My Bet Is You

by Manuela Ricci

  "Yes, not bad, do you think that will be both at UCLA?" He asks, and we are interrupted by the ringing of my phone.

  On the speakerphone, pressing the button on top of the car.

  "JJ, are Trischa, I called to remind the photo shoot this afternoon."

  I shake my head, glanced at my friend.

  "Yes, thank you, I have not forgotten, at five right?" I ask for confirmation of the assistant to my father, who handles public relations of the family.

  "Yes, see you on the golf game of the Bruins' roll my eyes.

  "All right," I say, closing the call immediately.

  "I see that your father still does not lose the occasion to show off his trophy," said Blaze, stretching along the seat.

  "Apparently the Gala charity, and all that crap

  not enough "I hiss between his teeth, I feel like a fucking puppet in the hands of the city's most powerful man ... my father.

  My life is programmed as if it were a computer, every step I take is photographed, written in any magazine. Being the son of Matthew Johnson, the name which has built part of the city has its benefits, which I exploit all to my advantage, but also its shortcomings, which are the rules that I have to respect not to tarnish his damned Golden Empire .

  "This time you set out bare-chested with his helmet in his hand?" Rebuke me Blaze kidding.

  We know from the first year of university, it is my best receiver. Do not miss a step on the field, and if we brought the team ranked first in the NCAA defeating USC, it is because we can not be beaten, along with Gus and Lex, the other two of our roommates. We all come from the rich world of privilege, and only they can figure out what all this time to crush me, snatching my breath and making me feel trapped.

  "It may be, however, tell me about your return to Brazil" I ask, trying to pull his head a moment, activated with the remote control the gate that opens into a mechanical sound.

  "What do you want me to tell you brother? Sea, sex and alcohol. "He shrugs amused.

  "Well, I see you have not changed habits' grin, posteggiando the car down the driveway in front of the two-storey villa that we share.

  "There will never be a woman who will put me on a leash, unless it is for some strange sexual practice."

  Descend, directed toward the entrance.

  "You miss nothing," he says.

  For all it mache answer the punch on the shoulder.

  "Son of a bitch, you're the freak usual."

  I raise my hands in surrender.

  "I can not, do not meet the demands of some girl who trembles spalmarmisi dying to him, 'I say, and as soon as the door wide open and Gus are already Lex ahead.

  They are the most identical twins I've ever seen, still confuse them, but my lightning on the field, and there is no one who is able to go beyond them, are the most cocks Tight End team.

  "We thought you were lost," make us out as we greet you with pats on the back and punches that clash against each other.

  Indico Blaze with his thumb backward over my shoulder.

  "The fool has towed," I point out, winking.

  They simply place side by side with his arms crossed at his chest.

  "Strange Blaze. Hostess? "They ask curious, I go to the fridge to take a bottle of water.

  "No, just a girl who was waiting for her friend to come and pick her up. I could not leave her alone, "she says opening his arms.

  All we burst out laughing, and another year full of programs, is expected to start.

  "Well, now let's go eat. I'm starving, and JJ did not even spending "complains Gus Pointing me.

  "Man, even I was on vacation, just like you," I say with a shrug.

  "Your holiday on Caroline was on display in all the papers, 'says Lex nudging of understanding with his brother.

  "Already the mega Yatch of Johnson as he could go unnoticed." Blaze carefully scrutinizes me raising an eyebrow.

  "You made the famous trip with Robbins sisters?".

  Sketch a mischievous grin, carry the bottle to his mouth and drink a sip, his eyes riveted to her.

  "More's cousin, I told you you were not as innocent as they appeared," they explain, against their stadium roar that rises to the ceiling.

  "You did the daughters of the assistant principal, JJ, you're a fool," grins Gus.

  "Boy is our life by the three S: Sex, Money, Sports," I say, grabbing the car keys to go get something to eat and everyone we head to my car.

  "We have a month before the season, so let's start from tomorrow preparation," I add, pointing each of them. The championship, the colors of our team I run in my veins, my role as quarterback is a promise I made to all the fans sitting in the stands

  the stadium, and they expect us only one thing: that we bring home the winning option.

  "Man, so you kill me," protests Lex putting her hand to her chest pretending to hit.

  We only train with the team, we do an extra workout to compensate for the deficiencies we have in the field.

  Every year there are always some at the beginning of the league freshman who can not even make a tackle or to keep the ball in hand to the first ten yards.

  "Stop it, Murphy will do everything to take revenge this year, and do not forget who came second to us," I remind him.

  "Precisely, second, because the best we Noiiii" Gus cries loudly with his head out the window and we head to Westwood.

  "Stop it, no kidding. I'm not going to beat me to that asshole Scottie Murphy "ruled, and silence falls.

  The rivalry between us and the USC is so high that both schools you hate so much that the games become a living hell, both in the field and in the stands.

  "I got it boss, we know that your father always breaks my balls even when we win," urges Lex, posandomi hand on my shoulder, my clinging to the steering wheel almost desperately.

  No, instead they do not know what my father is breathing down my neck, he does not even imagine his claims and how much

  actually hate what I do ... I pursue my dream.

  Parking Danny's, go down, and do not miss our groupie faithful who come to greet us as soon as they see us. That's one of the many privileges of playing football, it's like being a star of some boy band at the end of the concert.

  The girls devour you with their eyes on the pitch to do and end up in the back seat of our car.

  "Welcome back Bruins' chirps a cheerleading team.

  I put my hands in my pockets casually, slightly tilting your head, like I was watching very carefully, but the truth is, it's just a way to embarrass her.

  "So you spent good vacation?" He asks, his eyes darting to each of us.

  "I would say yes ..." Snap your fingers in front of his face. "Sorry but I do not remember your name." He frowns reducing his eyes to slits.

  "But ... if ... ', tries to say almost gasping, but the advance immediately:

  "If I want to fuck you mean?"

  I look up over his shoulder, and then I go back to nail my eyes on her.

  "As I did with almost the rest of your companions. Sorry I do not keep count, but certainly, if I gave you an orgasm will be fun. "

  Blaze pulls me by the shoulder, Gus and Lex does not plant to laugh.

  "You're an asshole," he scolds.

  "I just try to keep my distance, many of them believe that after doing a lap on me have the exclusive ..."

  I leave the sentence hanging when I see two hazel eyes that look at me with disgust as soon as we pass the local port.

  "Now, if your tour you want to do to your ass that sits I would be grateful," he says, the same parking girl, wearing the uniform of Danny's and a label affixed with the inscription Carrie.

  "Shit, he drew up friend," mumbles Lex.

  "It's also for you, as you can see we are full," he says, indicating the only free place.

  "You're so kind to everyone or ...," I say, and we sat down.

  "No, this is just a special treat for braggarts like you" he says, taking his notebook from his pocket. I can not help but no
tice the scattered freckles covering his cheeks, small nose and slightly on the in, and the hair of a dark brown hair tied in a high ponytail that leaves the face entirely free.

  "So what'll it be?" He asks, and begins to write down everything I pitted my friends. He turns to me.

  "And you?"

  I rub my chin almost daring her, a cowlick the falls on the forehead, annoyed and begins to tap the pen on the block, I threw open his arms lying them casually along the back of the sofa.

  "I'd take gladly your phone number."

  It covers her mouth, bursting into laughter vibrates me to the bone.

  Incline your head, carefully observing his gestures, and listening to the sound of that laugh, so different from when he talks with his dismissive tone.

  "Listen ..." he says, returning to serious.

  "JJ is fine," I add, I still interrupting once.

  "So ...", urges taking from our table menus "if you are used to playing with those" indicates the cheerleaders behind him a few yards table, "you should keep doing it, because my phone number for you It will be like a mirage in the Sahara desert, and now ... JJ "marks emphatically pointing out every single letter," you want to order? "

  I raise an eyebrow.

  "Not if I will not have your number," I insist confidently planting his elbows on the table for protrarmi more towards her.

  I never got no for an answer, and I do not understand because it's got so much to me. It can not be that stupid to park this morning.

  "Well, then as far as I can even die of hunger," he answers, turning his back to go to bring the boss in the kitchen.

  "But what the heck is wrong with you?" Blaze asked, giving me a nudge, I'm engrossed watching her round ass swaying from right to left.

  "Nothing, I was only joking," I say, clearing my voice.

  "That do not you ever give JJ. Waiver "adds Gus, with an eye toward her.

  "There was never anything that has not obtained", I remind my friends. And rightly so, I never begged for what he wanted. It took just.

  "We bet?" Says Lex, knocking on the table a hundred-dollar bill.

  "I'm" Blaze added, putting his hand.

  Shit.

  "A month time JJ" Gus is pressing, stretching the bill in front of my face.

  Scocco last look at the girl who is the space between the customers to serve, passing the back of his hand on her forehead beaded with sweat.

  I look at my friends and sketch a mocking smile. "Deal, weep your money because you have already lost."

  I bang on the desk my hundred dollars, knowing that this time I will take what I want ... her.

  2

  CLASHES

  Logan

  Shit, Curse against myself, the sun sparkles on the grass of the field of the Bruins. Those balls and their bets, well I have not made many objections to give up, but no, they are not part of my vocabulary.

  "Put your right arm with his helmet in his hand, bent over the knee" means photographer for Forbes magazine.

  The article will be included in the number that will speak of the richest guys in the country, obviously a Johnson could not miss for sure, even if I do not like this shit.

  "So?" I ask, putting on display as he asked me, the camera starts shooting repeatedly, he keeps giving me directions on how to pose and I try to carry everything to the letter, even though my patience starts to wear out every damn click.

  "Come on JJ, keep it up," he incites Trischa. It is always present at all the commitments that my father takes me, but it is certainly not a case, or the fact that knows how to do his job as PR.

  Yes, I can do, but Trish with his full mouth, and red fire helmet can do many other things, and I know it well.

  I can see the eyes of a desire to veil themselves that makes them shine, the persuasive way every now and then you pass the tip of the tongue on the lower lip, a way to get my attention, but I told him right away. I will never concede to a second round, the first like, electrifies me, gives me the surprise.

  The second is just a refresher on what my hands have already touched on, the eyes have seen and mouth already tasted.

  I feel rivulets of sweat slipping down my spine, I drop the helmet to the ground in a dull thud.

  "I think we're done," I say, tired and exasperated by yet another attempt at my father to impose his power over me.

  Trish approaching great step, the narrow skirt to the knee slightly sways.

  "JJ, even some shots, it is important to" try to explain to me, my feet trample furious grass of the direct field to the locker room to put an end to this torture.

  "I said that we have done," scandisco in an agitated, turning over his shoulder to meet his gaze. She portrays her lips into a thin line, understanding that there exists nothing that will make me change my mind.

  When I enter in the team's locker room, pesto a fist against one of the cabinets, I feel it bend under my knuckles, blanching for how the hand is clenched fist strong.

  The temples pulsate, making me frown for the hassle and breath, gradually begins to burn in the lungs.

  He was missing the air, like a madman

  Dummy continued to move on command. I try to fight back the rage that I feel fit along the shoulders, and free the mind, but in doing so, in front of my eyes stand out those hazel, with a hint of burnt caramel who looked me in disgust.

  I focus on the sound of his voice as he tried to make fun of me, and a corner of his mouth bends almost into a smile.

  Pull the shirt of the team from the head and I take this opportunity to take a shower. In a month this place will be hell.

  We will get angry for failing a step, for losing a game, but we will all be united and ready to do better next time.

  If there is something that is closer to the household word for me, it is my team.

  The water slides along the body, palms pressed against the cold tile that regenerate my every nerve ending, bend your head against the surge of water that I invest and start to think of a way to ingratiate I miss -a-font-of-shit.

  "A month ... I had to bet on a single week," I say, giving voice to my thoughts and the fact that if there are two things I'm good at is: play, and flirting with girls.

  Sometimes I have to force myself not even so, a smile, a few words, an alcoholic beverage, and half an hour later I lay on the bed of some hotel or in the back seat of my Escalade to moan my name.

  I laugh, almost amused myself, dabbed the chest with a towel before you get dressed.

  Pull the phone from the bag that I had brought along, resting on the bench, and my name is Blaze, answers on the first ring.

  "Friend," he exclaims, with thick lips of some kind of crap.

  "Dickhead, stop eating. Do I want to fit, you know, "barking, sitting on the bench behind me.

  "How did the photo shoot? Where will we see you, GQ? "Mocks, not knowing what actually all this I go strictly by sending me almost crazy.

  I swear that if I heard another shot from the fucking camera gliel'avrei made swallow.

  "Does not matter, I called for another" I say, trying to divert the conversation. I never spoke to them of who he really is my father and how, still continues to ruin my life, even if the eyes of others I am always fucking lucky guy.

  "Shoot," mumbles.

  "You bastard, you're still eating." I shake my head surrendering.

  "Take a couple of calls and anticipates the bonfire on the beach tonight."

  "Are you crazy?" She grins.

  "Always brother, do as I told you, tonight," I say, without waiting for his answer, and hang up.

  Rest for a moment to fix the display, looking at the name stored under that of Blaze. The hand tightens more around the phone, and her knuckles whiten making nearly as bad as the void that still feel I pressed in his chest every time my mind is crossed by memories.

  He shrugs, as if I wanted that with that gesture could erase the chills that run through my back.

  I finish dressing and checking the time.

  "I
still have time," I say to myself, taking the gateway direct exit to the parking lot toward my Escalade.

  When you stand in front of Danny's, do one last glance at the clock flashing under my eyes.

  It is ten to nine and soon the girls in the afternoon session will have finished, hang out with some of them came in handy to know their shifts.

  While waiting to see her go out, I feel particularly lucky in see her friend get closer to their own place, I think it's called Tiana, I hope not to be wrong.

  I jump out of the SUV so nonchalant, he puts his hands in his pocket pretending to head in his direction.

  "Hey Tiana," the greeting.

  Tell me that I have the name wrong, it would be the end.

  He smiles, raising a hand and making flicker fingers.

  "Hello Logan" he says, approaching.

  "What you doing out all alone?" I ask, with eyes fixed on the local front door of Danny's.

  I have a few minutes to pull off what I want, and Tiana, could prove to be my best receiver in this game that I still have to start playing.

  "I came to take Carrie, works here told me," he says, putting her into fast food look.

  "What will you do then? You will leave around all sun for Los Angeles? "I ask.

  "I think so. I arrived today and I have not seen practically nothing "he says, with a sweet smile imprinted on his face, if anything seems more sociable friend's.

  "There's a beach party, one thing that we organize every year before school. Why do not you come? Are you also at UCLA, right? "I say, even though I already know the answer.

  You can see a mile away that freshmen are bewildered.

  "It would be great ..." squeaks, then quench his enthusiasm.

  "What happens?"

  She wrinkles her mouth before answering.

  "Carrie does not like a party," he confesses with disappointment.

  I bet, in fact better than not, today I bet too.

  "The holidays are part of the complete package of university life, and believe me, when I say that it is good to participate if you do not want to live in the shadows, and then we go, what could happen?"

  Apart from the danger that I get to set my touchdown in your girlfriend's panties?

  Mentally I do a five for the joke just exploded in my head, that shatters as soon as I hear his voice.