For The Love Of The Game

"What?!" Lacey said. "I just made that up as an excuse for you. I wasn't being serious."

"Well if I don't go then I'm a liar. And I am definetly not a liar," he said.

Lacey rolled her eyes. She highly doubted that. Aaron Matthews, the guy who broke more girls hearts than anyone else never lied. Lacey noticed the smile on Aaron's face and she suddenly felt butterflies in her stomach.

"Look I really can't tonight anyway," she said looking down and away from Aaron's face.

"Why not?" he took a step closer to her.

"Well, um, because I have to..."

Lacey started to blush at Aaron's close proximity. She couldn't think of a lie to say. He was just to close to her. She could smell his cologne, and it did smell good. But he didn't stop. He just kept inching closer. Lacey made the mistake of looking up into his crystal blue eyes. She lost herself in them. They were too perfect.

"Please...." Aaron begged. He put on a puppy dog face.

"Well..." Lacey looked at his face and she knew that she'd lost. "...fine!"

"Cool!" Aaron smiled, taking a step back from Lacey. She let out a breath she didn't even know she'd been holding. Lacey started to get in her car and Aaron jumped in his. She couldn't believe this was happening. She turned on the her ipod to the Goo Goo Dolls. She just needed some relaxing music. She looked in her rear view mirror and saw Aaron behind her. She just shook her head and turned her music up louder. When they arrived at her house she got out her house keys.

"Come on," she said to Aaron. He follwed her up the front steps.

"Nice house," Aaron said when they walked in. And it was true. Lacey did have a nice house. If was all on one floor but it was pretty spred out. There were hard floors through out the whole house. The living room was big with a large couch and two comfy recliners. The dinning room had a big table and a small piano in it. The kitchen had all back counter tops and was very spacious. Lacey had her room away from everyone elses'. Her brothers and her dad were all at one end of the house while she had her own bathroom and was at the other. She threw her gym bag down and turned to Aaron.

"Make yourself at home. No one's here so you don't mind if I leave you alone for a minute while I go change do you?"

"We're alone?" Aaron asked raising his eyebrows.

"Yeah but don't get any dumb ideas."

"Who has ideas?"  Aaron said raising his hands in surrender. Lacey just rolled her eyes. She knew Aaron wouldn't do anything but she still locked her door. She changed into comfy sweats and a clean t shirt. If she hadn't just had practice, she might of put  more energy in to how she looked, but she was tired. When she came back in the living room Aaron was looking at all the family photographs.

"So are you ready to start?" Lacey asked as she put a pile of books on the kitchen table. Aaron didn't look to happy.

"What's all this?"

"Study materials. Now let's get started." They both sat down. Aaron groaned. Lacey knew that he didn't think she'd take this seriously, but she'd show him.

To Lacey's surprise Aaron stayed focused. After about two hours Lacey was starting to feel pretty hungry. Her stomach finally gave her away by letting out a loud growl. Aaron laughed. Lacey loved the sound and it made her smile.

"Sounds like someone is hungry."

"Yeah. Breaktme." Lacey got up and went into the kitchen looked for food. She pulled down some stuff to make tacos.

"You hungry?" she asked Aaron.

"Sure," he said.

"Do you like tacos?"

"Heck yes!"

Lacey couldn't help but to smile. "Good. Now come help me."

Aaron and Lacey made dinner in a comfortable silence. Lacey was beginning to be ok with the thought of him hanging around. She still had a million questions as to why he was taking such an interest in her. After a while, Aaron finally broke the silence.

"So where is your famile?"

"Well my dad is still at work. Gabe is in science club, and Noah is at day care." Lacey said finishing the hamburger.

"And your mom?" Aaron asked.

Lacey froze. She looked down and didn't say anything. She couldn't

"Lacey? What's wong?" Aaron asked concerned. He started to walk towards her.

She took a deep breath. "My mom, doesn't live here anymore." she said as calmly as she could.

"Oh," was all Aaron said.

Lacey finished the meat and sat it out. Everything else was already laid out thanks to Aaron.

"Ok make yourself some tacos!" Lacey said with a smile. She didn't want Aaron to think about the scene in the kitchen too much. He smiled at her. And made a huge plate. They went into the living room and turned on the tv. A college game football game was on tv. Aaron and Lacey watched it together.

"How are your tacos?" she asked him.

"Oh, muy bien senorita! Gracias!" Aaron said.

" De nada," Lacey said with a smile.

She couldn't help but fell comfortable with Aaron. They finished watching the game, when Aaron finally stood up to leave. Lacey couldn't help but feel kinda sad that he was leaving.

"Well thanks for tutoring me Lacey," Aaron said walking to the door.

"Yeah your welcome," she said rolling her eyes.

"I guess I'll see you at school tomorrow."

"Ok," she said.

Then Aaron did something that took Lacey compeltely off guard. Before he stepped out of the door he turned and grabbed Lacey's hand.

"And thanks again for dinner. Buenas noches bonita," he said as he kissed her hand. And then he was gone. Lacey watched him drive away, still blushing.

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