Snow Balls (Ball Games #2) by Andie M. Long Page B

She licks her top lip while looking at me from under a piece of her fringe that's fallen across her eye. Well played Jennifer, well played.
    'Well, do you have any plans for Valentine's Day?' I ask.
    'No. No, I'm free.'
    'Well how about I pick you up at seven?' I point to the jotter pad on her desk. 'Write me your address and phone number on there.'
    She quickly writes them down.
    'I'll see you on Valentines, Jen.' I wink and walk out.
    Get me. I am on fucking fire.
     
    I phone Camille at seven pm.
    'Yes?' she says hesitantly.
    'It's me, dufus. You asked me to ring.'
    'Yeah, but you never do. I thought it was Mum ringing to say you were dead or something?'
    'Yeah, that's realistic.'
    'It's more plausible than the alternative. You’re actually phoning me.'
    'We speak every week.'
    'Yeah, when I ring you.'
    'Well are you over the shock yet because I've got things to do. Bets to win. What favour do you want?'
    'Can you come and stop at mine for a week and look after Bob?'
    Bob is Camille's cat.
    'Why?'
    'Me and Dylan are going to Tenerife for a week mid-March. I don't want to put him in a cattery as he loves it at home.'
    'What's in it for me?'
    'Yeah, don’t do it out of love for your sister or anything.’
    ‘You’re so funny.’
    ‘You get the place to yourself for a week. Get to see what living alone is like.'
    'Sure this isn't a ploy on your part to win the bet?'
    'No. I'll win that anyway without resorting to cheating tactics like you. I'll pay you the cattery fee too, so that's seventy quid. What else do you want?'
    'I want to borrow your car on Valentine’s Day.'
    'No fucking way.'
    She screams that so loud I have to move the phone away from my ear.
    Camille has a Fiat 500. It's her pride and joy. It's a bit girly for me but better than having to catch the bus on my date.
    'Dylan's then?'
    Dylan has a Ford Focus. That’s much better to be honest.
    'That's it?'
    'And the seventy quid. That'll pay for the dinner.'
    'God. Lucky girl. Going all out, aren't you?'
    'She'll be eating out of my hand.'
    'Who is it? Lindsay?'
    I splutter. 'Don't be stupid. Why did you think it would be her?'
    'She's the only woman daft enough to put up with you. All these years and she's still your friend. Must be more to it.'
    'Well, there's not. I'm going out with Jennifer from the bank.'
    'Jennifer Lambert?'
    'Yeah.'
    There's silence.
    'You still there, Cam?'
    'Enjoy your date and take a hint from me. You'll need more than seventy quid.'
    'Right, my fee is a hundred plus the car.'
    'Fuck off.'
    'I'm joking.' I wasn't, but I thought I'd try. 'You're so easy to wind up, Cam, honestly.'
    'Oh, and another thing,' she adds.
    'Yeah?'
    'My bedroom's off limits. You can sleep in the double in the spare room. I'd rather your skank didn't visit but if she does, spare room.'
    'Like I want to rest my head where you and Dylan go at it like Duracell bunnies. Right, is that it, cos I need to throw up my evening meal after that visual.'
    'Yep, that's it. Thanks, Ty.'
    'No probs, sis.'
     
    Friday morning at work and Lindsay's smile is almost as big as my own.
    'What's with your face?'
    She feels around it. 'What? Have I got pen on me?'
    'Nah, you're smiling. It's unusual.'
    She punches me in the arm. I'll never learn.
    'Tyler, my hamster. He did something dead funny on his wheel and I posted it. Got me a few hits. I'm reet pleased.'
    'How many hits and why is he called Tyler?'
    'He's called Tyler after Steven Tyler from Aerosmith. Nothing to do with you.' She sings Carly Simon's You're so Vain . She sounds like a strangulated cat.
    'Okay, enough, before you shatter my eardrums. How many hits?'
    She mimes a zip over her mouth. 'Not until the grand reveal, Mr Turner.'
    'Well, whatever. I have happy news of my own.'
    'Oh yeah?'
    'Jennifer Lambert is going out with me on Valentine’s Day.'
    Lindsay gasps. 'What?'
    'I know. Went to my appointment yesterday. Blew her away with my personality. Hopefully, she'll blow me in return.'
    'You're