Gongshow

That night, Audrey faked like she was still angry with Dustin. She ate dinner in silence and was back in her room before everyone else was done. She was still mad, but she knew she was still going out tonight. She knew Monday nights were the nights her parents went out with friends. All her siblings would be asleep before her parents left, so she had no problem getting out.

Around ten thirty, her mom opened her bedroom door to tell her they were heading out. Audrey rolled over and ignored her. The door closed and Audrey hopped up. She started to get ready. She quickly changed her mind. She saw no reason to do her hair or make up when she was just going out with the girls. Her hair was twisted into a bun on the top of her head and that was it. She threw on a swear and tights with a pair of uggs. She settled for that before she grabbed her phone and her wallet and crept downstairs.

She slid out the back door. She had a plan to how she was getting away with this. She would just hop the fence to the Reinharts backyard and sneak out beside their house. That way, no neighbours would be able to inform her parents they saw her. So that she did.

She stayed close to the fence as she walked through their backyard. The back light flicked on and she froze, pressing herself to the fence where it was dark. A figure appeared in the doorway before the door slid open and Mojo came charging at her. Mojo barked like crazy. She was caught.

"Moj, shut up." Sam hollered but Mojo didn't stop. "What are you barking at?"

Mojo did that thing where she lowered her front half and wiggled her butt in the air with her tag wagging. She wanted to play. Audrey waved her off and shushed her. It didn't work. Mojo started barking again and hopped around the yard. Sam sighed, turning back for a pair of shoes to put on a check on his dog.

"Mojo, if you shut the fuck up, I will give you an entire T-bone steak and let you hump Grubber." Audrey whispered, trying to plead with the dog, who barked louder. "Or he can hump you?"

"Audrey?" Sam's voice caused her to jump. "Do I want to know?" He shook his head, shining his phone light on her.

"You can't see me like this." She frowned.

"You look fine. Come on." He sighed, turning and guiding her inside.

He stepped to the side so she could walk in and he could close the door. She took off her shoes and watched him do the same before he picked his up. She copied him. He nodded towards the living room and she followed. He took her shoes, tossing both of the towards the front door. NHL 14 was paused. Two remotes were sitting so Audrey knew Sam wasn't alone. Sam sat and patted the seat beside him.

"Griffin's sit on the floor when he plays so you can sit beside me and tell me why you just snuck into my backyard." Sam grinned.

Audrey rolled her eyes and sat. "I'm grounded still and I wanted out of the house but my neighbours kiss my dad's ass." She exhaled, resting her head back. "Oh my god, please don't tell him!" She cried.

He laughed. "I won't, don't worry." He promised. "I don't know if this is your ideal night out, but you can hang out here if you want. That way no one can see you outside."

"Yeah, okay. I just have to text the girls. We were supposed to go to the drive in." She explained as she pulled out her phone.

He took it from her. He called Taylor and held it to his ear. "Taylor? It's Sam." He listened to her talk. "Well which Sam lives right behind Auds?" He listened again. "Look, just come here with the girls so Audrey doesn't get caught and grounded for longer. You can hang out here."

The girls came and the rest of the night was spent on an NHL tournament. Griffin was the easiest to beat, and Audrey was the angriest contender. She was swearing and cursing while Griffin whined. Audrey's plea was that she was used to Playstation and Griffin didn't have one. He just sucked.

"This game is so realistic. Griffin is as terrible in it as he is in real games." Audrey stated.

Griffin paused the game and spun around. He looked angry. He slammed down his remote and pulled Audrey to her feet. She tried to run but he grabbed her by her sweater. He lifted her and tossed her over his shoulder in a second. She was begging him to out her down but he wasn't going to. He ran outback with her. Their pool was glistening. It definitely wasn't pool season anymore though.

"Griffin, please don't!" She cried, holding into his waist.

"Aw, I would never. Don't get upset." He frowned, putting her down.

"You're weak." She said before running into the house.

He caught her before she got to the living room. He lifted her up again and tossed her into Sam's lap. Sam let out a huff when she landed and she gasped at him. He just smirked. She rolled her eyes and pushed off him so she was back on the ground.

"What time are your parents gonna be home?" Holiday asked as she dangled around Sam's team.

"Like two." Audrey shrugged.

"So we still have two hours." Danielle chimed. "Because I really want Audrey and Griffin to fight."

"In the game or real life? Because both are very possible and I can assure she would lose them." Sam stated.

"I think I'd rather fight Sam. He's mouthy." She hissed before smacking him with a pillow.

"Ow, Mojo!" He hollered and the dog came running. "Mojo, she's bad! Get her!"

Mojo wagged her tail before curling up in Audrey's lap. Audrey gave Sam a taunting look before cuddling up to Mojo. Sam retaliated by throwing a pillow at the back of her head. She reached back and smacked his arm. Taylor had been watching the ordeal the entire time. She hadn't played much because she had been more interested in the interaction between Sam and Audrey. There was definitely something there.

As it got later, the girls said their goodbyes. Audrey spent five minutes saying goodbye to Mojo. Griffin hugged the other three girls. He was the scariest guy on the team, but he was actually just a giant teddy bear. He hugged Audrey and she pinched his cheeks. Sam gave Taylor, Holiday, and Danielle hugs. They were one armed, Taylor made sure to take note of that. Audrey gave Sam a dirty look when he walked over to hug her. She got two arms in her hug. They left after that. Holiday agreed to drive Audrey around the corner.

"So, are you and Sam like seeing each other?" Taylor spoke.

Audrey burst into laughter. "No! I crept into his backyard so I wouldn't get caught and he caught me and invited me in."

"And the pillow hitting and teasing and smirks?" Holiday listed.

"And the two armed hug!" Danielle exclaimed.

"Guys, it's seriously nothing. Just playful banter." Audrey shrugged.

She had to play it cool. She wasn't allowed to have interest in anyone on the team. Technically, she was interested before she knew. When they first moved, she saw him walking Mojo and thought he was cute. She wouldn't admit that to them. If she told the girls, they wouldn't let it go.

"I think he's into you." Taylor crossed her arms. "He just gazed at you while we were playing. There's no guy who just watches a girl, especially one with a trucker mouth like you. It wasn't like you were being elegant."

"Hey, fuck you." Audrey growled. Taylor pointed to make her point stronger.

"And you two were flirting so much! Griffin tossing you on his lap was totally planned!" Holiday cried.

"She flirts with everyone." Dani rolled her eyes.

"Look, Sam's a great kid but he's just my friend. I'm not looking to get in more shit with my dad." Audrey sighed as she climbed out of the car.

"Yeah, but you risked staying at his house two hours later than we would've been." Taylor pointed out before they drove off.

The next day was a game day, and Danielle was stuck in the worst position of her life. Jacob had come up to her and made it known that he would not be playing up to par if she didn't agree to a date with him. Of course she said no, she was into Seth. But watching Jacob play like trash was breaking her heart. All the guys were working hard and then there was him.

When the first period ended, Danielle went back to the change room. She walked over to Seth, who was talking with some guys. He looked at her and smiled before turning back to the guys. She waited a few more second before she tapped his shoulder. He looked at her with furrowed brows.

"Hey, would you be mad if I went on a date with Jacob? It's the only way he'll play better." She explained.

"No, I don't care." Seth said, a bite in his tone. "Look, I'm not really into you, Dani. I don't care what you do."

Danielle's jaw dropped. "You're a dick." She spat. She spun around and spotted Jacob. She walked over, sat on his lap, and pulled him into a long kiss. "I'd love to go on a date with you."

Jacob smiled and kissed her again. "It's only taken you three years." He teased.

So the Falcolns won. Jacob managed a plus four on the night. And now, he and Danielle were sitting across from each other. It wasn't awkward, since they were used to each other, but then it was, because Danielle didn't like him. Well, she loved the kid, but the same way she loved Taylor. He was around her so much that it was like she was his sister.

"You don't feel right, do you?" He frowned.

She shook her head. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay, Dani." He reached for her hand. She gave him it and he rubbed it with his thumb. "We're better off friends."

"Yeah, really." She nodded. "I love you, Jake, but you're like my brother."

"You're not supposed to French your brother." He teased.

"Fair enough, but Seth just humiliated me and I needed to show him that he's disposable." She stated.

"You know who really likes you?"

"Please don't say yourself." She begged.

"Not me, Mikey." He told her.

"Michael?" She asked. Jacob nodded. "Michael Dal Colle likes me?"

"I think he has longer than I have." Jacob laughed.

"Why was he always such a dick?" She gasped.

"He didn't know how to tell you he was into you, I guess. You're pretty intimidating, Dan." He explained.

"I'm 5'1 and I cry at the thought of hurting someone." She rolled her eyes. "Jacob, he is so cute. I can't do this."

"Maybe he's your soulmate." He waggled his eyebrows.

"Don't do that." She shook her head.

Notes