Page 37 of Let the Games Begin
“And is thatfriendValentina Ross-Rodriguez?” Olivia asked. Zeke noticed the emphasis she put on the word “friend” but also the fact that the expression on her face didn’t waver. He wondered if she’d read all the headlines about his and Valentina’s breakup and all the subsequent times the press had incorrectly reported that they were back together.
“Yeah, it’s myfriendValentina’s competition,” he said, putting an extra emphasis on the word “friend” as well to make it clear that was all they were. He noticed a small flicker of what looked like relief on her face.
“I wanted to support her,as a friend,” he said. He knew saying “friend” again was probably a little bit of overkill, but he didn’t want Olivia to worry. Because he was telling the truth. He and Valentina were just friends now; it was completely platonic.
“But I forgot to request tickets,” he said. “So, I was wondering if you’d be able to check if there are any spare athlete VIP envelopes?”
“Oh, that is a big favor. Alotof people want tickets for tonight,” she said, turning her back and looking through the filing cabinet. “It’s not looking good, Moyo,” she said, shaking her head and whistling. She sifted through every single folder of the cabinet… despite the fact that they could both see the drawer beside her that was clearly markedATHLETE TICKETSin bright-red Sharpie.
Zeke watched her in amusement. “You love this, don’t you?”
“Love what?” she said, still pretending to look through the folders.
“Having the power to dictate how the rest of my night goes.”
“I just love power generally,” she said nonchalantly. There was that unflinching confidence that made her so attractive. “It doesn’t have to be over anyone in particular. It’s just thefeelingof having it.”
“I like that about you,” he said.
“That I’m power-hungry?”
“Yes. And that you’re not afraid to admit it,” he said. It was the thing he kept coming back to, the way she seemed to be completely certain of herself. It pulled him in.
“Why lie?” She shrugged.
“A lot of people hide their ambition and act like the good things in their life happened by chance,” he said, leaning against the desk, his voice getting lower. “But the reality is, people like us plot it all out and work really hard for what we want.”
“People act like ‘strategic’ is a dirty word, like calling someone ‘calculated’ is an insult, but I like being in control,” she said honestly.
His mind flashed back to last night. To the way she’d held onto his shoulders, the way she’d bitten his lip, the way she’d wordlessly asked for what she wanted, and how each kiss sunk him deeper and deeper into what he already knew he was falling into.
“If you know what you want, you make it happen… right?” he said. Everything he was thinking lingered in that pause. The intensity of feeling was so persistent that it made him feel light-headed.
“So, do you know what you want, Zeke?” she asked, pinninghim with a gaze he couldn’t turn away from. The way she was looking at him made him want to take a long cold shower.
“I think I do.” His mouth was dry.
“And what’s that?” she asked, challenging him.
They locked eyes, and for a moment it felt like time stood still. Like once again they were the only two people in the room, the Village, the city. Zeke knew that he was late for Valentina’s competition, but the only person on his mind was Olivia. He could feel himself becoming infatuated with her quick wit, sharp sense of humor, and wicked smile. Starting to fall for the light in her eyes and the soft curve of her lips. As Zeke looked at her, he forgot about the questions nagging away at him; about the fact that he’d fallen in the middle of a race, and that now he was through to the semifinals, the pressure to win and take home a gold medal was stronger than ever. His worries melted away, because in that moment all that mattered was Olivia. It was intoxicating and it was terrifying. They were only a few inches away from each other. It wouldn’t take much to close the distance.
“You should probably leave,” she said, pulling him out of the gaze he’d been so intently locked into.
“Why?” he asked. He wanted to lean forward and kiss her, but Olivia’s expression had changed, the moment had passed.
“Yourfriend’scompetition?” she said, handing him an envelope with two tickets to Valentina’s final. Olivia’s expression faltered for a moment before she plastered on a smile. It didn’t quite reach her eyes.
“Bye, Zeke,” she said, before turning around and going back to her paper planes. He wanted to stay, but she was right. If he didn’t leave now he would be late, and the stadium usherswouldn’t let him in once the competition had begun. So he nodded, and reluctantly opened the door of the Hub to leave.
“Hey, did you get the tickets?” asked Haruki, who’d been standing just outside. Zeke nodded and held the envelope up in victory.
“We’re about to have the best night,” said Haruki as the two of them walked back out into the Village.
Zeke knew that they probably would have a good time. But he couldn’t help but wonder how the night would have turned out if he’d given Olivia the answer to her question by putting her on the desk and kissing her the way he’d wanted to.
“Wait, was that…” said Haruki, turning around.
“We’re gonna be late,” called Zeke as his best friend walked back to the Hub, glanced inside, and then ran back toward him.
