Played by Love (New Adult Romance): A #Played Novella Read Online Free Page A

“Took care of it. If I were them, I’d be running for the kegs with a paper bag over my head.”
    Ella fist bumped her. “Yep. Got them good.”
    They strode through the crowd to the stage and lined up next to the jazz dancers and belly dancers.
    Ella eyed the crowd, looking for signs of Jaden. Still missing. Butterflies staggered in her stomach as the bidding started with one of the jazz dancers. She couldn’t use her phone since she was on stage, and it wasn’t as if she could ask any of her friends to bid.
    Even worse, despite the organizer telling Scott and Derek to go home, they stood firmly in front of the stage and glared at her.
    One by one, the dates were auctioned off, until it was just Ella and Tricia.
    Ella wiped her sweaty palms on her pants as a bidding war between Derek and Mark ensued.
    “One hundred from the gentleman in the front. Do I hear one fifty?” the organizer said. Each bid topped the other until Mark yelled, “Five hundred.”
    The organizer looked around, asking for someone to top the bid, but no one stepped forward.
    “Great, now it’s my turn,” Ella mumbled. Jaden still had not arrived.
    “This is going to be easy,” Scott shouted at her. “You’re coming home with me tonight.”
    Every time someone made a bid, Scott topped it. They were up to six hundred dollars and the counter offers were slowing. Ella bit her lip and glanced at Tricia who was now standing off the stage with Mark.
    Tricia seemed to be arguing with Mark, prodding him to bid and he kept shaking his head.
    “We’re at six hundred for a date with Ella Kennedy. Come on, folks. You’ve seen her dance. Anyone top six hundred?” He paused and scanned the crowd. “The gentleman in front has the highest bid. Counting down, five, four, three …”
    Ella’s heart sunk to her knees. Even though this was for a good cause, she should never have signed up. Why had she been so confident Jaden would play? He’d seemed interested when she told him about it, but now, a fricking soccer game was more important. A shot of cold adrenaline lanced her. What if he’d taken a date to the soccer game? Someone who liked sports better?
    “Going once,” the organizer said. “Twice, come on, top bid is six hundred. Anyone for six fifty?”
    “Seven hundred,” a deep voice shouted.
    Finally. Jaden made his way through the crowd. Ella’s heart pumped faster and her spirits soared. Jaden was so handsome, delicious, awesome. His hair was askew, as if he’d just come from taking a shower.
    “Seven fifty,” Scott countered.
    Jaden shoved Scott aside and planted himself in front of the stage. “I’m taking this sweetheart home for one thousand.”
    Ella jumped off the stage and launched herself into his arms. Her hunky geek had sailed to the rescue. Behind her, the organizer said, “Sold. One grand, to the man with the hands, the guy with the save!”

Chapter 4
    Jaden covered Ella’s ears with kisses, making loud smacking noises. He’d gotten there just in time to outbid the knuckle-dragger from Delta Upsilon Mu, or DUM.
    In the background the announcer said, “That was some game. Bears won 1-0, thanks to the goalkeeper. Give a round of applause. Go Bears!”
    Please, please, please, don’t mention my name.
    “Yay, go Bears.” Jaden flipped his horn-rimmed glasses over his eyes and clapped. “You should have seen the goalkeeper jump.”
    “How come you didn’t invite me?” Ella jutted out her lower lip.
    Oops. Jaden led her away from the stage. Sweat broiled on the back of his neck, even though he’d just showered. One bad move here and he’d blow it all. This called for distraction.
    “Want to come to my dorm room and play with my robotic arm?” He wiggled his middle finger suggestively.
    A naughty smile lit her face. “Now you’re talking.”
    Jaden hooked Ella’s hand and swung her around. Her heated skin, sweet small waist, and luscious breasts revved the blood in his veins. Those deep blue eyes were out of