Page 10 of The Riley Effect

“I hope I don’t regret that.” Indy laughs.

We’re both handed a shot and another mixed drink.

7

Jalen

After we take our shots I let the group know what I have planned for tonight. I figured with just our two teams being here for the start of the night, it would be fun to make tonight’s event a little more high-stakes.

When I told Byron about my idea, he made fun of me, saying I was only planning this to impress Ivy. He’s wrong. I am doing it because it ensures that Ivy will have to spend some time with me. And maybe in a competitive, light-hearted environment, she will speak more than two words at a time to me.

“Y’all want to hear what we’re doing tonight?”

Five pairs of eyes turn toward me. Some curious, others are confused.

“Aren’t we just going to stand around and drink?” Marcus asks while pouring us another round of shots.

“No, I thought we would have a little more fun.” I pull the list of events I decided on from my pocket and unfold it for everyone to see.

“So I set up a party olympics. I thought with all of us being athletes, it would be fun to add a little competition to the night.” I step around the counter to head to the living room to set up the games I have planned. “Ivy, you wanna help me set up?”

Her eyes are blank, and for a moment, I’m nervous she is going to turn me down. She eventually nods. I let her step in front of me, and in a risky move, I guide her to the living room with my hand on the small of her back. To my surprise, she doesn’t pull away. I’m silently thanking the tequila gods because I feel those shots are mostly to thank.

The first place we stop is the back closet to get the folding table to set up a game of beer pong. It’s not until I turn to hand her the table that I notice what she is wearing. It is different from what most girls wear at our parties. I take in her sneakers with a nod of approval. You can never go wrong with the classics. My gaze drifts to her camouflage pants and stops when it reaches her low-cut top. The plunging neckline still leaves enough to the imagination. And my imagination is running wild.

There is something different about Ivy. She has this quiet confidence that I find incredibly sexy. I continue to take in her curves until I hear something humming in my ear. Ivy clears her throat. I pretend to rummage through the closet. I’d normally make a big show of getting caught checking someone out, but Ivy has me second-guessing myself.

After taking a moment to gather myself, I turn back to Ivy and ask, “Would you want to make tonight’s competition a little more interesting?”

Ivy’s eyes narrow like she’s trying to get a read on my intentions for this side bet. Then her head tilts to the side, intrigued to find out more.

I don’t want to give her a chance to say no. My roommates already think she is way out of my league, but tell an athlete they can’t do something, and it only makes them want it more.

I look into her coffee-colored eyes and propose my plan. “If the boys and I win, I get to take you out on a date, and if you and your team take the gold, I’ll keep my head down and not bother you at the shelter for the rest of the year.”

She’s hesitant for a moment. I tuck my hands into my pockets. Something about putting the ball in her court is a little unnerving.

I’m surprised when she offers me a counterproposition, “I want to up the stakes a little. If you win, we’ll go on that date, but if I win, you and Riley have to dress up in matching costumes for the football game that’s on Halloween.”

I look at her, stunned. But her eyes meet mine with a hint of confidence. This isn’t the girl I met recently who only spoke to me in two-word sentences. There is something more to her. Someone I want to get to know.

“I’ll take that bet baby, but remember, I don’t lose.”

“We’re the ones with a National Championship,” she says with a wink. “I think we are going to have some fun tonight.” She sinks her teeth into her bottom lip and my body stiffens. I think I’m about to be in for a long night.

Ivy and I finish setting up right as our teammates start making their way into my house. Unlike my housemates, the rest of my teammates are excited about the twist to a normal party. Anticipation pumps up my fellow athletes like we’re getting ready for a season-defining game.

I take the list I’ve been carrying to help set up the games and tape it to the wall. Ivy and Indy thought it would be best to do only one event at a time so we could all watch and cheer on our teammates. The list will act like a live scoreboard ready for the winners of each event to be added for everyone to see.

“The events tonight will go as follows,” I announce to a room full of tipsy athletes.

“Why are you speaking like you have a stick up your ass?” Eric Webb, our sophomore goalie, yells over his can of light beer.

I shoot him a nice long look of both of my middle fingers before I rattle off the “events” for tonight’s party olympics.

“Flip cup, stack cup, drunk twister, kings cup and strip beer pong are what we have planned for tonight.” I cup my hands around my lips to amplify my voice. “Each team can choose who they want for each event except for the last one,” I announce the twist I’ve kept to myself. “Team captains will have to participate in the last event.”

Ivy is standing next to the list tapped on the wall. I watch her eyes scan down the list until she reaches event number five. She runs a hand through her hair, and it breaks up the loose curls she put in it tonight. Her lips are pressed flat. Her expression is impossible to read.

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