Free Played by Love (New Adult Romance): A #Played Novella by Rachelle Ayala Page B

a soccer ball, Jaden leaped high and kicked for the goal.
    An explosion of blood and sweat jogged Rock’s head, and he dropped Ella, before falling backwards. He hit the concrete like a limp bodybag.
    There was a moment of stunned silence before cheers erupted from the people who’d bet on Jaden. They surged to collect, obscuring Ella’s vision.
    Where was Jaden? Where could he be? She could be trampled by the mad crowd. She crawled, grabbing at arms and legs, but she was too short to see.
    “Ella,” Jaden shouted. He muscled through the mass of crazed spectators and scooped her from the ground.
    “Jaden, your stitches burst.” She clung onto him. “You’re hurt.”
    Sirens rang in the distance and the scene changed from collecting bets to panic. All around them, people ran for their cars. Engines roared to life and tires screeched.
    Jaden helped Ella off the loading dock. They barely missed getting hit by the cars driving out of the lot.
    “Jaden, Ella, over here.” A trio of motorcycles skidded to a stop in front of them.
    Oh, good. Ella’s heart surged with relief. It was Kimber and her friends from the KAO fraternity.
    “Go with Vincenzo,” Jaden said, lifting Ella onto one of the bikes.
    “Kimber,” Ella said, “am I glad to see you and the frat guys.”
    “About time, girlie.” Kimber was sitting behind her boyfriend Jax. “Let’s get the hell outta here.”
    Meanwhile Jaden jumped onto the back of the third motorcycle. He gave Ella a thumbs up to reassure her. “You were great. The night’s not over. Let’s party.”
    Ella rolled her eyes. How could Jaden be so upbeat, bleeding and injured? But then, he’d won the fight, saved her, and called in the cavalry.
    “I love you, Jaden,” she yelled as the motorcycles gunned their engines. They sped off just as police cars rounded the corner.
    Ella buried her face in the back of the man called Vincenzo and held on tight. These were Jaden’s frat brothers, and they were the good guys. She’d been wrong to stereotype them.
    She owed Jaden a huge apology.

Chapter 11
    Back at Berkeley.
    The victory party was all set back at the Muze, and all the players and their hotties were rolling in. One side of Jaden’s face was still swollen and his stitches itched, but he wasn’t going to sit this one out.
    He hadn’t spoken to Ella since they were both taken to the emergency room. She’d left earlier with minor bruises and cuts, while they’d held him longer to glue his face back together.
    “Hey, Jaden, dude, ready to party?” Vincenzo shoved him a can of beer and slapped his back. “Look at all the hot chicks. You gonna take someone to the funhouse tonight?”
    Jaden rubbed his mouth and smothered a scowl. It wasn’t Vincenzo’s fault he was determined to cheer him up. All his brothers had noticed the gloom he walked around in since leaving Vegas.
    He crunched his fingers against his cell phone and stared at Ella’s last message: Let’s make it a clean break. Thanks for all the fun.
    And his: I’m all for dirty. One more night?
    That had been an hour ago and she hadn’t replied.
    Vincenzo grabbed his head and gave him a noogie. “I swear, Jaden, you’re going to have fun tonight.”
    “Yeah, right. Leave me to my misery.”
    “Don’t tell me you got your boxers wrapped around a girl. Get over it.” Another one his frat brothers punched his arm.
    “I’m cool, doing good.” He moved away from the bar and cruised through the club. All around him, couples were wrapped around each other on the dance floor and the alcohol flowed freely.
    Ah heck, he might as well show his brothers he wasn’t down on one girl. One who burned his heart and fried it to a crisp. Who played him good.
    He downed the beer and headed to the dance floor. Maybe he had been only a dream, a fantasy character from her to-do list. Maybe he meant nothing to her after all.
    A group of Asian girls ganged up on him, holding their hands out.
    “Dance with us,” the bravest