Page 7 of Player
"Of course, Dixie Dix, as soon as possible."
He can't see it, but I nod. I wish so much he could be here. If he had made a different choice for his life, we could have ended up on the same campus. Bradley was always top of his class, the doors to the most prestigious universities in the country were wide open to him. But for a reason I still can'texplain, he decided to enlist. I admire him for his choice almost as much as I resent him for it.
We've always been very close—he's probably my best friend—and his sudden departure was horribly painful.
"You should sleep," he adds, "otherwise tomorrow you'll be a real dragon."
My brother knows me inside and out, and he's right. When I don't get enough sleep, I become an irritable monster.
"There's this amazing invention called 'coffee,'" I reply, completely stubborn, "I hear it works miracles."
His laughter answers me, and that simple sound warms my heart. It's crazy how much I miss him!
"You forget who you're talking to, Dixie. I know you too well to be fooled."
He's right; he's the only person on Earth who knows everything about me.
"Good night, little sister. Sweet dreams."
"Good night to you too, Bradley."
In my dream,I'm once again on the path leading to the TEC building . In this strange state of consciousness, half-asleep, half-awake, I realize this isn't reality, so when I hear footsteps behind me, I step off the path. A tall figure rushes past me, but I have time to identify him: nonchalant stride, smug expression... It can only be...
"Player!"
I open my eyes, awakened by the sound of my own voice. I almost jump when I notice someone leaning over me. My eyelids flutter frantically as I try to organize my thoughts and escape the sleepy state I was in.
This can't be happening...
Yet, all my blinking can't dispel Player's face hovering above me. He's watching me, and I can't tell what he's thinking.
"Are you here to finish the job?" I say with a grimace. “Knock me down and break me fully this time?”
My new floormate frowns before moving away, without answering me.
"What are you doing here?" I ask.
"I'm not the one crashed out on the couch in the middle of the living room."
His voice is low, deep, almost... sexy? Dammit. A shiver runs down my arms, but I quickly push it away. There's nothing appealing about this insufferable asshole !
I sit up straight while dismissing this strange sensation.
"Why do you care where I sleep?" I counter.
He stands motionless, his gaze fixed on me, and I realize that someone has turned on a lamp in the room.
"You ask too many questions," he finally responds.
"And you don't give enough answers."
We definitely got off on the wrong foot, but for some reason, I have no desire to fix things. There's something about this guy that irritates me to no end.
"I do what I want," he states.
Moments ago I was asleep, but now I’m awake… and annoyed . I have a feeling he's not just talking about now, but that he's like this in life generally. Yes, that's it! I finally put my finger on what bothers me about him, his way of considering everything his due and believing he has the right to do absolutely anything he wants in all circumstances.
"Good for you,Player." I emphasize his name, or nickname, and punctuate my words with a small, disparaging pout.
