Kath, the boys from Soweto and a football bet

Kath walked behind the right stairwell and down the steps to the basement. The only thing on the event list that interested her was the football room in the basement. The South African friendly was scheduled and it had been a while since she'd sat and watched one with her mother. Besides, she'd originally come to keep an eye on Ria and if the girl wanted any company, it wasn't hers. Kath imagined she'd hear some pretty hot gossip from her later.

The bottom of the stairwell led to a small hallway. The corridor was adorned with a light brown rug and matching walls. There were three doors on each side and it ended with an oversized one at the very end. She grabbed her phone, checked the map, and noted the door she wanted was first on the left.

She opened the door and entered. The room was fairly big with a huge screen on the far wall. In the corner to the right of the TV was another leading to a small restroom. The other walls had thick black cushions hanging against them, likely to deaden the noise outside when people crowded in to watch a match, she guessed. The other two doors along the wall were blocked by a counter with bottles of **** and glasses atop it. Since Kath saw no bartender there, she assumed it was self serve.

There was a couch in the center of the room with two loveseats, one off to either side of it, set about 15 feet back on the plush red carpet. Six men were seated and excitedly talking about the upcoming match. The three seats all had polished wooden tables in front of them with drinks waiting on top. The guys were a mixed group but seemed to be getting on just fine.

Kath made a beeline for the bar and poured herself a drink. No one in their right mind watches football totally sober. She'd just finished when one of the men spotted her and alerted his mates. He was a tall, wiry ebony fellow whom she'd guess was in his late 40's, which likely made him the eldest. They all stood and looked at her but left it to him to speak. He called out to her with an appreciative smile on his face.

"It's about time someone with class showed up. You're here just in time, the match is almost ready to start! My name's Rory."

He pointed to a dark-skinned young man with an athletic yet muscular build on the other end of the middle sofa. She'd guessed he was in his early 20's. "That's Kgosi. I'm his agent, he's a transfer from the Kaiser club."

The man smiled and waved to her.

"Call me Gosi, I was born and raised in Soweto."

Kath offered an excited grin as the place and accent brought back memories of her mom's stories from childhood.

"My mother was born in Western Cape. I've never had a chance to visit myself but she says the country is beautiful!"

Gosi studied her face for a moment and then carefully chose his words.

"The country is very gorgeous. You should visit sometime."

Kath saw Rory turn and gesture towards the two men on the righthand loveseat. "This is Brian", he offered looking at the stocky white man on the right side of the two-seater. Then he shifted to the last man on the other half of the seat. He was a tall white man built like a bodybuilder with long brown hair. "And this is Mark. He's our tour guide for the evening. The club didn't want Gosi lost!" Mark and Brian laughed at the joke. Both looked to be in their late 20's to her. She smiled and nodded to them before looking back at Rory.

Rory then turned to the last sofa and over at two more well-built but lighter dusky-skinned men. He pointed to each in turn, "This is Markus and Brand. They are both protection Gosi's father sent to keep him out of trouble. They've been pretty bored though, rumors of British crime seem overstated."

Both men nodded and offered a quick hello but seemed more interested in observing than conversing. She did notice all the men were wearing blue slacks, white polo shirts, and sky blue caps. She figured that meant Gosi was with the Golden Blues now, they were a good team but not one she followed much.

"Call me Kath. I figured watching the friendly would be fun. Glad I'll have some company!"

Rory patted the center cushion on the middle sofa and she walked over and sat down. Both men shifted a tad so their legs were touching Katherine's as they went back to talking about the two teams. Markus and Brand however glanced at Gosi and on his nod, went over and stood beside the hallway door. She stayed quiet at first, sipping her drink while she absorbed the chatter. The guys really seemed to know the teams well. She didn't miss the fact Rory and Gosi kept stealing glances at her either. Mark and Brian seemed all football business though.

Rory looked at Mark, "Kaizer has the best strikers. Gosi and I spent lots of time with them."

Gosi smiled, "They're going to rip Cape apart!"

Mark replied, "I scouted both teams earlier this year. You're right about Kaiser's attack but the Urban Warriors have the best goalie on the continent. It's going to be a chess match!"

Both turned toward Kath.

"Have a favorite?" Rory asked.

"I love a good defensive match, my brother was a centre back. I think the Warriors will make this interesting. I haven't watched them in quite a bit but they were always good at defending," Kath offered without much thought.

"Looks like the lady has good taste, Rory."

"She's a West Cape princess, Mark. That makes her cute but lacking in football smarts. So I can excuse this silliness from her. You? Total disappointment."

"Some guys are just fascinated with brawn when they should be paying more attention to finesse. Don't let Rory get to you, Mark," Kath quipped back.

Rory rolled his eyes and the room grew quiet as the match began. He pulled out his phone and used an app to turn the volume up and the lights down. The five traded friendly banter during the first half of the period. Kath and Rory snarked at each other the most, with a few pointed barbs from Gosi but Brian was able to keep the peace. Mark was right about the game though, no one had scored so far with the Warrior's valiant goalkeeper making several amazing saves. Brian stood and offered to get them all a second round of drinks. Mark looked at the other guests.

"Brian used to tend bar for extra cash in university. Challenge him, he can make anything!"

He strolled over to the counter, checked the contents of the dorm fridge, and looked back.

"Looks pretty stocked, I think I can throw together whatever you need."

Kath thought for a second, then kicked her shoes off. She hopped up on the sofa with her knees under her and looked over the back of the couch.

"Can you throw together a Bramble? I haven't had a good one in a while!"

"Sure can! I've gin and lots of citrus in the fridge."

"Thanks!" Katherine offered with a smile as she turned back around, plopped down on her behind, and faced the TV again. Rory and Gosi both shifted their glances back toward Brian to give him their orders. They weren't fast enough to keep her from catching the fact the boys had been staring at her ass. She wasn't going to complain though and found herself sporting a pleased smile. It reminded her that guys love football and booze but given a choice, liked girls more regardless of where they're from. Her sofa mates may be sharp-tongued smartasses but they're still men, she quietly chuckled to herself. Kath quickly gulped her drink down, knowing another was coming soon. Brian passed out the cocktails and sat back down. She looked at the large stemless glass and took a sip.

"You don't skimp on the gin or the blackberry do you?"

"You didn't ask for a virgin Bramble, K. Let me know when you need another."

"Will do!"

Kath giggled as she lifted the glass in a mock salute and then took a swallow. The drink slid down her throat smoothly and added to her already tipsy buzz. She knew it'd be best to nurse the cocktail but he'd done such an expert job mixing it up. She hadn't had one this good in a while. It wasn't long before cups were drained and Brian was up getting another round. Kath was feeling comfortable and bulletproof. She did notice Brian, Mark, and Gosi had mostly taken to watching her and Rory banter back and forth. Brian and Mark seemed amused but she couldn't read Gosi's face at all.

Rory bragged, "The Chiefs keep getting closer and closer to scoring. The Warriors can't keep them out forever. Brawn may not be overrated after all, Princess. Especially since Cape doesn't have any good players outside the keeper."

She shot back, "I think you've had too much to drink. The team is fine and that goalie can keep this up all night. He's barely broken a sweat and may just break Kaiser before this is done!"

Gosi's eyes kept moving between Kath and Rory, not exactly sure what he should think of all this. It seemed to be getting a bit personal as best he could tell. Which was fine by him, it was kind of personal to Gosi too. He had seen enough rich Afrikaner girls downtown shopping when he used to deliver packages after school for spending cash when he was younger. Their smooth long pale legs and ample breasts had filled more than a few of his hotter dreams back in the day. They were gorgeous but untouchable. Not only was he a poor teen at the time but his skin was way too dark for the likes of them. His train of thought abruptly ended when he heard what Rory said next.

"I have a thousand quid that says you're wrong, Princess. That should be chump change to a West Cape girl. "

Katherine's eyes widened.

"Now I know you have more money than you know what to do with and are delusional to boot! With this judgment, Gosi should wonder if you're overcharging him."

Gosi's eyes narrowed a bit but a glance from his manager made him turn back toward the match. He knew Rory better understood folks from the north than he did, having lived here for a few years. She may have family from Africa but culturally she was European. Rory pulled out his wallet and counted out 10 crisp 100-pound notes and placed them on the table, then he growled at her.

"Put up or shut up, Princess! I have an app on my iPhone that will let me take a card too. Maybe you have a few Krugerrands hidden around? I'll take those instead. I'm sure your mother smuggled a few out when she left."

Kathy looked from the screen to the cash and towards Rory again. She shook her head incredulously.

"I can't believe you're bloody serious, Rory. Leave my mother out of this and stop being an ass. There's no way I'm going to drop that kind of money on a friendly!"

"Pity. Princess is all mouth here but won't back it up. Guess we know the score."

They sat back and continued watching through the end of the first period. The game was still scoreless as half time began. Still, Kath found herself glancing at the small pile of notes on the table in front of her from time to time.

All the heated back and forth this evening left her almost in a sweat, the room had been warm to begin with but she felt like she was roasting. Kath took the cardigan off, folded it, and put it on the table beneath the screen. Again she noticed Rory and Gosi watching her carefully, this time scoping out her cleavage. She saw Rory whisper something in Gosi's ear that drew a deep laugh. Brian hurried to refresh their drinks and Rory turned to Kath again after she sat.

"I still have a thousand if you want to back up your mouth, Princess."

Kath looked at her phone and shook her head.

"My ride leaves in about 20 minutes. Even if I were willing to risk it, I won't be here for the rest of the match."

Gosi spoke up, "The club will provide a ride. I'll text them and they'll have it ready for you Besides, I can't imagine watching the rest without seeing your weepy pale face when the Urbans self destruct."

"I'm still not taking that bet. That's wayyyyyy too rich for my blood."

"Just a working girl eh, Princess? I thought you Cape girls outearned us poor African boys from the slums," Rory teased back at her as Brian handed out drinks.

"Don't think I didn't catch both meanings there, Rory," she rolled her eyes. "Obviously some of us can just light Sterling on fire, I actually have to live within a budget."

"Tell you what, Princess. I'm feeling pretty generous."

She shot back, "And toasted and foolhardy and. . ."

Rory interrupted, "Maybe. I doubt I'm the only one feeling the bombs Brian has been dropping in our glasses. Be quiet and listen to me for a moment."

Rory looked her up and down, then offered a big smile.

"I'm feeling confident and a bit generous, Princess." He stopped talking for a second and looked her in the eye. "You've been running your pretty mouth all night and 1k sounds like serious bread to you. I'll put my thousand quid up against a blowjob from you. My team scores and you lose. If they don't score before the end of regulation, you win. Sound like the best deal you'll be offered this evening. I'd take it, Princess. That's assuming you really think you know a damn thing about what you've been talking about tonight."

Kath looked around the room and saw all eyes were on her. The money would really help with a few expenses and she was feeling really good about how well the defense was performing and who knows> Maybe the Warriors anemic offence somehow gets lucky. She really didn't like the vibe these guys were giving her though.

"So if I lose we slip off to another room after the game I take it?"

"Nope. Gosi is guaranteeing the bet. If I lose he'll make sure I pay up. You can trust that since he's making bank with the team and doesn't need to be in the gossip pages. If I win, he needs to witness the fact you met your end of the bargain. Right after my boys' score, I score in your mouth and Gosi gets to see what a Cape girl is truly good at. Your win will have to wait until the end but it will be lucrative if that happens."

"I don't think it would be wise for me to accept."

Gosi looked at her with a nasty smile of his own.

"I get it. Sure or not about the game, the idea of sucking a black cock is beneath you."

"I never said anyth. . ."

Gosi cut her off, opened his wallet, and started counting more bills onto the table.

"New offer."

By the time he was done, he'd added 4,000 more to Rory's pile.

"That's yours if you lose."

Then he piled more from his wallet into a second equally tall stack next to the first.

"Both are yours if you win. If I don't pay, one complaint from you to the papers will send me packing back home."

Gosi didn't believe that for one minute. The club had moved heaven and earth to get him here for a final push for the league title. He was pretty sure they'd shush it all up with payments to the right people, still, he expected Kath to buy it.

Katherine was dumbfounded and confused by where this conversation had gone. None of this made any sense to her at all, they could hire a prostitute for far less and get whatever they wanted guaranteed. They both sounded vaguely angry and upset with her but that kind of cash would solve a lot of problems. She glanced at Brian but he only offered a shrug back. Gosi gave her a moment and began to speak again.

"Your end has gone up though. You'll give my boy Rory his blowjob then I'm going to fuck your white ass silly when you lose. One of my men is going to record it too so I can show the boys back home what an Afrikaner Cape slut looks like full of Zulu cock. Your choice."

Katherine sat back and thought about it, her mind was reeling. As she did Rory, Gosi, and the two guards started chanting.

"Kaiser!, Kaiser!, Kaiser!"

She was feeling good about the match and figured sex wouldn't be the end of the world if it came to that. The video was the worst of it but that'd hopefully be kept pretty private, Gosi wanted to stay out of the papers after all. The majority of the immediate pain would be in her pride. It wasn't like Rory was some fat slob or something and Gosi looked to be a fit, attractive man once you got past their horrible attitudes. It'd be bearable she decided. Besides, even 5,000 was a huge windfall! Finally, Kath nodded to Gosi.

"Deal."

Rory stood and pulled his phone out.

"Let's record the bet so no one can back out. Why chance an argument later?"

He hit record and pointed to Gosi who repeated the conditions of the bet to the camera. Kath quickly agreed and they nodded to each other.

Kath shouted, "Go Warriors!" and Rory cut the video off shaking his head at her impromptu cheer.

"It's official now, Princess."

"I'm not worried, Rory. I'm trying to decide how to spend the cash you two fork over when you lose."

Gosi took a quick picture of Katherine from the shoulders up, asked for her mobile number, and tapped out a quick text. He then walked over and showed her the reply from the hall staff agreeing to have a car ready when she asked for one.

"You can either walk up or text the desk. The email they gave you earlier has the number on it."

Kath dashed off her own text to Ria telling her where the key was so she could get in the house and making sure no one worried. While she did so, Gosi saved her number to his phone app figuring he may find a use for it later. She then sat back down for the second half. She wasn't sure how the night would end but she was certain it wouldn't be boring!