The Bet Between Us

By Brandon Moore

Donald Cerlino only cares about three things: money, getting girls, and gambling. His friends are so impressed with his abilities with women, they start calling him Don Juan. When senior year starts, he's got a list of girls he wants to add to the growing number of notches on his headboard. So when his best friend, Thomas, bets Donald that his skills aren't enough to nab the school valedictorian, Alaina Pizzo, Donald is up for the challenge. What Thomas doesn't know is that Donald has had a crush on Alaina since kindergarten. Problem is, Alaina hates his guts.

When Donald's feelings for Alaina start to show, Thomas begins to turn against him. Thomas wanted Donald to see the error of his ways when it comes to women, not abandon their friendship for yet another girl. The deeper Donald gets, the more he wants a future with Alaina, but that means revealing why he started talking to her in the first place. When Thomas starts threatening to tell Alaina the truth, Donald has to decide if he wants to lose the love of his life or his best friend.

Donald realizes he took a bet he can't win. The great Don Juan may lose everything.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brandon Moore
• Release date: Feb 5, 2019
• ISBN: 9781386627500

Book preview

The Bet Between Us

Brandon Moore

Published by Brandon Moore, 2019.

This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

THE BET BETWEEN US

First edition. February 5, 2019.

Copyright © 2019 Brandon Moore.

Written by Brandon Moore.

To Cody Cain 

Copyright © B. L. Moore 2019

The right of B. L. Moore to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in a retrieval system, in any form or by any means, without permission in writing from the publisher, nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

All characters in this publication are fictitious and any resemblance to real people, alive or dead, is purely coincidental.

Cover design & Interior book design by Eight Little Pages

To Cody Cain

contents

Part 1

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Part 2

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Acknowledgements

PART 1

Chapter 1

The classroom was full and there was light chatter among the students already.  Ms. Hutchins stood from her L-shaped desk, in the left corner of the room, holding a big black handbook. Once in the middle of the room, she smiled to the class and welcomed us back. She began to call roll.

Donald Cerlino? she said.

Here! I bellowed.

She continued calling out names, standing at the front of the room with a clipboard, her red dress and fresh tan from the summer standing out against the white board and white cinderblock walls behind her. Fun math posters with math puns written on them made it so the room wasn’t completely boring. I was in the second to last row of desks and the fourth row away from the door to the classroom.

Hello, Donny baby, a whisper came from behind me.

I looked to see Katherine Moore leaning forward with a bright smile. Her long blonde hair flowed down to the top of the desk, which was easily covered by our massive math books.

What’s goin’ on, gorgeous?

I’m doing great now that I know I’ll be sitting behind your fine ass every day, she said. What about you?

I’m good now that I know I get to see those beautiful blue eyes every time I turn around to pass papers down.

She blushed and through a grin said, Oh, Donny, you’re so—

Katherine Moore! Ms. Hutchins yelled.

Katherine raised her hand, smiling ear to ear. I’m here, ma’am.

Ms. Hutchins, face blank, said in a monotone, I’m not asking if you’re here. I want you to stop talking. Thank you.

Katie’s face reddened and then muttered, Sorry.

And I hope you plan on facing the right side of the classroom this year, Mr. Cerlino.

I spun around quickly and sent my shoulders back, crossed my fingers, resting them above the desk, wobbly from years of use. Why, of course, Ms. Hutchins. But I ask you this in return…

I leaned back a bit more, causing the desk to creak. The corners of my lips raised and I said, Do you plan on teaching me anything new?

The classroom erupted in ooohs and several of my classmate’s eyes widened. Something hit my shoulder and I looked to the right of me to see the face of my strawberry-blonde haired friend , Thomas. He was of my best friends, and his legs and arms were stretched out from beyond the limits of the desk he sat in, giggling. Yo, you’re wild, DJ!

I nodded back to him, grinning.

Ms. Hutchin’s voice pulled my attention back to the front of the room; now she had a hand on her hip. Her face was blank, but her tone was sharp. "You know, I haven’t sent anyone to the principal’s office on the first day of school. It be a new record for me, Donald. I’m impressed."

Well I sure do love breaking records and exceeding expectations, Ms. Hutchins. My lungs filled with air, puffing out my chest.

Thomas continued to giggle. I jerked my head towards him and joined him. I noticed a smirk on the face of the dark-skinned guy with a stocky build behind him. Darrell James was another one of my best friends. He kept his focus on the inside of the massive math book we all just received instead of joining in on the chuckling.

Ah, well, since you deserve such special treatment for your achievement… The big black handbook dropped to her side and she began marching to the door, where the phone was attached to the wall. It’s only right that I call security to escort you, right?

My eyes followed her as she got to the phone and rotated the top half of her body back in my direction with a straight face. The other person who also glared in my direction sat in the first seat closest to the door. Her wavy, brunette hair flowed down her shoulders. Our eyes locked for a moment, before she broke the contact by rolling them and looking to the front of the room. Where my lungs were filled before, they now felt completely empty and like I couldn’t fill them back up. Then again, Alaina Pizzo usually had that effect on me.

Well, what’ll it be, Mr. Cerlino? She stood there, her hand on the phone.

Oh, Ms. Hutchins, that won’t be necessary. My voice was now weaker than it was before. I cleared my throat and re-filled my lungs with a huge gulp of air. Then my smirk reappeared. I love it here with you too much. You know you’re my favorite teacher I never had until now.

Uh huh, she replied, leaving the phone and returning to the middle of the room. Just don’t interrupt again. I’m not going to go easy on you, just so you know.

I wouldn’t have it any other way. The smirk was now a full smile.

Ms. Hutchins continued calling out everyone’s names. A few seconds later, Katie whispered, I was going to say you’re sweet.

That’s me, the sweetie, the ladies’ man.

One more year of school left. I had no idea what this year had in store for me, except for lips, legs, breasts, and ass, then some partying and alcohol. I couldn’t wait.

Looking at faces, I recognized most of them, especially the ladies. I used to date some of them. Others, I messed with. Others, I planned to. Katherine behind me was on the list for the latter. I talked to her throughout the summer break, but nothing had come of it yet.

Remembering Darrell and Thomas, I turned to my right and nodded at them and they both returned the gesture. Everyone called Thomas Tee Pee and everyone called Darrell Rell. As for me, I was DJ or Donny and, of course, there was my favorite, occasional one, Don Juan.

All right, now that I know all of you...some better than others. She stared harder at Tee Pee and Rell, followed by Katherine and me.

No use beating around the bush. Turn to the first page, so we can get started on chapter one.

Groans filled the room as she grabbed a black marker and began writing on the board.

Psst. I felt a tap on my shoulder and looked back and saw a folded piece of paper. I took it and read it.

Would you like to come out to my place later?

Of course, I wrote back positively. Now I knew I had her right where I wanted her.

l

Another class went by and it was finally lunch. I was in line with friends and looked up to see what was on the menu: same old, nasty, boot-leather burgers. Soft pretzels, that over time, got hard as concrete. Then, there were the fries—well, the fries were actually pretty exceptional, I can’t even lie. Getting farther in the line, I looked down to see Tee Pee sneaking a milk into his back pocket.

Rell and I busted out in laughter.

Dude! It’s a fuckin’ milk—just pay the extra 25 cents, I said

Fuck you, DJ! Tee Pee hissed back, acting serious, then smiled and put an apple sauce in his other back pocket.

What an ass, I muttered, shaking my head.

The line was going slow, as usual, at the beginning of the year. While waiting for the new cashier to figure out the register, I decided to look at the bulletin board behind us, which had different papers advertising the clubs you could join, when the first dances were going to be for the year, and schedules for various sports games. I noticed there was going to be a girls’ soccer game tonight.

I’ll definitely have to make it to that, I thought to myself, wondering how I could get Tee Pee and Rell to go with me.

Next! the cafeteria lady bellowed, drawing my attention from the bulletin board.

Rell tapped me on the shoulder. Damn, bro, get out of la la land. She’s called you three times now.

We took our food to the table closest to the two swinging doors, where other students were still barging in to get their chance at the disgusting food we all loved to hate. The cafeteria was filled with long rectangular picnic-like lunch tables, with a few round tables closest to the windows. They took up the whole wall, giving us a view of the sport fields outside.

So, you gonna chill with Katie soon, DJ? Tee Pee asked.

Definitely! I’m gonna hit that. Watch me! I said.

They just laughed and nodded. I took a chomp out of my burger. I listened to the loud people surrounding me while I ate my fries. Not too long after, the rest of the crew started to arrive at the table. Of course, there was a certain someone who arrived later than everyone, all the way at the end of the table, failing at trying to go unnoticed.

I smiled. Well, well, well. Mr. Jones, just the man I wanted to see!

He turned to me and tried to act casual, flashing the million-dollar smile. Oh, hey, DJ, how was your summer?

It was great. Do you have something for me?

Sean and I had talked and seen each other all summer; we had a bet set up to see who could win the first game of the year between the Eagles and Cowboys. I just hope he wasn’t going to avoid it.

Do I ever! Sean announced, but instead of digging in his pockets and pulling out cash, he continued talking. You know, Coach was asking about you the other day. I swear he—

Thanks for the perfect segue, Sean.

That’s cool and all. I smirked. But let’s get back to what you owe me.

He leaned back and crossed his arms across his chest, flexing his muscles while doing so, Now, whatever could you mean?

Sean, just give me the money.

He shook his head pulled out a brown leather wallet . How much did we agree to again—five, ten bucks?

I laced my fingers together and relaxed by sliding down a bit in my chair.  My face straight, with no emotion. Full Don Corleone mode. That would be twenty-five bucks, my friend.

He opened his wallet and pulled out all the green he had. Well, would you look at that? That’s exactly what I have on me right now.

I reached for the cash and he handed it to me. I ended the mafia boss act and sat up straight in my seat. Smiling with him, I said, I knew you were good for it, bro.

Other than being a huge ladies’ man, I had become a bit of a gambler. Something about it was just fun for me. I enjoyed having these fun little bets. It was an easy way to stack up more money. I already had saved up quite a bit from working in the summer months at my family’s restaurant.

Sean broke the silence between us. As I was saying, Coach Buzz was—

Tee Pee stopped his own conversation he was having with someone else and cut into ours. Dude, no one is worried about what Coach Buzz said. What’s going on with the party this weekend?

Sean gazed in Tee Pee’s direction and said, It’s still going on. I hope you guys will be there.

Oh, we’ll be there. We’re trying to get drunk! I said.

Well, you know the Jones’ household only serves the best of alcoholic beverages, DJ, Sean said.

Sean hosted parties most weekends, especially after big wins for the team. He could do this because his parents were seldomly home, due to his mom being one of the best sales consultants for a big technology company. She would visit cities all over the country and meet with companies who needed software. As for Sean’s dad, he was a commercial airline pilot and was never home much either. Sean was never alone, though.  When you were the best quarterback Washington High School has ever seen, you’re surrounded by company pretty often. Sean was the man, and I was incredibly jealous of everything he had. I’m pretty sure everyone was.

l

Before my last class of the day, Anatomy, I ran into Katie again at her locker. She ran up to me, gave me a kiss on the cheek and whispered in my ear. So, how does six sound?

Umm… I winced while thinking of all the things I had to do that night. I can’t.

She pouted slightly. Why not?

Well, my parents need me to do something for them. Not a complete lie. 

Oh, the parents who are never home? I understand, I guess, she said, then a wide grin grew across her face. I just want to get you to myself soon.

I winked. Why would you want me to yourself?

Well, I dunno. Maybe so I can have your sexy body.

I guess I really have to make it up to you then, huh? I asked.

Her smile unwavering, she said, Yes you do! And you better!

At that moment, Coach Buzz walked into view and was coming my way. He waved at me. I didn’t wave back. Instead, I started backing up towards the door and biting my own lips, but not to appear sexy. To Katie, I said, Okay, I promise! Cross my heart. Then I pointed behind me. But until then, I have to get to class. Talk to you later!

Katie tilted her head to the side as her eyes narrowed. Uh, okay.

I gave her a thumbs up, jerked myself around and strode to the science lab.

She probably thinks you’re trying to avoid her, you know, I thought to myself, but I’d rather her think that than deal with Coach Buzz, the coach I’ve been avoiding since I quit football after sophomore year.

I recognized quite a few people in my last class, and I said hi and shook their hands. I looked over in the teacher’s direction and I could instantly feel my jaw clench. Mr. Colon was a short and balding man. He always had on his lab coat and brown pants wherever he went. It didn’t matter whether it was cold, hot, humid, dry. That coat. Those pants. Did he wash them every night or something? We locked eyes and he matched my level of annoyance almost in an instant. He sneered and looked away. We’ve had our disagreements over the past few years.

Damn. I was just going to have to get this class changed. Then another thought popped in my head: It was a requirement to take CP Anatomy before you graduated—or there was no graduation at all.

Now I wondered why I put it off for so long. Because the teacher was an asshole? Look at me now. I got stuck with Mr. Colon. That was his real name, by the way. Very fitting.

The classroom was pretty silent. He called roll, then started to speak about groups for the year. There are only twelve students in this class. In the back, there are six working tables. Now, who’s good at math in here?

I quickly raised my hand, yet he called on Alaina, the same girl who scowled and rolled her eyes at me earlier. As soon as he said her name, the air escaped my lungs.

Okay, Alaina, so there are six tables and twelve people—how many in a group?

Umm. That would be two, Mr. Colon, Alaina said, as if it were a joke.

Mr. Colon smirked. Good job. Not everyone is worthless in this classroom after all, he said. I’ll give you two minutes to find a partner.

Everyone moved quickly. Despite everyone in the room talking and running around to get to their person before someone stole them, all I could hear was the tapping of Mr. Colon’s foot on the tiled floor.

I decided to go with this guy named Kenny Hayes who was always with the crew and sat at our table during lunch but didn’t talk much. He was a sophomore and was cool with Tee Pee.

Time’s up. Now, does everyone like who they got stuck with?

All of us nodded.

Good, now here are your real groups.

We all sighed and I muttered a curse word under my breath. I waited to hear my name, hoping I didn’t get stuck with someone I didn’t want. Finally, I heard my name. Donald Care-line-o. He pronounced my name wrong on purpose.

It’s pronounced Sair-lean-o, I said.

He bullshitted an apology and continued on in his flat tone as always. Today, I’d like for you to get to know each other. You better make the best of it, because you’re stuck with them for the rest of the year.

Mr. Colon went to the back where the science tables sat. They were the big ones with sinks, glass tubes, and beakers, even though we’d never need them in this class. Table by table, the groups were assigned. Finally, all the way in the back corner of the room, Alaina and I were assigned.

Wait a minute, what? OH. MY. GOD. I’m partnered up with Alaina Pizzo?! I thought to myself. I was so distracted by him messing my name up on purpose, I totally missed who he put me with.

The slow screech of my chair’s legs moving across the cement floor filled the room. I was stalling. I didn’t look directly in her direction, but I could tell she had the same amount of enthusiasm—none! The other groups were walking to their seats, but Alaina and I, we took our time.

See, Alaina and I had known each other since kindergarten. History had a way of bringing us together. We’d always had most of the same classes. In elementary school, the only time we interacted was when I was teasing her, but she never said anything back. She’d just smile back or roll her eyes and focus on her work. It drove me nuts. We always had the best grades in class, but we never talked. From kindergarten to 8th grade, I was trying to make sure I was better than Alaina Pizzo. I wanted her to take notice of who I was. I don’t even know why, at least back then I didn’t. I made sure my grades matched or exceeded hers. If she had a better grade in a class than me, I studied every night until that was my best subject. I was obsessed. However, she was always one of the best soccer players. Me, I just had my good grades. And I was fat. Man, was I fat.

That was until freshman year, when I had my growth spurt and joined the football team. Turned out, I was pretty good. I loved football, but old habits died hard. I watched Alaina play soccer and I was amazed, so just like in school, now in sports, I made sure I was the best.

After our freshmen year seasons were over, there was a big school trip we went on together, and we finally talked and hit it off pretty well. This time she started the conversation. She introduced herself and even complimented me on how smart and good at football I was. Instead of returning the compliment, like I so badly wanted to, I continued to tease her. She never seemed to mind though. She just giggled and rolled her eyes, then brushed me off.

We continued talking throughout freshman year and early sophomore year. I got to know her likes, her dislikes. And she got to learn some of mine, too. I began to grow close to her. When I found out I was the starting running back for the varsity team for sophomore year, I didn’t tell my parents. I didn’t tell Tee Pee or Rell. I told Alaina. She was the first person I wanted to know what I accomplished. I thought we were starting to become really close friends.

After I started to become the type of guy I am now, she began to hate me. It wasn’t too long after I quit football. My ex and I had just broken up, and I hooked up with a girl for the first time other than her. I guessed the girl thought I had intentions of a future afterwards and didn’t take it well when I didn’t feel the same way. The next day, I was talking to another girl and Alaina interrupted us by pulling me to the side and criticizing me. The girl I hooked up with was a friend of Alaina’s and