Game on

"How are the horses doing today, Max?" William asked as he trudged down Max's sprawling landscape. Next to him, a white Samoyed bounced happily, its tail wagging.

"Looks like Bimp's hale and hearty!" Alexander bent on one knee as the dog bounced toward him. He almost toppled him over as it wet Alexander's face with happy licks. "Attaboy." Alexander laughed, missing his furry friend.

"He survived," William looked a lot more relaxed now, all the tension in his body released. He pocketed his hand and stared down at the dog circling his leg. "He eats even more. I'm afraid he's going to be obese before the year runs out."

"Never, he's got too much energy to just lay around," Max smiled and rubbed the dog's head. "We should play fetch, right Bimp?"

Bimp's ears shot up with sudden interest, his furry head turning sharply as a string of excited barks burst forth from his mouth. Max, amused by Bimp's enthusiasm, couldn't help but laugh heartily at the display. With a grin, he checked the time on his watch.

"Looks like Robert is running late," Max said. "Think we should head on without him?"

"He should be here any minute," Alexander said. "Any chance we could grab a bite at the house before we move?"

"Sure," Max said. "We should…speaking of the devil. Here he comes. And he's with a guest. Didn't tell me he was bringing one."

Alexander and Williams turned at that, and instantly, Alexander's face fell. Walking next to Robert in skinny jeans, a polo shirt, riding boots, and a hat was none other than Selena Tequila herself. She waved over at them as she walked next to Robert, and her face lit up as the Samoyed ran to Robert.

"He's so cute!" She gushed on her knees as the Samoyed licked her face. "And he likes me!"

"Bimp isn't usually like that," William said as he closed the distance to her.

"Must be something special about me," Selena grinned. Her eyes met Alexander's cold ones. "Hi, Alex."

He pursed his lips. "Selena."

Robert produced a hand to Selena to help her to her feet. She thanked him and dusted her knees.

"I ran into her at a friend's place," Robert said. "Told her about the mini-tournament that is going to be held and she said she was interested."

"It's great to have you here," Max shook her hand. "I believe we've met before. I'm Max. That's William," William tipped an imaginary hat at her. "And of course, you know Alex."

"Through an unfortunate turn of events, yes," Selena didn't break her gaze from Alexander. "Something that has caused more than a rift between us."

"Or maybe it's not that but the person who cannot feel remorse."

He didn't miss the flash of surprise in her eyes, followed by the usual stubborn streak. "What can a person who has offered a sincere apology do then? Break their backs to please his highness?"

"How about staying away from the one who doesn't want an apology or anything for that matter?"

Three pairs of eyes looked between the two of them. Even Bimp was staring up at the conversants in silence.

"Uhm, how about we give you two privacy?" William suggested. "And you'll meet us in the house?"

"Yes," Selena said at the same time Alexander said, "No."

Selena narrowed her eyes at him. "Really?"

"Let's just all mind our businesses today, and hopefully, there won't be any exes to pretend in front of," Alexander said. "Let's head to the house."

Selena planted herself firmly in front of him, blocking his path before he even moved. Alexander's eyes could turn her to stone if the hardness in them could transfer by some sort of dark magic.

"Yeah, we should head to the house," Robert said, using his hands to direct the others who watched the two curiously.

"Alex, why do you have to be so bull-headed?" Selena asked when they were out of earshot.

"Bull-headed?" He gave a mirthless laugh. "Not only are you incapable of feeling remorse but you need to tone it down with your stalking else I'm going to have to get a restraining order on you."

Selena's mouth opened. She couldn't believe the words coming out of his mouth.

"You…you…" Alexander watched her face redden like a ripe tomato in spring. "...insolent…peace thief!"

He scrunched his brows. "Peace thief?"

"Look, we don't have to call each other names…"

"You just called me a peace thief, whatever the hell that is."

"And you called me a stalker first, so we're even," He watched the redness dissipate from her face.

"How did you even get my number anyway? Only a few people…" he paused. "Of course, Tamika is your friend."

"Don't count yourself as some fancy guy, it's just a number," Selena said. "So, how about we strike a deal?"

Alexander scoffed and walked past her. "You're the last person I'd want to ever strike a deal with."

"At least hear me out," Selena walked fast to match his pace. "Accept my apology and we'll be cool."

Alexander stopped walking. "Do you usually go around forcing people to take your apology?"

Selena shrugged. "I usually don't have to. Usually, I toss it, and people grab it."

"Oh wow," Alexander said. "It's more like being used to having things your way."

"No name-calling, remember?" She said. "So," she brought out a hand to him. "Apology accepted? And we can move past this?"

Alexander stared down at her hand. Oddly, but not so much of a coincidence, he thought about his father, about how he had dented his pride by refusing to work for Sterling Corporation. The thing he learned about being in business and working with business people was that a lot of them were selfish, and a lot of them only did things that benefitted them one way or the other. But in Selena's case, it was more of an emotional benefit, to be free from him, the "peace thief."

He shook his head. "No. I don't accept your apology. Move on."

Selena lowered her hand, but instead of a look of displeasure Alexander had expected to see on her face, he didn't like the mischievious smile that drew across her lips.

"Well, Alexander Sterling," She folded her arms and tipped her hat. "You've made your choice. It's game on."