Page 70 of Shootout
“Banks, when are we having our little competition?”
“I’m thinking Sunday. We both have that day off. Does that work?”
“Sure.” She bent down and put her mouth on mine. “Prepare to be humbled.”
“Those are fighting words. I’m the best forward in the game.”
“Maybe the best of the guys, but you ain’t seen nothing yet.” Jessie’s phone buzzed. She picked it up and read the message, after which she crawled off me.
“Was that your brother?”
“Oddly enough, it was. He wanted me to know he was on his way home and stopping at the store to get some milk. Wanted to know if I needed anything.”
“Do you think he was warning us he was on his way?”
“Hard to say with him. I think he’s starting to like you.”
“I wouldn’t go that far.” I heaved myself out of her bed and gathered up my clothes, getting dressed. Jessie pulled on her pajamas to quell Wild’s suspicions. I’m guessing he knew what was going on, and he was avoiding having to be the protective big brother. Ignorance is bliss, after all.
I sat down on the edge of the bed to pull on my shoes when inspiration struck me. “How about a side wager?”
Her eyes opened wide. “What kind of wager?” She lowered her voice, probably assuming I was talking about something dirty.
“You first.” My expression was calculating, and she squirmed under the intensity of my gaze.
“This was your idea,” she countered. I didn’t answer but smirked, waiting for her.
“Fine, if I win, you have to play butler in our condo for a weekend.”
“Our condo? As in yours and Wild’s?”
“Yes.”
“Can he give me orders?”
“Of course.”
“That’s a little harsh, isn’t it?”
“That’s my bet. Take it or leave it.” She grinned evilly, knowing she’d picked one thing I’d never want to do and knowing I wouldn’t purposely throw this game just to make her look good in front of her team.
“All right, I’ll take it.”
“Good. What do you want?” She waited, holding her breath. She expected me to counter with her being the maid in the chaotic wreckage of the condo I shared with the rookies. I speared her with the intensity of my gaze. Now was my chance if I had the guts to take advantage of it. Risking rejection, I plunged into the murky waters.
“If I win, we make this relationship real.”
She stepped back as if I’d hit her in the gut with a puck and gaped at me as if expecting me to laugh and admit I was joking. I was dead serious.
Not allowing her the opportunity to argue, I gave her a quick kiss on the mouth, grabbed my wallet and keys, and got the hell out of there.
ChapterTwenty-Eight
VICTORY
~~Jessie~~
The next night Banks and I went out with the entire team after the game and went home to our separate beds afterward. I knew what Banks was doing, but I was confused as to why. He didn’t want to be alone with me until after our competition. I had so many questions, but he wasn’t putting himself in a position to answer them. Most of all, I wanted to know why he made that particular side bet.
