Rules of Play (The Script Club 2)

“What would you do? I mean, what would you want to try?”

“I don’t know. Maybe something will come to me.” He set the half-eaten container of meatballs down and reached for his beer. “As for your boss…he needs a rule book.”

I shifted to face him. “What kind of rule book?”

“A dating rule book. It would be the equivalent of a sports playbook…a list of strategies and a backup plan if things go awry.”

“Okay, that makes sense. Step one, ask for a date.”

Aiden shook his head. “No. Don’t go in hot. Gotta practice a little finesse. It’s better to get to know someone—ask about their interests, share yours, and see if there’s anything there. Theoretically, that’s how I think it should work.”

“You’re right. They have to build a rapport.” I squinted. “He’s going to need an icebreaker.”

“Yeah, that makes sense. Hit me with your best shot.”

“Uh…what do you mean?” I stammered.

“Pretend you’re into me and you want to get to know me.” Aiden quirked a brow and wiggled his fingers. “Ask me something.”

“What are your interests?”

He made an obnoxious buzzer noise and rolled his eyes. “Wrong. That’s a date question. A lame one, too. Would you really walk up to someone and ask them what they’re into?”

“No, of course not,” I lied. Yes, I would totally do that.

“Redo. You’re trying to get to know me, but you can’t be too forward, and you can’t make assumptions. Got it?” He waited for my nod of agreement and continued. “Pretend we’re standing at the coffee machine at work on a Monday morning. And…action.”

“O-kay…what did you do last weekend?”

Aiden smiled. “Good one. And my answer…not much. I went to that college ball game I told you about last week, watched a lot of basketball, made arrangements to schlep your Bronco here, and played pool with Kenny and a couple of high school buddies. You?”

“I studied and hung out with my friends.”

He stared at me long enough for me to wonder if I had meatball between my teeth.

“If that’s all you have to say, you just killed this conversation,” he deadpanned.

I chuckled. “I did not. It was your turn to ask me something. That’s how it works in real life. I’m not that big of a dork!”

“But what about your boss?”

Good point. “Newton is a big dork. Very big.”

“Right, so this is where rules come into play. You have to pay attention and take hints and clues to heart. Almost everything I mentioned about my weekend had a theme…sports. I told you what I’m interested in without announcing, ‘I like sports.’ If you really wanted to get in my pants, you’d ask me a sports-related question.”

I shot to my feet, whirling my cape like a true badass. “Who said anything about getting in your pants?”

Yes, I was entirely in favor of the idea, but I was pretty sure I hadn’t said it aloud.

“Isn’t that the end game?” Aiden flashed a devilish grin my way.

“No! I mean, maybe for you, but not for Newton. I don’t think he’s hoping for sex.”

“Then what’s the point?”

“Love!”

Aiden widened his eyes comically. “What’s that?”

“I don’t know,” I sighed in defeat, reclaiming my spot on the stoop next to him. “That’s why this is complicated. I think Newton has a more traditional, maybe even archaic outlook where Susie is concerned. He wants to court her. He wants to develop a romance. The kind they write about in beautiful poems and love stories.”

“Dude. I know nothing about love.”

“Me either.”

“At least you have good role models. Your parents love each other. Mine didn’t,” he said matter-of-factly.

“Well, yes. They do love each other, but I’m not asking my mom and dad how they keep their romance alive. That’s…”—I shuddered theatrically—“not going to happen. I know I’m out of my depth there. But something tells me Newton would be great at the courtship part if he was able to get through the initial date or two. Assuming Susie is interested in him, of course.”

“Of course.” He rubbed his beard thoughtfully. “We’ll start with what we know. Let’s go back to the get-to-know-you part. I gave you hints that I like sports. You’re interested in getting to know me, so you say…”

“Sports are nice.”

Aiden barked a laugh. “You look like you just took a bite of cottage cheese. Try again.”

“Um…trivia can be fascinating. Did you know that James the First issued a Book of Sports in 1617 to resolve a dispute between the Puritans and the gentry regarding play on the sabbath?”

He squinted. “I definitely did not know that.”

“It’s thought to be one of the first written declarations about rules for sports. Leaping and vaulting were permitted. Bowling and bear-baiting were not. But you had to attend church first. Interesting, huh?”

“No. Not at all,” he deadpanned. “Would you really mention that if you were trying to get someone to go on a date with you?”