BET

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Kasia 

I don't have a plan on how I am going to win Evelyn's bet as I walk into the stadium where the football game is being held tonight. All I know is that Keagan, Simon, and Henry will all be here tonight, and that seems to be my best chance to figure out a way to break things off with them. I've never planned these things beforehand anyways, why start now?

As I make my way through the crowds of people near the entrance and the various stands set up to sell hot dogs and popcorn, I finally ascend the metal stairs to the bleachers and spot some familiar faces on the field. The game seems to be well enough through the first half according to the timer on the scoreboard, so I am only a little late as I shuffle through the people already seated.

The rest of the first half goes by rather quickly and to be honest, I really don't notice most of it. I'm too busy racking my brain about the reason that I am even here in the first place. The buzzer sounding to indicate that it is halftime knocks me out of my head though. I stand from my seat, needing to stretch my legs and give my body a rest from the uncomfortable metal seats of the bleachers. I walk down to the railing that separates the seats from the field, leaning forward against it.

Both teams break their formations to walk to their respective sides of the field. I locate each of the boys quickly as they take off their helmets and reach for their water bottle. I watch their chests heaving up and down as they try to catch their breath, talking with the other sweat covered players and listening to their coach who seems to be yelling various plays at them.

My fingers dangle over the cold metal of the wire barricade as I try not to stare openly. I run the tips of my nails across it mindlessly as my eyes dart between the three of them, unsure of who to focus on. Some other fans come down from their seats to stand near where I am, leaning down over the railing to talk with the players who walk up to greet them. Girlfriends or mothers of the team hugging and kissing their loved ones.

I find myself lost in my thoughts once again watching all of them interact. I don't even notice someone approaching me in the same way until they are standing right below me and staring at me expectantly. My surprise must register all over my features when I look down at them because they smile right away.

I recognize immediately that the person who approached me is one of the players from the other team by the colors that he wears. His hair is completely soaked with sweat from the first half of the game that he has played. It looks like it would normally be a light blonde color but is much darker as he runs his fingers through it, peering up at me from where he stands. I try to recover my surprise quickly as he speaks.

"Hey, how's it going?" he says, flashing me his killer smile.

"Pretty good," I say, nodding towards the scoreboard. "We're winning."

The guy chuckles, jerking his head to the side and glancing up at the numbers. His attention doesn't stay on them for too long, before he is looking back at me.

"Don't get used to it. We'll catch up in the second half."

My eyebrows raise. "That confident, huh?"

His bright smile flashes again as he leans against the barricade, looking up at me. "Oh yeah. Confidence is my middle name."

"Is it now?" I nod. "Alright, give me a spin."

He does as he is told, turning slow enough that I can spot the name on the back of his jersey printed in the white blocky letters above the number '26.' I smile to myself but don't let it show on my face when he is turned back around and facing me once again. I shrug my shoulders, seeming uninterested.

He immediately puffs out his chest, feeling slighted just like I knew he would. "What's your name?" he asks next.

I can't help but smirk, holding back a chuckle. "Kasia."

"Jonathan." he responds, holding his hand out for me to shake.

"Jonathan Confidence Brock." I say, shaking my head and extending my hand. "Doesn't really have a nice ring to it, does it?"

He chuckles, shaking my hand and pinching his face up like he is in pain. "Okay, you're clever," he admits.

I shrug my shoulders. "What can I say? Clever is my middle name."

"Remind me to watch out for you in the second half." he says, my hand still in his. "You're more dangerous than any of the guys on that field."

Jonathan bends forward, surprising me and kissing the back of my hand quickly. When he lifts his head up, meeting my eyes once again, I can't stop the blush that I feel on my cheeks. I am quick to not let it overcome me though, straightening my spine to restore my composure.

"That would include you too." I retort, testing him.

He smiles, backing away from the bleachers and letting my hand slip from his. "Exactly right."

Jonathan winks at me, flashing one last shot of that bright smile before he is turning to jog back onto the field. I watch him go, following his form as he crosses the benches where our team was standing before. Most of them have already made their way off the field and to the locker rooms, but three figures remain. Their scowling eyes watch him closely. Jonathan seems to notice their unfriendly stares because gives them a quick wave before continuing his jog to the locker rooms with the rest of his team.

The three of them watch him leave, drilling holes into his back with their gaze before turning towards me with their heated looks. I stand up straight, gripping onto the railing and swallowing roughly before deciding that I must descend down off the bleachers. I walk towards the field where the guys are, ignoring the nerves prickling my spine and putting on my best smile.

"You guys seem to be doing well." I offer, glancing at the scoreboard and praying that they will respond with some stupid football jargon that I don't care about.

"Who was that?" Simon asks.

Of course not.

"Who was who?" I play dumb, smiling some more.

"The guy kissing your hand," Keagan says, mimicking Simon's serious tone.

"You tell me, don't you football guys all know each other?" I joke, reaching out and poking the padding that rests on Henry's chest covered by his jersey.

My attempts at a joke don't seem to be landing with any of them as they continue to scowl, unmoving. My eyes dart between the three of them slowly.

"What? Are you guys jealous?" I ask, watching the expressions on their faces intently.

I don't need them to respond to get my answer, it is painted on each of their faces like bright, bold ink. Looking at them now, the gears in my head grind together smooth enough to form the perfect plan. Evelyn is going to be kissing the ground that I walk on once I pull this off.

"Clearly I have a thing for guys who play this medieval sport." I start, glancing around the stadium. "Or maybe they have a thing for girls like me."

"An egotistical bias, I'm sure." Keagan says, holding his helmet against his side.

I fake surprise, putting a hand over my heart. "Wow, a big word for you. I guess the other team hasn't knocked all your brain cells loose yet."

He lifts his helmet up, shaking it in the air in front of my face. "That's what this is for, dumbass."

"Must not be working that well, dumbass." I respond, mimicking his tone.

"You're both idiots." Simon says simply, grabbing his gear off the bench between us and turning to walk away.

Henry follows Simon, glancing at me once before he leaves. Keagan gives me a smart look before he joins the other two. I watch them go, shocked by how quickly they left without putting up much of a fight. My stomach sinks, standing there on the side of the field completely alone.