Betting Against the Odds

by Morgan, Sabrina

  I laughed a little pausing to think, “Your right. I think I said go back to making out with him.”

  “Well I meant more than that but hey that’s a start I want you to have fun and remember Valentine’s Day is tomorrow and I think you should take advantage of it if you know what I mean? Oh crap I gotta get going to work but call me once you get to New Orleans man I wish I was going with you guys.”

  I sighed, “I know I wish you were here too. I miss you and Mrs. Rose it isn’t the same but hey what are you doing tomorrow got a hot date?”

  She laughed but then got quiet on me that I had to clear my throat to capture her attention, “Um well I have to work tomorrow,” she said slowly, “but the thing is Cole has been stopping by a couple of times and well he is supposed to visit me tomorrow but it isn’t a date it’s more like a “friend” dinner thing nothing special, “she spit out quickly well I gave a laugh.

  Elaina and Cole who would have guessed but they did look good together hmmm, “okay well have fun with your “friend” dinner thing and I want details but I have to go the twins are here so I will call you soon. Bye girl.”

  We hung up as I took a moment to compose myself El, was right it is time for me to let go of all the insecurities and “what ifs” and just live with the right now and I think I will start by inching back to what we were before the whole thing with Isabella happened.

  I made my way to the hotels living room where everyone was waiting the twins enveloping me in a hug asking how I was feeling. I told them I was doing well. We all decided to split up Matt and I were going to the store to get the food, Anna and Luke were getting the liquor, and the twins were going to meet us at their house with all the things to write in the cement.

  The store was jammed pack with a bunch of people pushing and hitting each other. I was hit about five times before Matt finally pulled me in front of him and the basket his arms caging me in as his body pressed against my back causing me to breathe in rapidly. I tried to calm down my breathing but every time I had it under control he would touch me lightly on my waist, my shoulder, or breathe on to my neck causing me to lose my breath all over.

  We got all the food placing it on the belt so we could check out. I was reading a magazine when I noticed the cashier woman flirting with Matt well ignoring our groceries. She kept touching his arm and laughing at whatever he said it was sick and I was getting pissed.

  Now I am not a jealous person but I could feel myself getting madder as I watched her lean over her bosom peeking out. I decided it was the right time to intervene before I ended up socking the cashier her fake boobs.

  I walked up to Matt putting my arm around his waist pulling him into me as I spoke to the cashier, “Excuse me Miss but can you hurry up and do what you paid to do because my boyfriend and I have a lot of things to do.”

  The cashiers face grew red as she hurried up with our groceries well Matt looked down at me with amusement in his eyes; my answer to him was to flip him off.

  We were back in the car driving to the twin’s house when he started to speak, “So tomorrow is Valentine’s Day and Luke and I are taking you and Anna to a restaurant we weren’t going to tell you but we need your help.”

  I looked at him confusion on my face, “Help with what?”

  “Well you see Luke planned to propose to Anna there he has a ring and everything and we need you to keep her occupied until we are ready.”

  I thought quietly to myself dinner a fancy restaurant. I don’t know if I was happy or sad. I mean my friend is getting proposed to like for reals but at the same time I kind of wanted to spend tomorrow alone with Matt but I mean I couldn’t exactly say no.

  “Okay I can help I can take her to the spa all morning get our nails and hair done. Try on some dresses and when it is time you two can send a limo or something. Oh so what restaurant is it.”

  He smiled as me for a second well shaking his head, “Nope I can’t tell you that I mean I want this to be a surprise for you too,” he paused staring at the road before glancing back at me his face serious, “I know you said that you just want to be friends but I would like tomorrow to be an actual date even if it has to be just in my own head.”

  He grew quiet again as I let what he said flood through my head an actual date with him. I was positively giddy we might not be completely alone but he admitted that it was a date between us. My phone beeped interrupting my thoughts I looked down to see that my prescription was ready at the Walgreens by the hotel.

  “Hey Matt can we stop at the Walgreens by the house before we go to the twins. I need to pick up my prescriptions.”

  He said okay. We went through the drive thru as I told them my name answering all the questions as they handed me my prescriptions. Matt didn’t ask any questions which I was grateful for.

  We made it to the house as we gathered the food going inside to prepare the steaks. We were all laughing well waiting for everything to get done when Austin pulled us into their back yard where the wet cement was waiting.

  We all took turns writing our names in the cement Anna and Luke wrote their names together a heart around it well Matt put his name under my name. We stood up looking at our names when Anna said she forgot something she grabbed the stick making a heart around mine and Matt’s name. She stood up winking at us as the twins pulled us inside so we could eat and talk. It was a great day and I had a feeling tomorrow would be even better.

  The next day I woke up next to a smiling Matt who was holding a bouquet of roses out toward me. I smiled grasping them into my hand as I smelt them.

  “Oh Matt they are beautiful. Thank you.”

  He smiled running his finger down my nose slowly, “Yes you are beautiful love now the plan is ready the limo will be here for you two at seven and believe me I can’t wait for it.”

  He was getting up to leave when I remembered the Valentine’s Day present I bought for Matt, “Wait Matt you can’t leave yet I bought you something.”

  I grabbed the box from the closet walking towards him as he looked at me a look of appreciation in his eyes, “Love you didn’t have to get me anything.”

  I smiled at him, “I know but I wanted to you are my Valentine.”

  He smiled as he grabbed the gift, “Yes I am,” he opened it slowly savoring the moment when finally he pulled out the leather motorcycle jacket I found for him. I took in his expression of awe.

  He looked at me his eyes glistened a little he didn’t speak as he grabbed me pulling me into his arms holding me tightly as he whispered thank you over and over again. We parted as he left with Luke to plan tonight.

  Anna and I both met in the living room exchanging chocolates for each other well we made our way down to the hotel spa. I have never been pampered in my life; I know I am rich or whatever but I never had a reason to sit somewhere and allow myself to get pampered.

  We started with back rubs by the brilliant masseuse who had hands of a God I would have been very embarrassed with him touching my naked back but by the time his hands were on me I lost all thoughts. I looked towards Anna who seemed to be in the same mind set as me.

  The hours flew by with back massages, foot massages, head massages, and by the time we were done I felt boneless absolutely totally boneless and it felt great.

  By the time we were ready to get our nails and feet done my phone started beeping. I excused myself to answer Matt’s call well Anna looked at me suspiciously.

  “Hello,” I whispered.

  He laughed, “Hey love why are you whispering?”

  “Because Anna is looking at me suspiciously now so are you guys almost done?” I kept whispering.

  “Yea we are almost done the limo will be there at exactly 7. I want you to splurge Anna by the prettiest dress and shoes. I left my name at the hotel desk go to him so you can pick up the credit card this day is part of your Valentine’s present,” he paused yelling to someone to hold on, “Okay love I have to go now. I miss you and I can’t wait to see you.”

  I whispere
d goodbye as I made my way back to Anna who looked up at me as soon as I sat down, “So who was that Pen?”

  I lifted my shoulder, “My doctor he wanted to go over the new medicine he sent me.”

  She sat there staring at me until she finally shook her head okay. Once we were done at the spa we made our way to the front desk where I was giving the credit card and directions to the best hair and makeup stylist along with a great place that sells dresses in mine and Anna’s size.

  Seven o’clock came faster than we thought but we were ready. Anna had her hair pinned up, nails done in purple, a purple laced dress, with black stilettoes, and smoky eyes look with nude lips. I was wearing my hair down curled all around, French tip nails with a hint of silver, a white laced dress with a silver lace over the bodice, makeup was done in a smoky gray with a red lip, and my shoes were silver glittery stilettoes. I felt beautiful and Anna looked breathtaking I couldn’t contain my giddiness at what I know would happen tonight.

  We made our way outside where a limo was waiting for us we got inside where bouquets of flowers were waiting for us. We both sighed in happiness as we sat there waiting to see where we were going. The limo came to a stop as the driver opened our doors revealing our destination which was “Oliver’s Prime” Luke and Matt were waiting by the door for us dressed up in slacks and nice dress shirts. God he was beautiful.

  Luke ran towards Anna giving her a kiss well devouring her with his eyes I laughed at the display my laughter dying suddenly when I saw Matt walking towards me silently but intently. He glanced down at my feet moving his gaze up and over my body making my body heat up in answer. He finally reached me looking into my eyes he smiled widely grabbing my hand and kissing it, “You are breathtaking my love a vision in white.”

  I blushed as he moved me towards the restaurant as we sat down at the table with Luke and Anna. The place was awesome it was intimate and pose and the food was amazing. We were all having a blast laughing and flirting when the music changed the song “Only Exception,” playing in the background. Luke grabbed Anna standing her up well he knelt on one knee the crowd in the restaurant growing quiet.

  “Annabeth I have been with you for almost 4 years, I love everything about you, and I know we have been through a lot but even when we were broken up you were mine and I was yours. I want to spend the rest of my life with you as my cupcake, my love, my wife. I want to have babies with you lots of them and I want to wake up every day knowing you are next to me. My cupcake will you do me the honor of being my wife? Will you marry me?”

  I grabbed a hold of Matt’s hand as I held my breath waiting for Anna to answer. She cried shaking her head yes wildly.

  “Yes Lucas I want to be you wife,” he put the ring on her finger as the kissed passionately the crowd going crazy as well as Matt and I both jumping up and down in joy.

  Matt grabbed a hold of me pulling my face towards him, “Happy Valentine’s Day love. May I kiss you?”

  I shook my head yes as his lips descended upon mine making me moan in pleasure before he pulled away. I looked over at the happy engaged couple and then at Matt smiling as I thought if this is my last Valentine’s Day of my life than I am very happy about it. It is perfect.

  Ch. 10: Pull a Fire Alarm in Crowded Place (Matt’s POV)

  We packed up our bags meeting the twins in the lobby of the hotel. We all said bye as they kissed Penelope and Anna well making us promise to visit again which we agreed to immediately. We gathered into the taxi getting stuck in the traffic on the way to the airport Anna and Luke were cuddled together enjoying the afterglow of their proposal which turned out awesome. Speaking of awesome Penelope was absolutely a dream come true in that dress bringing out her eyes I couldn’t not kiss her and when she gave me permission to my heart thumped in anticipation. I know I messed up with the whole letting Isabella get to me again but I have a feeling Penelope is starting to slowly let me in again.

  I looked at her as she glanced out the window looking at all the buildings like she was trying to burn it into her memory. I touched her shoulder softly gaining her attention her beautiful grey eyes looking into mine. I smiled thinking about our kiss.

  “How are you love? You excited for New Orleans?” she smiled as she shook her head answering my questions.

  “Oh yea I can’t wait I have always read about that place I mean ghosts, voodoo, witches, haunted houses, and the plus of it all Mardi Gras”, she clapped her hands in excitement making me even more happy that I met her.

  Anna laughed out loud at Penelope’s enthusiasm, “So Pen are we actually going to participate in the parade?”

  Luke and I both shouted, “No” at the same time causing the girls to look at us then each other. They started giggling like crazy as we pulled up to the airport. We gathered the bags making our way through the whole process of boarding a plane except there was a small problem the flight was delayed for a couple hours causing us to have to wait around the airport until it was time.

  We sat in a circle by each other deciding to play cards. I took out my deck giving Penelope a wink, “Let’s see if I can beat you this time.”

  She laughed cracking her knuckles, “Oh it is on like Donkey Kong.”

  Luke snorted, “You did not just say that,” we laughed as Penelope shrugged her shoulders, “Let’s make this interesting whoever wins gets to bet everyone to do one thing.”

  We all looked at each other agreeing to play the way Luke wanted to I was praying I win. We played five sets of black jack Penelope and Luke were head to head the next hand one.

  I had my fingers crossed for Penelope as Anna cheered for both not wanting to be bias. They flipped over their cards Penelope cards bust well Luke got a 21. Damn.

  Luke jumped up in excitement doing a little chicken dancing that Anna laughed at. He sat back down wearing an evil grin and to say we weren’t scared was an understatement.

  “So peeps what should I make you three do?”

  “You make me do something stupid or embarrassing and you will not get any sex from me for a month,” Anna spoke.

  Luke opened his mouth closing it, “Fine I dare you to go up to the next person to walk by and kiss them.”

  “What?”

  “You heard me cupcake.”

  “Fine,” she glanced around right when a young pilot was walking by she smiled widely giving us a wink as she sauntered up to him grabbing the guys face kissing him on the lips.

  She walked away from the stunned guy back to an angry Luke, “Don’t give me a dare like that Luke unless you are prepared for the consequences.”

  Luke glared but continued his dare by going to me next, “I dare you to see sing Miley Cyrus “Wrecking Ball” out loud right now.”

  Penelope started giggling well my face heated up, “Dude, are you serious?”

  He shook his head as I walked to the middle of the aisle clearing my throat to sing. Luke put on the music as I sang at the top of my lungs people going by laughing, taking videos, and some actually were dropping coins next to me. By the time I was done with my performance I was sure I had about five Youtube videos of me and about seven dollars in change.

  I made my way back to the group as they all were red face laughing I glared at them all waiting for them to quit laughing. Penelope noticed my face as she came towards me grabbing my face and giving me a hard kiss.

  “That was great babe. Absolutely great”

  I grabbed her around the waist pulling her in for another kiss, “Stop laughing love because you’re next.”

  She got quiet as she moved her eyes towards a grinning Luke. She got tense so I gave her a shoulder rub trying to calm her.

  “So Pen you are next and I decided that we will do something off your bucket list,” we all got quiet thinking of which one he was going to choose, “I dare you to pull a fire alarm.”

  Penelope grew pale as she whispered yelled to him, “Are you crazy? I can get arrested.”

  I had to agree with her I didn’t like this at all but Luke l
ooked determined to cross this off so I voiced the first thing I thought, “If she does it we all do it so we don’t get arrested.”

  Luke agreed well Anna kept saying “hell no”. I didn’t feel good about this but we were going for it. Luke and Anna were on look out as Penelope and I went towards the furthest fire alarm.

  I clutched her hand making her turn to me, “Are you sure about this love? I mean we could just skip this and try it again like next year or something.”

  I don’t know what I said but whatever I said had her mind clicking on a look of determination making her eyes turn to steel.

  “No I am doing this,” she strode to the alarm grabbing it and turning it on not even hesitating until the alarm started blaring.

  She froze as people started going crazy I grasped her pulling he with me so we could go before we were caught we made it to Luke and Anna who looked anxious.

  We were about to go running towards the doors when I felt Penelope get tugged out of my arms I turned around to grab her when I noticed the guards holding her. She stared at the floor her hair hiding her face but I knew she was scared.

  The guards surrounded us taking us to this long corridor that reminded me of a scary movie; it seemed we were walking forever until we came to a door. They pushed us in as we all took seats waiting for the main guard.

  I sat next to Penelope gripping her hand as her breath came in and out faster. I could tell she was scared and to be honest I was scared to my parents will kill me if they find out about this. The head of security came in with another cop sitting across from us peering at us all making us squirm with nerves.

  “So why would you four decide to pull a fire alarm in a crowded airport? Do you not realize the chaos you caused? Do you not realize how much trouble you four are in?,” we stayed quiet as he continued, “Fine let’s start with this whose idea was it?”