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I turn to Payton and shrug. “I actually could go for some food.”
We decide to split an order of loaded nachos, which probably isn’t the best plan if you’re trying to make a good impression on someone, but it doesn’t matter because the nachos are good. They are damn good.
“I think I’ve died and gone to Heaven,” Payton says before shoving another huge handful into her mouth.
I nod and take a big bite as well, chewing a bit before I speak again. “When I saw there were pickles on them, I knew we had to get them.”
Talk of pickles makes my mind momentarily flash to my mystery girl. What are the chances that both girls I’m falling for are obsessed with pickles? How strange. Payton and my mystery girl are so similar that if I didn’t know any better, I’d think it was her. The notes are clearly coming from someone at school though. Plus, I told Payton about the mystery girl and she never said anything. She wouldn’t do that.
“Everything okay?”
I’m brought back to reality by the sound of Payton’s voice. “Yeah. Sorry. I think I’m just in a little bit of a food coma.”
“I hope that doesn’t hinder your golf game. It might look bad if Capital Creek’s basketball MVP gets beaten by Griffin Hill’s bookworm.”
The hint of cockiness in her voice both amuses and intrigues me. This is a side of Payton I haven’t seen yet. I’m quickly learning I love every side of her. Wow. Love… really? Might be going a little strong now. I’ve never been in love so I don’t even know what that feels like. All I know is every time I’m with Payton, I’m happier than I’ve ever been before. I think about her all the time, even when we’re not together. Every little thing reminds me of her. When something happens, she’s the one I want to tell. This all came on so quickly, and I’m not sure how to feel about any of it.
“Don’t worry. A little food coma never kept me from getting the W.”
Just in time with my own cockiness, Payton’s name is called over the loudspeaker, which means it’s time to prove that what I’m saying is true. My eyes go wide as I take in the golf course. It’s the kind of mini golf course I’d expect to find at the beach, not in middle-of-nowhere Pennsylvania. The lights are low, which causes the glow-in-the-dark objects to glow. Each hole has its fair share of obstacles, some of which move or make noise. Maybe this won’t be as easy as I expected.
My first shot bounces off an annoying laughing clown and comes right back to me. Payton picks up the ball and hands it to me. “Doesn’t count if it comes back. At least, that’s how my mom and I always play.”
“I like that rule.” And thank God it exists in this game because my ball bounces off that stupid clown’s stupid laughing mouth three more times before finally going through.
Once I get past that part, it only takes two more shots for me to get it in. Unfortunately, it takes Payton the exact same amount.
She kneels down by the clown and puts her arm around him. “Take a picture of me with the clown who almost broke you.”
I roll my eyes. “You’re sick.”
Sickeningly cute. Payton smiles wide with her tongue slightly out of her mouth. Even though she’s teasing me, it’s absolutely adorable. Actually, I think the fact that she’s teasing me actually makes it that much better. Payton is normally so shy. I love to see her open up more.
The next few holes, the lead continues to go back and forth. At one point, Payton puts an arm over my shoulder and leans in slightly, causing my whole body to go into overdrive. “Wouldn’t it be embarrassing to have to say that I’m better at bowling and mini golf? For your sake, we’ll make sure we never play basketball just in case.”
I bring my hand to my heart. “I appreciate that. My ego couldn’t handle it.” I playfully shove her shoulder. “You might be getting ahead of yourself though. We still have half the course left.”
Payton smirks at me and it seems like my stomach might tumble right out of my body. “What can I say? I’m feeling uncharacteristically confident tonight.”
We continue to go back and forth, teasing each other relentlessly with each hole, until we get to the last one and it’s completely tied up.
“All comes down to this one,” I say as I stare at the only thing standing between me and victory. Unfortunately, it’s another clown. This one doesn’t laugh but kicks its legs back and forth instead.
“Bad luck for you. Your old friend is back.”
I glare at the stupid clown. “He can suck it. I’m not letting him take me down this time.”
I hit the ball and pump my fist when it goes right between his swinging legs and lands a few inches from the hole. I smirk at Payton and cross my arms. “Let’s see what you got.”
Payton cracks her fingers and does some dramatic stretching. She stares down the clown the same way I did then hits the ball right between his legs as well. Except unlike mine, that was a few inches from the hole, hers goes right into it.
She jumps up and down a few times then does an awkward little dance that is so very endearing. I can’t even be mad that I lost, because the truth is, I would lose all over again to get to witness this scene for a second time.
“Congrats!” I put my hand up for her to high five and hold onto it when she does. I think about lowering our hands together and intertwining our fingers, but then I think better of it. I still don’t even have any confirmation that Payton is gay. I drop my hand and bring it to my side. “Since you won, what do you want to do to celebrate?”
“There’s a cafe by my house that has really good hot chocolate. Want to go there?”
“You’re the champ. Completely up to you. Hot chocolate does sound amazing though.”
