End the Stupid Bet, Win My Stage

"You've got to be fucking kidding me! Caden! You didn't wear a condom?!"

After one heated round with her boyfriend, Caden, in the prop room behind the theater, Alora was shocked to discover he hadn't used any protection.

"Oh my God," she gasped, "When did you take it off? The campus health center is already closed. Fuck! I'm screwed! Why did you finish in me?!"

Alora immediately grabbed her sweatshirt from the floor, eager to get out. She had to get emergency contraception from a 24-hour store.

"Babe, relax." Caden stood up and pulled her close to his rock-hard abs, speaking casually. "What's the big deal? If you get pregnant, we'll handle it ourselves."

Alora's body trembled again as his lips moved to her neck, his breath hot against her skin.

"Baby," he whispered hoarsely, voice thick with desire, "you're so fucking sexy. Don't tell me you didn't prefer it raw? I can't help myself."

His large hand slid down her waist, reaching toward her core, and Alora's legs weakened again.

"No, Caden, we can't." She fought to stay clear-headed.

But his fingers had already slipped inside her.

He smirked and whispered, "You sure you don't want more?"

"I." Alora struggled to stay rational, but he suddenly flipped her onto the cabinet, lifted her skirt, and thrust in hard.

A low moan escaped her lips. "Mmm."

"Looks like your body's more honest than your mouth." Caden grinned and drove deeper, Alora clung to him as he pushed further inside.

"No rush, babe. We've got all night," Caden murmured.

******

By morning, they'd gone four rounds.

Exhausted, she dragged herself back to the dorm, relieved she didn't have afternoon classes. After a quick shower, she collapsed on her bed.

Just as she lay down, her phone lit up.

"Sweet Caden" as she had saved his name appeared on the screen.

They had just parted, so she didn't think much and answered, "Hello?"

There was only static, like it was an accidental call.

She was about to hang up when a familiar male voice came through the noise.

"Bro, the Tisch early admission list is dropping soon," it was Mason, Caden's midfield partner.

"You really planning to knock up the ice-cold drama queen before the list comes out?"

Alora froze, phone pressed to her ear, mind snapping awake. She could hear the disdain in Mason's tone and silently hoped Caden would refute him.

"Why would I change my mind?" Caden replied coldly. "Brielle needs that Tisch spot. She's always been top-tier and she deserves it."

Alora felt like she'd been struck by lightning. She couldn't breathe.

What was Caden saying?

A burst of crude laughter erupted.

"Man, Steele's such a Romeo!" Logan, the team captain, jeered. "Brielle dumped you ages ago and you're still playing prince charming? You're scared Alora will steal her Tisch spot, so now you're betting your dick on it!"

Caden's voice grew cold. "Brielle didn't dump me. She just said she didn't want distractions before auditions."

More laughter followed.

"Whatever you say," Mason mocked. "You're Caden Steele, star striker, stadium god. Bet if Brielle knew you sacrificed your dick for her and went this, she'd be crying on her knees to suck it!"

"I believe it," Chase added playfully. "Even 'never been kissed' Alora is losing her mind for you, man! Your dick must be something else!"

"Wow." Logan whistled exaggeratedly.

"Caden, you're insane! But honestly, Alora's innocent vibe is hotter than Brielle's. After chasing her this long, you sure you're not falling for her?"

Mason punched Logan playfully. "Come on, everyone knows Steele only cares about Brielle. Hooking up with Alora's just to help Brielle win the Tisch spot. Knock Alora up, and Brielle's got it. That's the plan, right, Caden?"

A brief silence.

Then Caden answered firmly. "Exactly."

On her end, Alora's blood ran cold. Her phone nearly slipped from her hand.

She stared at the ceiling, throat tightening, unable to breathe.

She couldn't believe it. Caden had approached her just to sabotage her Tisch recommendation. Everything was for Brielle.

Tears fell, and she quickly wiped them away. She couldn't cry.

She knew exactly how hard she had worked to make a name for herself in theater. Even after her car accident, she hadn't missed a single rehearsal. She had never dated.

She'd poured everything into the stage and rehearsal rooms, which left her with few friends and the label of "weirdo."

That was why she'd been so easily charmed by Caden.

They'd met at a frat party last fall.

That night, the party was wild when he suddenly stood by the fountain with a drink in hand and shouted:

"Alora Harper! Be my girlfriend! I'm Caden Steele, Miller U's star striker! No one's taking you tonight!"

The crowd burst into cheers and laughter. All eyes turned to her.

Alora's face flushed deep red. Though she could command a stage, in real life, she was slow to warm up, not as quick or bold as Caden. Her heart nearly burst as she fled in a panic.

She'd told herself not to get distracted,

she had a career to chase.

She thought it had been a party stunt, but he didn't given up.

In the days that followed, he was everywhere-outside the library, near the rehearsal hall, even at her favorite café. The staged "coincidences" didn't impress her. If anything, they annoyed her.

Until one night, after an exhausting rehearsal, as she headed backstage, she saw him leaning by the door-holding her script.

She turned to leave, but Caden's deep voice echoed behind her:

"With love's light wings did I o'er-perch these walls;
For stony limits cannot hold love out,
And what love can do that dares love attempt;
Therefore thy kinsmen are no stop to me."

He was quoting the male lead from her play.

Alora turned, stunned, breathless, meeting his blue gaze.

When she didn't respond, Caden scratched his neck, voice a little nervous. "I watched your rehearsal videos...figured I'd at least learn this line to match your scene."

In that moment, her defenses crumbled.

Back then, she'd truly believed he was her Romeo.

Now she knew-the true Juliet was Brielle.

Enough.

She wiped her tears, grabbed her bag, and hailed a cab to the pharmacy.

She bought emergency contraception and took it on the spot.

Sitting outside the convenience store, staring at her reflection in the glass, she whispered:

"Never again."

She pulled out her phone and called her mom.

"Mom, I've made up my mind... I'm accepting the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts offer."

Caden had completely miscalculated.

She was never planning to compete with Brielle for Tisch.

She'd already secured offers from several top international drama schools.

At one point, she'd hesitated, wondering if she should stay in the U.S. for him.

But now, she wasn't staying anymore.

On the other end, her mom sounded surprised but quickly supportive.

"Sweetheart, I didn't expect this change, but it's wonderful! The international programs start early, and you've finished your credits at Miller's U. It's perfect to go early. You can leave next week-what do you think?"

Alora lowered her head, voice cool and resolute.

"The sooner, the better."

After hanging up the call, Alora returned to campus.

She still had an elective that morning: "Stage Management and Movement Performance."

It was a cross-department course shared between drama and athletes.

Originally, she'd taken it to broaden her perspective-and to accompany Caden.

Now, the last person she wanted to see was him. But she hadn't done anything wrong, so there was no reason to avoid it.

She was, as always, the first to arrive in the classroom. Not long after she sat down, a sharp pain struck her lower abdomen again.

The last time she took emergency contraception, she'd had diarrhea for two days. Though she'd braced for side effects this time, she still underestimated how much it would affect her.

Her stomach churned, her whole body weak.

She lay her head on her arms on the desk, eyes closed, cold sweat beading along her forehead.

Suddenly, a large hand gripped her elbow hard, the force sharp enough to send a stab of pain up her arm. She gasped, another wave of cramps hitting her abdomen.

Before she could react, Caden had already dragged her behind the thick curtain at the back of the classroom. Her arm went numb, shoulders tensed, her body trapped in the tight space with nowhere to step back.

She jerked her head up-right into Caden's icy blue eyes.

He leaned in, broad shoulders looming, arms strong, chest taut beneath his athletic shirt, the fabric clinging to every sculpted muscle. Heat radiated from him, the air thick with sweat and mint, suffocating.

His gaze swept from head to toe, pausing on the skirt she wore today. His expression turned cold, voice low and rough with a growl:
"You're wearing this again?"

Before she could respond, he stepped in, chest pressing her shoulder, arms boxing her in, breath hot against her ear, the cramping in her belly drowned out by the suffocating closeness.

"Tell me, you're still thinking about our moment the other night, aren't you? Rara?"

She raised her head sharply, waiting for the cramps to ease a little. Then she pushed his lips away and snapped, "Don't touch me."

Caden sneered, his blue eyes dark, voice a low growl. "That's not what you said last night, Alora."

With that, he moved to kiss her again. Alora immediately began struggling. Just as she thought she wouldn't break free, footsteps suddenly echoed outside.

Voices called out, teasing: "Yo, someone's behind that curtain, right? Who is it?"

"Wouldn't be Caden, would it?"

Hearing the voices, Caden's eyes cooled, jaw tight. Reluctantly, he let her go, stepping back, gaze still locked on her. He muttered coldly, "Fucking buzzkill."

The next second, he yanked the curtain aside and strode out, movements sharp, exuding an arrogant, aggressive energy as if he didn't care about the stares around him.

As soon as he emerged, the guys in class let out a round of whistles.

"Whoa, it's really Steele!"

"But Caden, you didn't last as long as you do on the field!"

Caden swept the room with a glance, blue eyes glinting with amusement, lips curling into a cold smirk. He shrugged casually. "Why so loud? The main event hasn't even started."

Mason burst out laughing. "Got it, got it, just the appetizer, huh?"

"Damn, the drama genius already conquered? Alora's got a killer body!"

"She looks so icy, but I bet she's wild in bed!"

"Our star striker's the champ both on and off the field!"

The classroom erupted in raucous laughter.

Behind the curtain, Alora gritted her teeth as she adjusted her clothes, fury burning inside her.

She took a deep breath and stepped out, pale-faced, just in time to hear the teasing continue. The guys stared openly at her; the girls whispered among themselves, eyes unreadable.

Caden had returned to his seat, scrolling his phone indifferently, not even bothering to look her way.

Her chest tightened painfully, eyes stinging. She bit her lip hard, holding back tears.

Five days.

She repeated it in her mind.

Just five more days, and this would all be over.

The moment the bell rang, Alora stood up, clutching her books, ready to leave.

Her stomach still ached, legs unsteady. She just wanted to rest.

Before she reached the door, Mason called out, "Football party tonight, same spot! Alora, you're coming too!"

Alora wanted to refuse, but Caden's large hand grabbed her wrist again, voice low and commanding: "Let's go. Don't drag."

Pain shot through her wrist, her face paling further, but in the end, she couldn't shake him off.

The party was held at a lakeside villa off-campus, the team's usual spot.

As soon as she walked in, Alora spotted Brielle.

She wore a sleek fitted dress, makeup flawless, calm and poised in the center of the crowd-drawing eyes effortlessly.

Alora, exhausted, pale, and wracked with cramps, hadn't even bothered with makeup. The last thing she wanted was to interact with Brielle.

Caden stood beside her, shoulders tense, gaze drifting unconsciously toward Brielle.

"Damn, who invited Brielle?" Mason muttered.

Logan shrugged. "She's here already. Let's not kill the vibe. Party on."

Soon, someone suggested truth or dare, and the mood picked up.

When it was Caden's turn to spin the bottle, the room buzzed.

"Steele! Be honest-where was your last hookup?"

Caden smirked, blue eyes sweeping the room, flicking open his lighter with a sharp click. His voice was low, with a rough edge: "Drama hall. Prop room."

The room exploded.

"Damn, the drama genius is conquered!"

"Harper looks cold, but she must be wild in bed!"

"Our football king is champion both on and off the field!"

Sitting to the side, Alora gripped the edge of her chair, knuckles white, cramps worsening, sweat soaking her back.

She suddenly looked up, just in time to catch Caden's fleeting glance toward Brielle-eyes icy.

Next round, the bottle pointed at Brielle.

The room went quiet for two seconds.

Mason, tipsy, suddenly shouted:

"Brielle, you and Steele used to date, did he take you to the prop room too?"

The air froze. Laughter bubbled nervously around them.

Brielle's face drained of color. Before she could answer:

CRASH!

Caden shot to his feet, tipping the coffee table with a violent shove.

Beer bottles flew, glass shattering across the hardwood floor.

The entire room froze. No one moved, all eyes locked on Caden's thunderous expression, the muscles in his arms and chest flexing beneath his fitted shirt as his breath came hard and fast.

"You ask a girl shit like that, and you think that's fucking okay?" he snarled, voice a deep, guttural roar.

Bryce sobered up instantly, face pale as he stared down at the mess.

Brielle stood abruptly, her voice unsteady. "I'm not feeling well. I should go."

Without another word, she turned and hurried toward the door.

Caden kicked a piece of broken glass across the room, his jaw clenched tight. "I need a smoke," he growled, storming out after her, broad shoulders tense and fists curled at his sides.

As soon as he left, the tension broke.

"Holy shit. That escalated fast." Derek let out a breath.

"Dude was just joking about his own hookups. Why the hell did he lose it like that?" Logan asked, wide-eyed.

Tyler shook his head, lowering his voice. "You guys really that dense? It's one thing when he jokes about himself. Brielle's a different story. Off limits. You get it?"

The explanation hung in the air. The group went quiet-until they noticed Alora, still seated, her face completely drained of color.

Her stomach clenched, another sharp cramp twisting through her gut.

She pushed to her feet without a word and walked out, legs barely steady beneath her.

At the front of the house, the night air hit her skin like ice.

She rounded the corner just in time to see Caden and Brielle by Brielle's car.

Brielle tossed a small paper bag onto the ground between them. "No thanks. I don't accept gifts from guys who already have girlfriends."

"Come on-" Caden's voice was tight with frustration, but pleading. "Your roommate said you've been sick. I know auditions are coming up, but you can't just ignore it. What if it gets worse?"

Brielle pressed her lips together, gaze unwavering.

Caden bent, picked up the bag, and practically forced it into her hands.

"Just.please. Take care of yourself, okay?" His voice dropped low, almost tender.

Standing in the shadows, Alora's stomach twisted-not from the cramps this time, but from the cold clarity of what she was witnessing.

So this was what different looked like.

Brielle gets a minor cold, and Caden rushes to bring her medicine.

When Alora had been curled over in pain from the emergency pill's side effects, he didn't care, didn't even ask her why she was looking sick.

All he'd wanted was to feel how "hot" her body would be with a fever-or now, how she looked in the same skirt from that night.

One crude comment about Brielle? He'd flipped a table.

But when it came to Alora, disgusting locker room jokes were fair game.

Love versus being used. The difference hit like a fist to the chest.

Her vision blurred with tears as her phone buzzed in her pocket. Mechanically, she answered.

Her mother's voice came through, bright and excited.

"Sweetheart! I booked our flights. We'll leave together next week."

Alora swallowed hard.

"Oh-and didn't you say you were dating someone? You mentioned wanting to introduce him to me. What about your boyfriend now that you're going abroad?"

Across the lot, she saw Brielle pull out, her taillights glowing as the car disappeared down the road.

Caden stood frozen, watching the car until it vanished from sight.

Alora turned away, her voice a faint whisper. 'It doesn't matter. We're done. Caden. I won't love you anymore. Not even a little.'

*******

The next day.

Alora made an appointment at the campus clinic.

She needed to get a physical examination done-international health paperwork, clearance to study abroad.

After everything, she wasn't about to take chances with her health.

By the time she walked out with her test results in hand, exhaustion weighed heavy on her shoulders.

Turning a corner in the waiting room, she nearly collided with two familiar figures.

"Alora?" Caden's voice, sharp with surprise.

She looked up.

There he was-broad shoulders tense, icy blue eyes narrowing-standing beside Brielle.

Before she could respond, Brielle cut in, voice cool and even.

"Caden, I told you. You didn't need to come. I can check in myself."

Without another glance, she strode toward the reception desk, heels clicking across the floor.

For a moment, it was just Alora and Caden left standing there.

His gaze flicked down-sharp eyes catching the stack of papers in her hand.

His brow furrowed.

"Why are you here? You're not." His expression darkened instantly. "You're not pregnant, are you?"

Alora blinked, her pulse jumping.

She glanced toward the clinic signs. Of course. The OB-GYN department was right next to the general check-in area.

He'd jumped to conclusions.

She opened her mouth to deny it-then paused.

A thought slid into place.

She met his gaze squarely, her voice flat.

"What if I am?"