A Game Well Played

Chapter 6: Swimming With The Boys

Matt walked up to the van, opening my door for me before getting into the driver side. We buckled up without a word, then Matt started up the vehicle.

I looked out the window, watching bodies of people flash by. I started to tap my fingers to the beat of Tonight and silently sung along. Matt looked over, a small smile running across his face, before he realized I was watching. His face turned a light red as he cleared his voice, catching me by surprise.

“So, picking up your bikini…” He said, breaking the last word into three syllables; dragging the ‘e’ sound.

I let out a little laugh. “Yeah, and then we can go swimming, and I can see your body.” I responded, dragging the ‘e’ sounds just like him. Matt perked up a bit, his cheeked flushing of colour. I laughed again. Cute.

We reached my house and I got out, racing inside quickly. I grabbed what I needed and got out as fast as I could, slamming the door behind me.

I smiled at Matt and got back in the vehicle. “Ready, lets go!”

He smiled while backing out of my drive way. He started to tap his fingers against the wheel like I have before, while I tried to make small talk.

“So, aren’t you supposed to be touring?”

Matt gave me a side glance before responding. “Yeah, we are. We spend the time needed wherever we play, then head back here.”

“Why? Like, why here?”

“Well, this is where our manager wants us to record, really.”

I turned back, facing the windshield, “Where are you recording?”

He smirked. “Well, if I told you then it wouldn’t be a fun secret.”

I frowned. “Yeah, ‘fun’.”

Matt laughed at my expression, which made my frown deepen. Why does he have to act this way?

“It’s not funny.”

Matt stopped laughing, and stole another quick glance at me. “Sorry, but it is. You seem pretty interested in us; or more like Josh.”

I felt my face flush. “Not even!”

Matt started to laugh harder. I glared at him, making sure to know he understands that I’m upset. He sobered up his expression then we returned to just listening to music.

“So, what’s the deal with you and your friend, Damian?”

I looked back over to Matt, for the millionth time. “What do you mean? He’s just a friend - my best friend, actually.”

“Well, it never looks that way when you are around him.”

“Really? Why do you say that?”

“Because you’re always so happy with him and smiling. Plus, you two act like a couple together.”

Us? A couple? Not even! What’s he talking about?! We never act like that, do we?

I stayed silent while Matt rambled on about whatever, when suddenly, a question caught my attention.

“So, do you know why whenever we tell a joke, the punch line is ‘pomegranate’?”

I stared at him, completely confused. “Uh, not really. Why?” I asked, trying to sound uninterested about it. I guess it didn’t work. Matt didn’t notice, though.

“Well, one night we were watching TV, and we heard this guy on the other side of the wall. We didn’t hear any of the joke, but we heard the punch line, which was ‘pomegranate’. He said it repeatedly, so we decided to use it for any joke, really. We made it our own thing.” He smiled - but not just a little smile. His smile grew to his eyes, making them shine.