Page 12 of Final Score

“I don’t know yet.” I answer, throwing the phone into my gym bag.

But I did know one thing. No one would stand in the way of us being happy. Whatever was going on, it was my job to fix it and I knew just the spot to help kill two birds with one stone.

Hank’s Pizza was a common hangout spot for kids from both colleges, since it was located between the two. The pizza parlor/dive bar had been a Seattle staple for over 20 years. The wooden floor was worn from years of foot traffic, the bar top sticky with stale beer, and the red leather booths tattered. But they had the best pizza in the entire downtown area, plus 15% off beer for college students after game days. It was the perfect spot for Kat and I, to debut our budding romance.

Hanks was packed for a Tuesday night. After a Saints loss, more than one pair of eyes would be watching us. Oliver, Fallon, Ronnie, Kat and I sat around a booth in the middle of the restaurant, making it the perfect spot for curious eyes to wander. Kat rested her head on my shoulder as we waited for the pizzas to arrive. We were the picture of happiness.

“So, when are we going to get back at you know who?” Oliver asked, glancing around the room mysteriously.

“You can say his name, Oliver. He’s not Voldemort. Though you, of all people, might get them confused.” Fallon teased, as Oliver stuck his tongue out in her direction.

“You do have a plan, right?” Fallon asked protectively.

“Don’t worry darling, we have a plan.” Oliver answered, pouring on the charm. Forget it buddy, you’d have a better chance wrestling a shark.

“We?” Fallon questioned. “Oh great, it’s dumb and dumber. Live in action.”

“Where are you going?” Kat asks as I get up, empty beer bottle in hand.

“Need a refill. Don’t worry, babe, I’ll be right back.” I wink in Kat’s direction, watching her smile. She looks beautiful tonight. Dressed in a pink sweater and ripped jeans. Her brown hair pulled back into a low bun, a few strands framing her face.

What I was about to do next could either go very well or backfire horribly. Both were contingent on Kat’s reaction. Tilting the bottom of her chin upwards with my finger, I stare into her bright blue eyes. I rest her forehead against mine, pausing momentarily as Kat leans in closer. Green light.

I brush her soft plump lips against mine. I’m not the type of man to feel fireworks on a first kiss, but damn, this was close. My hand cupped her chin as Kat kissed me back happily. Pulling away, I stare into her wide eyes, happy to see a flicker of disappointment at the end of the kiss. So, she was attracted to me, no matter how much she protested. Interesting.

“Aww, aren’t you two just sickeningly cute?” Fallon jests, rolling her eyes as she shows us her phone. She had snapped a picture... Damn, we make a good-looking couple. I’d be jealous of us too if I were her ex.

“Post that.” I whisper.

“Why?”

“Trust me. It’s the first step in revenge, baby.” Running my thumb across her bottom lip, I walk casually up to the bar top and order another round. At a table across the restaurant, a group decked in Saint’s gear, glance curiously between me and the table. Hook, line, and sinker.

I take a round of drinks back as Kat’s phone rings incessantly for the fourth time since we’d sat down. I take the phone from her hand and answer. Placing it on speakerphone as Noah’s irritating voice fills the air.

“What the hell Kat! Jenner Blackwell? I know you didn’t handle the news of me moving on well but fucking my rival won’t bother me like you think it will.”

Kat starts to speak but I place a hand on her shoulder silencing her. “Oh, I think it’s working exactly the way it’s supposed to.”

“Jenner. I should have known.” Noah sneers, his tone cold.

“From where I’m standing, I’d say you gave up on the best thing that ever happened to your sorry ass.”

“Enjoy my sloppy seconds.” Noah laughs.

“Oh, don’t worry, I will. On the way here, she gave me the most mind blowing hea-” Before I can finish my sentence, the dial tone sounds through the speaker.

“For the record, I never did that.” Kat glares up at me before taking the phone from my hands.

“Only in my dreams.” I wink, sliding into the booth next to her.

Tonight, had been an amazing success.

We had gotten under Noah’s skin. Score one.

Kat had kissed me back. Score two.

CHAPTER 9