14

Chapter Song: Let's Begin- Jon Bellion

"Deal."

Liam was fuming. I swore I saw smoke billowing out of his nose and ears. All the while Cal raised his eyebrows shocked. From the corner of my eyes, I saw Mason and Tyler fist bump laughing at each other.

I think they were all a little surprised at my answer. All the boys would taunt Riley and I throughout highschool. I secretly thought they made a bet on which one of the boys could kiss one of us first but it hadn't been proven true. Yet. I knew this would fuel their fire.

Nobody thought I was really going to do it. I knew I was going it hear a mouthful from Liam tonight at home, but we'll deal with that when the time comes. As captain, I couldn't turn down the challenge no matter what the consequences were. Even if it meant I had to streak across the parking lot. It just meant I couldn't lose.

Although part of me wasn't sure whether or not I wanted to win or lose. The competitive part of me wanted to win more than anything. Especially since I knew if I actually did lose I didn't think Liam would talk to me ever again if I actually did kiss Cal.

The other part of me, however, wondered what it would be like if I did kiss him. Would his lips be soft? The thought of kissing him sent the butterflies wild and crazy flapping around my stomach. I shook my head trying to get the thoughts out of my head. I needed to focus.

Snap out of it Ken.

We went through the motions of the annual Lacrosse Swim practice. Tyler and I even helped them learn how to dive. Although Mason belly-flopped off the diving blocks and still had a red mark on his stomach. I laughed so hard I cried actual tears.

Everyone seemed to be having a great time, even our coaches. Once practiced had officially ended people began to trickle out. I had told our coach some of us were going to stay later and he agreed. Regionals were coming up so he wanted us to get all the practice we could.

Finally, it was time for everyone to take their bets and win or lose. We even did some relays to add in extra bets. Tyler and I stayed on a team and beat four of the lacrosse guys. Everyone tried to say we cheated but there was no way we could when it was the two of us. I hated to admit it, but we did make a good team.

This was the fun part about swimming for me. Today had let me forget about my dream last night. Usually, I would get such bad anxiety before a race to the point where I would be behind the block or on top of it and not being able to breathe. Today was different. It was fun.

"You ready for this Parker?" Cal smirked coming up behind me.

"I'm just trying to think of what I'm going to make you do when I win." I looked him up and down with playful eyes. I even batted my eyelashes.

"Uh-huh," he eyed me up and down. Was he checking me out? He quickly bit his lip looking away.

"Okay let's just get this over with," Liam grumbled behind me. I tried not to laugh at his disgust but it was too funny not too.

We stepped onto the blocks bending into position. As soon as Tyler blew the whistle I dove in. The familiar burst of water surrounding me with bubbles comforted me. Once I reached the surface and began to swim I tilted my head a little to see where Cal was. He was a short distance behind me, so I decided to coast it.

Cal was not a good swimmer at all. The only thing he had on me was length because of how tall he was. The only person besides Tyler that gave me any real competition was Mason. He actually swam with us up until high school where Cal and Liam recruited him for Lacrosse. They even tried to get Tyler but he was against it.

I let him catch up so we were neck and neck. I looked over at him and for some reason started to laugh. I looked back down at the tile underneath me and continued to push on. Was I really going to let him win or did I want to really win? In all honesty, I didn't care. It was Liam that I was thinking about. He knew I could win, but he would be pissed if I lost on purpose.

We were still neck and neck and the wall was coming closer. I had to make a decision and fast. I looked over at him again then back to the wall. Instantly I made my decision. I pulled back.

"You totally let me win!" He groaned splashing some water at me.

"Not even," I said avoiding the splash. "Can't we have bad races." I splashed a tiny wave in his direction.

"You never have bad races," he looked at me annoyed.

Was he actually mad I let him win? Did he not want to kiss me? Oh god, what did I just do? If he didn't want to kiss me then why did he make the bet? Oh please don't tell me this was one of his dares.

"No, but I actually do." I bit my lip crossing my arms.

"Well, a bet is a bet Parker pay up." He wiggled his eyebrows as he leaned forward on the lane line.

"Kennedy!" Liam shouted with rage. I winced as he said my whole name. No one ever really calls me Kennedy.

Here we go.

A bet was a bet. I couldn't deny it, or turn it down. Then I might actually have to streak in the parking lot in the cold October air. I think Liam would rather have me do that and face humiliation than kiss Cal.

I leaned in towards him. I saw his eyes light up in disbelief. Again he doubted that I was actually going to go through with it. I leaned in closer until I could feel his breath against my lips. At the very last second, I turned my head. His lips collided against my cheek. When he opened his eyes I gave him a playful smirk.

"You didn't say what kind of kiss." I teased hopping out of the pool before he could pull me back. As I walked towards the locker room I shot Liam an annoyed look.

I didn't stop to say anything to him or let him say anything either. I just kept walking. I knew we would talk tonight at home so I wasn't going to start that conversation early.

"You're such a tease, Parker!" I heard Cal's voice call me from the water.

From the locker room entrance, I blew him a quick kiss before heading in.

I took my time rinsing off and putting on my sweats. I heard the girls trickle in and out of the locker room praising me for my stunt I pulled with Cal. I thanked them and continued our conversations. I knew I had to lock up so I didn't feel the pressure to rush. Plus I hoped that Cal would leave before I left the locker room so I didn't have to talk to him.

I was a little embarrassed that I didn't kiss him. I had the perfect opportunity and I passed. No girl would pass a chance to kiss Cal McCormick. I was either brave or really stupid. Either way, I think I just let that ship sail. Besides at least Liam would be happy.

After spending all the time in the world, even pausing to scroll through my phone I decided to leave. I grabbed my stuff and strolled peacefully through the complex. Double-checking it see if anyone else was in there before leaving. Normally I got creeped out being here alone, but tonight was peaceful. Maybe it was just because I made a point in front of everyone.

"I'll be right back." I heard a familiar voice behind me as I struggled to get the key in the front door.

Shit.

I quickly turned around, "did you forget something?" I asked Cal giving him an oblivious look.

He looked at me with longing in his eyes. He was out of breath and for a moment he didn't say anything. I didn't realize he was hesitating on whatever he was about to do.

"Yeah this," he said breathless looping his arm around my waist pulling me closer to him.

Without a second glance, his lips came crashing into mine. At first, I was surprised but closed my eyes relaxing without another thought. I let my arms rest around his neck as our lips collided.

He gently pushed me up against the door as our kiss intensified. I couldn't resist the urge to bite his lip. After what felt like forever he pulled away resting his for head against mine.

"A bets a bet." We were both breathless as he said those words. Incomprehensible about what had just actually happened.

"Wait so you didn't actually forget anything?" I stuttered obviously stunned. That's when he laughed. A big hearty laugh where his eyes dazzled and his dimples deepened.

"No Parker," he smiled shaking his head at me. "Just getting you to pay up what you owed me." He winked before jogging off.

I leaned against the door breathless. What in the actual fuck just happened? I kissed Cal McCormick. Cal McCormick just kissed me. I liked kissing him.

Oh no. I was in deep.

I shut my eyes trying not to focus on him, but the event that just happened kept replaying over and over in my head. His lips, my lips. The way his arms gripped my waist. How is hair felt damp in my hands still wet from the pool.

His lips were soft.