Page 33 of Playing with Fire

"I guess." I shrug.

After giving him a brief hug I backed away. My smell must have been awful, but I was likely the only person who noticed this problem. The rest of the group received affection from both Hazel and Kylie.

Every one of us expressed happiness after our victory. "I have some good news guys." JAMIE announced that their dad gave permission to take the boat out next weekend. he announces.

I gasp. "Yes! Finally!"

I loved that boat. The boat became our essential Savannah destination where our friend group held their secret gatherings.

Most weekends we spend our time either on the water or at the beach.

I am so ready for Savannah.

All of us decided to gather at our chosen spot next weekend. Our house was chosen as tonight's gathering location after El and I suggested which everyone accepted.

I went to tell my parents about El and my plans but then I saw someone who vanished right after the proposal made.

"Rowan." I address him by his last name.

The sunlight reflected off his face while he remained seated on the bench. "Yeah?" He removed his wristband from his wrist and put it down next to him.

"Where'd you go?" I ask.

I felt obligated to speak with several individuals. he responds. I wanted to know if you planned to come over to our house later since everyone else is already here.

"Is your mom making pasta?" he asks with a smile. "I can ask her." "Good. He lifts his jersey to show his padded torso and belt and states, "I'll likely arrive late but I'll definitely make it." Although I couldn't care, I asked, "Why?"

He stops loosening the belt and looks up with an intense stare. "Because I have...stuff to take care of, Em."

He halts his belt loosening and fixes me with an intense stare. Em, there are things I need to attend to. The small pull of his lips revealed he was heading towards another direction. I responded with my most indifferent answer to block out his thoughts.

"Ok." I shrug and turn around.

His voice calls out behind me "Hold on."

I briefly smile but conceal my expression before facing him. "What?"

"Aren't you forgetting something?" He asks me a question while his hand directs attention to the scoreboard. After reviewing the score again, I grasp his meaning. I refuse to give him such a simple victory.

"What do you want? A big 'ol congratulations?" I narrowed my eyes at him.

"I'm waiting," he smirks. I approach him while he remains seated on the bench. "You did a decent job." He chuckles and pulls his shoulder padding over his head. I performed much better than just decent according to both of us. I shrug. "Debatable."

He rises to stand with just the lower part of his jersey and his compression shirt covering him. "Debatable, how?" he asks.

I honestly did not know so I shrugged once more. "I've seen better."

"See better where?" he asks quickly, stepping towards me. "At another game." I will give him a short reply.

"Which one?"

"Crestwood." I smile as his face drops. Although you lost to them you cannot deny that quarterback really stands out.

He gets into a bad mood whenever someone brings up the loss. Crestwood stands as our primary competitor whom we defeated during the season. "What's his name again? Bennett—something Bennett." I continue.

"No one of importance, Bennett." He interrupts my flow, and I find myself laughing silently. "Oh c'mon, I just wanna know." I push him. He rolls his eyes and his frown gets more pronounced.

"Don't be such a baby." I laugh, reaching his face. "Turn that frown upside down, grumpy. You won today." My fingers pull at his mouth corners to create a fake smile before he walks away.

---