Pyke

PYKE

For the first time, Kyland invites me to his apartment—the same apartment he’s sharing with Camila. Just the thought of her makes me edgy.

She turned me down again, twice in a row now. Okay, four times in a row.

She turned me down in a threesome. Honestly, that was a dick move. Secondly, when I met her at the coffee shop. Thirdly, she refused to take the phone that I bought for her. I’m not bribing her into accepting my last offer. I just feel guilty for lying. She didn’t take the bait when I offer her some cash. I can’t decide if I should be impressed or simply pissed off.

I must say, she’s different, but it makes me more determined to win her over. I’m a Hughes for a reason. Hughes never takes no for an answer. Everyone knows that—it runs in the blood.

Surprisingly, I miss her annoying big mouth. It’s been a week since the last time I saw her. I was expecting her to show up and tell me she finally decided to take my offer, but to my dismay, she didn’t. She’s so stubborn and difficult.

I follow Kyland to their small but welcoming living room.

Camila’s eyes grow big when she sees me. She immediately stands up, walking in my direction. Undoubtedly, she’s not expecting me to come with Kyland—I can see the glint of surprise in her eyes.

My heart thuds as she gets closer. This woman is a hot vixen, I admit that. It’s annoying that there is something in me ignites—the excitement just upon hearing her name because this shouldn’t have happened. She’s off-limits to someone like me.

The plan, Pyke! My stupid brain reminds me.

My lips spread into a mischievous grin, but Camila is Camila, instead of saying hi, she welcomes me with a scowl.

She crosses her arms over her chest. “Wow, you must be lost. Pyke Kennan Hughes, it’s not safe for you to be here in this kind of neighborhood. There are too many gangsters lurking around. They can assault you, steal your car, or worse kidnap you for ransom. I can show your way out.”

My smile grows even wider. She amazes me, or is it her clue to talk with me alone? Hmm, interesting.

“Sure,” I say, gesturing to their door. I don’t think Kyland will risk her safety choosing this apartment if they have a dangerous neighborhood, though their two-bedroom apartment is located on the lower east side of New York, I know Kyland when it comes to her.

“Save the sarcasm, Cam. We already talked about this many times. Be nice to Hughes, and I invited him to come over,” Kyland interjects.

“It’s okay, man. I want her to show me around. If you don’t mind,” I tell him.

He nods subtly. “Okay, bring us some pizzas,”

“Sure, any preferred toppings?” I ask. That’s when I notice Cam is not alone.

“Oh, hey girls,” I greet them, waving at the two girls sitting on the upholstered brown couch. They’re attractive, but nothing compares to my cantankerous.

Shit! I just claim her mine.

with chin bob cut dark hair shakes my hand. She smiles in

Megan, Cam’s best friend.”

friend, too.”

dark brow

groans beside me.

hourglass figure says with sarcasm. Her remark tells she knows something about me, and she’ not impressed.

you are?” I ask,

shakes my

“Did we—?” I

clears his throat louder than necessary. Okay, I get

kidding,” I say amicably.

you want to join us, guys?” I ask,

guys can go,”

go, babe,” I tell Camila who shoots me a glare

“Be right back,

care, Cam,” the best friend says

***

we get

“No hi and good to see you again?” I don’t care if she’s angry for showing up without a warning. I went with Kyland and not to see her. Okay, that’s bullshit. She’s one of the reasons why I go with

word. Trust me, I will not tell a soul.” I steal glances

heavily—she’s not so happy to see me unannounced.

you want me to be your female model. You

still want you and not them. I don’t care about the experience.” I like you, don’t you get that?

“Why did you offer me a large amount of cash

and questions. The more I look at her, the more I’m drowning in her beauty. I heard from Kyland that her mom is half Latina and half American. My mom is half Italian

she going to genuinely smile at me?

amount. I can give you more if that will

feel insulted or flattered. No doubt, you came from money, but you can’t buy

My hands tightly grip the steering wheel. I swallow the lump in my throat. I break my gaze from her and just focus on the traffic light that will change into a green anytime soon. I try hard controlling the anger that wraps around my system because I feel a loser

me more each day—more than what my father did to me. I have only less than three weeks to execute my plan—I’m definitely running out of time.

would

no.”

job?”

me

a job, work,

know what job means, Pyke. I’ll think

glancing at her, “What is your dream job, Camila?” I ask with

a car, either exterior or interior, but I need a job even as a salesperson right now.” Ah, desperate,

not allow you to