The Perfect Game by J. Sterling Read Free Book Online

number of diners packing the room, my brain quickly went from wondering how they stayed in business to how they kept all their customers happy.
    “Is it always like this?” I asked Jack, shocked at the massive crowd.
    “Hey, Jack.” A gorgeous brunette rushed passed us, reaching out to touch his arm.
    “Hey, Sarah. Busy tonight, eh?” he shouted, trying to be heard over the hum of the crowd.
    “Always!” she answered with a smile and a wink.
    It figures. “Come here often?” I asked, annoyed already.
    “I told you, it’s the best burger place in town.”
    Sarah reappeared and rested an arm on Jack’s shoulders. “Sit anywhere you want, sweetie. You want your usual?”
    He glanced at me before answering her. “Cass, you like bacon? Fries?”
    I nodded my head. “Mm-hmm.”
    “Make it two, please. Thanks, Sarah.”
    She looked at me briefly before turning her attention back to my date. “I get off at midnight,” she whispered in his ear loud enough for me to hear.
    “I’m on a date,” he said harshly.
    “Oh, of course you are. Later then.” She scurried away, her face flushed from embarrassment.
    “Sorry about that.” Jack put his hand lightly at the small of my back, leading us to a small booth in the far end of the room. “Oh, I almost forgot! I’ll be right back.”
    Before I could argue, he hopped from the booth and ran out the front door. I watched through the restaurant’s large plate-glass window as he opened the passenger side of his death trap and reached into the glove compartment. I fiddled with strands of my hair, tucking pieces behind my ear as I watched Jack’s every move. Two water glasses appeared in front of me and I turned to greet Sarah with a smile. She didn’t return the gesture as Jack reappeared and slid into his side of the booth.
    “First things first,” he said, pulling a paper bag from his jacket pocket. I heard the sound of metal clanking against fiberglass as he poured the entire contents of the bag onto our table.
    Quarters spilled out in every direction. Several rolled off the table, spilling onto the floo r a nd into my lap, the rest covering portions of the tabletop. “What the hell?”
    “Fifty cents a touch, right? This oughta cover me for a while.” He grinned, obviously proud of himself, as he folded his arms behind his head and leaned into them. 
    I welcomed the heat rising in my cheeks. “Cute,” I admitted reluctantly, gathering the quarters into a pile at the end of the table, fighting a smile. 
    One for Jack Carter. Dammit.
    He didn’t respond. He simply sat there smiling, focusing those dark brown eyes on me. “Stop looking at me like that,” I said, flustered.
    “Like what?”
    “Like I’m a slab of meat and you’re hungry.”
    He laughed loudly and relaxed into his seat, slinging his muscular arm over the back of the booth. He rubbed his hand over his face and looked around, letting his eyes roam the restaurant and then his gaze slid back to me as he sipped his water. “You’re different.” 
    I rested my elbows on the table and leaned toward him, intrigued. “How so?”
    “Well for starters, you’re sassy. I never know what you’re going to say or do next.” He grabbed one of the quarters and flicked it, watching as it spun in circles. 
    “That’s just sad, Jack.” I couldn’t help but be annoyed that my sassiness was so defiant in his world.
    “And you’re not impressed by me.” Oh my God…he actually winced.
    “Oh, I know how tough that must be for you. I mean, you are just…” I waved my hands in his direction, “so impressive.” My eyes widened sarcastically with the words.
    “I mean it. Every other girl is always clamoring to get near me and you’re the first girl trying to get the hell away.”
    I fell back into the booth laughing, feeling my tense muscles relax for the first time tonight. “What can I say? I guess I’m not like every other girl.”
    He shook his head, burying a smile. “So tell me, Cass,