The bar was loud, alive with the sound of music, the chatter of voices, and the occasional burst of laughter from the hockey team’s corner booth. The boys had taken over the place, still celebrating their victory.

Beer glasses clinked,french fries disappeared faster than the servers could even bring them, and the table was littered with the leftovers of wings and nachos.

Cole leaned back, arm draped casually over the booth, a lazy grin tugging at his mouth as he watched his teammates argue over who had the best shot of the night.

“You all can fight about it,” he drawled, lifting his glass. “But we know the scoreboard doesn’t lie.”

That earned a round of groans , some boos and a few threw their napkins at him , but no one could deny it, Cole was the best of them all. Always had been.

Jason sat across from him, half-smiling as he sipped his chilled beer. He was quieter than Cole, and when Jason laughed, it was usually because Cole had said something stupid.

“Hey, Jason,” Cole said suddenly, voice just loud enough to grab attention. “Why does your sister hate me so much anyways?”

Jason froze mid-sip. “What?”

“You heard me.” Cole leaned back, tipping his beer towards him. “Clara Bennett. She looks at me like I’m some kind of dirt. Why?”

Everyone paused as they glanced from Cole to Jason, then a ripple of interest passed through the guys. They all knew Jason’s sister. Not personally but by reputation. Clara Bennett was the quiet type, serious and sharp, the polar opposite of Cole.

Jason frowned. “Because you’re you. You’re a player, she doesn’t like players.”

Cole sat up, smirk deepening. “What are you talking about? I’m not a player.”

That earned a round of laughter so loud the next booth turned to look. Jason laughed hardest of all, nearly choking on his beer.

“Not a player?” Henry, one of the team members wheezed. “Dude, you’ve had more girlfriends this semester than I’ve had shifts on the ice. You have dated half of the campus.

”

Correction,” another teammate called, “he’s dumped half the campus.”

Even Jason cracked a laugh, shaking his head. “Yeah, if the shoe fits, Cole.”

Cole smirked, unfazed. “I’m not a player. I’m just…efficient, they came to me themselves…I was only doing them a favour”.

Jason shook his head, still grinning. “Well, whatever you want to call it, my sister doesn’t buy it. She’s not impressed by stuffs like that and never will be.”

Cole leaned forward, eyes glinting with mischief. “I bet I can get her, she just doesn’t know me yet.”

“Ohhhh” The rest of the team laughed, getting very invested in their conversation.

Jason’s smile vanished, replaced with a warning glare. “Don't even think about it.”

“Why not?” Cole pressed. “What, are you scared she’ll actually fall for me?”

Jason scoffed. “Scared? Please. My sister is not like other girls. She can never fall for you…never.”

“Sounds like a challenge,” Cole said smoothly.

“It’s not a challenge because it’s not possible,” Jason shot back. “You don’t get it. Clara’s…different. She’s never even had a boyfriend. She doesn’t want one”.

“Does she like girls?” Cole raised a brow

“I don't think so, I have never seen her intimate with any girl before. Honestly, sometimes I think she might just be asexual.”

Cole tilted his head, eyes glinting. “All the more reason to test that theory.”Cole leaned forward, elbows braced on the table. “I bet I can change that.”

Jason stared at him intensely.

“How about a bet…settle everything professionally?” Another guy, George, chipped in.

That got a few whistles and raised brows around the table. But Cole just smirked wider, something good cooking up.

The booth erupted into whistles and jeers.

“Ohhh, here we go.”

“Finally, something interesting tonight.”

“Bet, bet, bet!”

“Well,” he said, lifting his glass again, “we won’t know until we find out, will we Jason?”

The other guys perked up, grinning.

“Come on, Bennett,” one of the forwards said, elbowing Jason. “Let him try. What’s the worst that could happen?”

“Yeah,” another chimed in. “Let’s see if Matthews can actually break the untouchable.”

Jason groaned, rubbing his face, but Cole was relentless.

“Unless…” Cole tilted his head, smirk smug. “You’re just scared. Scared that your perfect, untouchable sister is going to fall for me.”

Jason slammed his beer down, glare sharp. “Not possible. I’ve known her since the day she was born. Trust me, she will not ever fall for you.”

Cole grinned like a predator who’d just cornered prey. “Then put your money where your mouth is. Name the terms.”

The teammates nudged Jason, trying to hype him up.

“What’s the worst that could happen?”

“Yeah, let Matthews try. He’ll crash and burn.”

“Your sister’s reputation is safe. He doesn’t stand a chance.”

Jason’s fists clenched on the table, his voice hard. “Forget it. This isn’t a game.”

“It’s not a game,” Cole corrected smoothly, his voice dropping low. “It’s a challenge.”

Silence fell over the table for a heartbeat, everyone waiting excitedly for Jason's answer.

Jason’s jaw tightened. “Fine…one thousand dollars for the loser.”

Cole leaned back, victorious grin carved into his face. “One thousand. Done.”

Jason glared at him, jaw tight. “I mean it, Matthews. Mess with her, and you’ll regret it.”

Cole raised his glass, smirk unfaltering. “Relax, Captain. She won’t know it’s a bet.”

He clinked his glass against Jason’s, eyes glinting with dangerous amusement.

The table erupted—shouts, laughter, applause, money already being promised. Cole leaned back, smug as ever, like he’d already won.

“Oh, I’ll win,” he said, tipping his glass toward Jason. “You just don’t know your sister as well as you think you do.”

Jason stared at Cole so hard that if his eyes could shoot out daggers, Cole would have a few thousands launched at his chest but Cole’s grin didn’t falter , not even for a second.

“Besides” Cole said confidently “ The game has just begun”.