The Hockey Girl

Chapter 8

I was too amused by the hidden proposition itself to be offended at the Jack’s assumption that I was Nate’s sister.

“She’s not my sister.” Nate immediately denies, his voice sounded confused to my ears, bless him.

The waiter looked a little surprised before he smiled again, “Forgive me, your friend then?” There was a question behind Jack’s words.

Nate looked toward me and gave me the devilish grin that I found myself to be falling for quickly. “Actually, I’m hoping that she’ll be more soon.” I felt my cheeks warm with the blush that appeared at Nate’s confession. This boy held a power over me that I was not ready to admit the degree of.

Jack appeared confused for a moment when I glanced over to him before I mouthed, ‘sorry, other team’ and Jack laughed good naturedly.

“Well, I hope that works out for you both.”

“You and I both mate.” Nate agreed.

As Jack walked away I could no longer hold back my laughter. Nate looked over to me with a confused expression but I merely shook my head and began to eat my meal – which was delicious.

“What is it that you find so funny?” Nate asked as he finished chewing a portion of his Pollo e Avocado.

“You seriously have no clue, do you?” I asked before taking another bite of my pasta.

Nate had food in his mouth so he simply shook his head in response to my query.

This was too good.

I placed my fork down on the edge of my dish, preparing myself for the laughter that would no doubt ensue.

“He was hitting on you Nate.”

Nate raised a single dark-brown eyebrow. He placed his fork down just as I had before saying, “Who?”

I laughed lightly. “Jack, the waiter, he was hitting on you.”

Nate appeared confused for another good ten seconds before his brown eyes lit with understanding. Hit mouth opened to form an ‘O’ shape of surprise. “You’re kidding?”

I laughed harder. “Nope.” I answered.

Nate’s expression was reflective as he said, “Well, it appears you’ve got some competition Alara.”

I managed to reign in my amusement. “He was really good looking too.”

“Ay, but sadly for him and lucky for you, I’m one-hundred per cent batting for the other team.”

I smirked at him, “Lucky me.” I was glad that I’d managed to find a decent guy who wasn’t gay, taken or married as the saying went – not that marriage was really a factor at this age.

We continued to eat our meals, talking easily.

“You know me far too well Nate.” I said, smiling. It was around seven-thirty and I was currently facing an air hockey table. Perfection.

When Nate and I left the restaurant he’d lead me to an arcade across the road from La Porchetta. Nate hadn’t wasted any time in exchanging a ten-dollar note for gold coins at the service desk, before leading me over to the singular air hockey table.

Air hockey had always been a favourite of mine – a favourite of the whole team actually. We’d turn it into a massive competition whenever we played – with money at stake of course.

Nate laughed his alluring, deep laugh. “I know that it’s your favourite. I just hope that your ego can take it when I beat you at your favourite game.”