Betting Against the Odds (4 page)

Ch. 4: Have a Drink with Celebrity/Race a Car (Matt’s POV)

This week sucked literally sucked ass. It was barely Wednesday and I was already missing Penelope. I sound like a girl. Man, I need to get laid or something to get my mind off of her. I can’t stop thinking about her, how possessive she makes me, and the way she seems to be hiding something. I shook my head trying to make the stupid thoughts disappear when my mother walks in.

“Son, you are up early. Are you okay?” she asked me well pressing the back of her hand to my forehead to see if I was running a fever if only I could blame how I am feeling on an illness.

I grabbed her hand gently moving away from her, “No I am fine just going down to the auto shop to help Luke and Nate with some stuff,” I stuffed a pop-tart in my mouth waving a bye to my mom, “See you later at the pub”.

I ran out of my house trying hopping on my motorcycle trying not to think about how good Penelope felt pressed against me. Her soft curves pressing on my back her hands caressing my stomach as she held me in fear. My bike almost tumbled over when I turned a corner. Damn, I need to keep my mind straight before she ends up killing me.

I made my way to the shop parking my bike and heading inside. I saw Luke first talking on the phone smiling probably talking to Anna. I shook my head laughing man he has it bad. My eyes connected to the blonde head whose locked eyes with me giving me a nod.

“Hey Matt, Where have you been dude?,” Nate called out making his way to me.

Nate is a new father and him and his wife Janet are plenty busy trying to be a family but still hold their jobs but they seem to make it work.

“Naw man I been hanging out with Luke and Anna some,” I gave Luke a nod when he noticed me.

Nate gave a laugh, “Oh yea I have heard about your new girl Pen. I heard she was hot as hell all curves but a little shy. I didn’t picture you going for a good girl let alone one who is more than size two,” I was about to say something to him when he held up his hands, “Not saying anything is wrong with that just making an observation including all of those Barbie’s you usually hang with.”

I shrugged my shoulders knowing for a fact that he was right but not having an answer for him.

Luke came out of his office giving me a nod well pushing Nate out of the way, “What are you two pansies talking about?”

“Oh nothing just Matt’s new girl Pen,” Nate looked back at me as Luke raised his eyebrow.

Luke scratched his chin, “Speaking of Pen she is having lunch with the girls today,” I perked up after I registered his words I tried to appear nonchalant well I asked him where they will be but Luke and Nate but exchanged a look.

Nate laughed well he gave me the answer, “They are going to Ellen’s Stardust Diner on Broadway you know the one that has the singing waitress,” I took this all in well Nate and Luke both stared at me with smug ass smiles.

I flipped them off but Luke just laughed, “Damn dude you have it bad but don’t feel bad I felt the same way with Annabeth it just hits you,” I glared at him well he continued, “I think we should crash their lunch date what do you boys think?”

I couldn’t help but grin. Oh yea.

We made our way to the diner giving the girls a little time to themselves before we barged in. The smell of food hit me and my stomach grumbled I didn’t even realize I was hungry. I looked around until I saw her beautiful brown hair sitting next to Anna and Janet. She was laughing and my stomach automatically clenched at the sound God she sounded great laughing it was nice and husky.

We made it to the table Janet kissed Nate scooting over well Luke sat next to a scowling Anna. Penelope was looking up at me a light blush working its way on to her face making me want to give her a reason to blush so I leaned in to her, “Hey love scoot over for me.”

It worked her cheeks turned red as she let me in the booth which was not roomy enough for all of us which gave me a reason to put my arm over her moving her soft body closer to me. I felt her tense slightly but start to relax.

“What the hell boys this is girl’s day,” Anna yelled looking at Luke who was trying his best to calm her.

I decided to save him, “It’s my fault I wanted to see Penelope so the boys told me what you guys were up to,” Anna and Janet both squealed well Luke winked at me. Penelope well she stiffened in my arms giving me a glare.

“You don’t have to lie Matt,” she hissed making me stiffen. What the hell is she talking about? I was about to tell her off when a waitress came to our table she didn’t look like the rest of these girls she was more voluptuous like Penelope.

Penelope leaned towards her smiling, “Elaina how are you girl?”

The waitress blushed, “Good just trying to help mama with the three terrors.”

Penelope nodded her head in sympathy, “Does she need anything? I mean I can help you know how much your mama helped me during my,” she cleared her throat glancing at us and back at Elaina, “My tough time.”

Huh? What tough time? Elaina smiled, “Right now we are struggling to afford her medicine but you know mama would not like you spending your money no matter how much she needs it.”

Penelope shook her head pulling out her wallet scribbling I didn’t see how much she wrote down but whatever it was had Elaina’s mouth falling open, “No Penny I can’t take this it’s too much mama won’t like it”.

Penelope held her hands up leaning over me to grab Elaina’s hands. My attention was dragged to the feel of her body pressed against me. Damn, she felt good. I tried to keep my thoughts on the conversation so she wouldn’t realize how turned on I was having her practically in my lap. I tuned back into the conversation.

“Now El, Just tell your mama you got a bonus at work for singing or something,” She lowered her voice whispering in Elaina’s ear then speaking up again as the manager came up to yell at Elaina for not moving fast enough.

Elaina looked humiliated when Penelope spoke up with fire in her eyes, “Excuse me sir but this waitress was doing a mighty fine job on showing us what this place has to offer.”

The manager glared at her saying, “Oh yea and who are you to be putting your nose into my business?”

Penelope just sat there giving him a big smile even though her eyes gave away her fury, “Well sir besides being a paying customer I should introduce myself properly, I am Penelope Davis daughter of Jack Davis and Johanna Davis.”

I don’t know who her parents are but obviously this ass did because his face literally went pale and his eyes bugged out, “I am so sorry ma’am, umm please have anything on the house,” he turned towards Elaina, “I am sorry for yelling dear please continue I will also give you a raise of two dollars.”

Elaina was about to nod her head when Penelope piped up again, “Two dollars? Huh I didn’t know this place was lacking in wages. Elaina dear maybe we should get you a better job and tell my parents that this place isn’t worth it.”

The manager looked red but faced Elaina again, “Fine I will give you five dollars wage that is 13 dollars an hour and I will put you on as full time.”

He walked away growling under his breath as Elaina gaped at him then looked at Penelope laughing.

Anna, Janet, Nate, and Luke all started clapping as Penelope stood up bowing. She sat back down and I pulled her towards me my arm around her waist.

Elaina spoke up, “Damn Penelope that was awesome.”

Penelope shrugged, “Hey the least I could do is use my parent’s names even though they are never there for me.”

Anna spoke up, “Who are your parents exactly?”

Penelope smiled a little, “Well my father is a director and my mother was a fashion model now a designer. They are very famous,” she rolled her eyes looking uncomfortable so I laid my hand over hers in comfort.

She glanced down at our hands than back at me giving me a small smile. We finished eating lunch as we all pulled out money to pay Penelope started protesting, “You guys don’t have to pay I invited the girls so I will pay,” I was going to protest but decided to choose my battles wisely.

We walked out of the restaurant Penelope giving Elaina a hug goodbye asking her if she wanted to go with us Saturday; she said she will try.

I held the door open for her as we all stood there talking and making plans to meet up on Saturday. Penelope hugged Janet and Anna as well as Luke and Nate as I tried not to growl at the fact that she was hugging other guys. She turned around to face me a smile on her face and I smiled back. She walked slowly to me pulling me into her arms but this time I held on to her my hands making its way around her waist. My fingers touched lightly on her back where her shirt pulled up slightly she was soft and her skin hot.

I could have stayed like that forever but I let her go smiling down on her as her cheeks turned pink. “I will see you on Saturday I will pick you and Elaina up at your house at noon,” I gave her a peck on the cheek as she nodded whistling for a cab.

She waved to us all again as she jumped in the cab home.

I turned to see the girls with grins on their face and the boys shaking their head slowly as if I was a lost cause and for once in my life I couldn’t deny it.

Saturday morning started out bad Seamus was there with Nicole kissing my dad’s ass well making me look like shit. I walked into the kitchen giving both Nicole and my mom a kiss on the cheek and saying good morning to my brother and father who didn’t answer me of course.

I grabbed my stuff deciding to eat breakfast with Luke and Nate before we had to meet the girls I was turning to leave when my mom spoke up, “Leaving already?”

I nodded, “yea I have plans with Luke and Nate I will be back late since I am not working tonight.”

Seamus laughed humorously, “Like that stops you from doing anything little brother.”

I gave him a glare as Nicole spoke up, “Leave him be Seamus he is right he doesn’t work today and he has been doing really good lately no gambling.”

Seamus shot her a look, “Not gambling aww but he was gambling a week ago with that disrespecting fat girl –“

He didn’t get to finish because my fist was connecting with his jaw, “Don’t ever call her that again you hear me you arrogant bastard.”

My mother gasped as my father stood by silently watching I didn’t hang around I walked out the door before they could say something else to ruin my day.

I got to Penelope’s house 30 minutes earlier than expected but I was too excited to start the day. I rang the doorbell as Elaina answered wearing a nice outfit she was pretty and curvy but my skin didn’t tingle like it does with Penelope.

She smiled pushing me inside as she yelled out, “Penny! Penny Matt is here.”

She called out okay and five minutes later she was walking down the stairs in black jeans, lace red shirt and a leather jacket with some sexy motorcycle boots on. Damn bring on the tingles.

She smiled at me as she hopped the last few steps down the stairs towards us I held out my hand to steady her leaving my hand there to linger on her arm.

We stood there for a good minute or so just staring at each other when we heard a cough. We turned towards Elaina who was standing there smiling at us.

I cleared my throat, “So ladies you ready for some fun?”

Penelope squealed, “I can’t wait where are the others?”

I smiled at her, “They are meeting us at the race track. I hope ya’ll are ready.”

Elaina and Penelope both did a little fist pump in the air yelling they were ready and I couldn’t help but laugh at their enthusiasm. Damn, what is happening to me?

The drive to race track didn’t take that long. I let the girls out as Anna and Janet came running towards us hugging the girls and talking in excitement. I shook my head making my way towards Luke and Nate who were shaking their heads too.

“Girls…” Nate said with a smile.

“Yup,” Agreed Luke.

“I agree,” I said.

The girls came towards us all laughing as we stood there watching them. I was happy that Penelope was fitting in with them seeing her happy made me happy.

“Boys who are guys gawking at?” a loud voice boomed from the back of us.

We turned around to see Jeff the owner of the race track smiling at us in a knowing way. The ladies reached us quieting down in response to Jeff’s presence.