this'll make him uncomfortable."

I didn't want to be dragged into the immaturity of these games. Chasing after a guy is not my kind of fun.

"He's a grown boy," Bianca replied, "Maybe even too grown."