The Bad Boy's Bet

Chapter 3 — The Bet

Friday nights at Westbridge University were never quiet.

By seven in the evening, the campus had already transformed.

The peaceful lecture halls were empty.

The library was slowly losing its crowd.

And the student apartments surrounding the university were filling with music, laughter, and people getting ready for the weekend.

Adrian Cole's apartment was no different.

Music played from the speakers in the living room.

Pizza boxes covered the coffee table.

A few bottles of soda were scattered around.

Ethan was sitting on the floor, arguing with Mason about a football match neither of them had actually watched.

Adrian stood near the window, scrolling through his phone.

"You've been staring at that screen for ten minutes."

Adrian didn't look up.

"I'm reading."

Ethan laughed.

"You don't read."

"I can read."

"You hate books."

"I don't hate books."

Mason looked over.

"You once called a textbook a weapon of mass boredom."

Adrian finally looked up.

"That was different."

"How?"

"It was a textbook."

Ethan threw a pillow at him.

Adrian caught it easily.

"Violence?"

"You're annoying."

"Thank you."

Ethan leaned back against the sofa.

"Speaking of annoying..."

He paused.

Adrian immediately knew that tone.

"What?"

Ethan smiled.

"You know what I was thinking?"

"That's dangerous."

"I was thinking about last weekend."

Mason groaned.

"Don't."

Ethan ignored him.

"You remember that party?"

"Which one?"

"The one at Harrison's house."

Adrian shrugged.

"Maybe."

"Three girls spent the entire night trying to get your attention."

Adrian smiled.

"Only three?"

Mason laughed.

"Here we go."

Ethan pointed at Adrian.

"You think you're irresistible."

"I don't think."

Adrian placed a hand over his chest.

"I know."

Mason shook his head.

"Someone needs to humble you."

"Good luck."

Ethan's grin widened.

"I might have an idea."

Adrian looked at him.

"I'm listening."

Mason immediately sat up.

"Ethan."

"What?"

"I know that face."

Ethan ignored him.

"Let's make a bet."

Adrian laughed.

"About what?"

Ethan looked toward the kitchen.

"Who can get a girl to fall for them first."

Adrian stared at him.

"That's your big idea?"

"Yes."

"That's stupid."

"You're scared."

Adrian's smile disappeared.

"I'm not scared."

"Then prove it."

Mason sighed.

"You two are children."

Ethan turned toward him.

"You're just saying that because you know Adrian will win."

"I don't want either of you to win."

Adrian laughed.

"What exactly are we betting?"

Ethan thought for a moment.

"Five hundred dollars."

Adrian raised an eyebrow.

"That's it?"

"Fine. A thousand."

"Still boring."

"Two thousand."

Adrian shrugged.

"Better."

Mason shook his head.

"You both have too much money."

Ethan pointed at Adrian.

"Then you're in?"

Adrian leaned against the window.

"Maybe."

"What's stopping you?"

"I don't know."

Ethan looked around the room.

"Pick any girl."

Adrian's eyes wandered toward the television.

Then the kitchen.

Then the balcony.

He wasn't particularly interested.

This was childish.

He knew it.

But he also knew Ethan wouldn't stop until he agreed.

"Fine."

Ethan smiled.

"Good."

"But I'm choosing the girl."

"Obviously."

Adrian looked at him.

"And I have one condition."

"What?"

"No cheating."

Ethan laughed.

"How exactly do you cheat at this?"

"I don't know."

"Then why say it?"

"Because I like rules."

Mason nearly choked on his drink.

"You?"

"Yes."

"You've broken more rules at this university than anyone I know."

Adrian smiled.

"That's why I know how important they are."

Ethan stood.

"Come on."

"Where?"

"Let's find your target."

Adrian frowned.

"My what?"

"Your target."

"I'm not calling her that."

"Fine. Your challenge."

Adrian sighed.

"Whatever."

The three of them walked out of the apartment.

They didn't go far.

A university party was happening at one of the student residences nearby.

Music could already be heard from outside.

Students filled the garden.

Adrian stepped through the crowd.

People greeted him.

Someone handed him a drink.

Someone else called his name.

He ignored most of them.

Ethan walked beside him.

"So?"

"So what?"

"See anyone?"

Adrian glanced around.

"No."

They continued.

Then Adrian noticed someone sitting alone on the steps near the side entrance.

A girl.

She was reading.

At a party.

Reading.

Adrian stopped.

Ethan followed his gaze.

Then he laughed.

"No way."

Mason looked over.

"Oh."

Adrian narrowed his eyes.

He recognized her.

Cream sweater.

Glasses.

Brown hair.

The library.

Elena Bennett.

She wasn't dressed for the party.

She wore a simple blue cardigan over a white top and had a book resting on her knees.

Apparently, she had come with someone.

Or perhaps she had simply made a wrong turn.

Either way, she looked completely uninterested in the chaos around her.

Ethan nudged Adrian.

"Her."

Adrian looked at him.

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because she looks like she'd rather be anywhere else."

"Exactly."

Adrian frowned.

"That's your reason?"

"Think about it."

Ethan grinned.

"Everyone else would be easy."

Mason folded his arms.

"I agree with Ethan on one thing."

Adrian looked at him.

"Which is?"

"Don't do this."

Ethan laughed.

"You're no fun."

Mason looked at Adrian.

"Seriously. Leave her alone."

Adrian watched Elena for a moment.

She turned a page.

She hadn't noticed them.

She hadn't noticed anyone.

"What's her name?"

"Ethan?"

Ethan looked pleased.

"Elena Bennett."

Adrian repeated the name quietly.

"Elena Bennett."

Mason shook his head.

"Adrian..."

Adrian looked at him.

"What?"

"She's not like the girls you usually date."

Adrian glanced back at Elena.

"I know."

"Then don't make her part of your stupid game."

Adrian was silent.

He wasn't sure why Mason's words bothered him.

Maybe because they were true.

Elena didn't look like someone who would be impressed by his car.

Or his money.

Or his reputation.

She didn't even seem aware of the attention around her.

Ethan crossed his arms.

"You're backing out."

Adrian looked at him.

"No."

"Then?"

Adrian smiled.

"Fine."

Ethan's face lit up.

"You're choosing her?"

Adrian nodded.

"I'll take the challenge."

Mason sighed.

"You have no idea what you're doing."

Adrian shrugged.

"Neither does she."

Ethan laughed.

"So it's official?"

Adrian held out his hand.

"Official."

Ethan shook it.

"Two thousand."

"Two thousand."

Mason looked between them.

"This is going to end badly."

Neither of them listened.

Adrian looked toward Elena again.

For the first time, he really studied her.

Not her appearance.

Not exactly.

It was the way she seemed so comfortable being alone.

She didn't need a crowd.

She didn't need attention.

She didn't seem interested in impressing anyone.

That was unusual.

And, admittedly...

a little intriguing.

But Adrian wasn't interested in her yet.

Not really.

He was interested in the challenge.

At least, that's what he told himself.

Ethan leaned closer.

"So what's your first move?"

Adrian smiled.

"I don't have one."

"What?"

"I'm not going to walk over there."

"Why?"

"Because that would be obvious."

Ethan stared at him.

"You accepted the bet."

"I didn't say I was going to rush."

Mason smiled slightly.

"Maybe there's hope for you after all."

Adrian ignored him.

His eyes moved toward Elena one last time.

She closed her book.

She stood.

She adjusted the strap of her bag and walked away from the party.

Without speaking to anyone.

Without looking at him.

Without knowing that a bet had just been made about her.

Adrian watched her disappear through the hallway.

Then he smiled.

"Interesting."

Ethan laughed.

"You're already curious."

Adrian shook his head.

"I'm just wondering how difficult this is going to be."

Mason gave him a warning look.

"Remember, Adrian."

"What?"

"She's a person."

Adrian's smile faded slightly.

He knew.

Of course he knew.

But at that moment, the bet still felt harmless.

Two thousand dollars.

A challenge.

A little fun between friends.

Nothing serious.

Nothing that could possibly change his life.

At least...

that's what Adrian Cole believed.

Because he didn't know Elena Bennett.

He didn't know what she had been through.

He didn't know how carefully she guarded her heart.

And he certainly didn't know that the quiet girl he had just turned into a challenge would eventually become the one person he couldn't afford to lose.

For now, though, there was only a bet.

And Adrian had every intention of winning it.

He just didn't realize yet...

that this was the one game he was destined to lose.