Wicked Games

What a wicked game you played to make me feel this way
What a wicked thing to do to let me dream of you
What a wicked thing to say you never felt this way
What a wicked thing to do to make me dream of you- Wicked Game by Chris Isaak


When we returned in the house, Amber, Will and their kids made it. I gave the kids a group hug before leading them into the kitchen to make their plates so they could join EJ eating. I forced Amber to leave the kids alone and go get a drink with Will.

Rocky and I made their plates with Krista's and April's instruction. Robbie referred to his sisters about what he wanted by pointing things out to them.

"Use your words." Will told Robbie, firmly. Robbie just hid behind his sister. "We're thinking about setting him up with a speech therapist." Will explained to Ethan. I rolled my eyes, but bit my tongue and took the kids in the dining room.

"He might not need that. Brandon was the same way. My parents would have to ask Brandon questions through me. I think it's just younger sibling habit." Ethan was explaining to Will when I came back. "Enjoy the quiet while you can. When Brandon started talking, it never stopped."

"That's right. I had to get attention away from the perfect son somehow." Brandon said.

"That's messed up. I thought the youngest got all the attention." Rocky laughed.

"Not when the oldest was their favorite." Brandon said.

"Get over it." Ethan said simply.

We laughed at them. The doorbell rang and I left to go get it. I smiled when I saw Trevor and Bilal.

"Hey. T-Rev." I said, giving him a hug as they stepped in the house. " Hey Bilal!!!" I exclaimed, loudly. I was happy to see him, but I also wanted to give Rocky a heads up.

"Think she heard you?" Trevor said, as I pulled back.

"Let's hope." I grinned. He smiled too. I was glad we were returning back to normal. I didn't want it to be awkward between us.

"Am I under dressed?" Bilal asked, looking me over as we walked through the den, dining room, then into the kitchen.

"No. I'm overdressed." I said, sending Jake a look. Jake looked at me and smiled.

Trevor gave me a weird look but said nothing.

Trevor and Bilal made the rounds. I smiled as I watched Rocky and Bilal hug briefly.

"So Lily, next time you invite Rocky's ex over, can you run it by me first?" Brandon said when he approached Rocky and me after Trevor and Bilal went to get drinks and food.

I was in shock, for a moment, but I quickly recovered.

"Sure. Sorry about that." I said, shooting Rocky a glance. She just stared back at me.

"No problem. Just a warning would be nice." Brandon finished.

Rocky gave me a grateful look, before downing the rest of her Crown and Coke.

"C'mere Lily." Jake called to me from the living room. He had the shoe box. I forgot to put on the shoes. I walked over and open the lid.

 "These are cute, but I can't wear them."

"Do I need to leave?" He threatened, with a smile.

"Not falling for that one again. But when have you ever seen me in heels?" I told him.

Amber looked into the shoe box. "Nice. Too bad she can't walk in them."

"You can't walk in heels?" Jake asked, surprised.

"No!" Rocky, Amber, and Trevor answered for me.

"You can all suck it!" I exclaimed.

"Suck what?" April asked.

 EJ laughed as the kids carried their plates to the trash. Ethan and Will both looked at me with disapproving looks. Of course they would get along. Urgh.

"Lemons. So they can make crazy faces like this." Trevor answered for me, making pucker faces at them. The girls laughed at him. I gave him a thankful smile.

"EJ. Why don't you turn on Kinect Sports?" I suggested.

"Ok!" He said, enthusiastically. He and the other kids raced into the den.

"But seriously, you've worn heels before. The pink ones." Jake brought up.

"Yeah, and that whole situation with Philip was partly because I couldn't walk in heels. He originally grabbed me cause I stumbled in them." I said.

"What situation with Philip?" Trevor asked. I explained what happened and how I was wearing the pink heels when Philip grabbed the door and made me trip.

Trevor looked upset, but just nodded.

"They were like 2 inches." Jake shook his head.

"You're like 2 inches." I countered.

"Ohhhhh!" Brandon grinned. "You gonna let her talk about you like that?"

"She knows better. We can measure. I don't care." Jake suggested, wrapping an arm around me. I laughed.

"Should we start a game?" Ethan asked.

"Sure. I have a game we can play that people can join in when they get here." Rocky said, heading to the living room.

"Keep the shoes. You're gonna start practicing" Jake told me.

"Whatever." I said, smiling, before taking the shoes to the guest room.



The first game of the night was "Who am I?". One person got up and picked an envelope. Inside, Rocky had a name badge with a famous person's name on it. Rocky showed everyone but the person who picked the envelope. Then the name tag was stuck on the person's back. That person then had to go around the room and asked each person a yes or no question to figure out who their person was.

Since I played before and Rocky couldn't play because she wrote the name tags, I went first. Everyone grabbed food and drinks and sat around the living room. I picked an envelope and handed it to Rocky.

I waited for her to put the name tag on my back. I started in the kitchen with Bilal.

"Am I a man?"

"No."

"So I'm a woman?"

"Duh." Trevor answered.

"Yeah, well you've tricked me before. I don't trust you." I smiled, and he laughed.

"Am I white?"

"No." Rocky answered.

"Black?"

"Yes" Will answered.

"Actress?"

"No." Amber said.

"Singer?"

"No" Ethan shook his head.

"I'm a real person? Not fictional or animated?"

"Yes." Brandon responded

"Am I on TV?"

"All the time, especially on the news." Jake said.

"What's your guess? And stop trying to cheat Jake. Yes or no answers only!" Rocky asked.

Fuck, I had no idea.

The doorbell rang. "Yes! More questions!"

 Rocky went to answer the door.

I smiled happily when they returned. "Forrest, Rachel, this is everyone! Come play with us!"

"Hey everyone." Forrest greeted us. Rachel smiled and waved. "What are we playing?"

"Who am I? Lily, turn around."

I did.

"She's gonna ask y'all yes or no questions to guess who she is." Rocky explained.

"Am I a news broadcaster?"

"No." They answered together.

"Fuck!"

"One more." Rocky laughed.

"Author?"

"I think she's wrote a book. Or she will." Forrest looked at Rachel.

"She wrote a few already. The last one was called "American Grown". Rachel responded.

"Hey! Too much information!" Rocky said.

"I still don't know. I need a hint." I protested.

"There is no hint that I could give you that won't give it away." Rocky said.

"I have one." Jake said. "Ethan dated her."

Ethan looked as confused as I felt. "What?!?"

"Just think about it." Jake said.

The only person I knew of was fucking Karen. Her name still pissed me off thinking about how much shade she threw at me on 4th of July...

Then it hit me.

I cracked up laughing. Jake joined me. I doubled over I was laughing so hard.

"Michelle Obama." I answered, between my laughs.

"Finally!" Trevor smiled.

"How did you get that?" Amber asked.

"How did I date her?" Ethan asked, turning around to face me from the couch.

"Karen and her campaign against obesity. We might have called her first lady behind your back." I explained, trying to control my laughs. I failed when everyone laughed too. Ethan shook his head.

"You can suck lemons." He smiled at me.

I hugged him from behind the couch. "No hard feelings?"

He rubbed the arm I threw around him. "Not at all."

I quickly pulled away when I noticed Jake watching us intently. I smiled at him, before heading his way. I planned to sit beside him, but he pulled me in his lap instead.

Brandon went next. He got Channing Tatum. Brandon asked if he was a male, actor, and if he had a movie out this year. When he asked Rocky if he did comedy movies, she answered saying "I think. I can watch his movies on mute. He's so magical." Brandon knew right away it was Channing Tatum.

"Cheaters" I pointed at them.

"You had more clues than that!" Brandon waved me off.

Peyton and Chris showed up between rounds. They joined right in.

"Did you invite Becca?" I heard Peyton ask Trevor. He shook his head no. I was confused. Why would he invite her?

I didn't think about it long. Jake was up. He easily got his. He found out his name tag was a female, singer/rapper and actress. When Brandon answered "My future baby momma does it all", Jake knew it was Nicki Minaj.

"Her butt is so fake." Jackie announced, as she came in with her daughter Ressa. Ressa had a guy friend with her.

Jackie planted herself right next to Ethan. I missed the next couple of rounds so I could greet Ressa and her friend Matt. I helped them get food and drinks and set them up in the dining room. Ressa asked if they could go outside. I told her to ask her mom. When Jackie said yes, I turned on the patio light and they went out. I checked on the younger kids.


"Hey guys. How are y'all doing?" I asked them.

"Good. They wanna play the dance game. Can I get some popcorn?" EJ asked.

"Of course."

 He followed me to the kitchen. He went and talked to Ethan while I popped the popcorn.

"Hey EJ. I like your shoes. What size do you wear? I think I can fit in them!" Jackie cooed over him.

"Your feet are too big." EJ answered her. I snickered.

"What's so funny?" Trevor asked me.

"Nothing." I noticed it was Bilal's turn. "Are you and Becca back together?" I asked.

"No. We've been talking. I told her the truth about you and Sammy. I thought it would help her move on, but she's being surprisingly understanding about it." Trevor explained.

"Do you wanna get back together with her?" I asked.

"I don't know." He answered honestly. Interesting. I didn't know how I felt about that.

The microwave beeped. I called EJ over.

"What do you want on your popcorn?" I asked.

He came over to look at all the extra items I had sitting out. Flavored powders, candies, chocolate, caramel sauce, nuts, raisins and butter spray.

"M&Ms?" He asked.

"Yep. You've never had popcorn and chocolate before?" I asked.

He shook his head no.

"Ethan, I'm calling CPS on you." I announced.

"For what?" He asked, looking over at us.

"Depriving this child of chocolate and popcorn." I said, putting a little in a cup and handing it to EJ. When he tried it and liked it, I gave him more.

"You're eating again?" Ethan asked EJ.

EJ nodded.

"That game is a workout." I told Ethan, before getting EJ a drink.

"What do you say EJ?" Ethan asked.

"I don't like you like you." EJ replied. Ethan and I laughed.

"No. Thank you." Ethan corrected.

"Thank you Lily."

"You're welcome." I smiled at him.

After everyone had a turn on who am I?, we split up into women versus men for Battle of the Sexes. Thanks mostly to Rachel, we crushed the guys.

Normally, Rocky was the queen of trivia games, but she was drinking. A lot. And the more she drank, the more attention she gave to Bilal. I could tell Bilal and Brandon both noticed it. Bilal was amused, but ultimately ignored it. Brandon was getting increasingly agitated. When the game was over, I pulled Rocky to the bathroom. I grabbed a bottle water and toast points on the way.

I took her drink from her and poured it down the sink. I handed her the water. "No more alcohol. You are staring at Bilal like you're a starving man and he's a steak. And Brandon is noticing."

"I can't help it. He looks so good. And happy. He has a 9 to 5 and he's happy and looks good." Rocky muttered as I stuffed bread into her mouth.

"And you have a boyfriend. With a 9 to 5. Who got that job to make you happy. And who you love." I reminded her.

"You're right. I wanna marry Brandon." She said, swallowing her mouthful of bread.

"That's right."

"Then you can marry Ethan and we can be sisters!" She exclaimed, laughing.

"Drink and shut it." I said, forcing her to drink water. When we finally left the bathroom, EJ was waiting. I moved aside to let him in.

The majority of the people were now playing Texas hold 'em. Forrest was the dealer. I was glad to see him and Jake talking and getting along. I smiled at him when I came back out. Jackie was still planted on Ethan's side. Rocky did the same with Brandon. Chris and Peyton were eating in the kitchen. Bilal and Trevor were waiting for us to come out to tell us they were leaving. When I hugged Bilal goodbye, I whispered "thank you" in his ear.  He just nodded. Amber and Rachel were watching the kids play the dance game in the den. After I walked Trevor and Bilal out, I joined them.

Dance Central 2 was so much fun. I loved it. Amber, Rachel, and I took turns competing with the girls. Rachel was an amazing dancer. It was like she was amazing at everything and I couldn't even be mad at her for it cause she was so sweet and humble about it. Amber went and got the girls popcorn when they got tired.

Rachel and I stayed and danced some more. We danced to Willow Smith " Whip my Hair", Daddy Yankees "Impacto", Sir Mix-a-Lots "Baby got Back" and Usher's "DJ got Us Falling in Love". The others came in to watch when they heard the music. I was exhausted after the fourth straight dance with Rachel, but we had to do one more for a tie breaker.

"Cariño I wanna see some Rihanna moves." Jake commented.

"You wanna see your girl get beat on some Rihanna moves?" Forrest asked him.

"Your girl is all winded. $20 says mine wins." Jake bet.

"Y'all are ridiculous." I smiled, going to Rihanna's "Rude Boy". Rachel just laughed.

"Dad?" EJ asked Ethan when they came into the den. "Can I ask you a question now?"

"Yes?" Ethan said

"Are you and Lily getting married?"

I froze. Everyone turned to look at Ethan and EJ. But not me, I stared at Jake.

"No." Ethan said simply.

"Racqelle and Lily were talking about it." EJ continued.

Cold dread ran down my spine in anticipation of Jake's reaction, but Jake didn't even look at me. He just left through the patio to the back driveway.

I chased after him, the game forgotten. Ressa and Matt broke apart from each other. I ignored them and followed Jake.

"Jake... stop!" I called after him.

"For what Lily? Why am I even here?" He asked, stopping at his car.

"Jake, just listen for a second. It wasn't like that." I pleaded with him.

"No. I'm done listening. I'm done with this." He said, opening up his door. He slammed the car door and took off.

I wouldn't, I couldn't, accept that. I turned around and went back in the house.

"Lily-"

I don't even know who called my name. I ignored everyone and everything as I rushed to the guest room. I grabbed my purse and headed to the front door. Thankfully, I parked on the street so I wasn't blocked in. I hopped in my car, barefoot and drove to Jake's apartment. I sighed with relief when I pulled into a parking spot next to his car.

I went to his apartment and knocked on the door. Over and over again until he finally opened the door.

"You need to leave." Jake started.

"No. I need to talk to you."

"I'm all talked out."

"Then listen. Jake, I'm sorry. What EJ heard was a joke."

"Is this a joke to you? Am I a joke to you?" Jake asked, angrily.

"No. Absolutely not." I replied.

"I can't tell. You're either incredibly immature or you don't take us seriously. So which is it?" He asked.

"Neither Jake. I want to be with you. I love you." I told him.

"Don't say words you don't understand." Jake said.

"I do Jake. Your dad said we have to want the same things. I want us to be together. I see a future with you." I replied.

"That's what you say, but your actions don't show that-"Jake started.

"Give me a chance to show you. Just let me show you." I pleaded, interrupting him.

 When he just stood there, I wrapped my arms around his neck. I pressed kiss after kiss to his lips until he finally reacted. He grabbed me on my hips firmly and pulled me into his apartment. He crushed his lips into mine, finally kissing me back.