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The world around us disappears. It’s only him and I. He grabs my butt while his lips graze my earlobe. The most agonizing part is the hardness pressed against my back. “Ben, you’re putting me in a weird predicament.”
“How so?”
“Because Jenny likes you.”
“Feeling isn’t mutual. My team just scored.”
My heavy lids lift to the screen above the bar. I watch the replay and cuss at the mistake the defense made by allowing a runner to score. “That was bull.”
“Fair play.”
“Yeah, that he—”
“You two, the game’s going to be over by the time you make it back.” Ben drops his hand, and the warmth of his body disappears at the sound of Jenny’s voice.
I clench my eyes closed, then open them. Slapping a huge smile on my face, I turn around. “Tell me about it. Thanks for saving me. Mind keeping Ben company while the drinks come? Thanks!” I slip out of the space and walk away, realizing I left without watching the drinks get made. I halt in my step, ready to turn around, but stop myself.Let them be.I make my way back to the table and throw myself into my seat.
“You good, Makayla?” Levi grabs my attention.
Yeah, just can’t get my emotions under control.“Not liking how the game is turning out.”
He eyes me, then raises his gaze toward the bar. “That it?”
“I certainly can’t have this one winning the bet,” I say, cocking my head toward the empty seat. Jenny and Ben return, and Ben makes it a point to brush his arm down mine as he takes a seat. He slides my drink to me. I stare at it, anxiety weighing down my chest, not knowing if it’s poisoned or not.
“Hey, it’s cool. I watched him. Look.” He lifts it and takes a sip. “See? All good.”
My eyes raise to his. I wait for something to happen. “You know it takes more than a second to have an effect.”
“Feel free to keep staring then.”
I roll my eyes, a soft chuckle following. “I’ll pass. But. . . thank you.”
He accepts my gratitude with a nod. “Now, shall we take the time to point out my team iswinning?” His snarky attitude returns. Game on.
Play by play, we spend the rest of the game going back and forth, yelling and cheering. It all comes down to a final play. Bases loaded with two outs and two strikes on the board. Ben’s team is up by two. We need a miracle to win this one. I swear, if I lose, I’m never going to hear the end of it.
The batter swings, and I hold my breath. “Foul.”
Come on. . .
“Miss that shit,” Ben yells while I cheer the batter on. Another quick pitch. Another foul tip. Everyone has gone silent, hanging onto each play, sitting on the edge of their seat. He swings again, making contact. It flies and flies and—“YES! YES!”
“NO! NO!”
The ball disappears over the field into home run territory. I jump out of my seat, screaming. “Suck it!” I yell to Ben, who looks ready to explode. “Uh-oh, are you about to cry?”
“No. That play was bullshit. The wind took it. No way he would have hit that otherwise.”
“Make all the excuses you want. You lose. Loser. Time to go back to Loserville.” I feel on top of the world. With the biggest smile on my face, I go on. “Now, to make you pay up.” I rub my palms together. “Oh, the possibilities.” I can’t hold in my excitement. And he can’t hold back his anger. We definitely have a sore loser on our hands.
“What’s it gonna be, Mak? You know he has a rare football. Would be wise to claim it,” Levi comments, and Ben flips him off.
I gaze down at him, loving his losing frown. “You know. . . this is too good to make any rash decisions. Think I’m going to sleep on it. Can’t waste the opportunity, ya know?” Patting Ben on the shoulder, I retrieve my purse and walk to Hannah. “Thanks for inviting me. I had a great time.” We hug, and she tells me to give her a call later in the week.
I barely look at Ben as I approach Jenny. “You should stay. Ben can drive you home.” Her eyes beam with excitement. Before Ben has the chance to argue, I wave everyone off and walk out of the bar.
A huge grin is plastered across my face the whole way home. Winning feels good. Especially the pouting look on Ben’s face when I left him. . . with Jenny.Why did I leave Jenny with him again?’Cause I’m in denial that I may have feelings for him and would rather ignore them by throwing my friend at him. Yep. . . sounds about right. I pretend it doesn’t bother me. My smile feels forced as I walk into my house and toss my purse on the couch.
