JACK
I rubbed my face with the bottom of my shirt. The high fall temperatures weren't football-playing weather for most of the guys in the house, even I struggled sometimes and I've played it since I could throw the damn ball.
“Break,” Tim called. “Please?”
I shook my head. “You're a fuckin' wimp, Tim.”
“Sorry, I'm from France and not used to these desert temperatures.”
“We don't live in the desert, idiot.” Carl slapped the back of his head and we headed back to where all the girlfriends – and Sandra – were sitting.
“Fuckin' may as well be,” Tim grumbled. I shook my head, grabbed a bottle of water and headed over to Maggie and the girls with Josh.
''Ladies.'' I smiled at Sandra, and she smirked.
“Turn down the charm, Casanova.” Maggie laughed and tugged me to sit. “No one here is interested.”
“Except me.” I winked at Sandra.
“Yes, Jack, we all know about your vested interest in yourself,” Leila said and rolled her eyes.
“Josh, control your girl,” I joked.
“Watch it, Clove,” Leila retorted. “Or I'll control your ass to Timbuktu.”
I grinned and caught Sandra's eye. She was laughing silently, looking hot as hell in a short sun dress that showed off long lean legs.
“So, Sandra .” I leaned back.
“So, Jack,” she replied, looking up at me through her thick curly eyelashes.
“Move your ass,” Carl said, sitting in next to me. “Hey, guys, Sandra.” He nodded towards her.
“Carl.” She smiled widely at him and my hackles rose a little. I knew the guy was rude, but fuckin' hell.
“How are you, gorgeous girl?”
“Good, you?”
“Better for seeing you, that's for sure.” He winked and she smiled.
I narrowed my eyes slightly, and Maggie nudged me.
“Jealous, Jack?”
I snorted. “Of Carl? Yeah, right.”
“Okay,” she whispered disbelievingly. “But you're turning into a walking green-eyed monster.”
“Whatever, Maggy.”
“Seriously, Jack, if you wanna talk to her, just talk. She won't bite.”
“I might like it if she does.”
“You're such a pig!” She shook her head. “I can see you're interested in her, so just ask her out.”
“I don't do dates, Maggy, you know that. If I decided to take her somewhere, I have no idea where.”
“You'd take her out?” She grinned.
“I'm not saying yes or no,” I replied. “But I might consider it.”
“Starbucks. She likes their blueberry muffins.” She smiled, satisfied and amused. “Just let her get to know you. Not walking horn-dog Jack, the real Jack.”
“Maybe.” I looked back at Sandra, and she was looking at me and Maggie with her eyes slightly narrowed. She shook her head, and I glanced at Maggie questioningly. She looked away, and I shook my head. Girls. I'll never fucking understand them.
A date. Why didn't I consider that shit when I agreed to Austin and Josh's plan last night? Why did I think dates wouldn't come into it? Of course they fucking would, and they are.
Austin called for us to start playing again, and I got up, handing Sandra my water bottle with a wink. She half-smiled as she took it, and I could feel her eyes on me as I went back to play. Carl pulled his top over his head, and I knew this had turned into a pissing contest.
It was no secret to any of us that Carl had his sights set on Sandra, and if I wanna complete the challenge the guys set, I gotta take it up a notch.
I glanced over my shoulder, and her green eyes were on Carl. Fuck no. I gripped the bottom of my shirt and yanked it over my head, stretching after and chucking it to Maggie. She wrinkled her nose, and I laughed, noticing Sandra's eyes were back on me.
Good.
Carl narrowed his eyes at me, and I smiled a shit eating smile, knowing he looked like a ten year old boy compared to me topless.
We all got into position, and the game started again. Carl and I seemed to come head to head more than often, and I knew he was trying to make me look like a prick. Fortunately, everyone already knew I am one and when it comes to football, he can kiss my fuckin' ass.
He caught the ball, and I tackled him. He fell face first on the grass and cursed.
“What the fuck, Jack?”
“Slipped. Sorry.” I grinned.
“Slipped my ass!” He got up and came towards me.
“Woah, woah!” Josh jumped in between as my muscles tensed. “Turn the testosterone down a notch, guys. It's just a game of football.”
“Yeah, Carl, turn it down,” I goaded him.
“If you're tryin' to convince her you're the better one out of the two of us, then good luck. She isn't as stupid as your usual clientele.”
I started forward, and Josh placed a hand on my chest. “Dude, no. Go and chill.”
I took a deep breath and nodded once. “Fine.”
I kicked the ball away and turned back to the girls.
“Can't you even play a game of football without turning it into a pissing contest, Jack?” Maggie laughed.
I shot her a look, grabbed my shirt, and took my water from Sandra.
“Everything okay?” she asked softly.
I sipped the water and looked down at her. “Yeah, everything's okay, Angel.”
“Good.” She smileed up at me, and Kayle sighed.
“I'll move over,” she said in a mock annoyed tone.
“Oh, Kayle,” I said and sat in the spot she just vacated. “How did you know?”
“You look like you could rest your back against the wall.” She winked and Maggie laughed.
“Or against Sandra.” Leila giggled.
I looked at Sandra, and her cheeks flamed a little. “I'd rest a whole lot of things against Sandra, none suitable for public viewing, though.”
Her mouth opened and closed once. Maggie, Leila and Kayle all roared with laughter, and I nudged Sandra.
“I'm sorry. Did that embarrass you?”
“Nope.” She squeaked the word out. “Not at all.”
I laughed and placed an arm around her shoulder. “I think it did, and I'm sorry. That wasn't my intention.”
“It's okay,” she replied, a little tense in my hold.
“No, it's not,” I insisted.
“Game's over!” Maggie called, and they all stood. I got up and offered Sandra my hand. She placed hers in my larger one, and I pulled her up, grinning down at her.
“Thank you.” She smiled and took her hand from mine, making to follow the girls.
“Hey, Sandra?” I asked.
She stopped and turned back to me, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. “Yeah?”
“We have English Literature together tomorrow, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Do you have a class before?”
“Nope, it's a free. I usually head to the library to study.”
“Make an exception tomorrow?” I asked, leaning against the wall, facing her.
“What for?” She smiled a little.
“We could grab a coffee before class. I hear you like the muffins in Starbucks.” I tugged a lock of her hair and amusement shone in her eyes.
“Jack Clove, are you asking me on a date?” She raised an eyebrow.
“Um.” I looked around, and Maggie had her back to me. She nodded once, sharply. “Yes. I am, yeah.”
“Say it,” she demanded.
“Say what?”
“I wanna hear you say you're asking me on a date, 'cause this has to be a historical moment.”
“Hey!” I protested. “Fine. Sandra, would you like to go on a date to grab coffee tomorrow before English?”
She smiled widely. “I'd love to.”
“Meet you outside Starbucks about half an hour before class, then?”
“It's a date,” she agreed and turned around, heading towards the girls.
I let out a breath and shook my head. Fuckin' hell.
