Page 11 of Trick Play
“And what happens when you lose?”
I choke on a laugh. “WhenI lose? Thanks for the vote of confidence.”
“Youcan’tstop staring at his mouth. I’ve looked over at you like fifty times and at least half those times you’re watching him eat, looking like you’d rather be eating him.”
“Uhh, no. I think you have me mistaken for him.”
She scoffs, crossing her arms. “Oh, come off it.Youthink he’s hot.Ithink he’s hot. Hell, your brother probably even thinks he’s hot. It’s just a fact—water’s wet, snow is cold, and Cal McAdam is hot as fuck.”
Normally something that sounds so much like a slogan or a weird football cheer would make me laugh, but instead I huff out an aggrieved sigh, stomp my foot, and roll my eyes. “Fine. He’s hot. Happy?”
Dani nods, a smug smile on her face. “Yes. Now what happens at the end of the day when it’s clear you haven’t won?”
“I go on a date with him,” I mumble, but not so quietly that Dani can’t hear me. She hoots with laughter, clapping her hands.
“Oh my god, that’s perfect.”
But before she can go into why, exactly, this ridiculous situation is ‘perfect,’ we’re interrupted by a knock at the door.
Grabbing her arm, I shush Dani with a hiss.
A female voice calls out, “Dani? Is Piper in there with you?” The door opens, revealing the familiar face of a girl. She lives on the same floor as Dani and me, and I think she’s dating one of the football players, but I don’t know her very well. Emily? Ella? Ellen?
“Hey, Ellie,” Dani says.
Ellie—that’s her name—smiles at us both, then settles her gaze on me. “Hey, Piper. You’re up.”
At first I don’t know what she means, and my confusion must be obvious on my face. Which is no surprise, really, since I apparently broadcast my every emotion, because Dani can tell I’m attracted to Cal as easily as Cal himself can. And if Dani can see it, I can’t just blame it on Cal’s overweening ego.
Ellie hooks her thumb over her shoulder, her dark brows pulling together. “For the video game? It’s your turn.”
“Oh, right. Of course.” I force a laugh, and Ellie smiles at me, looking me up and down, this time more like an exam.
“So you’re spending the day with my brother, huh?” At my confused look, she clarifies, “Cal? My brother? He’s saving you a seat on the couch. You guys are in the same round.”
“Oh, uh, yeah. I didn’t realize he was your brother.”
She leans in close and lowers her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “Let me know if you want any embarrassing details about him. I’ve got all kinds of ammunition.”
At my surprised laugh, she beams at me, then holds the door open and gestures for Dani and I to follow her.
Dani throws me a bemused look as we trail behind her to the living room where Cal’s waiting for me, just like Ellie said.
As I accept the controller from him and sit down, I glance around, noticing Ellie curled up next to the massive guy I saw with Cal that day he tried to buy me hot chocolate. That must be who she’s dating. She gives me a finger wave, and when Cal clears his throat, I give him my attention.
He nods to the TV, a smug grin on his face. “Pick your character.”
I settle on Kirby, and Cal chuckles. “I figured you’d pick Princess Peach.”
“Oh yeah? You think I’m a princess?”
His eyes dip to my lips, and I just know he’s about to say something suggestive, but he doesn’t get the chance, because Eli shouts, “Three, two, one, go!” And the race is on. Cal picked Bowser, and he’s apparently in it to win it, throwing himself all over the place as he goes around curves, using every attack to try to keep me behind him.
But he has no idea that I have a competitive streak a mile wide, especially when I already know I’m going to lose at something else. And as much as I hate to admit it, I’m definitely going to lose this bet. So I’m determined to at least beat Cal atMario Kart, dammit.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Cal
