The Match

“What are you doing later?”

“I might hang out with my friend at the SAC.” She bites down on her bottom lip as if I’m the one who is making her nervous. “We play air hockey up on the third floor if you want to come.”

Then, it hits me that she thinks I’m asking her on a date when that wasn’t my intention. Kat is beautiful that much I can tell beneath the helmet that covers her blonde hair and the layers of gear that fill out her frame. But I wasn’t even thinking that far ahead. Despite my reputation, I don’t sleep around as much as everyone thinks. I don’t correct the people spreading the rumors either. So, I suppose that is my fault.

“Well, I guess I will see you in the game room.”

“Okay.” She smiles one last time before she turns away from me. “See ya later, Dean. Don’t think for one second that I will let you win just because I’m a girl.”

I laugh in response. “Girl or not, I wouldn’t expect that from a Baldwin.”

She glances over her shoulder at me and winks.

Kat is everything I had imagined and more. Girls like her don’t come along that often. She has me so intrigued that I panic all over again at the thought of hanging out with her outside the rink. As I watch Kat leave, my heart pounds in my chest. I am in trouble.