A/N: I apologize for my lack of updates. I wasn't feeling well and didn't have the energy to write. Plus I like to take a break from it every now and then. I promise I'll try to update more frequently this summer!
Chapter 25: Hook-Line-Sinker
It was the perfect day for a football game. The air was brisk and the sky was blue. Although it was indeed mid December and it was chilly the stands that outlined the football field were filled to the brink with Manchester students, faculty and parents alike. No one paid any mind to the weather, everyone just huddled together in excitement as they waited for one of the final and most important games of the season to start. The Manchester Cardinals were sure to bring home their fifth straight victory.
Amongst the throng of spectators sitting in the bleachers one emerged and headed towards the field where the team was gathered, waiting for the game to begin. Dressed in black knee high Italian leather boots and a black pleated mini skirt, she hugged her short fur coat to her body as she approached the quarterback. Standing apart from his teammates Court Reynolds mind was not on the up coming game but rather the events of earlier that day. When the attractive young woman came to a stop in front of him he looked up and didn't bother to hide his surprise at seeing her. "Kathryn" he remarked amazed as he looked over his ex girlfriend. "What are you going here?"
She smiled up at him while tucking her hands into her warm coat. "Hello Court" she practically purred. "That's not happiness to see me."
He shook away the initial shock on his face and replied "try surprise."
Indeed even when they were going out and were somewhat close, Kathryn never came to his games. Even the championship matches. Court use to beg and plead with her to come to at least one but she would just turn her nose up at the idea and hiss that she wasn't going to waste her time sitting out in the cold with the losers of the school cheering on a bunch of neanderthals. She never once game to any of his sporting games even though he attended all her bullshit functions.
Recalling this and remembering how she last left things between them he hardened at the memories. Kathryn Merteuil was nothing more than a psychotic head case he reminded himself. Sure she was hot and amazing in bed but in the end she wasn't worth all the aggravation. "You hate football" Court grumbled. "So what is it you're after this time?"
She cocked an eyebrow at his attitude and smiled slightly, almost impressed. "Did I do something to upset you Court? I didn't sleep with your sister or anything did I?"
"I already apologized for that" he huffed. "I told you, she came on to me. Not the other way around." Shaking his head in aggravation he grumbled "didn't we settle this already? I have a game to get ready for."
Court turned and started to leave but she reached out and took him by the arm. "Just wait a minute." When he turned around to hear her explanation he was surprised to find her amused smile gone and her usual confidence absent from her pretty face. Kathryn looked towards the ground then back at him. "Look this isn't easy for me okay? You were right, I was wrong. I know it was Julia's fault...I just didn't want to see the truth. She's my little sister...I didn't want to...."
He found himself softening to her as he began to see this other side of Kathryn emerge. In all the time they were together he never once saw Kathryn act anything but cold and in control. The only time she was sweet was when she was putting on an act but this was no act. For once she seemed to be filled with genuine emotion and Court was touched. Gently he caressed her arm and assured her "hey it's okay, I understand."
Her green eyes looked into his hopefully "you do?"
"Of course, it all right. I accept your apology."
"Thank you Court." Kathryn moved closer to him and embraced him. As she pulled away she murmured "I missed you."
"Ah, I missed you too babe. Hey, maybe after the game we could get together and...."
He trailed off leaving the rest to her imagination. Kathryn gave him one of her famous grins as she nuzzled her body closer to his. "I'd like that but...I'm not sure if I can trust you."
"I promise, what happened with your sister was a one time thing"
Kathryn stepped away from him as she ran a hand through her dark hair while the wind whipped against it. "Perhaps"
"Look Kathryn I'll do anything" he pleaded. "I just want things to be right between us and I know you want the same or else you wouldn't have come here today."
"Yes I suppose you're right" she remarked as she walked past him and looked out onto the field where some of the players were already starting to gather.
Coming up behind her Court snaked a padded arm around her waist. "Come on" he whispered into her ear. "What do I have to do to make this up to you?"
Slowly Kathryn turned around with a peculiar smile on her face. "I have an idea."
"What's that?"
"If you make the winning touchdown today, and indeed the team does win, I'll take you back."
Court reacted with surprise to this suggestion. It didn't sound like Kathryn in the least unless...
"Tell me" he asked with a grin "you didn't happen to make a wager on the game this afternoon did you?"
Kathryn shrugged innocently "I might have made a friendly bet with Blaine."
Court nodded in understanding. "All right then. If I make that touchdown, you have to come away with me this weekend to my fathers ski cabin."
"Agreed"
"Let's seal the deal" taking her by the waist he pulled her into a kiss. Kathryn eagerly reciprocated wrapping her arms around his neck.
As they pulled away she asked "so are you going to tell me what else is bothering you?"
"What do you mean?"
"Oh come on" she sighed. "I was watching you from the stands. You obviously had something else on your mind other than little old me and this game. What is it?"
Court let out a sigh as he leaned back against the chain link fence separating the field from the bleachers. He wasn't going to tell her about his earlier troubles but he was anxious to talk to someone. "This morning couch came in and made the whole team take a urine test. The whole fucking team can you believe it? Like we don't have enough on our minds already, now we have to worry about that shit?"
"Why would he do that?"
"Apparently the headmaster ordered him to, fucking prick." Shaking his head he explained. "They think someone's using steroids. One of the school counselors must have squealed on some of the guys."
"I see, well you shouldn't have anything to worry about right. You would never use that shit."
Court nodded distractedly "yeah I know."
Kathryn stepped closer and caressed his face comfortingly. "Don't worry baby, everything will work itself out in the end."
As the quarterback reunited with his girlfriend down below Simon sat up in the stands huddled disgruntedly amongst the masses. He couldn't believe he was wasting a perfectly good Saturday at a football game of all places. Wrapping his Gucci coat tighter around himself to block out the cold he turned his nose up in disgust at the wanna be jocks and the heifer girls sitting in front of him, cheering on the team. "Do you mind keeping it down" he sneered arrogantly at them. "Some of us are on the phone."
They regarded him with shock at his rudeness but he ignored them and went back to his phone call. "Where were we?"
"What the hell are you doing at a football game?" Chirped the decidedly female, British voice on the other end.
"It's a long story" he sighed. "I'll tell you all about it when you arrive."
"Yes I suppose I will be seeing you soon."
A smirk spread across Simon's face as he watched Kathryn leave Court and make her way up to him in the stands. "And I believe I'll have a challenge waiting for you when arrive Naomi."
"Oh, do tell?"
"See you soon"
Simon hung up as Kathryn approached. She pushed people out of the way and stepped on a few others. "Move it fat ass" she hissed at the girls in front of him before taking a seat.
Clucking his tongue in amusement he asked "how did it go?"
"Hook, line, sinker" Kathryn replied with a confident sigh. "Who were you talking to?"
"An old friend" he vaguely explained. "You know I find it amusing, your need to play with your prey before you pounce. Tell me does Court have any idea what's about to happen to him?"
Looking back at him she grinned mischievously "fucking clueless...as usual."
Simon chuckled as he pulled out the folded up school newspaper from under his seat. "It's a shame the boy doesn't read more." Unfolding the paper he read the headline again that speculated steroid use among the championship team. It hinted that several star players took the drug but only Court it mentioned by name. An undisclosed source cited he had a history of drug abuse.
Moving closer to him Kathryn read through her handiwork once again. "Thanks again for your help. If I was to alert the paper about Court's troubles someone might suspect I'm just a jealous girlfriend angling for revenge."
"Aren't you?" When Kathryn replied with a dirty look he laughed "I was happy to do it. Especially when you threw that tasty morsel my way."
Both of them looked down at Greg McConnell who was huddled among the other football players. Knowing she was going to need someway to convince Simon to help her with her scheme Kathryn arranged a meeting between him and Greg suspecting the two of them might have a few common interests. "I take it you two are getting along well?"
"Oh yes but I have to admit I do feel sorry for poor, pitiful Tuttle. I'm guessing it wasn't easy to give up such a nice piece of candy."
"I certainly hope so" she sneered. "He had it coming after he sold me out to Sebastian."
"Ah yes monsieur Valmont, where is he today? I expected he'd want to be front and center for this."
Kathryn sighed "he claims to not care about witnessing Court's downfall."
"Actually I was referring to that" he gestured to the half dressed cheerleaders jiggling about in front of them. "This somehow seems right up his ally."
She shrugged "Valmont never pulls himself out of bed before twelve o'clock on a Saturday. Not even for a bunch of gyrating sluts in tacky uniforms."
"My these grapes are bitter. I'm sure if you wanted to join them they'd let you. After all you've already scored with half the team."
Kathryn hit in hard in the knee cap. "So have you may I remind you."
Rubbing his knee Simon chuckled "you know I have to admit I find this relationship you have with your step brother quite fascinating. You screw him over, he screws you over worse, all is forgiven. Tell me is it love?"
"Please" she huffed. "No what Sebastian and I share is closer to respect, with a healthy dose of lust mixed in. We're equals you see, two half's of the same coin. We may play with one another from time to time but in the end we always wind up on the same side."
Simon seemed to consider this before marveling "fascinating. Oh look it appears the show is about to begin."
Kathryn turned her attention back to the field where suddenly the coach along with Headmaster Hardgrove and a couple uniform cops were making their way out. They ignored all the other players and went straight for Court. She grinned then mocked "oh I hope they don't hold his past against him."
"I can't see how they wouldn't." Rising to his feet Simon took Kathryn by the hand and led her down the bleachers. "Come on lets get a better look.. By the way you never told me did you really make a bet on the game?"
She nodded "of course only I bet against the team. Not bad for a day's work. I make fifty thousand dollars and get to witness Court fall to his knees."
"I'll give you this, you certainly do have a knack for revenge."
"You'll be wise to remember that."
The headmaster and the police were leading Court off the field as the stands went into a tizzy. Many loud boo's could be heard along with demands to know what was happening. Kathryn just laughed as she walked arm in arm with Simon. As the headmaster opened up the chain link fence she stopped in front of her ex who looked as miserable as she'd ever seen him. Beaming happily she stepped forward and caressed his face as she did so lovingly only a few minutes ago. "See Court I told you everything would work out in the end."
As he looked back at her baffled she laughed and walked off with Simon. Unable to resist Kathryn turned around and added "it doesn't look like you'll be making any touchdowns tonight stud."
Twirling back around she laughed and linked arms with a grinning Simon. "You're evil" he told her.
"I tend to agree with you on that" she snickered.
- to be continued (Please Review)