Hooked (45 page)

     “Depends on what we are betting,” Cara said.

     “What’s your name?”

     “Cara and this is my friend
,
Millie.”

      It’s nice to meet you, my name is Rob and this is my buddy
,
Tyler.”

    
We all shook hands and kept making small talk until we got up to the counter.  “We need two waters and two popcorns,” I told the lady behind the counter.

     “Here, let me
.
”
Tyler stuck his money out to the woman and she took it. 

    
I felt kind of weird with him paying for my stuff.  I mean
,
it wasn’t like I asked him to and I didn’t want to be rude, but no one paid for my stuff except for Cash.  I decided to smile politely and tell him thank you.

     “No problem.”

     After we got our stuff
,
we started to walk off and Rob said, “Hold up a sec, what about our bet?”

     “Alright, what’s the wager?”
Cara asked raising an eyebrow.

     “Well, we bet you guys a date that the
C
ardinals win today.”  Cara and I started laughing.

     “Umm, we’re up by 18 at the half, you’re
gonna
have to do better than that.”

     “Okay, I say you only beat us by ten points or less
,
”
h
e said as he cocked one eyebrow.

     Cara looked at me.  That’s when I spoke up.  “It’ll just be you and Cara making this bet, I’m sorry
,
but I have a boyfriend.” 

     
I hate doing things like this.  It’s not that I’m ashamed of actually having a boyfriend or anything, it’s just these situations.  I don’t want to tell anyone no or hurt their feelings.

     “It’s cool
,
” Tyler said smiling at me.  I nodded and looked back at Cara.

     “I’ll take that bet
,
but if I win
,
you’ve just found yourself a prom date
,
buddy.  I’m betting we win by ten or more
,
”
Cara said with way more confidence than I’ll ever have.

     “You’ve got yourself a deal.  Since it looks like we’re going out either way, can I get your number?”

     Cara gave him her number and while he was typing it in his phone, I looked up at Tyler.  I couldn’t read his expression
,
so I decided not to try.  Cara and I went back to our seats after we said our
goodbyes. 

    
“I can’t believe you had the nerve to do that.”

     “Why?  I’m sick of waiting for a date.  I figured I had someone asking me, so why not?”

     “I’m impressed.”

     “Good, now hurry up and go brag to Jess about me,” she said laughing. 

    
By the time we got back to our seats
,
the third quarter had already started.  Our boys were slowly
,
but surely losing their lead.  I was about to joke with Cara about the score when Jess jumped up
and started yelling at the ref.  “Hey ref, get off your knees, your blowing the game!”

     “Jess, stop you’re
gonna
get us thrown out of here!” I exclaimed. 

     The ref eyed her from the court.  Did that stop her or slow her down?  Nope, she decided then would be a great time to continue since she had his attention.  “Hey
,
I know your
blind,
I’ve seen your life partner!”
 

    
The ref pointed at her and then the exit.  Holy crap
,
we have just been thrown out of a high school basketball game.  I was so embarrassed
,
I just started walking out.  The crowd was going wild and chanting for her.   They watched us all three go down the bleachers and out the front door.  When we got outside, I turned around. 

     “Jess, why did you do that?”
I half yell at her because I’m embarrassed.

     “Oh, I was just trying to get the boys riled up so they would play better.  I bet it worked
,
too.  Damn it, I left my soda in there.  Would you mind to go get it
,
Millie, since you didn’t actually get thrown out?”

     “Umm…no
,
I will not go back in there!”

     Cara and Jess started laughing at me as we walked back to the car.  “Millie,
you’re
so uptight.  It’s not like you got thrown out.”

     “I know
,
but good grief.  You really don’t care what anyone thinks do you?”

    
“Nope.”

     “I’m so calling Jake.  I have to hear his response to this,” Cara said as she dialed her brother’s number.

     We made it home and Cara was still talking about Jake’s response.  He was so funny.  He couldn’t believe Jess had done that.  Well, actually he could
,
but he thought it was funny too.

     “I had a good time
even though we didn’t actually get to see if we won or not
.  Jess you always keep it interesting.” I laughed.

     “I do what I can.”

     “I’ll call ya’ll later.”

     “Bye.”

     The next afternoon
,
I made
C
ash lasagna and salad.  I kn
ew
it was one of his favorite meals
,
so I was ready to see his face when I showed up.
  I got there a little late because I helped mom around the house before I left.  I let Cash know
ahead of time that I was on my way,
so he could have his full hour to eat.

     When I got there
,
he was under a car.  I kicked his foot.  “Hey handsome, I got something I think you’re
gonna
want.”

     “Hey
,
baby,” Cash said coming through the door. 

    
My
stomach felt queasy.
  If Cash was not under the car, then
who
was I was just making sexual innuendos to?  Just then, Dave, or Mr. Dave, as I call him when I see him in town
,
rolls out from under the vehicle.  Dang, why does stuff like this always happen to me?  When Cash talks dirty it always works, me?  Not so much. 

     “So,
what
’
cha
got that you think I’m
gonna
want?” Dave teased.

     “Did I miss something?”  Cash asked cocking one eyebrow.

    
Gosh he looks so hot right now.  He’s got his uniform on and I can tell from the dirt and oil on his hands and forearms that he’s been working hard.  His old Boston hat is of course
,
backwards and that scruff of a beard he had made him even hotter in my book.

    
“Mil?”

     “Oh, uh, I was just going to mess with you
,
but you were not under the car, Mr. Dave was
.
”
I stumbled to get my words out and since I seemed to be in a freaking tran
ce
right now by his looks
,
I had no idea if what I just said actually made any sense or not.

    
“Really?”

     “Oh yeah, I’m not sure what she was talking about
,
but it seems Millie here
,
was in the mood to tease you a little bit
,
” Dave spoke up.

     It was then that it really turned awkward.  We were all three just standing there.  Both of them were dirty and looking at me.  Cash looked amused and like he was really enjoying this.  Dave looked amused and a little confused.  I don’t know what my face looked like
,
but I’m sure it was red. 

    
I just stood there with the food in my hand until finally, I found my voice again.  “I was just teasing, I brought you some food.”

     “Thank you, what are we having?”
H
e
asked
walking over to the sink to wash his hands
.

    
“One of your favorite
s,
lasagna.”

     “Good, I’m starving.”

     I took the food into their small break room and set it on the small table.

     “Dave, would you like to join us?  I brought plenty
,
”
I asked politely.

     “No
,
thank you.”

     “I’m serious, have you ever seen this boy eat?  I have enough for six normal people.”  I laughed.

     “Yes, I have and I know you did bring that much, probably just for him.”  We laughed together.

     “Baby, you know you love this body
,
”
Cash said pointing to his chest.

     Okay, I think to myself, I’m going to ignore that comment from my punk of a boyfriend because he knows my dad talks to Mr. Dave sometimes.  “Just eat punk.”

     “You don’t have to tell me twice.”

     “Cash, I’m going to head to the office and finish some paperwork.”

     “Alright, I’ll finish up when I’m done here.”

     “This is so good
,
sweetheart,” Cash told me with his mouth full.

     “Thank you, I’m glad you like it.  After Christmas break
,
I’ll be gone like four or five weekends for basketball tournaments.”

     “Maybe I can come to some of them.  I may have to bring my mom
,
though.  I don’t know if I’d feel right leaving her alone.”

     “That sounds good.  Maybe y
’
all could come to the one that’s in Nashville.  I think your mom would love Nashville.

    
“Yeah, I think we’ll try to plan that.”

    
Before I could reply, I heard someone yelling for Cash. 
“OH
,
CASH!  I know you’re in there!  It would be best for you to come out here, trust me!”

     Cash and I both turned towards the garage.  Who the heck is yelling for him?  I got up from my chair and started walking towards the garage.  Cash jerked my arm back towards him and said, “Millie, get out of here now.  I want you to go out the back door.”

     “What? No, who is it?”

     “Just go, now!”

     “No, Cash.  Who is here?  I’m not leaving you until I know that everything is ok
ay
.”

     “Very well, Cash, but know this, if I get my suit dirty, you’ll pay for that as well!”