Page 10 of Final Score

We find a booth in the corner of the room, my mind trying desperately to pull drunken memories from my brain. Jenner’s green eyes look at me overtop a faded menu.

“You don’t remember much, do you?”

“No. What happened?” I ask, pouring a warm cup of coffee from the pitcher sitting on the table.

Setting the menu down on the tabletop, Jenner smiles, leaning closer. “Allow me to fill in the gaps in your memories.” His fingers tick off imaginary boxes as he answers. “You got drunk, tried to have seduce me, and then passed out in my bed.”

“Oh, and there’s the fact that we’re dating now.”

“I’m sorry what?” I sputter choking on hot coffee that burned my throat.

“Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten, sweetheart?” Jenner asks, hand clutching his chest, eyelashes fluttering. Dramatic much?

“I don’t blame you. There was nothing you could do to avoid my charms. It was only a matter of time.” He continues.

“You are so full of shit.” I emphasize waving a hand across the small space between us “We are not dating.”

“We are. I can prove it.” Jenner pulls his phone out of his pocket. On the screen is a picture of the two of us. His face was covered in my particular shade of red lipstick. As I lay across his bare chest, laughing.

“All that proves is that I was drunk and horny.”

“Oh, I know. You tried more than once to get me naked last night.” Jenner laughs. “Now, to the topic at hand. You. Me. Dating.”

“We are not dating. End of discussion.” I answer, as the waitress sets our food to the table. Two full plates of pancakes, eggs and bacon.

“You can’t tell me you wouldn’t love to see the horrified look on your ex’s face when he sees you on my arm? Maybe push his buttons a bit?” Jenner asks, taking a large bite of his food.

“It would never work.”

“Why not?” Jenner asks, his eyebrows pulling together in confusion.

“Because we don’t like each other.” I answer angrily.

Jenner stops eating, setting his fork down on the table. “Listen. Stop being grumpy and ignore our history for a second.” He waits to make sure I’m paying attention before continuing. “We both have a common enemy. Why not use that to get back at your ex for how he treated you? The relationship doesn’t have to be real. You just have to pretend to like me for more than five seconds. And I might add, this was your idea to begin with.”

Damn it. He had a point…

“Let’s say for one second I go along with this insane plan. How would we know when to end our fake relationship?” I question.

“That’s easy. Both teams are on track to play in the Championship game in April. We could end our relationship after that game.” April? That was six months from now.

“We would have to pretend for six months. I don’t think we could last that long.”

“You may not be able to, but I have incredible stamina. I’ll prove it to you soon.” Jenner winks, taking a sip of his coffee.

“You’re impossible.”

Could we actually fake a relationship? I had to admit; the idea was enticing. Noah would be furious. It’s not like Jenner was a horrible option and he obviously liked the idea. If anything, it would make for a funny story later on. Shit. Was I actually about to make a deal with the devil?

“Ok. We’ll fake date until the championship game.” This is a horrible idea. Here goes nothing. Fallon was going to be ecstatic.

CHAPTER 8

Even though we’ve been winning games, Coach is taking no chances at mid-season screw ups. We’ve been running drills at practice for the past two hours, and we’re all struggling.

Ronnie looks green through his helmet as I slide to a stop beside him. “You alright kid?”

“Yeah, I’ll be fine. Just tired.” He whispers, removing his helmet.