Page 84 of Redeeming Heart

I looked up when I heard him calling my name.

“You’ve got an air hockey game table in your living room.” I had no idea why I was even surprised.

“Yeah, got it as a present a few years ago.” He answered, placing my drink down in front of me.

I gave him a playful look. “Should I assume that you didn’t put anything in my drink that will make me lose consciousness and find out tomorrow I did some weird-ass shit?” He chuckled at me and shook his head.

“The only time I take advantage of a girl is when I use my credit card to pay for her lunch.” I know he was teasing, but it sounded somehow sweet.

“Why aren’t you dating? You have all these people interested in you.” I asked, watching him placing a puck on the surface of the table and pushing a striker over to me.

“They are people who don’t bother to get to know me for me, they only want to be with me because I can help them grow their social media profiles and followers.” I started to see what Clarissa meant that he is a good-mannered guy.

“Are you one of those people who are looking for the diamond in a ruff? The one person who will change your life forever? Have your heart beating every time you cast your eyes on her?”

I didn’t know the first thing about love and I was only asking about things I’ve seen on tv shows that have cliché scenes.

“Something like that, yeah. Don’t get me wrong. I like pretty girls as any other guy does and I am aware that girls are also insecure about their appearances and want to feel beautiful, but I don’t want a girl who fakes her feelings or emotions around me.” He explained.

“Best out of five?” He asked, gesturing to the game.

“I don’t think you’ve realized how competitive I truly am,” I informed him, shooting him a grin.

He returned a smile. “Your field manners tell a lot of things, Adams.”

I chuckled. “Field-manners? What is that?”

He motioned for me to be the first to take a shot at the puck and I took it. I wasn’t going to start an argument about having first dibs.

“You are competitive when you go for that hockey ball and don’t give up easily even when the umpire is all over you.” My chest vibrated as I snickered at his remark because it was the truth.

“You know a lot about me, don’t you?” By now we were playing the game, defending and striking.

“I’m observant,” He clarified, smiling when I won the first round.

“Well, from what I’ve observed over the few past weeks is that you are also very competitive and tough on the ice. Not holding back whenever you get a shot or want to take a shot.”

He pulled up his shoulders as he already knew. “Guilty.”

We shot the puck back and forth, losing count of how many times we beat each other. Two competitive people wanting to make a point is never a good thing or maybe it was. I don’t know, but I was having fun watching him curse every time I beat him.

We decided to take a break when our friends came looking for us. He offered to refill my glass while I headed outside to get some fresh air when I noticed Daphne sitting alone.

“Not your kind of thing, eh?” I noted, noticing her discomfort and boredom.

“I’m a calculus nerd with the dream of becoming a sporting clothes designer.” She replied.

“So, why are you here if it is not your scene?” I asked, hoping I wasn’t snooping.

“Babysitting,” She pointed with her head at Clarissa who was talking to a few of Brandon’s teammates.

I didn’t know her relationship with her sister because they didn’t attend the same high school and I don’t know what kind of person Clarissa is at parties because I never attended them.

“She got into a car accident during the last party she attended and while it is in for repairs, she drives around with my car until she gets hers back. I am not going to let her go out partying while driving mine or go back to the dorms and wait for her to call me at midnight to pick her up and take her home.” Daphne explained when she noticed the frown on my face.

“Hey, Daph,” Brandon greeted her when he neared and handed my drink over to me.

“How’re things at the varsity?” He asked her.

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