Love, Bets and Football

9.0

~Rachael~

When it came to dating experience, I had zero to none. Which only meant I was approaching this as blank as a plain sheet of paper. The whole thing hovered over me, like a looming cloud of impending doom. It wasn't that I was just scared, my own inexperience was also another problem.

I rubbed my arms, trying to soothe my nerves. Dating wasn't really a thing I approached so openly, since I only regarded it as something negative.

My first crush on the only guy I had ever found myself sexually attracted to had only resulted in a disaster so bad, I hadn't dared to engage or fantasize about having a boyfriend and that had only been my junior year of high school.

And then of course my life had taken such a deep dive, I didn't have any room left for a love life. This being my first date made my anxiety skyrocket.

"At least I've got Kayla by my side. " I gave myself a pep talk, but it wasn't working. Deep down, I knew I couldn't rely on her forever. I had to face my fears on my own.

"Calm down. I promise everything's going to go well. Besides, after all my masterful life changing effort, I highly doubt a sane guy wouldn't be having trouble walking away from you. "

I smiled, even though I didn't believe anything she had said. True to her words, Kayla had really really done an outstanding job when it had come to my makeup and outfit. At first, she had tried putting me in an off shoulder red dress, matched with fishnet socks and stilettos, but I had rejected the ideas soon as she had pulled out the outfit from her closet.

After a couple attempts and a few numerous outfits, we were both satisfied with a pair of low rise jeans and a baby pink corset top and a pair of matching baby pink wedge heels. For jewellery, I opted for a high ponytail and a black chocker necklace.

My makeup was simple and minimal, but Kayla had decided a cat eye complimented my eyes best. Since it wasn't something extreme, I agreed.

Kayla wore a denim mini skirt that she matched with a metallic silver corset top.Her clutch was bright red matching her equally bright red Versace platforms. She held her hair up in a fancy bun, that she's tied up with a dragon hair pin. She looked so beautiful.

Tonight, I was Kayla's passenger princess. Honestly, I had expected her date to pick her up, but Kayla being the woman she was had reasoned it out. Since it was only the first date, she would drive to our destination. If she then wanted to go on other dates with her potential partner, then picking her up would be fine.

As soon as we got to our destination, Kayla flung herself at the hot blonde guy. He smiled, showing two deep dimples on his cheeks. He planted a kiss on her nose, all the while twirling her in his arms. Kayla let out a hearty laugh, smiling as wide as the hot piece of cake who had now placed her on her feet. I stood at the side, smiling pleasantly at their obvious public display of affection.

"Those two sure do look good together? Don't they? " I let out a squeak, startled by the deep voice that had only been inches away from my ear.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. " The guy apologized, smiling at me sheepishly. From this angle, the street lights cast shadows on his face, so I wasn't able to make out his facial features quite clearly.

"It's alright. "

"Guys, what happened? "

I must have caught Nicole's and her dates attention, because they both came rushing to us. "Sorry, we didn't mean to interrupt your fluffy moments. It was all my mistake. " The guy explained. Something about him felt familiar, like I had seen or heard his voice somewhere.

"It's fine. " Kayla's date spoke up. "Sorry we kept the both of you waiting, Jeremy. "

Jeremy. That's it! His name was certainly familiar, but was he the same person I was expecting? Suddenly, he shifted, moving and when he did, the light finally fell on his face and I was able to take it much more clearly.

"I knew I had known that name from somewhere. You're Jeremy, right? We met at that campfire a few weeks ago."

"Oh yeah. It's you. Rachel? "

"Yeah. That's me." I was glad I wasn't going to be on a date with a complete stranger after all.

As we spoke, Kayla looked between us, questions between her eye. "You guys know each other?"

"Kayla, don't you remember, we met him on the night of the campfire. "

"Uhm, sorry, but no. I must have been buzzed from all the excitement and drinking. "

"No worries. Let's just take it this out fist time meeting officially.

" It's nice to be catching up and all, but let's get inside before one of us actually catches a cold. " The guy, Kayla's date, spoke up for the first time. He was blonde, green sparkly eyes and a very smoldering gaze. He was tall, towering over both Kayla and I, slightly over Jeremy too. Like Jeremy, he had a very athletic and muscular build.

He was very hot and attractive and most definitely Kayla's type. I was observing him quite clearly, and his gaze softened whenever Kayla spoke to himor when his eyes found her each time I wasn't sure and it was probably too soon to say this, but from what I could see, he truly liked her. If things went well for them, they would make a really attractive couple.

We made it to our respective reserved tables and I found my nerves showing up again. We sat facing each other, each of is seating side by side with our respective dates. Kayla facing Jeremy and I facing her date. I realized I had yet to know his name.

He must have caught on because he stretched his hand out, offering it to me to shake it. I took it, shaking it. "I'm sorry I haven't introduced myself yet, but my name's Jake. Jake Prescott to be exact. But please call me Jake. "

"Nice to meet you, Jake. My name's Racheal."

"I'm glad I finally got to meet you. It's nice to finally put a face to the name. I've heard quite a lot about you. "

"Is that so? " I shot Kayla a look. I was definitely demanding an explanation later on. After making sure all introductions were over and through, we made our orders.

"So, where did you guys meet? " Kayla and Jake shared a smile after my question. " I suppose you guys would share your story since you already know mine and Jeremy's. "

"Wanna ter her or should I? "

"Go ahead. I'll only chime in when you forget something important. "

"Awww, that's so sweet of you, Jake. "

"My pleasure. "

"Anyway, " Kayla begun, "Remember that time when I came back home really late? " I nooded, urging her to continue. " I was leaving the club that night. Unfortunately, the short cut I decided to use wasn't as safe as I had presumed, because a thief happened to snatch my purse."

"Thankfully, Jake happened to be wandering at the same place and watched the whole thing. He ran after the thief, knocked him out and retrieved my purse. After that, he escorted me to the police station where we both filled in files as witnesses. He drove me back to our dorm, where we exchanged contact. The rest is history now. "

Kayla smiled as she finished. She looked back at Jake, as if looking for approval from him. He smiled at her, proceeding to lightly pat her back. While the story sounded heroic and brave, I was actually horrified instead. The fact everything could have taken a complete 180°.

"That's uh, a pretty interesting way to meet. " Jeremy chimed in. He voiced my thoughts, but he was much more polite than I intended to be.

"Honestly, I'm quite disappointed. You didn't tell me anything about being robbed. "

"Sorry," Kayla shrugged like it was no big deal. "But I don't think I could handle getting chewed up by you, especially after all that. "

"Well, at least promise me you'll be careful next time. I don't mind getting up from my sleep and giving you a ride if it means you'll be safe. Plus, " I continued, this time facing Jake. "I'm so grateful you were there at the right time. I don't know what could have happened otherwise. Kayla can be so reckless sometimes. "

Kayla rolled her eyes, but nevertheless, looked pleased.

"Wow, you guys have such an amazing friendship. "Jeremy, who had been quietly listening, finally spoke up. " That is really awesome. Too bad I can't say the same about some guy. "

We laughed at his little snub at Jake, who jokingly grumbled understand his breath. Finally, the waiter showed up with our food, and the conversation died down. Midway through our meals, the light banter was mostly carried on by Kayla, although the rest of us occasionally filled in where necessary.

Jeremy, much like myself, was not much of a great talker. Once in a while though, I caught him staring at me a little longer than normal. I only got to make eye contact with him once all through that, but I had shyed away, slightly blushing.

Jeremy had leened in, whispering softly in my ear. "I'm so sorry, but you look so beautiful. I'm afraid I'll be ogling you all night. " His compliment sounded genuine, so I muttered a 'thanks in return.

When I faced the others, I found Kayla already looking at us. She smiled at me encouragingly, before turning to listen to what Jake was saying to her. I smiled to myself, feeling good. Everything was going well and looked promising.

"By the way, Jake, when will your games begin? I think Racheal and I will have to book early in order to catch good seats.

After whipping his mouth with the napkin, he replied. " Next week. I would really appreciate it if you both showed up to our game. I'm sure Jeremy and I will be making it to the first line up. "

"Hold on, you guys are footballers? "

I was surprised. With the amount of time I was spending at their center, I'm sure I would have recognized their faces by now.

"How come I haven't noticed you guys yet? "

"Beats me. Might be because neither of us paid that much attention to one another? "

"Probably." I agreed, proceeding to shove another tasty forkful of pasta in my mouth. "Though I don't think I've seen you around before. "

I'm sure I wouldn't have forgotten a new face if I saw one. What about you Jeremy? Have you seen her around yet? "

Jeremy studied my face, as if he was searching bhis brain for a clue. A few seconds later, he shook his head. "No. Just as Jake said, it's hard to forget not miss a new face, especially one that is as cute as yours. "

I smiled at the subtle compliment, but nevertheless, the conversation carried on. "That's unusual." Kayla said, "Rachel's pretty much spends so much of her time there. Besides, with your Coach being her Uncle, I'm sure you guys would have already know who she was. "

"Hold on. You're Coach's niece? '

" Yep. I'm. "

"Wait a minute, if you're coach's daughter, then that means you're also, Cain's nurse. Am I right? "

"Yes. That too. "

"That must be tough. "

"What makes you say that? "

"For starters, the guy is so full of himself. Everyone knows he's talented, but if only he could be humble about it and not try to shove it in your face every chance he gets. "

"I know about that, " Jake said between small bites of his food. "He seems like a pretty decent guy. "

"That's only because you guys hangout. But yeah, whatever. "

Kayla and I shared a look after what both Jake and Jeremy shared their thoughts on Cain and his personality. We would definitely gloss over that later. Thankfully, the topic was all but forgotten and we got to talk about other things.

Kayla and Jake both disappeared off together for awhile, and I used that time to learn about Jeremy. Apparently, he was an only child and had grown up in the same town as I had. However, we hadn't gone to the same school and neither had we lived in the same neighborhood so that was why we had never met at all.

He had played football since he was a child and he was planning to proceed with it as a professional career. He was extroverted, although he was picky with the environments he aligned himsel. He preferred nature walks, hiking and camping.

Overall, he was a nice guy.

Kayla and Jake returned shortly after. With her smudged lipstick, I could tell they had both been up to no good. After clearing out bill, we said our goodbyes, to each other. Since Kayla was leaving with Jake, Jeremy offered to drive me hope.

The drive home was spent in a comfortable silence, the both of us lost in our thoughts. My fears and insecurities had been suspended and I was glad this hadn't turned out to be a disaster like I had expected it to be. In no time, we were already at Cain's house.

"Hold on. Isn't this Cain's house. "

"Yes. It is. "

"You live with him? "

"Only temporarily. You don't like it? " I asked, brushing a stray lock of hair to the side. Jeremy shook his head, un buckling his seat belt. "Nah, I don't mind. Just surprised. That's all. "

"I had fun. " He said, facing me after helping me out of the car.

"Me too. Thanks for the lovely night."

" I'm glad. Uh-" He scratched the back of his head, "If you don't mind me asking, can I please have your number? "

"Sure."

We exchanged contacts, and I waved him off, watching until he had driven away.

I turned to walk to the house, a small smile on my face. However, I didn't miss the subtle silhouette of a man on the balcony. The moment I looked up at him, he turned, walking back inside.

Had Cain been watching us the whole time?