Playing For Keeps

17| Chapter 14-TAYO

''So, where are we going?''

I don't have a clue.

When I proposed we go out, I'd half expected her to say no. Push me out of her house and slam the door after me. Instead I'm going off on a date.

''No clue. Figured we'll cruise around for a while, maybe head to your Pop Pop's shop for a couple fires and milkshakes. We can talk then.''

She snorts, tugging on the car radio knob before falling on the window.

''Your plan all along was to go to my Pop Pop's shop. Wasn't it?''

''Guilty, your honour.'' I remove my right hand from the wheel, holding it up as her chuckles fall and a snort escapes her mouth. Her eyes widen, darting from my profile to the windows and back to me.

''Sorry,'' she mumbles, tucking one of her locs behind her ear. ''I don't do that a lot.''

I shake my head, pulling the car out of the road and parking somewhere.

''Don't apologize. And I found it cute. What do you say we go to the Canal Park? It's not that cold and the sun's out.''

Lola nips her bottom lip, rolling it to the side before she shrugs and nods. The car ride's silent, with her attention outside and I keep the silence going till I park the car and turn to her.

''For this to work, we need to understand each other and we can't do that if you shut me down when you get embarrassed. Okay? So what! You snorted, everyone snorts. And you sounded like a cute pig.''

She huffs, sneering at me before opening the door and walking away. I shut the door, running after her and settle on the park bench beside her. We're the only people as far as I can see.

Despite the sun and clear skies, it's still autumn. No one's as crazy as two teenagers to come here.

''Let's talk about this. You're 'dating' me to make your ex jealous. Mind if I ask why?''

She shakes her head but doesn't say why. I live her, waiting for her to open up, but after five minutes, she's still not talking.

''Lola?''

''I told you he cheated on me. But I didn't tell you how I found out. It was one of the summers when I came back from visiting my family. I wanted to see him but he wasn't picking his phone so I went to the bowling alley. There he was, with Mabel, wrapped in each other's arms, feeding themselves and kissing. And after, I noticed the two of them would disappear often, and it became obvious.''

She says it so matter-of-factually like it didn't matter, or hurt her . But her fists are clenched, face set as if she was a sculpture, and she's biting her lips. No matter how much she thinks she's over the hurt, it's obvious in her little tells.

It's obvious in my presence and our deal.

''Your ex is a snake. Sorry, but I'm not sorry. If he did it once, I can call it a mistake, twice is pushing it but doing it for so long and going as far as dating the girl, that's low. Very low.''

She nods, releasing her fists and sending me a smile. Its strained, a wobble at best but she tries.

''That's my reason. But I think it all works out well. You needed a fake girlfriend and I doubt you'd have found one.''

My eyebrows disappear in my forehead, her words confounding me and making the challenger in me surge.

''No, I would have. You're the one that should be lucky I said yes.''

She snorts again, pushing her hair back and wrapping it in a makeshift bun using the rubber band she had on.

''Don't get your panties all twisted. Would you have found a girl willing to date you? Yes...''

''See,'' I say, shoving my finger in her face. She grabs it, nipping at the end before flicking my forehead.

''I'm getting somewhere. You would have gotten a girlfriend, but she wouldn't have understood the terms. Probably think you'd want to date her for real. You and I wouldn't have that, so there's no need to worry about that.''

I nod, and turn. For the next thirty minutes or so, we watch the rivers and the cars on the bridge. Lola and I trade questions, elbowing each other when one refuses to answer or says something foolish. I'm the one with the sore side though, the girl can elbow. I thought with her small stature and frame, she'd not be able to.

Now I'm dreading her punches.

''I'm starving, the cold's getting worse and I just want to go home.''

''Wait, what's your real plan for revenge?''

She grins. ''Wouldn't you like to know?''