I Promise You: Stand-Alone College Sports Romance(47)

“You insinuated you were terrible,” Ashley says as she elbows me out of the way, calls her shot, and sinks one of hers.

“I’ve been known to play dirty,” I murmur.

She scratches on the next one and stamps her foot.

“Finish her up,” Chantal calls to me as she raises her glass, another tequila.

“Be sweet, ya’ll,” comes from Bambi. “Remember we’re sisters.”

Ashley tosses her hair and levels me with a narrow-eyed look as she leans over to whisper only for my ears. “Even if you win, you won’t be part of our other games, and one way or another, he’ll be mine.” Green eyes scan over me. “Dillon gets tired of his toys fast, and you’re not any different. I’ve been around him. I know exactly what he wants.”

I smile at her, shaking my head. If that’s the best she can do… Whatever. I have fond memories of my sorority sisters, supporting them and straightening their crowns, but some women don’t get it. They prefer to tear others down. I harness my annoyance and stuff it down. Stooping to her level does no good.

“I’m teaching Romy to not be like you,” I say instead.

“Who’s Romy?”

No one you’ll ever meet. I brush past her, aim my cue, stroke the wood, and slam in the next solid. Another goes in. Satisfaction settles in my gut. Vane, you dick, you were good for something.

“For the win, the 8 ball in the top right pocket,” I say.

The air crackles and I glance over at a tense Dillon then look away. Moving to the other side, I aim, shoot, and the 8 ball flies down the table, spins in the pocket, comes out for a second, then drops in.

“Oh my God, that was awesome!” comes from a squealing Bambi. She rushes me and smothers me in a hug.

Chantal whoops and slaps me on the ass, and I shriek.

Sawyer ambles over. “So, what do you want?”

“A trophy and a million dollars,” I declare.

“More tequila?” Chantal inquires. “Ohhh, ask for his shirt. It’s his lucky one.”

Dillon grimaces, the look on his face saying, I’m sorry this is beneath you.

I’m cool, I am, and I’ve had a blast. Beating Ashley trumps the particulars of the contest.

“What’s it gonna be, Serena?” Troy says.

Bambi elbows me in the ribs. “When I won at Monopoly, I asked him to watch The Notebook. Sawyer managed to stay awake. Dillon didn’t.”

“I saw enough. Saddest movie ever,” comes from Dillon.

“I made him watch Pride and Prejudice. He played Candy Crush on his phone,” chirps Chantal.

“I love that movie!” I exclaim. “Not the Colin Firth one, but the Matthew Macfadyen version.”

Dillon groans. “Boy meets girl, they butt heads, he falls for her, she misconstrues his motivations, they work it out, and live happily ever after. Bah.”

“Nailed it. You sure you didn’t watch it?” I ask.

“Call me Mr. Darcy if you want.” He does a weird bow, then puts his hand over his heart. “‘You have bewitched me, body and soul.’”

I burst out laughing. “Nice quote, but your curtsey needs work.” I straighten my posture, fix my feet in the correct positions, and execute one, dipping my knees. I place my hand over my heart. “‘It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a fortune, must be in want of a wife.’”

“That opening line is actually ironic. Jane Austen had a great sense of humor,” Dillon adds.

“You did watch it! Or read it?” I ask.

“I’ll never tell,” he says as our gazes cling. His face softens. “Okay, I might have read it in prep school.”

I get warm all over. A stupid smile is on my face. My family loves Pride and Prejudice.

“Y’all are weird,” Chantal says as she cocks her head, eyeing me and Dillon.

“Serena’s fault,” Dillon muses. “She brings out the cheesy in me.”

Sawyer clears his throat. “Whatever you request, Serena, we’ll do our best.”

Hmmm, decisions, decisions. Dillon wants a kiss, and maybe I do as well.

But…

I plant my hands on my hips and look at Sawyer. “This Theta tradition… Normally the winner would ask for something from Dillon, but could I ask any football player?”

“Hey now—” Dillon mutters.

Sawyer gives me a wary look, cutting him off. “I guess that would be fair since you aren’t officially part of the contest. You’ve got me and Troy here. Zane and Sinclair are at the bar. What do you want from us?”

Doing the unexpected is part of my personality, a side of me I’ve banked since Vane, and the minx within is roaring to be let off her leash. (Alexa, play “Girl on Fire” by Alicia Keys.) I take a tiny sip of the tequila Chantal thrusts in my hands then press my fingers to my lips, pretending to think.

“Spit it out,” Ashley snips. “We all know you’re going to pick Dillon.”

I ignore her, my eyes on the wide receiver. “Sawyer, I want you to kiss Bambi.”

I’m greeted with silence.

Bambi sputters, Sawyer blinks, and Chantal grins. Troy looks confused.

I throw my head back and chuckle, catching Dillon’s eyes, and we have a weird moment when he pauses, a slow smile of appreciation growing on his face as he stares. I feel tingles, as if he’s brushed his fingers over my skin.