The Bet (The Bet #1)(41)

Bets quickly helped her clean up the mess. “You’re still planning on playing the game later, right?”

“Of course. “Kacey smiled sweetly then glared at Travis. “I have a partner to carry, after all.”

Angry. She was definitely angry.





Chapter Twenty-one




By the time everyone had gathered into the living room, Kacey was fuming.

She took a seat at the large card table and sighed. Travis was an idiot, so she refused to look at him. And Jake was staring at his reflection in his spoon. Seriously?

Things had changed between Travis and her, or so she thought.

But her world had shifted tremendously all within the span of five minutes. She had been cleaning up the living room area, literally picking up after Jake’s snacking session, when she’d heard Travis and his mom talking in hushed tones.

Not thinking anything of it, she’d walked in the room, and then had heard the topic of the conversation. It was her.

And Travis was denying having any sort of affection for her at all. If anything he’d basically told his mother that he hated Kacey.

She means nothing to me. Why had that simple sentence made her heart clench? It wasn’t as if she liked Travis.

She gulped.

It was a minor attraction, an inconvenient little pain in her heart. Maybe it was just because he was giving her attention and he was gorgeous. Either way, it was ending. Now.

And she knew exactly how to get revenge.

Rubbing her hands together, she smirked.

“I know that look,” Jake said, sitting across from her. “And I’m man enough to admit that I’m a little afraid right now.”

“Please,” Kacey snorted. “When have I ever done anything remotely cruel to you?”

“You mean other than breaking my heart in the ninth grade when I saw you kissing Tom Williams behind the gym?”

The others at the table ignored them, all but Travis, who was now shifting restlessly by her side.

“I didn’t even like him. I was merely experimenting,” Kacey argued. “Besides, we all know who the best kisser I’ve ever had is.”

Travis cleared his throat.

“Oh yeah, and who is that?” Jake leaned forward.

“I’m not telling.” She bit her lip as she examined each game piece trying to decide what she wanted to be.

“I bet I know.” Jake folded his hands behind his head. “I mean other than myself.” He winked. “Was it John Davis?”

“John Davis?” Kacey wrinkled her nose. “No, not John.”

“Kevin Tate?”

Kacey shook her head. Maybe she should be the shoe. And then when she passed Travis on the game board she could step on his game piece.

“Sean Halverson?”

Kacey rolled her eyes. “Please, that boy was at the bottom of the list and I think you know why.”

“Wandering hands that one.” Jake shook his head. “I’ve got it!” He snapped his fingers. “Cooper Reynolds! It has to be him. Girls used to cry when he broke up with them as if someone was dying or something. I guarantee you it’s him. Did you know that he’s single now and—”

Travis slammed his fist on the table, silencing the conversation. “Sorry, thought I saw a bug.”

Kacey looked at him then and raised her eyebrow. “Really? I didn’t see anything.”

“It was there.” He pointed, teeth clenched.

“You sure you’re not imagining things?” she said tightly. “After all, we both know how much you like imaginary things. Take for example, your little bunny. Do you still sleep with it?”

Travis smiled tightly. “I don’t know, Kace, do you still suck your thumb?”

Her eyes narrowed. “Oo, mature Travis. Tell me, do you have to plan conversations in your head so you don’t stutter, or are you beyond that now?”

She knew she’d hit a nerve. He murmured a curse word. “Can we just play the damn game?”

Grandma laughed. “Oh kids, you’ve always been such teasers. Yes, let’s play. Now Kacey, remember not to cheat.”

“I don’t cheat.” Kacey crossed her heart. “I’m not the cheating kind.”

Jake’s eyes flickered to her before he looked down and cleared his throat.

Kacey was glad nobody noticed the exchange, but then looked to her right. Travis was staring at the two of them, his head looking back and forth. She forced a smile and shrugged.

“Kace, you want some tea or something? You know, to calm you down.”

“I’m calm.” She was by no stretch of the imagination calm, just sitting next to Travis and his perceptive eyes made her want to scream. On top of that, his cologne decided to float off of him very near her nose, making her mouth go dry and her tongue feel thick in her mouth.

“I’ll be right back, regardless of how much we despise each other. I still need you to be a good partner so I can beat Jake.”

“In your dreams.” Jake laughed, then looked at his money. “Okay, guys, it’s time. Let’s roll to see who goes first!”

Travis left the room but quickly returned with tea and handed it to Kacey. “Is it poisoned?”

“No. You should be proud. I didn’t even put any Bendaryl in there.”