Page 35 of Rival Season
Penn smiles as he stares at the road before him, knowing he’s won.
“Fine, I’ll go. But you have to buy me a Coke or something to keep me awake.”
“I think I can swing that.”
Thirty minutes later, we’re pulling up to the grungiest bar I’ve seen in a while. Totally not the place I pictured a group of pro athletes hanging out. We walk inside and it’s just as outdated as the outside. The place smells like beer and greasy food, but it looks like everyone is having a good time. An Elvis song I’ve heard a million times plays from a dilapidated jukebox. Penn gently grabs my arm and leads me through the throng of high-top tables until we reach his roommates.
“There you are!” Ally hisses, glaring at him.
I open my mouth to take the blame and apologize, but Penn’s warm hand slides gently over my mouth to stop me. “We’re here now, that’s all that matters,” he tells her.
Fisher scoffs. “Penn sucks at trivia, anyway.”
Noah widens his eyes in silent agreement.
Penn pushes Fisher’s shoulder. “Whatever, at least I don’t wax my back.”
“Hey!” Fisher pushes back. “I told you that in confidence!”
Ally’s palm goes to her forehead. “I live with children.”
I laugh, loving their interactions and how comfortable they are with each other.
Penn and I take a seat, and the next round of questions are announced by the emcee, who looks to be about seventy with white hair and a long white beard. He looks like a skinny Santa who had a rough life.
“Okay, next round is…France,” the man rasps through the microphone.
Everyone at my table groans at the same time I clap my hands together in delight.
Penn eyes me with a confused expression.
“What? I’m a Francophile.”
Fisher cocks an eyebrow. “What the puck does that even mean?”
I sigh. “Lucky for you guys, it means I’m a huge nerd about France.”
Ally grins. “Have you watchedReign?”
I gasp. “Yes!”
“Okay that’s our next roommate show, guys,” Ally says, eyeing all of the guys.
The emcee interrupts, speaking into the microphone again. “Question one is, which dauphin of France finished building the Palace of Versailles?”
Ally hands me the whiteboard and dry erase marker, and I quickly writeKing Louis XIV.
“Raise your white boards!” The emcee says, and I raise ours high. It’s correct, of course, and Penn wraps me in a big hug as the rest of our group cheers loudly. Noah gives me a high five, and Fisher holds his fist out for a pound.
“Pays to date a smart girl,” Penn says, smacking a wet kiss on my cheek.
I look over at him, trying to keep the shock off my face that he kissed me. I know we agreed to affection in front of others, but that’s what he chose to do? It was the goofiest kiss ever.
Penn shoots me an overly flirtatious grin. “There’s more where that came from if you keep answering trivia questions correctly.”
“Note to self, wear my earplugs tonight,” Fisher says with a knowing smirk.
I attempt to glare at Penn, but I can’t wipe the smile off my face. I’m having fun. More fun than I’ve had in a long time.
