Tricks Of The Game

Chapter 7

*Kelsey's POV*

        Patrick and I climbed into his car. The second he started it, Feeling This by Blink-182 came out at full blast. His face turned bright red and he quickly shut it off.

        "You like Blink?" I asked, genuinely surprised.

        "Uh, yeah," Patrick said, looking ashamed. "They've been my favorite band since they came on the scene." He was obviously afraid of what I'd think.

        "No way!" I said, smiling. This was too good to be true. "Me too! They got me through my teenage years." I was liking him more and more with each passing second.

        Patrick grinned and turned the radio back on. We sand along to Feeling This, Dammit, and What's My Age Again? before we turned into the parking lot of a low key Italian bistro.

        "This is my favorite place to eat," he said with a smile. "It's so quiet and out of the way. I always go here when I want a taste of good home cooking."

        He got out of the car, opened my door for me, and took my hand as we walked into the restaurant.

        "Hello Patrick! Long time no see! Who is this beautiful woman?" The man behind the counter said in a thick Italian accent, making me blush.

        "Hey Emilio," Patrick said, grinning at the old man. "This is Kelsey. Kelsey, this is Emilio. He and his wife Marie took good care of me when I first came to Chicago."

        "It is a pleasure to meet you, Kelsey," Emilio said, walking around the counter and kissing my hand. It was easy to tell he was raised in Italy. "Marie!" Emilio shouted to the kitchen. "Patrick is here with a very pretty woman!" An older woman in a white apron came running out of the kitchen and kissed both Patrick's cheeks.

        "Patrick!" She cried with excitement. "You mustn't be such a stranger! Emilio and I don't know what to do without you!" Marie turned to me, smiling. "And who is this lovely young lady?"

        "This is Kelsey," Patrick said, his grin growing bigger. I was beside myself. These people were obviously very important to him, and I was honored to be introduced to them.

        "Oh, she is just darling!" Marie said, kissing both my cheeks. "Now, honey, keep Patrick in line. He is a wild one!" She said, laughing. "Now what can we get for you lovebirds today?"

        "Two of the usual, please. Thank you, Marie."

        Patrick took my hand and sat down at his favorite booth. He took my hands in his from across the table and looked into my eyes. I could feel myself getting weak in the knees. He was as close to perfect as a man could ever get.

*Patrick's POV*

        I got lost in her gorgeous blue eyes. She truly was the most beautiful woman I had ever had the pleasure to lay eyes on. I wanted to sit here and look at her forever, but the sound of my phone going off brought me back to reality. I looked at the screen. Abby. I quickly pressed ignore. I'm sure she wanted to know when I would be home so she could pawn the girls off on my for the rest of the day so she could go out with her friends.

        "Did you know that I have never seen a woman more beautiful than you?" I said to her. It was the absolute truth.

        "Patrick..." she said, her face turning red as she smiled.

        "No, really. I mean it. It doesnt matter what you have on. You turn every head in a room. And I cannot believe how low maintenance you are. Abby hates it here. That's why I haven't been here in so long. I want this to be our place."

*Kelsey's POV*

        After Patrick and I had a delicious meal, we thanked Emilio and Marie, and took a walk through the city. It felt amazing to hold his hand. I hadn't felt this comfortable with someone in my entire life.

        We made our way back to the car, listening to a loval rock station as he drove me back to the IceHouse parking lot where my car was waiting. Patrick took my hand and walked me to the door like a perfect gentleman.

        "So, do I get to take you out on a second date?" He asked, leaning me back against the wall.

        "Well, I don't know..." I said, giving him a flirty smile. "You are pretty cute." I pulled him in and kissed him. He looked at me and smiled.

        "I'll see you later, sweetheart," he kissed me and drove away.

        I smiled to myself as I walked back to the locker room to grab my bag. Patrick was so wonderful. I was so glad I decided to take Bri's advice and explore this. One date and I was already crazy about him. I was so lost in my thoughts that I almost ran into Joel.

        "Oh, hey Joel, what's up?"

        "I think you know exactly what's up. Look, I am not trying to be an ass about this, but whatever is going on between you and Patrick has to stop. He is still a married man, and you are the assistant coach. All I'm asking is that you check yourself before you wreck yourself, and him too." Joel turned and left.

        I could feel the tears running down my face as I stormed out of the locker room. I had no idea where I was going. I just walked until I heard someone calling my name. I turned around to see Ben.

        "Kels, what's wrong?" Ben asked while jogging up to me. He wrapped his arms around me while I cried into his shoulder.

        "Patrick and I just had an amazing afternoon, and Joel just pulled me aside basically forbidding me from seeing him again," I sobbed.

        "You are my closest friend in the entire world. I swear, I am going to fix this for you, honey. I promise," He said, squeezing me tight before walking away.

*Ben's POV*

        My heart broke as I walked away from my best friend. That girl has held my heart since the day I met her. She deserves the world, and if Patrick makes her happy, then it was going to happen. No one was going to ruin this for her. I pulled out my phone and sent a text to Patrick:

        Hey, just saw something go down between Kelsey & Q involving you. She's devastated. Go to her condo tonight, thinking she could use the company.