Bachelor Number Five (The Bachelor Series, Volume 1) by Kenneth Rosenberg Page B

final invitation went to… number five!  Amanda exhaled.  She picked her phone back up and typed.  Ok, it’s over.
    Ignorant slut. Came the reply.
    Amanda laughed as she responded.  Number nine is all yours .
    On the television screen Amanda saw number nine bow his head in humility and walk out of the mansion for the last time.
    Back with Donny.  Your neighbor can have nine.   Piper wrote.
    I’ll let him know , Amanda replied.  She turned off the TV and rose from the couch.  Lauren and the others were sharing Chinese takeout down in Markus’s apartment.  If she hurried, there might still be a little bit left.

Chapter Fifteen
     
    Darren sat on Amanda’s living room couch on Saturday morning, watching a college football game while he waited for Lauren to finish putting herself together for the day.  “Fourth and one on the thirty-seven yard line,” said the announcer.  “It looks like the Buckeyes have decided to go for it as the kicking unit remains on the sidelines…”
    “I guess you’re more of a Hawkeyes fan, aren’t you?” Darren said.
    “Not really.”  Amanda was at the kitchen table, spreading butter on a toasted bagel.
    “You are from Iowa, though, right?”
    “Yeah, but I was never much of a football fan.”
    “Huh.”  Darren seemed surprised that such a person might exist.  He turned his attention back to the game.
    “This is pure power football as the Bucks put eight big men on the front line…” the announcer droned.  From her spot at the table Amanda saw the offensive line surge forward.  “…and it looks like it’s enough for a first down,” said the announcer.
    “What are you guys up to today?” Amanda asked.
    “Bruins game at the Rose Bowl.”
    “That sounds like fun.”  Amanda opened a jar of strawberry jam.
    “I could have got you a ticket if I knew you wanted to come.  It might not be too late.”
    “No, it’s really not my thing, and besides, I’m working the lunch shift.”
    “That’s cool.”
    Lauren walked out from her bedroom wearing a red and gold Arizona State sweatshirt.
    “Aw, no, take that off!” Darren protested.
    “What are you talking about?!  This is my team!”
    “I can’t be seen with you like that!  What are my peeps gonna say?”
    “They’re going to say, ‘You must be awfully smart to be going out with a girl from the winning team.’”
    “Aw, man, you’re really gonna do this to me?”
    “’Fraid so.”  Lauren smiled, thoroughly enjoying herself.
    Darren turned back to the television, seemingly disgusted.  Amanda finished spreading her jam and took a bite of her bagel.  As amusing as she found their banter to be, she just wanted them to leave already.  In another hour she’d have to head to work but Amanda was dying to duck next door and talk to Peter first.  She wanted to know if he’d bumped into Grant again the previous night, out at the clubs.  Now that Peter knew who to look for, maybe he’d notice Grant more often.  Maybe he’d even spoken to Grant again.  Amanda knew better than to walk over there and ask as long as Lauren was around.  Any contact she had with Peter from now on had to be completely on the down-low.  She didn’t think her friendship with Lauren could survive otherwise.  She certainly didn’t want to be kicked out of the apartment over this.  “Is there a tailgate party before the game?” she asked, trying not to sound too hopeful.
    “Yeah, the ASU alumni association is having a tailgate!” said Lauren.
    “We are not going to the ASU party!” said Darren.
    “Come on, free beer and sausages!  How can you pass that up?”
    “Kielbasas?”
    “I don’t know?!  Sure, yeah, kielbasas!”
    “If they’ve got kielbasas we can stop by, but only for a little bit.”
    “Come on, get your lazy butt up off the couch and let’s go already.”
    “Hold your horses, I want to see the end of this drive!”
    On the TV, Amanda saw the Ohio State quarterback drop back and loft a pass