For the Win (Playing for Keeps Book 1) Read Free Page A

her notepad and pressed it to her chest. “I guess I’ve got all I need for now then.” Standing up, her lips curled slightly at the edges. “See you Saturday.”
    “See you then.” I tipped my hat.
    She whirled around, her shirt floating around her body.
    “London?” I called after her.
    Craning her neck, she peered at me.  A gentle breeze blew kicking up her hair, and it swirled around her face. “Yeah?”
    “You might want to wear something different on Saturday.”
    She narrowed her eyes. “What does that mean?”
    “It’s just that it’s supposed to be in the hundreds, and the games can go for hours. You’ll never make it dressed like that.”
    She shook her head. “Thanks for the heads up, but I think I’m old enough to dress myself.” As she stalked off I wondered why my statement offended her so much. That chick was confusing. Now I knew why I stuck to girls like Calista. I liked knowing exactly what I was getting.

CHAPTER 3
    London
     
     
    I pedaled faster as I neared my street. Steering the bike handle, I turned the corner. Wind whipped in my face as I passed an apartment complex. Kids played outside, and their chatter and laughter carried lightly on the breeze. A car passed, its tires rumbling on the asphalt. I maneuvered up onto the sidewalk and my backpack jostled against my spine. The straps cut into the skin on my shoulders as the wheels spun beneath me, rolling over the bumps on the concrete.
    Even though I was seventeen and had my license, my main mode of transportation was still my bike. We only had one vehicle, and Dad needed it for work. Dad didn’t want me to get a job during the school year because he was afraid it would distract me from my school work. So I planned to work this summer to save for a car.
    Shifting slightly, I continued to pedal until I reached the duplex I lived in with my dad. Pulling to the left, I glided into our driveway. As I hopped off my bike, I caught sight of Skyler peeking out of her front window. Skyler’s family shared the duplex adjoined to ours. We’d lived next door to each other since Dad and I moved to Folsom when I was five. Propping my bike up on the kickstand, I found myself hoping that she would stay inside. As I started to fantasize about curling up on the couch with my latest novel, Skyler’s front door popped open and she stepped out. It’s not that I didn’t like spending time with Skyler. She was pretty much my only friend, and I enjoyed her company. But I was a loner by nature. I preferred to spend time with my books, living in fictional worlds
    Skyler’s thick black hair was coiled into a bun on top of her head, and she wore gym shorts and a t-shirt. With her long tanned legs, she walked toward me in her bare feet. Sweat clinging to every inch of my skin, I envied her outfit.
    Picking my hair up off my damp neck, I smiled at Skyler. “Hey.”
    “Hey. How did it go with Cooper?” Skyler raised a brow.
    “Fine.” I moved around her toward the garage. After unlocking the door, I shoved it open. It rattled on the hinges loudly. Once it was all the way up, I grabbed my bike and wheeled it inside. The scent of musty boxes and dust filled my nostrils.
    “That’s it? Just fine?” She followed me just like I knew she would.
    “Yep.” After setting my bike near the wall, I closed and locked the garage door. Darkness enveloped us, so I hurried to the door leading inside the house. After opening it, I flicked on the wall switch and a triangle of light appeared. Trailing me, Skyler’s feet slapped on the pavement. Cool air circled me when I stepped into the kitchen. The scent of chicken and spices wafted from the crockpot sitting on the counter. Shrugging my backpack off, I dropped it on the ground and shoved it against the wall with the toe of my shoe.
    “C’mon, London. It had to be more than just fine.” Skyler crossed her arms over her chest.
    Sighing, I made my way over to the crockpot that I had filled with chicken, vegetables