The First Game (II)

Calculus. Third period. Mr. Patterson drones on about derivatives at the front of the room, but I haven't heard a word in twenty minutes.

My phone vibrates against my thigh. No one texts me on game days except Coach or Mom. They know the rules.

I wait until Patterson turns to write something on the board before slipping my phone out. It's from Abbie.

'For good luck tonight ;)'

There's an image attached. I open it, expecting maybe a picture of her in my jersey or something.

It's Abbie. Topless. In what looks like the second-floor girls' bathroom. She's flexing both arms, showing off the lean muscle she's built from years of cheerleading.

I quickly lock my phone, glancing around to make sure no one saw. Patterson is still facing the board. I text back with one hand under my desk.

'Who took that?'

Her response comes immediately. 'Megan. Don't worry, she's seen it all before.'

'Game day. No distractions. You know the rules.'

This time there's a pause before she responds. When the text comes through, I can practically hear her voice, that tone she gets when she's about to cause trouble.

'You sure? Because if you don't want these pics, I'm sure someone else would appreciate them. Maybe someone from Riverside? They've been DMing me since last season...'

'Don't even joke about that.'

'Who's joking? I'm just saying, if you're too superstitious to enjoy what's being offered... others might not be.'

I know she's playing me.

'Fine. Rules suspended. For today.'

'That's what I thought. Meet me in the art supply closet. Third floor. 10 minutes.'

'No.'

'Come on. Work out some stress before the game. I'll make it worth your while...'

The image of her topless flashes through my mind again. Focus, damn it. I adjust my position in the seat, thankful for the cover of the desk.

'No. Game day. I'll see you after the game.'

'Good answer. If you'd said yes, I'd have been disappointed.'

What the fuck? I read the message twice, making sure I didn't misunderstand.

'You just said to meet you.'

'I was testing you. And you passed. Commitment to the game first. That's why you'll be captain.'

I shake my head slightly. Even after three years together, I still can't predict her.

'So you sent me nudes as a test?'

'I sent you nudes because I wanted to. The test was seeing if you'd break your focus for sex. You didn't. I'm proud of you.'

Jesus. Who thinks like this?

'You're fucking with my head right now.'

'Am I? Or am I helping you prepare mentally? Dealing with distractions is part of the game.'

I glance up at the clock. Still twenty minutes of class left. Patterson hasn't even noticed I'm on my phone.

'You're unbelievable.'

'Thank you. And for what it's worth, I really did want you to say no. Shows you're serious.'

'I'm always serious about game day.'

'Sorry. I'll stop. But the pic is yours to keep. For after the game. Incentive to win.'

'Like I needed more reasons.'

'Never hurts to add one more. Now pay attention to class. I expect all A's from my star athlete.'

I slip my phone back in my pocket, trying to refocus on Patterson's lecture. It's a lost cause. Between the game tonight and Abbie's picture, Calculus doesn't stand a chance.