Fair Catch (Love and Sports Series) by Quinn, Meghan (1)

Fair Catch

Book one in the Love and Sports Series

Meghan Quinn

 

Chapter 1

 

              Lexi was bent over, hands on her knees, panting, trying to catch her breath when a large, strong hand touched her back.

              “Lex, that was your best yet!”

              She couldn’t even gather words from the lack of oxygen running through her body to respond to her best friend and current human stopwatch. She just finished her last sprint in a series of sprints around the bases that she was randomly tested on by her coach. Her coach gives each girl on the team the chance to run the bases in under twelve and a half seconds at the beginning of each year. Lexi had been striving for eleven seconds and with the look on Parker’s face, it looked like she hit her goal.

              She finally caught her breath and glanced up at Parker. “Did I get it? Did I hit eleven?”

              Parker grinned and showed her the stop watch in his hand. She wanted to jump up and down out of excitement but she had absolutely no energy to do so. Instead, she flopped her body on the dirt as if she was going to make a snow angel and motioned for Parker to join her, which he easily did since he wasn’t the one sprinting.

              “Thanks for the help today, bud.”

              He leaned over and gave her a high five which she returned with a brisk snap of her hand to his. “No problem, shorty.”

              Ever since freshman orientation at California University, Parker and her had been glued at the hip and he had been making fun of her height ever since. She didn’t blame him, though. She was a five foot three blonde with one hell of a bat and impeccable range in centerfield that would frustrate any heavy hitting batter. She received a full-ride scholarship for softball at Cal U. and had taken the school’s offer very seriously. She strived to be the best on the field and in the classroom, which she accomplished in the past three years of her college career but now that she was starting her senior season, there was a part of her that was missing and she couldn’t quite figure it out.

              She looked over at Parker who was now sucking down the last contents of the PowerAde they decided to share. He was the shortstop for the baseball team and had the same work ethic as she did. That was why they were such great friends and friendship was all that transpired between them. They tried getting romantically involved once but it was way more wrong than right. It felt like making out with each other’s sibling, which was something they both didn’t want to revisit. So instead of becoming romantically involved they became emotionally attached. They went to each other for everything and when the year was over, Lexi dreaded saying good bye to her best friend who was already being looked at by a bunch of different professional teams. There was no doubt in her mind that he was going to make it big one day.

              Parker tossed the empty bottle in front of them and said, “What do you plan on doing tonight?”

              Lexi shrugged. “Not sure. I think Margo is coming back tonight. So maybe I’ll do something with her.”

              Margo was Lexi’s roommate. They had a two bedroom apartment in the villas right near campus. Mostly all the athletes stayed in them. The villas were the best housing for students and they were closest to campus. They were mini apartments; each room had its own bathroom with a shared kitchen and common area. The best thing about the apartment was the common areas separated the bedrooms, giving ample space between her bedroom and Margo’s. She loved her roommate and teammate but Margo was quite loose with her men and Lexi liked to stay as far away from Margo’s room as she could whenever Margo had someone over.

              Parker was shaking his head. “Nope, not going to happen.”

              “What are you talking about?”

              “You’re not spending your senior year locked up in your apartment like you have the past three years.”

              She wrinkled her nose. “Hey! You make it seem like I’m some sort of hermit. I go out when I want to.”

              “Yea on Halloween when the baseball team has a party, but that’s it. This year is going to be different. We have an easy course load and you know it, we pretty much are amazing at everything we do on the field so we’re going to learn to relax a little and have some fun.”

              She was about to interrupt him when he held up his hand. “I don’t want to hear it. This is our last year and to hell if I’m going to let you sit around your apartment, wearing your dingy sweats while watching romantic comedies.”

              “My sweats aren’t dingy.” She said while Parker practically lifted her off the ground.

              “They aren’t sexy, that’s for sure.”

              “Well when I’m home alone I’m not trying to be sexy for myself.”

              “When you have a nickname known throughout the school as ‘Sexy Lexi’ then I think you need to hold some standards.”

              She rolled her eyes. “I hate that nickname. Whoever started that needs to be shot.”

              “Hmm, I wonder who that was?” He said with a sly grin.

              They started walking toward the lockers to drop of their gear off when she punched him in the shoulder. “You started that?”

              He rubbed his arm and said, “Hey watch the money maker.”

              “Park, did you seriously start that ridiculous nickname?”

              He smiled. “How could I not? Look at you!”

              Lexi always hated when people called her Sexy Lexi, it made her feel like some kind of prostitute, which was what she felt like most of the time anyway. Her body proportions were way out of whack. She had a very petite frame which helped with her speed but she had breasts that belonged to a Playboy bunny and they were all real, which was another reason she rarely went out, because guys were only capable of staring at her breasts. She also had naturally beach blonde hair and light blue eyes. Basically she was your stereotypical California girl.

              Lexi punched him again in the same spot, hoping she left a bruise. “You’re an ass.”

              He grinned at her. “But I’m your ass!”

              “I sure hope to God not.”

              They got to a point in the events center where their paths would break since the men’s locker rooms were separate from the women’s. They stopped in the center, staring at each other.

              “So what do you say? Will you come out tonight? The football team is having a party tonight and I could really use my beer pong partner at my side. What do you say?”

              “Football party? Ugh Park, you couldn’t have chosen a different party? The football team is the most arrogant bunch of douchebags at the school.”

              “They kind of have a reason to be with such a great winning record over the last decade.”

              She shrugged. “Still just because you are good at your sport doesn’t mean you can be a bastard. Look at us, we’re amazing but you don’t see us strutting the campus with our wangs out.”

              Parker looked down at her crotch and raised his eyebrow. “If you have a wang you want to let out I might have to reconsider this friendship.”

              “Ugh, you are infuriating today.”

              Parker pulled her into a hug and kissed the top of her head like he always did when they parted. “I’ll pick you up around eight. Wear something hot!” He gave her a quick a grin, smacked her ass and walked away.

              Lexi watched his arrogant ass walk away and thought about how he could pass as a football player. Parker was one of the best shortstops she had ever seen and was quite the looker too. He was the dark and dangerous type but with a heart of gold. On the outside he looked like he could rip you into shreds with his bare hands, being six foot something and muscular thanks to the strength and conditioning program but he was a softy deep down inside. Almost all the girls on her team begged her to set them up with Parker but she never found any of them worthy enough.

              She keyed in the code to get into the women’s softball locker room and threw her cleats in the bottom of her locker. The softball team had an amazing new stadium but their locker room was subpar. They didn’t have enough room to hang their bat bags in their actual lockers so they all piled them up in the middle of the room. It was easy storage but hard to grab your bag in a hurry when it was on the bottom of the heap.

              She looked around the empty room at the different names that were displayed at the top of each locker and thought about how much she was going to miss this. Softball had been her life since she was in fifth grade and to not have it anymore was something she couldn’t quite comprehend. She had given up dances, sleepovers, birthday parties and pretty much every social gathering to drive around the west coast and play tournament after tournament. In the end it all paid off because she got to play her sport at the highest level of play and get a free education at the same time.

              She thought about the last three years of her life and yes, she was well known in the sports community at Cal U. because of her ability to shatter almost every previous softball record but no one really knew her. People said hi and that was pretty much it. The closest people to her were Margo and Parker, but that was it. Maybe Parker was right, maybe she should relax a little this year and experience that social life she missed out on over the past decade of her life.

              It wasn’t that she didn’t like being social, she just was trained to concentrate on her softball skills and education her whole life so she really knew nothing else. She didn’t really know what she was missing out on until she arrived at college and saw everyone interacting with each other.

              When she was a freshman she didn’t want to get mixed up in any kind of social scene and lose focus on what was important so she stuck to herself most of the time and occasionally hung out with Parker and Margo. Her sophomore year, she found the method of handling college successfully since she had a 4.0 her freshman year and was the starting centerfielder over a senior so she decided to continue with her work ethic. By the time her junior year rolled around she made a goal to break almost every record possible, which she accomplished. Now that she was a senior and was looking back at her college career, she accomplished everything she wanted to. Instead of replaying the last three years of her college career, she should do something for herself. She wanted to see what it would be like to let loose and have fun while still maintaining her education and athleticism.

              She could do it, she knew she could and Parker was right, her work load was light this year since she took a lot of summer classes in between each year to keep herself busy. By the time she graduated she would have a major in Journalism and minor in Communications, something she was damn proud of. What she was going to do with that? She had no clue, but she had a year to think about it.

              On her way back to her apartment, after dropping everything off in her locker room, she decided that she was going to take Parker up on his offer. Not like he wasn’t going to let her get away with staying home though, at least she knew she was making the decision for herself.

              She pulled into her apartment, took a quick shower and threw her hair up in a towel, she decided to let her natural wave take over tonight and let her long locks hang over her shoulders. If Parker wanted hot, she was going to give him hot.

              An hour and a half later, she was dressed in her tightest black skinny jeans, deep purple tank blouse that hugged her figure and showed off a massive display of cleavage and she put on her purple flats. She would have worn her heels but knowing the party would be at the football house, the floors would be drenched with beer and she didn’t want to slip on the frothy liquid. What a way to make an entrance, she thought. She wore a little bit more mascara and eye shadow than normal but she kind of liked the way she looked so mysterious.

              There was a knock at her door causing her to shove the rest of the peanut butter and jelly sandwich she was snacking on in her mouth as she went to open the door. Parker was standing at her door in a pair of worn jeans and a tight navy blue polo.

              The look on his face was priceless when he saw her. She practically saw his mouth drop to the floor and his tongue hung out. Just the look she was going for. She thought to herself, eat your own words Parker!

              He shook his head and said, “Jesus Lexi, I can’t remember that last time I saw you so dressed up. Damn girl, you look hot!”

              She smiled and did a little turn for him. “So you approve?” She asked while holding her hands up.

              “I defiantly approve.”

              “Good, let me write a quick note to let Margo know I’ll be out and then we can get going.”

              “Awesome. I hope you’re ready to kick some beer pong ass tonight. I’m counting on you Lex. I want to own that table.”

              “Come on, if there is one social gathering I’m good at, that is beer pong. We’ll own those football douchebags tonight!”

              “Just the comment I wanted to hear.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 2

 

              The last thing Jake wanted to do right now was go to a party hosted at the football house. Last year he would have been the one hosting the whole damn thing himself but this year was different. This was his senior year and he needed to make sure he had one of the best seasons of his life. His plan was to move onto professional football and so far his plan was working out. There was buzz on the streets that he would be a first round draft pick. He led his team the past two years to division championships and he planned on tacking on a third. Being the quarterback and one of the team captains for the very popular football team at Cal U. was a ball of pressure but it also had its perks.

              He was friends with everyone, even the local patrons. He had every girl in the school throwing themselves at him and he had possible future endorsements already lining up for when he graduates, but nothing set in stone since it was illegal to take any kind of endorsement compensation while he was still playing in the NCAA.

              He had one hell of a college career, his choice of girl, his choice of party and his choice of what happened on and off the field with his teammates. The past three years he lived in the football house, goofed around when they didn’t have practice or games, slept with almost the entire female athletic department and drank his fair share of beers. They were good years but now that he was moving on to his senior year and looking back on what he accomplished the last three years he was disappointed in himself for not taking school more seriously.

              Football only took athletes so far, what would he do if heaven forbid he wasn’t drafted or if his career was short lived? He needed to take his last year more seriously so he had an option when football was over for him. That was why he moved out of the football house and moved into the villas. He had his own place there, it was more expensive then splitting rent with five other guys but his scholarship paid for it and he liked having his own place. The villas were mainly for athletes, which was nice because even though he was living on his own, he was still surrounded by his peers.

              He walked up the path to the house he spent three amazing years in and sighed. It was going to be a long night especially since he was not in the mood for his senior year to start and the start of every new year was shot off by the football team throwing one hell of a rager.

              “Jake, over here man.”

              Jake’s teammate, Mason, waved him over. Mason was also a captain on the team and Jake’s best friend. They were scared freshmen together and made it through the past three years barely holding on by a thread from the pressure of popularity, football and school.

              Jake grabbed Mason’s hand and gave him a half hug.

              “How was Hawaii you lucky bastard?” Jake asked. Mason took the summer off with his steady girlfriend to explore the islands of Hawaii. His girlfriend’s family was extremely well off and Mason couldn’t pass up the opportunity to visit the tropical islands.

              “Amazing. Brooke looked so damn hot in her plethora of bikinis.”

              Brooke wasn’t an athlete but she was a sorority girl and was hotter than hell with her perky breasts, brown hair and green eyes. How Mason was able to score her, Jake would never know.

              “I’m sure she did. Was her family cock blocking you the whole time?”

              Mason laughed, “No, we actually had our own hut looking over the ocean the whole time.”

              Jake shook his head. “You lucky, lucky bastard.”

              A freshman came up to them and handed Jake a beer. Jake nodded to the kid he didn’t know, popped open the beer and took a long swig.

              They were surveying the party when Mason asked, “Why are you so late? Everyone has been asking where you were. I was afraid you weren’t going to show.”

              Jake shrugged. “I don’t know man, this whole scene isn’t really me anymore.”

              Mason snorted. “Who you kidding, bud? This scene is because of you. Are you going soft on me?”

              Was he? How was Jake supposed to explain to his best friend that he wasn’t really looking for the party scene anymore? He was more interested in becoming serious with his life. He was still young but the fact that he was going to be going through some of the biggest changes in his life and he had no one to share it with, freaked him out. He lost his parents in a serious car accident right after he left for college, leaving him alone, completely and utterly alone. That was one of the reasons he lost himself in beer, parties and women, he was trying to fill an empty void. He was smart enough to pull off good grades to continue playing football but he never actually applied himself. He would graduate with a major in English but would have nothing really to show for it.

              “Uh, hello, earth to Jake?”

              Jake shook the thoughts out of his head. “Sorry, forget what I said.” He gestured toward the beer pong table. “Competition good this year?”

              “Oh man, this one team is on a roll…”

              Jake didn’t hear anything else Mason said because in that instant he laid eyes on the most gorgeous blonde he had ever seen and everything faded black, besides a spotlight on her. She was gorgeous with her long blonde wavy locks, piercing blue eyes, so light they were almost white, and her tight body. Jake thought he was going to burst from the seams of his pants from the way his body was reacting to her.

              He watched her every move as Mason rambled on about the tournament the football team hosted every year. Parker, Jake recognized from the baseball team, came up behind the gorgeous blonde and scooped her up around her waist. Jake instantly wanted to send his linemen in for the kill to take out Parker, even though Jake didn’t even know the girl. She laughed as Parker twirled her around. That was when he noticed they were the team Mason was talking about. The “Unstoppables” they called themselves.

              Jake interrupted his friend. “Mason, who the hell is that?” He pointed at the beauty in front of him.

              Mason gave him a puzzled look. “Have you been dead the last three years?”

              “What are you talking about?”

              Mason pointed at the girl, “That is the infamous Sexy Lexi, man.”

              Jake’s jaw nearly hit the floor. “I thought that was some locker room myth bullshit that some lonely guy made up.”

              The guys always talked about “Sexy Lexi” but he never thought the image the guys built up in the locker room was an actual living, breathing human person. Now that he looked at her, what the guys said didn’t even do her justice.

              “No, she’s the real deal.”

              “How come this is the first time I’m ever seeing her?”

              Mason laughed, “Well word on the street is she hates the football team, calls us a bunch of douchebags and she doesn’t go out much.”

              “Well, we are douchebags, look at us.”

              They both looked around the party and took in all their teammates, it was a conglomeration of idiotic asses parading around, showing off their muscles to the ladies, doing beer bongs and acting like adolescent morons by daring each other into stupid antics.

              “Dear God,” Mason said, “I hope we never acted like that.”

              Jake clinked his beer with Mason’s and said, “I’m afraid we did.”

              “That’s embarrassing to think about.”

              Jake chuckled. “Slightly. So tell me more about Lexi. She’s a senior?”

              Mason laughed at him. “Forget about it man. She is the type of girl you aren’t used to. She is no one night bang. There is no way you are getting in her pants.”

              Annoyed by his friend’s assumption, which would have been accurate last year, he got up and headed into the kitchen to get another beer. Was he really looked at as a guy who just banged any girl he saw? Jake shook his head in disappointment, he was that guy and he only had himself to blame.

              Mason caught up to him. “Dude, I didn’t mean to insult you back there.”

              Jake shook him off. “No, don’t worry about it. Something changed for me over the summer. It’s hard to explain but I don’t want to be that guy anymore.

              Mason grabbed them both another beer. “Any guy would want to be in your shoes, you know? And you just want to throw it away?”

              “Out of everyone, I would think you would understand the most, being in a serious relationship and all.”

              Mason’s face went sober. “I do understand. It gets lonely, I always wondered how you did it man.”

              Jake shrugged Mason’s comment off. “Well I’m tired of being alone.”

              “You know you’re not alone.” Mason put his hand on Jake’s shoulder.

              Ever since Jake found out about his parent’s accident, Mason had never left his side. Mason invited him to every holiday and made him a part of his family, something Jake will be forever grateful toward Mason for. Mason’s family took him in when he had nowhere else to go.

              “I know, thanks.”

              Mason shivered and said, “Alright, I need to get wasted now because we’re looking like a bunch of pansy ass fairies right now.”

              Jake laughed. “Before you get wasted and lose all ability to hold a decent conversation I have one question.”

              “Shoot.”

              “Is Lexi dating Parker? They seem awfully chummy.”

              “Chummy? Really? Did you lose your balls this summer or something? You better clean up your act and get your bad boy image going before we get back on the field. Lord knows the guys won’t let that kind of shit slip.”

              Jake rolled his eyes. “Just answer the damn question.”

              Mason smirked. “Not that I know of. She hasn’t really had any kind of relationship I don’t’ think. She’s been untouchable but she has been starring in every male athlete’s dream that lives and breathes near her.”

              Jake could imagine that easily. One look and he was hooked on her. He had an incessant need to get to know her, to hold her, to touch her. He watched Lexi walk out on the deck after her and Parker won the last game in the tournament. Parker was trapped by one of the girl lacrosse players who wasn’t actually too bad to look at, so Jake decided to take the opportunity to make his move with Lexi.

              She was leaning against one of the pillars on the deck when he approached her from behind and what a fantastic behind she had. Her jeans fit her like a glove and glided over every single curve she had, as well as the purple shirt she was wearing. Her hair was cascading over her shoulders urging his hand to reach out and run his fingers through it. She wasn’t wearing heels like he normally preferred from a girl but the flats she was wearing made her seem oddly fragile, given her tough girl exterior she displayed for the world.

              “You’ve got a good shot.” He said, startling her.

              She turned around with her hand to her heart, her eyes wide with shock. They were the color of the sky on a bright sunny day and her mouth looked beyond kissable.

              “Jesus, you scared the crap out of me.”

              He couldn’t help but chuckle. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to.”

              “So you think sneaking up on someone isn’t going to startle them?” She said while crossing her arms over her ample chest. He averted his eyes so she didn’t catch him staring at her breasts but it was too late. Her forehead creased together in displeasure.

              “You really are some player, like everyone says. You talk to me for two seconds and you’re already staring at my breasts.”

              She sucked the air right out of his sails. She didn’t even give him a chance to put on his charm before she started shooting him down. She shook her head in disgust and started to move past him. Never had a woman so instantly rejected him without even giving him a chance to convince her otherwise. She almost got past him before he let go of the shock that took over his body and stood in front of her so she couldn’t move past him.

              She looked up at him in horror. “Are you serious right now? You aren’t going to let me through?”

              He held up his hand to stop her from talking. “Listen I think we got off on the wrong foot here.” He held out his hand. “I’m Jake.”

              She looked at him with displeasure. “I know exactly who you are. I haven’t been dead the last three years at this school. I’m just glad to see that you’re living up to your reputation.”

              Now she was making him mad. She was judging him without even letting him mutter five words out of his mouth. If she wasn’t so damn intriguing and beautiful he would let her by, but he couldn’t get himself to move.

              “Wow, you’re real quick to judge.” He found himself saying.

              “Do you blame me? I’m probably the only girl at this party you haven’t banged.”

              Jake felt fire burning in his stomach. No one had ever talked to him like this and he didn’t particularly care for her attitude, even though his instincts were telling him to rip her clothes off right now and take her to bed. What was wrong with him?”

              “You’re kind of a bitch? You know that?” The words slipped out of his mouth before he could stop himself.

              She faked horror and waved a hand in front of her face. “Oh, how you hurt me with your words.” She rolled her eyes and tried to move past him once again but his stupid body stopped her again. He really wished his body and brain would reconnect because he wasn’t happy with the miscommunication between the two.

              “What is your deal? He asked.

              She crossed her hands over her chest again but this time he made sure to keep his eyes locked on hers.

              “I’m not going to be another notch on your belt.”

              “Don’t flatter yourself, babe.”

              She snorted, “Oh please, I saw you drooling earlier when you were talking to your friend, Mason. I’m not an idiot. I know when I see a dog on the prowl.”

              “What if I just wanted to get to know you?”

              His off-hand comment made her laugh out loud. It almost made him laugh if he hadn’t changed his perspective this year.

“That would be the day. You’re just a ladies man that has always gotten his way. Not this time!”

              “That’s not true.” He objected. Then all of a sudden, as if the dating Gods were punishing him, two girls from the soccer team, twins to be exact, Judy and Julie, walked up on either side of him and rubbed their breasts against his arms as they encircled him.

              “Jake, you promised you would meet up with us after the summer was over. We’ve been waiting for you.” They whined.

              Perfect timing Jake thought. He looked back at Lexi who rolled her eyes and finally escaped past him. He watched her walk away and saddle up right next to Parker, who put an arm around her shoulder and kissed her on the head. She whispered something in his ear, causing him to look back at Jake and then nod toward the door. They were gone in a matter of seconds and he was left with the soccer twins. That went well, he thought sarcastically as the twins continued to press their bodies against his.

              Fan-fucking-tastic.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 3

 

              Lexi was still reeling from the party the night before and the audacity Jake had of coming up to her and just staring at her boobs. She knew she was way bigger than her body called for and she was wearing a low cut shirt but could he have been any more of a pig?

              She thought about when he first told her she had a “good shot”, she was so startled he actually spoke to her that she failed to hate him for a second. When she turned around she was even more startled by how ruggedly handsome he was. She cursed and hated herself for even thinking he was handsome, but how could she not? The guy was a freaking fantasy. No man should ever be that attractive. He was muscular beyond belief, had light brown hair that was styled just perfect in a short do and he had the lightest green eyes she had ever seen. Plus his dimples and chin cleft didn’t help. She felt herself completely melting in his presence which was why she acted like a complete bitch, which thankfully he called her out on, because she didn’t want anything to do with him. He was trouble with a capital “T”.

              “Hello, Lex, come on you have two more sets to go. I would like to get out of here before my morning class starts.”

              Lexi snapped out of her thoughts. “Sorry Margo.”

              The team had morning strength and conditioning and Margo and her were always partners. They were just finishing up their bench press when Lexi got lost in thoughts.

              “What’s going on girl? Why are you so out of it today?”

              Lexi finished up her last rep and helped Margo switch the weight. Margo always lifted more than her.

              Lexi blew out a breath while Margo laid down on the bench and began her reps.

              “Jake Taylor approached me at the party last night.”

              Margo placed the bar back on the rack. “Ooo, girl. You’re lucky.”

              Lexi gave her friend a wrinkled look. “I want nothing to do with him. He is so full of himself and believes anyone who is in his presence should bow at his feet. He is so obnoxious and arrogant…”

              Margo interrupted her, “Wow, slow down. If I didn’t know any better I would say you like him?”

              Lexi huffed. “Didn’t you hear anything I just said?”

              “Loud and clear, you might as well go punch him on the playground. You’re so crushing on him.”

              “I am not!”

              Lexi felt her face starting to burn from anger…or was it embarrassment?

              Margo set the weights down and looked at Lexi. “I can tell by the way your face is all red. You like him. Join the crowd, girl. Every girl who sets eyes on him can’t help but fall under his charms.”

              They took the weights off and marked off their reps on the workout sheets provided by their trainer.

              “I don’t like him. If anything, I despise the guy. He just noticed me for the first time last night! We’ve been in the same class since we were freshman. That is just insulting.”

              “How is he supposed to notice you when you’ve been a hermit your entire college career. Plus, he doesn’t really have to notice girls when they’re always throwing their bodies in front of his face.”

              Lexi flipped her friend off and went to return her training sheet back to her file where the trainer kept all of the athlete’s workouts. Lexi was annoyed with Margo’s accusations.

She did not like Jake Taylor, not even close. Yea, he was attractive, she would give him that but he was a player, he had his dick in almost every girl who was willing in the athletic department and he was completely and overly full of himself. Why would she want anything to do with him?

              She was mad at Parker for dragging her to the stupid party in the first place. Yea, she should be living up her senior year like he said, but she didn’t need complications like Jake Taylor getting in her way. She still had to figure out what she was doing with her life after softball. Parker was lucky, he would be able to continue to play the sport that he loved and make millions by doing so, but Lexi, she had to actually go out into the real world and find what interested her.

              She walked over to the water fountain to fill up her water bottle while she replayed her encounter with Cal U’s one and only ladies’ man over in her head. She cursed herself for envisioning his smile and remembering the little flutter that took place at the bottom of her stomach when he stopped her from walking away. No, she would not think about him, that was exactly what he would want.

              She turned to grab Margo when she ran straight into a tall muscular mass. The impact caused her to fall back and stumble until she fell straight on her ass. Embarrassment laced through her body as she looked up and made eye contact with those light green eyes she couldn’t stop thinking about since last night.

              “Whoa, sorry there Lexi.” Jake said, while reaching out a hand to help her up. She ignored his hand and got up herself. Margo caught up to her and the smirk on Margo’s face made Lexi want to punch her best friend square in the boob.

              “Hey Jake.” Margo said. “Looks like you took down our little center fielder. No one ever knocks her down.”

              Lexi looked at Margo as if she was insane for talking to him. She grabbed her friends arm and started walking away from the massive football player. Margo was mumbling something under her breath when Lexi was yanked back by the arm.

              “Hold up” Jake said. “I want to talk to you.”

              Lexi looked at Margo and said, “Go ahead talk away. Margo I’ll catch up with you later.”

              Margo stopped her. “Deary, he wants to talk to you, not me.”

              Lexi turned to Jake to confirm and he just smiled. Lexi folded her arms in front of her chest putting off the most defensive stance she knew and asked, “What do you want? And why they hell are you up this early? The football team never has to work out this early.”

              “I wanted to catch you before you went to class.”

              Lexi shook her head. “How do you even know I have class this morning?” She held up her hand. “Wait, I don’t care, just tell me what you want.”

              “Fine, I’ll get right down to the point. I want you to be my date for the alumni dinner this Friday.”

              Lexi felt her mouth drop to the floor. He wants her to be his date? Want? He didn’t even ask, he just stated his needs. She was about to open her mouth in protest when Margo beat her to it and said, “She would love to. What time?” Margo’s interjection made Jake smile, causing Lexi to slightly melt but then she realized what Margo said and she was able to regain her senses.

              “No, I would not love to. Where the hell do you get off going around demanding what you want people to do? You can find yourself another date. Lord knows any girl will trade her left tit to go on a date with you.”

              Her comment made Jake laugh, causing rage to take residence in Lexi’s body. “What is so funny?” She asked.

              “You, you’re so stubborn.”

              “I’m stubborn? Because I don’t want to go out with you? That’s not stubborn, that’s just knowing what I don’t want and I’m sorry to say but that’s you.”

              Jake feigned an attack to his heart as he put his hands to his chest. “Your words kill me.” She rolled her eyes. He straightened up and said, “I’ll bet you for it.”

              Lexi wanted to take out whoever told him all about her. How the hell did he know she never turned down a bet? It was her one weakness, whenever someone said they would bet her, it was practically impossible for her to refuse. She looked at Jake and knew no matter what he said, she wouldn’t be able to refuse because she wanted to put him in his place and wipe that damn smirk off his gorgeous mug.

              “What are you thinking about?” She asked. She saw Margo rub her hands together in excitement next to her.

              Jake stepped closer so he was inches from her. She had to crank her head up to look at him in the eyes because he was significantly taller than she was. He drew her in with those green eyes and his all-male scent pulled at her very core. Damn him.

              “I challenge you to a race?”

              Margo laughed. “A race? How is that fair?”

Lexi wanted to shut her friend up but she knew she might be right. Yes, Lexi was the fastest girl in her conference but Jake was Jake Taylor, about to be a first round draft pick. She didn’t stand much of a chance.

              “A race on the slide board.” Jake finished.

              Lexi couldn’t help but smile. She owned the slide board, it was the one thing she could beat anybody at. When she was first introduced to the contraption she was intimidated by it, now she couldn’t get enough of it.

              “You’re on! What are the rules?” Lexi was practically shaking with excitement.

              “We slide for a minute. Whoever gets the most touches wins.”

              “Sounds fair enough. What are the so called prizes?”

              If it was possible, Jake got even cockier. “If you win, I’ll leave you alone.”

              “Hallelujah!” Lexi shouted.

              “And if I win,” He interrupted her celebration, “you have to go to the Alumni dinner with me, on a date, dressed up and everything.”

              Lexi cocked an eyebrow. “What do you constitute as a date? I’m pretty sure we both have very different opinions of what goes into a date.”

              “Just a date, maybe a casual touch here and there but nothing else.”

              “No casual touches, you will keep your slimy hands to yourself.”

              “I would think that I would be allotted a couple of touches.”

Lexi held up her hand to stop him. “Not that it matters anyway, because you’re going down, Taylor.”

              “We will see about that, Knox.”

              They went back into the weight room and they each grabbed the plastic booties that helped them slide on the board and put them on their feet. Margo grabbed their trainer who had stop watches and Swiffer Dust to lube up the boards.

The board was a thick plastic surface with two rubber stops on each side. The point of the exercise was to work on explosive lateral movements, which Lexi mastered two years ago.

They each would have their own board and start on the same side. When they were told to go they would have to slide from side to side and every time they returned to the side they started at, that counted as one.

Lexi grinned as she thought about how she had this in the bag. Not only was she the quickest at slide board but she knew exactly how to work the dust polish to her advantage.

              “Are you ready?” Margo asked.

              She looked over at Jake who held out his hand, as a good luck gesture. She took his hand in hers and tried to ignore the zap of electricity that flowed between them. She chalked it up to the adrenaline of a challenge.

              “Ready.” Lexi said as she pulled her hand away from Jake’s and rubbed it on her shorts, trying to erase the feeling of his skin on hers.

              “Go!” Margo shouted.

              Lexi took off and started bouncing back and forth, reveling in the fact that she was kicking Jake’s ass. She didn’t even bother looking over because she didn’t want to feel sorry for the poor sap. Thank goodness Margo was counting for her because there was no way she could concentrate on counting how many times she hit the board. She was entirely focused on kicking Jake’s ass.

              Her legs were burning from pushing off the rubber and her breath was labored but there was no way in hell she was going to lose to Jake Taylor, so she continued to push herself.

              “Stop!”

              Lexi slid one last time to one side and then hopped off. She put her hands on her knees as she bent over, trying to catch her breath. She stood up and put her hands over her head and looked over at Jake who was just standing there smirking at her. What was he so happy about? He didn’t even break a sweat.

              “What…is…the…count?” Lexi heaved.

              “You got 50.” Margo said, “I think that was your best.”

              Lexi did a mental fist pump, knowing she rocked it.

              “What did Jake get?” Margo asked the Trainer.

              “Sorry girls, Jake got 66.”

              Lexi nearly keeled over. “How the hell did he get 66?” She waved a hand at him. “He’s not even breathing heavily. You’re lying, he did not get 66.”

              “I’m afraid not, sweetie.”

              “How is that even possible, I’m the best at slide board?”

              “Until I came along.” Jake said while puffing his chest. Lexi wished she could take a needle and pop all the air out of it.

              Lexi sat down on a bench. “This doesn’t make any sense.”

              “Sure it does short stack.” Jake said. “Look at your legs compared to mind. I have a wider range than you. Of course I would beat you.”

              Lexi almost choked on his words. Holy hell he was right. How come she never thought about that? He knew all along that he was going to win, even with her speed there was no way she was going to beat him, all he had to do was lean over and his leg would touch the other rubber.

              “You tricked me!” She shouted while standing up and charging toward him. She laid a punch on his arm.

              “Hey watch it.” He said while rubbing his arm. “Don’t be such a sore loser.”

              “I’m not being a sore loser. I just don’t like being tricked.”

              “I didn’t trick you. I just knew my strengths that’s all, something you failed to realize. Maybe if you weren’t so caught up in yourself, you would have looked at the challenge logistically and realized that maybe that wasn’t the safest bet you ever made.”

              “Caught up in myself? You have got to be kidding me!”

              “Uh, can you two love birds take this little love spat somewhere else? You’re distracting the other athletes.” Their trainer said.

              “We are not love birds!” Lexi said over her shoulder as Jake escorted her and Margo into the hallway.

              He looked down at his watch and sighed. “As much as I would love to continue this little conversation, I have places to be. Margo it was nice seeing you. Short stack, I’ll pick you up at 6 tomorrow night. Its formal attire so wear something sexy.”

              He took off down the hallway and Lexi went to charge at him but Margo stopped her. Lexi shouted over Margo’s shoulder, “I’m wearing a turtleneck and slacks!”

 

                                                        ***

             

              Jake went to the football locker room and planted himself on the leather couch right next to Mason who was watching SportsCenter on the big screen TV they had in their locker room. Mason turned and looked at Jake with slight shock in his face.

              “Wow, I didn’t know you knew this morning hour existed.”

              Jake watched Mason take a bite of an apple. “I told you man, I’m doing things different this year.”

              “So waking up early is how you’re changing?”

              “That and some other things.”

              Mason waved his hand in the air, silently telling Jake to carry on. “And what would those other things be?”

              “Well, I just won a date with Lexi. I’m taking her to the Alumni dinner tomorrow.”

              Mason looked at Jake with honest surprise. “How the hell did you pull that off?”

              “Won a bet against her, long story but she’s going. Not the ideal way I wanted to take her but I guess I’ll take what I can get.”

              “Wow, I’m impressed man. I don’t think anyone other than Parker has scored a date with her.”

              Jake thought about how beautiful she looked this morning. She didn’t have any make up on, her hair was up in a ponytail and she had on gym shorts and a softball t-shirt but he couldn’t take his eyes off of her. She was beautiful, naturally beautiful. He had never felt like this before, he never felt such a strong attraction to another person. Ever since he laid eyes on Lexi, she was all he could think about. That was why he talked to Parker and scored some valuable information about Lexi.

              Jake was actually surprised about the amount of information Parker was willing to divulge about his best friend. Jake didn’t care too much about the strong bond Parker and Lexi had but if it was going to help him get some alone time with Lexi then he didn’t mind too much.

              “Earth to Jake.” Mason interrupted his thoughts.

              “Sorry.”

              “Man, you have it bad don’t you? You really like her.”

              Jake shrugged and ran his hand over his face. “I don’t know. All I know is that I can’t stop thinking about her and I just want some time to get to know her. She’s beautiful and sassy and an amazing athlete. For a second I thought I was going to lose to her at slide board, she was good.”

              “You challenged her to the slide board? That was risky, she owns that thing.”

              “I know, she was damn quick but thanks to my long legs I edged her out.” Jake laughed. “And shit was she furious. I kind of get joy out of making her mad. She has quite the little temper.”

              Mason laughed. “Yea, she’s a firecracker. I’ve watched some of her games and if she doesn’t get a call she likes, she nearly flies off the deep end.”

              “I can imagine.” Jake pulled out his phone and started typing out a text message.

              “Who are you texting.” Mason asked being nosey. He finished his apple and threw the core into the trashcan. “Nothing but net. I should have gone out for basketball.”

              Jake looked up at the trashcan. “Because you can shoot an apple core into a giant trashcan from three feet away? Ok, keep dreaming bud.”

              He sent a text to Lexi.

             

Jake: Had fun this morning, we should do it again sometime. See you tomorrow night

 

              Jake could all but hear Lexi gasp when she realized he had her phone number, another righteous score form Parker. He tried to give Parker something in return but he wanted nothing. All he said was to not hurt Lexi. For some odd reason, Jake got the impression that Parker actually approved of Jake making a move on his best friend. Hey, that was one less boundary he had to cross to get closer to her. Winning the best friend’s approval was always difficult, so he was glad Parker was so easy going. Winning Margo over was no problem either. She seemed eager and willing to throw Lexi at him.

              Mason and Jake were arguing about a highlight they saw on SportsCenter when Jake’s phone chimed with a text message. Not being able to contain a smile knowing it was Lexi, he looked down to read what she wrote.

 

Lexi: This is Professor Lyon. Lexi’s phone has been confiscated due to it going off in class. In order for her to get it back, you, whoever this is and Lexi better report to my office at two this afternoon to issue an apology and go over proper phone etiquette in the classroom.

 

              “Oh shit.” Jake muttered.

              Mason turned toward Jake and asked, “What’s wrong?”

              Jake turned the phone so Mason could read the text message. Mason threw his head back and laughed. “Looks like you’re starting off on the right foot.”

              Mason patted his back and took off for the weight room. Jake could feel his chest tighten. This was not the way he wanted to start things off with Lexi. He could see her little face fuming right now. The thought of it sort of made him smile. Yes he might not be starting off on the best foot, but he got to see her again today, that was a plus in his book. Maybe not hers but he was going to win her over soon enough. He always did.

 

                                                        ***

 

              Margo was adjusting her bra when Parker Hill came up from behind and grabbed her waist, startling the crap out of her. She gathered herself before she turned around to look at those chocolate brown eyes that starred in her dreams every night.

              “Hey darlin’. How come it’s ok for a woman to adjust her tits in public but if a guy touches his junk he is looked at with disgust?”

              Margo lifted her head and made eye contact with the most gorgeous man she had ever seen. She had a crush on Parker ever since Lexi introduced him to her their freshman year. He was the perfect man; athletic, sensitive, handsome as hell and funny but there was one thing wrong with him, he was untouchable. Lexi and he had a fling for a little bit and there was no way she would break the friend code of going after her best friend’s ex, even though Lexi and Parker were best friends now. It would be too weird for everyone.

              Margo thought about his question. “Maybe because men are dogs and love watching women touch themselves while us ladies have class and know what’s disgusting.”

              Parker seemed to weigh her answer and answered with a heart breaking smile. “I think you’re right about that. We are dogs. Do you have anywhere to be right now?”

              “Nowhere at all.” She said even though she should be writing a paper that was just assigned to her but due the next day. What teacher did that? Especially right after summer break. Margo thought there should be an understanding of easing students back into the swing of things, not bombarding them with useless educational material that they were not going to really apply in the real world.

              “Great, let me buy you a drink and we can sit and chat.”

              Parker ordered them both smoothies from the kiosk in the middle of the campus square while she found a little bistro set to sit at. She watched Parker’s behind shift back and forth while he waited for their drinks. God he was gorgeous, and he didn’t even flaunt it like Jake, that made him even hotter.

              When he turned around with their drinks he spotted her, lifted his head in her direction to acknowledge he saw her and smiled. She sighed. She would never get tired of his smile. She dreaded there last year in college because she knew he was going to go off and do bigger and better things while she was going to hopefully get her masters or get a job. She wouldn’t have moments like this anymore and she most likely wouldn’t see him very much due to his soon to be very busy schedule.

              A strawberry banana smoothie was placed in front of her as Parker asked, “Why the frown, sweet cheeks?”

              Margo half smiled at him. “Oh just thinking about a stupid paper I have to write.”

              “Man, the blood sucking professors already started attacking you?”

              “Of course, I should have been smart like you and Lexi and taken some summer classes that way my senior year would be a breeze.”

              He tilted his drink toward her. “Yes, you should have. Haven’t I always told you to follow my lead? Honestly Margo, when are you going to learn?” He said with a grin.

              “I think I learned the first time I followed your lead and I ended up in a dumpster in the early morning with your jersey wrapped around me and the worst hangover known to man.”

              Parker threw his head back and laughed. “Ah, good times.”

              “No, not good times. That was the last time I ever followed your lead.”

              “At least you have a great story to tell your grandkids one day.”

              “In order to have grandkids you actually have to have sex and some kind of significant other.”

              The moment she said the words she felt a flush of embarrassment rise from her toes to her cheeks. What would possess her to say something so candid, especially in front of Parker?

              He looked her up and down and said, “Don’t worry, there will be men knocking at your door when you’re a teacher. They’ll be begging for parent-teacher conferences.”

              “I don’t even know if that’s what I want to do but I guess it’s something to look forward to.” She said with a halfhearted smile.

              Parker probably realized how awkward the conversation became and changed the subject quickly. “So, how about Jake and Lexi? I got a brief text from Lexi this morning about going to dinner with him tomorrow but I don’t know any details.”

              Margo leaned forward and put her hand on his arm. “I was there.”

              “What?!” Parker shouted “And you’ve been holding out on me?”

              Margo relayed all the details of the eventful morning she and Lexi had this morning. Margo specifically liked describing the way Lexi’s face contorted into pure hatred when Jake said to wear something sexy. She already liked the guy for giving her friend such a hard time.

              Lexi could be so stubborn and such a hard ass sometimes, it was refreshing to see someone push her buttons and make her do things she normally wouldn’t even consider. Never in Margo’s life would she have thought Lexi would go to a formal dinner but Margo was proven wrong, thanks to Jake Taylor.

              Parker leaned back in his chair and blew out a whistle. “Damn, I like Jake for Lexi.”

              Margo shoved his shoulder. “I was thinking the same thing. She is always on guard and Jake is able to slowly pluck away at her walls she puts up and I like it. Plus it’s just great to watch her get all frazzled around him.”

              “I agree. You should have seen her at the football party after Jake approached her on the porch. She was practically dragging me out of there and she couldn’t stop talking about how ‘infuriating’ he was. If I didn’t know any better I would say she has a bit of a crush on him.”

              “I said the same thing to her this morning. Of course pure denial spewed out of her mouth but I can tell she likes him and is fighting it off.”

              “Only time will tell.” Parker said while sucking the rest of his smoothie down with his straw. He took her empty cup and tossed them in a trashcan that was right next to them. “Well I have to get going. Keep me updated on the Lexi and Jake situation. I want full details.” He said with a wink.

              “Don’t you worry I’ll report later, we’re going shopping after practice for a dress.”

              Parker laughed. “Ha, good luck with that. She will most likely want to buy some sort of peasant gown.”

              “Not if I have anything to say about it. She is going to show off every asset God gave her.”

              That comment made Parker frown which caused Margo to think maybe Parker still had feelings for Lexi, he seemed awfully interested in her life, but then again he was her best friend. He was probably just looking out for her and why would he be pushing Lexi onto Jake if he had feelings for her? She was just imagining things.

              Margo gave Parker a quick hug, which he returned, sending chills through her body. “I will see you later. Keep me posted.”

              “I will.” Margo waved good bye and watched him jog toward the practice fields. Sighing once again, she picked up her bag and started walking toward the villas to start on her paper but she knew she wouldn’t be able to get anything done because all she would be able to think about was those chocolate brown eyes that called to her in her dreams.

 

                                                        ***

 

              Lexi paced back and forth in the hallway in front of her professor’s office, occasionally looking at the clock on the wall.

              “Where is he?” She muttered to herself. She had to go to practice and she didn’t have time to wait for Jake to show up so she could get her phone.

The one day she forgot to turn her phone on vibrate, that egotistical maniac had to text her. And how did he even get her number in the first place? There were two suspects, Margo and Parker. She didn’t feel like showing any mercy toward them next time they met up, no she was going to kill them both with her bare hands. Because of them she was going to be what she thought was late to practice and she once again had to see Jake. Why was it that she went three years without even having a conversation with the man but now all of a sudden, she sees him three times in two days? Not that she was counting.

              She paced back and forth some more when the elevator opened and Jake walked out with a smirk on his face. It took all the energy in the world not to smack the smirk right off his face.

              “Finally!” She said while throwing her hands up in the air. “Let’s get this over with.”

              “Am I missing something? He said two, right? It’s ten till so I don’t know why you’re acting like I’m thirty minutes late.”

              “Let’s just get my phone and leave.”

              He shrugged as she turned and knocked on the professor’s door.

              “Come in.” Professor Lyon called out.

              Lexi pushed the door open and Jake leaned over her to push the door farther open for her so she could walk in. She caught a whiff of his cologne which filled her senses with urges she shouldn’t be having toward who she considered to be the devil’s child.

              Lexi stepped in the Professor’s office and instantly started to apologize. “Professor Lyon, I’m so sorry, I completely…”

              The professor held up his hand to stop her and got up from his chair. “Why Jake Taylor, I didn’t know you were the culprit on the other end of that class disturbance.” He sneered at Lexi. “How come you didn’t tell me it was Jake who text you.”

              Lexi was confused. “I didn’t know it was…”

              Jake interrupted her. “She doesn’t like to flaunt our relationship around.” He said while wrapping an arm around her shoulder and pulling her in tight. She tried to free herself but he was too strong for her, a move that should make her incredibly mad instead made her legs feel like Jell-O. She despised herself.

              “Oh, I didn’t know you were seeing someone.” The professor said, “You’re one lucky lady.” He handed Lexi her phone back. “Just remember to put it on silent next time sweetheart.” He looked at Jake and put his hand out to shake Jake’s. “Good luck this season, boy. I’m expecting another championship from your men.”

              “You can bet on it. Take care professor and thanks for being so understanding with my girl.”             

              His girl? Lexi stared at the two men, Jake had the biggest grin on his face while Professor Lyon looked like he was star struck. Lexi wanted to puke from the attention Jake received, even from the staff, it was sickening.

              They said their good byes and next thing Lexi knew, she was riding in a small elevator next to Jake wrapped up in his magnificent scent. He turned to say something to her when the elevator door dinged on the fifth floor and a pretty little brunette walked in. Lexi watched the brunette’s eyes widen when she spotted Jake.

              “Oh my God, Jake. It’s been so long. I can’t believe I’ve run into you.”

              “Bridget, hey how’s it going?”

              Bridget? Did he know every single girl on campus? Lexi rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest, trying to act like the brunette’s perky attitude toward Jake didn’t bother her but it did. All Lexi envisioned was yanking on the brunette’s hair until she fell backwards on the floor. She thought about her little vehement daydream and decided not only was Jake making her crazy, he was causing her to think more violently and she didn’t like that, not one bit.

              Lexi listened to their mundane banter while they rode to the first floor. Thankful for the distraction, Lexi slipped out of the elevator and started heading toward the practice fields. She was happy she only had a little interaction with Jake, she was dreading picking up her phone all day because she would have to stumble upon the king of campus.

              What was that whole scene with the professor about anyway? Now that she thought about it, she wondered how the professor was going to treat her if the person who text her wasn’t Jake? Would he have kicked her out of his class? He couldn’t do that, he probably would have given her a good lecture and warning and then sent her on her way. Instead she was stamped as Jake’s girl and sent on her way with a damn smile and a wave.

              “Hey Lex, wait up.”

              Turning around, Lexi saw Jake jogging toward her. She let out a frustrated sound and kept walking, slightly quickening her pace but clearly not fast enough because of course he caught up to her.

              “Hey, sorry about that back there. Bridget is a family friend.”

              Lexi snorted. “Sure, is that what you’re calling them now, ‘family friends’?”

              Jake turned her around so she was facing his extremely muscular chest. She had to practically tilt her whole head back to look him in the eyes.

              “Jesus, what the hell is your problem?”

              “Don’t touch me.” Was all she could say and started walking toward the fields, again.

              “Listen, I’m sorry about the text, but honestly how was I supposed to know you were dumb enough to leave the volume up on your phone.”

              “You think that was my fault?” She whirled around. “Maybe if you didn’t screw with my head this morning, I would have been able to think straight and turn my phone off.”

              He smiled, causing her to think nasty thoughts of how to pluck every last inch of his gorgeous hair off his head. “You’re thinking about me?”

              “Oh. My. God! You’re so full of yourself.”

              “Just stating the facts. But hey, I’m sorry about earlier. I just want you to know that. I’ll see you tomorrow at six. Alright?”

              She looked at him, searching his features for any kind of joke he might be playing on her. “You’re serious? You actually think I’m going to that dinner with you tomorrow?”

              “Uh, yea, I won fair and square so put on your fanciest dress because I’m taking you out tomorrow. I don’t care what you say. You owe me.”

              “I owe you?”

              “Yea, I won so you need to pay up. I would have held up my end of the bet if I lost.”

              “I doubt that.” He just smiled at her. “Fine, I’ll see you at six but don’t expect anything magical from me. It is one night, one dinner that is all and then you need to go back to ignoring me and hanging out with every other girl on campus.”

              “Ignoring you is not even an option for me. See you at six, babe.”

              Lexi turned around not even whispering a good bye because his last sentence made her catch her breath. Why was he all of a sudden turning on the charm for her? He had three years to add her to his bang list, why now? She couldn’t get distracted by him, she needed to figure out what the hell she was going to do with her life, not play dreamland with the hottest guy on campus. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 4

 

              “Margo, I’m not wearing that.” Lexi said while pointing at the barely there dress her friend was holding up. “It doesn’t even have a back.”

              “Duh, that’s why it’s so sexy.”

              Lexi kept searching through the racks to find something semi presentable to wear to the damn dinner Jake conned her into going to. “That dress might be fine for you but for a girl my size.” Lexi lifted her breasts in her friend’s direction, “Backless doesn’t work for me, I need a bra and I know that doesn’t have the support I need.”

              Margo looked her up and down. “You can go braless. Your boobs are still perky.”             

“I hope you’re kidding.”

“What about this one?” Margo held out a midnight blue dress with an a-symmetrical neckline that would work well for Lexi’s breasts. Lexi studied the beautiful midnight color carefully and liked what she saw.

“You know, I kind of like it. I could wear my glitter pumps with it.”

“And you can borrow my silver clutch. Oh Lex, you have to try it on, it will probably look gorgeous on you.”

A slight thrill of excitement took place in Lexi’s stomach. A date with Jake was not what she wanted but she couldn’t help but feel excited. It wasn’t very often a girl got to get all dressed up and go out to a nice dinner with an extremely good looking man.

Lexi tried to get out of going shopping with Margo but her friend wasn’t letting her get away with the shopping trip and Lexi was a little grateful. She only wished Margo gave her a second to breathe before shoving her in Margo’s car and driving to the mall. She barely had time to take a shower after practice before Margo whisked her away to Macy’s before it closed.

The clothes that were hung up in Lexi’s closet were less than desirable for a fancy dinner. Her usual “look” consisted of her hair up in a bun with a headband, sweats or gym shorts depending on the weather and a t-shirt, so putting on such an elegant piece of clothing made her stomach flutter. She tried not to show her excitement to Margo though because Lexi knew Margo would make fun of her and Lexi was not up for teasing. She was barely able to make herself think about going out with Jake, she didn’t need the teasing to add to her anxiety.

They headed to the dressing room to try on the dress when Lexi’s phone chimed with a text message. It was from Parker.

 

Parker: Hey kid, hope the shopping is going well

 

“Is that Jake?” Margo said while carrying out the last letter of his name. Lexi rolled her eyes.

“No it’s Parker.” Lexi noticed her friend perk up with more interest than if the text was actually from Jake.

“What did he say?” She said while smoothing her hair down that was by no means out of place. Lexi studied her friend’s change of attitude. She was all of a sudden primping herself and incredibly intrigued by the message on her phone. Interesting, very interesting.

“He just wanted to see how the shopping was going.”

“Oh. Well, go try that on, I need to see it on you.”

Lexi walked into the dressing room and cringed at the lights they put in the rooms, they were extremely unflattering. How anyone bought anything under this lighting was a miracle. While she was taking off her clothes, she studied her body in the mirror.

She had to admit, she was extremely lucky in the genes department. She was blessed with a fast metabolism and a killer rack which irritated her most of the time but when she wanted to flaunt it, she was happy she had them. She was petite but still able to hold her own, thanks to the strength and conditioning department. She by no means bulked up like some of the girls on her team. Instead she toned, giving her a great body. Something she wished she put more use to throughout her college years.

She sighed thinking about the last time she actually had a man admire her body, truly admire her, it had been years. Years! What was she doing with her life? Yes, she held practically every softball record at the school but that was going to do her jack shit when she graduated. She had nothing to say for herself. No job opportunities or even career path in mind and no man to take care of her if she wanted. Not that she would ever want to be a woman who stood smiling by her man’s side. That was her mother, not her. Lexi was a strong confident woman, who held her own. At least she thought she was.

She slipped the dress up her body and put the asymmetrical strap over her one arm. Thankfully she was able to get the side zipper up by herself. She smoothed the dress down and looked up at her reflection. She nearly fell over from disbelief. That couldn’t be her in the mirror, she looked too good.

The dress fit like a glove hugging every curve and offering a very generous slip that cut to her upper right thigh displaying her toned legs. Thank you squats!

“Come on Lex, I’m dying out here.” Margo whined.

Lexi chuckled and walked out of the dressing room, wishing her hair was not in a wet bun on top of her head.

Margo stared at her with her mouth open. “Oh my God, you’re getting that dress and I don’t care what you say. You look beyond amazing. I’m sending a picture to Parker.”

Lexi did a quick pose for the camera and then looked at the mirror again that was in the middle of the dressing room. “I do kind of look good, don’t I?”

“Kind of? Girl, you look hot. Jake is not going to know what hit him. Teach him to make a bet again.”

Lexi’s phone chimed, it was Parker.

 

Parker: Uh, you are not going out in that, you look too damn good.

 

Margo read the text message out loud and slightly frowned but gathered herself when she looked back at Lexi. Very interesting, Lexi thought. If Margo kept razzing her about Jake, Lexi was going to have to return the favor with Parker. Although it wasn’t like Lexi’s teasing would really affect her friend. Margo had her fair share of men throughout their years together. She probably had her share and Lexi’s share, maybe that’s where all the men went that were supposed to be paying attention to her, they were all over at Margo’s. Not that she blamed them. Margo had the longest legs she had ever seen and the prettiest brown hair, a color you can’t find in a box or at a salon and beautiful green eyes.

“Please tell me you’re getting that.”

Lexi played with her friend a little. “I don’t know. It shows an awful lot of leg.”

Margo blew out a frustrated breath. “You have got to be kidding me. I’m going to shoot you. If you can’t realize that is the perfect dress for you…”

Lexi cut her friend off before she blew a gasket right in the middle of the department store. “Margo I’m kidding, of course I’m going to get this dress. It’s perfect.”

“Thank God, I really wasn’t in the mood for wrestling you to the ground and forcing you to buy the damn thing.”

Lexi raised an eyebrow at her. “You really think you could take me?”

“We’re not getting into this right now. Go get dressed, I’m starving and there is a piece of pizza at Sbarros that’s calling my name.”

 

                                          ***

 

Jake’s palms were sweating, he was actually nervous. He had never in his life been nervous when it came to taking a girl out. What was his problem? He should probably blame Parker. Jake saw him in the weight room earlier that morning and all Parker could talk about was how amazing Lexi looked in the dress she picked out for the night. Jake thought about it and wondered how amazing could a dress really be? Parker was probably just trying to fake Jake out, make him nervous.

Parker did give him a little man to man warning though, which Jake thought was odd. If Jake didn’t know any better he would have thought Parker had feelings for Lexi. How unlucky would that be for Jake if that really was the truth? Then he would have absolutely no shot at getting to know Lexi. That’s all he really wanted, he wanted to get to know her a little better, see what made her tick and if he happened to kiss her then, oops, so be it.

He wanted to do a lot more then kiss her but he knew she was the type of girl you had to take your time with and he was ready to put in the time. Never in his life had he ever felt this strongly about a girl that came his way. It was kind of strange. He wondered if this was what growing up and turning into a man was like?

Completely out of place, Jake didn’t know how he felt about his feelings because if being a man meant sweating profusely before a date and getting nervous to the point of nausea then he wanted nothing to do with being a man. He adjusted his tie before he knocked on the door of Lexi’s villa. They surprisingly only lived a couple of buildings away from each other. It was an easy five minute walk to pick her up. He drove though so they could head straight to the dinner that was being held in one of the many gyms they had on campus.

Jake smoothed down his tailored pants and brushed off a piece of lint that was on his steel grey suit that he paired with a white shirt and black tie. The suit jacket fit him to a tee, he preferred a more tailored look rather than a baggy suit that most of the guys on his team wore. He worked hard for his body and he liked to show it off when he could.

He knocked on the door again and put his hands in his pockets so he didn’t look like a fool wringing his hands together, which would blatantly show off his nerves. Hell, he had to look as cool as a cucumber. He heard the door unlock and Margo opened the door.

Looking him up and down, she said, “Hey Jake, you look really good.” Jake liked Margo, she was incredibly nice, easy on the eyes and she was Team Jake which was refreshing since Lexi seemed to be anti-Jake. “She will be out in a minute. Can I get you a drink?”

At the mention of a drink, Jake felt his throat parch. “Uh, yea some water would be nice, thank you.”

“Not a problem.” Jake watched Margo’s tall, lithe body slide behind the bar of the kitchen and grab a glass to fill for him. “Did you get to take a look at the gym this morning where the dinner is being held?”

“No I didn’t get a chance. Did you?”

“Yes.” Margo sighed. “It’s so dreamy. You would never know it was a gym.”

“Yea, the alumni go all out for this event. It’s my second year being invited, it’s kind of boring when it comes to all the networking you have to do but the dinner and dancing is great.”

“Well Lexi is one lucky girl.” At the mention of her name, Lexi walked out of her room and Jake almost choked on the water Margo handed him. Margo patted him on the back, trying to help him regain his composure but she could do all the patting she wanted because he didn’t think he would ever recover from seeing Lexi.

“You ok there big boy?” Margo said while grabbing the glass from him.

Jake could only nod because he had never seen anything as beautiful as Lexi. She wore a deep blue dress that made her sky blue eyes sparkle, the slit in the dress made Jake’s mouth water and the way her hair cascaded over her shoulders in soft like waves begged for Jake’s fingers to explore the depths of her blonde locks.

He realized he was staring, cleared his throat and tried to avert his eyes from the smug grin on Margo’s face. “Wow, Lexi, you…uh you look gorgeous.”

Lexi fidgeted in place and that was when he saw the glitter stilettos she was wearing. It took all the energy in Jake’s body not to toss her against the wall and take what he so desperately wanted.

“Thanks, uh should we get going? We don’t want to be late.”

“Yes, let’s get going.” Jake felt so awkward, usually he was a lot smoother than this but Lexi seemed to drive away all coherent thoughts he developed in his brain. He was helpless around her.

Margo escorted them out the door and waved good bye. “Now you kids have fun, but not too much. I won’t be waiting up.” Margo said with a wink. Jake heard Lexi groan under her breath as she walked past him.

Jake led the way to his Jeep and opened the door for her. She hiked her dress up so she could get in the car which was when he was able to notice a very delicate ankle bracelet that was wrapped around her slender leg. Jake shut the passenger door and begged God for some will power. He could do this, he could be a normal human being and not attack his date in the first five minutes of them being together. But if she kept surprising him with sexy little touches to her appearance, he was not going to be able to last the whole night without mauling her.

When he opened the door to his side he was smacked in the face with the scent of her perfume, a very feminine scent that made his toes curl. He swore under his breath and started the car.

“What was that?” she asked.

“Uh, just saying how amazing you look.” He tried to recover.

“Oh, thank you.” She turned to look out the window, avoiding all eye contact with him.

Real smooth, Taylor.

 

                                          ***

 

It was a suit, just a plain suit, which of course was tailored to fit every contour of his body. He was so damn hot, it hurt to look at him. How was that fair? Well, her dress was the same way so she guessed it was fair but men shouldn’t look that good.

Why was she doing this? She should fake a headache and have him drive her back to her apartment. She didn’t want to stay out too late because she had practice early in the morning and she didn’t want to really be seen publicly with Jake because she didn’t want people getting the wrong impression. She didn’t really know who was going to be at the event. All she knew was that there was going to be a lot of elite people and that was intimidating enough for her to come up with a fake get-a-way.

The alumni dinner was for the “celebrity” alumni to come back to the school and hob knob with the potential “celebrity” graduates. Of course Jake was invited, he was going to be drafted into the NFL in a couple of months, he was talked about nationwide and she was the one on a date with him. Well a so called date. What the hell was she thinking? She started to fidget in her seat and was about to open her mouth to complain about her head when Jake spoke first.

“You must be nervous.”

Was she that obvious? “Uh, just a little. These dinners and events aren’t really my thing.”

“Well they look like your thing. You’ll fit in perfectly. Everyone is going to be staring at how gorgeous you are.”

Great, just what she needed, all eyes on her and Jake. She wanted to crawl into a hole. She looked over at him and noticed his smile. That seemed sort of cheesy. Why was it so hard for her to believe him when he said she looked beautiful? Was it because he probably said it to every living thing walking on two legs with two breasts? Whatever it was, she didn’t find him genuine and that bothered her.

She tried to strike up conversation instead of being a wet rag. “So, do you know anyone who will be attending?”

“Just a couple of people, not too many. Coach is making me attend more than anything. He said it would be good for my career. I don’t necessary like doing these things.”

That shocked her a little. Jake Taylor, not liking the spotlight? That seemed odd. The words slipped out of her mouth before she could stop them. “You? Not like that spotlight? That is hard to believe.” Instantly he frowned from her words. Damn, she didn’t want to be a bitch but it just happened whenever she was around him. “Sorry, I didn’t mean for that to be insulting.”

“Of course you did.”

Mouth wide open in shock, she spun around in her chair to look at him. She apologized, he didn’t have to be rude to her. He parked the car and got out fast enough so she couldn’t confront him about his comment. He came around to her side and opened the door for her while grabbing her hand and helping her out.

“I didn’t mean to be rude, it just slipped out.”

“Exactly, that’s what your sub-conscious thinks of me, some egotistical maniac.”

She secretly agreed with him because that was how she saw him but she didn’t want him to know that. She squared her shoulders and met him face to face. “Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.”

“Maybe it wasn’t.” He replied, shocking the hell out of her. She thought that she was just another hurdle to jump on his way to conquering the female athletic department but if he was giving up this easily maybe she wasn’t. Was this some kind of sick game he was playing?

Someone called from across the parking lot. “Jake, hey man.” They both looked over and saw Darren from the lacrosse team jogging over to them. Darren eyed Lexi up and down and blew out a whistle.

“Damn Lexi you clean up real good. I didn’t even recognize you” He gave her a kiss on the cheek causing Jake to squeeze her hand he was now holding tighter. The little jealous gesture confused her. She had no clue what Jake was up to but whatever it was, she didn’t care for it.

“Thanks Darren, you look pretty sexy yourself. I didn’t know you knew what a tie was.”

He laughed, “I had to have my roommate tie it for me.”

They both laughed together while Jake stood there and watched them interact with each other. Lexi knew Darren from an English class they took together previously but hadn’t seen him in a while. The only reason why they survived the incredibly boring and pompous class together was because they would play Hangman with each other throughout the entire class. They had a running score at one point.

“I still lead you in Hangman.” She bragged.

“Ha, you wish, I owned you.”

“Keep dreaming.”

“I will now.” He said with a wink which caused Jake to budge into their little banter.

“Alright, we’ll see you in there.” Jake said dismissively.

Darren looked at Lexi and then at Jake’s menacing face. He got the picture very quickly that Jake was painting the world to see, which caused Lexi to blush with embarrassment. Darren waved bye and walked into the building leaving Lexi and Jake alone once again.

“Was that really necessary?” she asked.

“Was what necessary?”

She poked him in his chest with her finger, his rock hard chest. “You know exactly what. You didn’t have to be rude to him. We were just joking around with each other.”

“Yea and as much fun as that was for me, I would prefer that my girl wasn’t flirting with other men while I was around.”

That made her put her hands on her hips. “Your girl? Are you living on Mars? By no means am I your girl or will I ever be your girl.”

She turned away from him and started walking toward her apartment. It would be a brisk evening walk in high heels but it would be worth it, if it meant getting away from Jake Taylor. He was infuriating. If he wanted to see flirting she could show him flirting. She was merely being polite to an old friend, there was nothing wrong with that.

She felt an arm grab her and spin her around.

“Lexi, stop, we have to go in there. You can’t just walk away.”

“We,” she emphasized, “We don’t have to go in there, you do!”

She saw him struggling to find words but she frankly didn’t care. She should teach him a lesson and just take off leaving him to explain to everyone why his date didn’t show but then she saw a bit of a lost boy in his eyes when he looked at her. Groaning inwardly, she wanted to smack herself for feeling sorry for him.

“Please Lexi, I’m sorry. Just come inside with me.”

Big puppy dog eyes pleaded with her, how could anyone say no to that? She blew out a hefty, irritated breath, ripped her arm from his grasp and walked toward the building, trying to leave him in her dust. Unfortunately he caught up and placed his hand on her lower back.

“Thank you.”

She just nodded and allowed him to escort her into the building.

The party committee transformed the gym into a beautiful dining area full of plants and twinkle lights, it was slightly magical but also ridiculous Lexi thought. The money they spent on this dinner probably could go to something more beneficial, she couldn’t think of anything at the exact moment but she did believe that all the pomp and circumstance she was currently experiencing wasn’t entirely necessary.

Lexi silently thanked Margo for making her get the dress she was wearing. Everyone was dressed to the nines. All the women had their hair in up-dos and wore gorgeous dresses that made hers look like it was from a discount store. Lexi self-consciously stroked her hair, wondering if she should have put it up like everyone else.

She felt a hand brush against her neck and Jake’s breath right next to her ear. “You look beyond amazing, don’t let anyone make you think differently.”

Startled, she looked into his eyes and saw that he was being truly genuine, he wasn’t just throwing one of his smooth lines out for her benefit. For the first time she had interacted with him, he was actually showing a little piece of him. It was marginally refreshing. The intimate gesture made her confidence slightly spike.

They grabbed their name cards and took their seats at one of the tables that was in the front of the room, right next to the podium. Jake must be extremely VIP to have one of the nicest seats in the place. They sat down at their table that was also occupied by people she had never even seen before. All the women were practically perfect in their appearance and the men reveled in the arm candy they brought with them.

Was this what the real world was like? At least in the “celebrity” world was this what it was like? Practically perfect women sitting next to their distinguished men, it was all too weird for Lexi to process. The whole picture just seemed so fake to her. This was so not the world she wanted to be a part of. Yes, they were rich and they were an exclusive gaggle of people but that didn’t matter to her, they seemed boring as hell, stingy little bastards.

The night was incredibly awkward for her. The tension between her and Jake was unmistakable. All she wanted to do was go home, even though he was putting in an effort to be interested in her when they had a chance to talk, it wasn’t enough for her. Almost every five minutes someone came up to their table and shook hands with Jake. It was nauseating listening to all the people sucking up to him. He threw a damn sphere around a grassy field and everyone treated him as if he just took a fresh pile of shit and turned it into a new cure for cancer.

She studied her nails while Jake talked to some software billionaire that just donated enough money to the school to have his own wing in the lecture hall. He donated an obscene amount of money to have his name plastered on the side of the building, how ridiculous was that?

Lexi’s thoughts were interrupted when the billionaire spoke. “Jake you must meet my gorgeous daughter.” Lexi’s eye shot up from examining her nails and made eye contact with a leggy blonde. The blonde gave Lexi a menacing grin and then extended her hand out to Jake who took it in his. “This is Jessica, Jessica this is Jake.”

Lexi watched the whole interaction play out in front of her as if she was watching some sort of television show.

“Jessica, it’s very nice to meet you. You must get your good looks from your mother because you didn’t get anything from this old man.” Jake said while patting the billionaire on the arm and they all laughed together, except Lexi who was still staring in amazement at what was unfolding in front of her.

“That you are right, her mother was an angel.”

“Was?” Jake asked.

“Yes, we lost my dear Clarice when Jessica was a wee little one, I raised her myself.” Lexi watched Jessica look Jake up and down and lick her lips. Good Lord she was playing up the “I lost my mother when I was young” role. Jessica stuck out her bottom lip and pouted. Good grief.

“Jake would you mind taking my daughter for a spin out on the dance floor?”

Jake didn’t even hesitate, or look at Lexi. “I would be honored, sir.”

Sir? Who was he kidding? Could Jake’s head go any further up the billionaire’s ass? Lexi watched Jake place his hand at Jessica’s lower back and escort her to the dance floor where they wrapped their limbs around each other and slow danced to some song Lexi thought she remembered from one of those popular vampire movies, not that she watched them or anything.

Absolutely in shock, Lexi just stared at them and thought about how ridiculous this night turned out to be. What an ass! Jake was a giant, self-absorbed, unfortunately good looking, devil of an ass. She pulled her lip gloss out of her clutch, not knowing what else to do, and reapplied a sticky layer to her lips.

A lady from across the table tisked at Lexi. “Looks like you just lost your man.”

Lexi looked at the lady’s judgmental eyes and was about to respond with a snarky comment about her husband’s poor choice of a toupee when Darren came up behind her and whispered in her ear.

“Care for a dance?”

“I thought you would never ask.”

Lexi put her hand in Darren’s as they swayed onto the dance floor. Darren was good looking but nothing ever really transpired between them, just like Parker, Darren and she were friends.

“So what is with you and Jake?”

Lexi knew that question was coming especially since Jake was currently dancing with someone other than the girl he brought to the stupid dinner. Not that she should really care. Jake wasn’t hers to claim but there were moral standards people should live up to, she thought. If a man brings a date to a dinner, that means he dances with his date and pays attention to his date, not go off with another woman without even consulting with his date first. It was like once Jessica, the leggy blonde, came along, Lexi vanished from Jake’s thoughts.

Lexi answered Darren’s question. “Nothing, absolutely nothing.”

“Didn’t seem like nothing in the parking lot.” Darren spun her so she got a glimpse of Jake and his dancing partner, who was practically drooling all over him and rubbing her body up and down his.

“It’s nothing, trust me. I’m just another mountain for Jake to conquer. The only reason I’m here is because I lost a bet, frankly I would rather be home in sweats eating some frozen yogurt.”

“Well, let’s go then. My treat.”

Lexi looked at him. “Are you serious?”

“Yea, why not? Jake clearly is occupied and I said my hellos with people I needed to say hello to. I’m ready to go, are you?”

Lexi eyed the happy “couple” again, she watched them laugh in unison and decided right then that, yes, she did want to leave.

“Let me just grab my bag and we can be out of here.”

“Perfect.”

Lexi spent the rest of the evening in her fancy dress at the frozen yogurt store, playing Hangman with Darren on napkins and laughing harder than she had laughed in a while. Darren helped her forget the crappy night she started out with. Relief washed over her from knowing that the crazy, uncomfortable dance she had been doing with Jake the past couple of days was finally over. He found someone new to try to land in his bed and she was free to go back to her stress free life.

 

                                          ***

 

Jake sat on a bench that was in front of Lexi’s villa. It had been an hour since he left the stupid dinner and he figured since she left two hours ago, without a good bye, she would be home by now. Margo wasn’t home either. She was probably out with a guy, like she always was.

He couldn’t believe the nerve of Lexi to just leave him stranded at the dinner to fend for himself, especially after everyone noticed his date disappeared, it was embarrassing. He figured her disappearance had to do with the Jessica interruption. That was a whole other frustrating situation. The billionaire, as he was known around campus, got in contact with Jake weeks ago and mentioned how he would be bringing his daughter to the dinner and hoped they would be able to meet. Jake completely forgot about the planned meeting until Jessica came up to him. He didn’t want to piss the billionaire off since he was a very influential person, so he went with the flow. Lexi had to understand that, right?

Jake ran a hand over his face and thought about the look of displeasure on Lexi’s face when he turned around at one point as he was dancing with Jessica. She was not happy at all.

Shit, he blew it big time. He ended up dancing with Jessica for three songs until he was able to peel himself away, claiming he had to talk to other people in the room before the night was over. She didn’t keep her intentions of their meeting a secret though when she slipped her number into his pocket.

Finally a car pulled up to the front of the building which Jake recognized as Darren’s. What the hell? Lexi slipped out with a huge smile on her face and walked arm and arm with Darren to her door. It wasn’t until Jake made himself seen when her smile faded into a frown.

“What the hell are you doing here?” She asked, hatred falling from her mouth. Jake watched Darren look at both of them like he previously did when they were in the parking lot earlier. Luckily for Darren, he backed off but not before he placed a kiss on Lexi’s cheek.

“Thanks for a great time Lex, I’ll see you later.”

“Thank you Darren.” Darren walked away and Lexi blew past Jake and headed straight to her door without saying another word to him.

He stopped her before she was able to unlock the door. “Were you with him this entire time?”

Lexi faced him and looked him dead in the eyes. “You have some fucking nerve coming here, you know that?”

Wow, she was pissed. He knew she might not be happy but she had fire spitting from her eyes and looked like she could do some real damage if given the opportunity.

“Listen, I know the night was less than ideal…”

“Less than ideal? The best part of my night was when I left that dinner. Just leave me alone Jake.”

“You don’t have to be jealous. I had to dance with Jessica, I didn’t have a choice.”

“I’m not jealous, I’m humiliated. The minute that leggy blonde came in and said hello to you, you practically spent the rest of the night drooling all over her. I could care less if you dance with someone else but when you completely ignore me, it’s insulting especially since you dragged me to this stupid thing in the first place. Was that your intention the whole time? To make a fool of me? Well congratulations Jake, you did it. You got what you wanted so just leave me the fuck alone.”

She unlocked her door with precision, slipped inside and shut the door on his face before he was even able to reply to her rant.

By no means did he bring her to the dinner to humiliate her, in fact he actually wanted to get to know her better. He wanted to spend time with her. Never in his life did he actually want to get to know a woman.

Shaking his head in disgust, he knew he blew it big time. He banged on her door and called for her to open up. He continued to get louder and louder with his pounding and shouting, knowing that she would open the door just to shut him up.

Almost exactly on cue, she flew the door open. “Will you please stop that, you’re going to cause a scene.”

“Let me explain.”

“What is there to explain, Jake? What you did tonight mortified me, there is no explaining it.”

He saw the pain in her eyes and his stomach dropped to his shoes. His intention for tonight was to woo her, to make her see him for who he wanted to be. Instead, he gave her the impression that he was still the old Jake, the ladies’ man Jake. Someone who he despised.

“Lexi, I’m sorry. Please just let me in and we can talk about this.”

“No Jake, this is over and if you don’t leave I’m going to call the cops and we all know what that would do to your precious little reputation.”

He was about to open his mouth to protest when she slammed the door on his face.

Damn.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 5

 

              Jake met up with Mason the next morning at an hour Jake didn’t even know existed but if he wanted to change, he needed to start changing his habits now, which meant no partying at all hours of the night and sleeping till noon. He enjoyed the morning workouts he and Mason did since the weight room didn’t have anyone in it to bother him and the field house was completely empty. It was actually relaxing and peaceful. He wished he woke up early all four years instead of just his last year of college. He wondered if just maybe he had worked even a tad bit harder throughout his college years maybe he would have been even better than he was now. That thought was something he couldn’t focus on. He was never a “what if” kind of guy and he didn’t want to start now.

              Jake and Mason went through a series of sprints in the field house, ladder workouts and footwork exercises. Jake threw a couple of passes to Mason but saved his arm for practice. He could already feel his footwork starting to improve which would help him when he is struggling to find an open receiver in the pocket during the games.

              Jake threw a long ball to Mason who dove and caught it in the end zone. Mason stood up and performed his signature wobbly leg touchdown dance. That was one thing Jake was going to miss, his best friend and go to receiver. He knew the reality of Mason and Jake ending up on the same NFL team was slim to none and their days of hanging out together every day were numbered. He tried not to concentrate too much on saying goodbye to Mason since it was depressing as hell.

              Jake and Mason went through practically everything together, from being scared freshmen their first hell week, to meeting girls, throwing parties and going through hardships that only a true brother would understand. Jake was getting nostalgic and he needed to snap out of it because it was only going to bring him anxiety and depression which was something he didn’t need going into his senior year.

              One thing he couldn’t stop thinking about was once he graduated he was going to be alone, more alone than when his parents died. Mason had been the backbone Jake needed throughout his college career but now that he was graduating, he would be on his own, which scared the hell out of him.

Mason was moving on too after graduation but he wouldn’t be alone like Jake. Jake was envious of the relationship Mason had with his long term girlfriend, Brooke. Jake knew they were going to get married at some point and he would be Mason’s best man which was an honor Jake could only hope to reciprocate in the future.

              Although, the thought of being able to reciprocate the honor of having Mason as his best man vanished pretty quickly last night in one bad move on Jake’s part. Instead of dancing with Jessica, he should have introduced Lexi and let everyone know she was his date. What was wrong with him? Why didn’t that clue in on him? He was hoping that if he gave the billionaire’s daughter one dance he could brush her off and spend the rest of the night with Lexi in his arms. Instead he was stuck with Daddy’s little princess whispering obscenities in his ear. Old Jake would have been turned on in two seconds and maybe even had taken her to the bathroom to cash in on her promises but all he could think about was Lexi and how he wished it was her whispering into his ear, rather than Jessica.

              “Uh, hello Jake? I asked are we done here?” Mason interrupted.

              Jake grabbed the football from his friend and quickly looked at his watch, he still had time. “Yea, thanks for the workout.”

              “Are you still thinking about what happened with Lexi?”

              Jake told Mason the entire story when they were warming up and all Mason did was shake his head at him. Mason didn’t even have to say anything because Jake knew he messed up, messed up big time.

              “I am. I can’t believe I fucked up so bad.”

              Mason shrugged. “Hey, you’re not used to treating women with respect.” Mason grinned.

              “Fuck off.” Jake said in a teasing tone and pushed his friend. “I have to take a shower real quick and then head to the coffee kiosk before eight.”

              “What are you doing, man?”

              “Trying to get back on Lexi’s good graces.” They headed back to the locker rooms to freshen up for the day.

              “I don’t know if that is a good idea. She made it quite clear yesterday she really wanted nothing to do with you and what if she’s seeing Darren.”

              The mention of Darren’s name made Jake clench his teeth. If the bastard wasn’t such a good guy Jake might knock some teeth out of his pretty little smile. When Jake saw Darren walking arm and arm with Lexi last night, Jake almost lost it. He didn’t even want to think about the jealous instincts he had for Lexi because that would open a box he wasn’t ready to open. Damn it, he just wanted to get to know the girl. Was that too hard to ask?

              “They’re not seeing each other.” Jake said through gritted teeth.

              Mason threw his hands up in mock defense. “Don’t bite my head off. I’m not the one who ditched my date for a billionaire’s daughter, fuck stick.”

              When they entered the locker room, Jake threw the football into the corner and spun around to face Mason who looked a little shocked at Jake’s erratic movements.

“I didn’t have a choice. I had to dance with her. The guy could easily fuck me over in more ways than one.”

              “He’s a billionaire, he doesn’t own the NFL. What could he possibly do?”

              “He practically owns the internet. He could destroy any image I have before I ever go public. I have to watch my back.”

              “Well then how come you’re trying to pursue Lexi when you should probably be kissing his daughter’s ass?”

              Jake thought about the phone number Jessica gave him last night that burned a whole through his pants pocket. He wanted nothing to do with her. Yes, she was pretty but she was no Lexi and she was a little too wild for his liking, especially since he was trying to change his image.

              “She’ll be fine. I’m not concerned about her. I did what I had to do and danced with her, which was all her dad asked of me. He can’t force me into a relationship with her.”

              Mason just shrugged his shoulders and peeled his sweaty shirt off, showing off his many tattoos.

              “I don’t know why you’re so concerned with my life when you should really be concerned about those love handles you got going on there.”

              Mason snapped his face at Jake and flashed him the middle finger. “You wish I had love handles because then you wouldn’t have to compete with my awesome body.” Mason said while caressing his sides.

              “Keep dreaming, you know I’m more ripped than you will ever be.”

              Mason stepped in front of one of the mirrors and started flexing. “This, my friend, is what they call a bicep, something you might not be familiar with.” Then Mason turned to the side and stuck his belly out and placed his hands on his lower back. “And this is a gut, something I know you are quite familiar with.”

              Jake whipped him in the back with a towel causing Mason to yelp and tackle Jake to the ground.

 

                                                        ***

 

              Lexi dried off from her shower and slipped on a pair of yoga pants and a tight fitting tank top. She threw her hair up in a massive messy bun and applied some mascara. She never went anywhere without a little bit of mascara, she felt naked without it.

              Their workout this morning was awful, Lexi already felt sore from the conditioning workout they went through. Their coach was in a bitch of a mood, it must be her time of the month because she made them do pyramids but at a fifty yard distance. Whenever they did pyramids, they always did them on the basketball court but her coach thought she would turn into the devil this morning and torture the hell out of them. Most of the freshmen threw up, something Lexi remembered doing her first year but since then she worked out like crazy so she would never be the girl puking on the side again.

              Looking back at the morning, she felt bad for her teammates because if Lexi was having a hard time functioning after their workout then the other girls must be hurting in a bad way. Still, she couldn’t figure out why she felt so slow this morning. Her coach even called her out on it so then Lexi had to work even harder to prove that she was her normal self, even though she felt a million miles away from herself.

              Avoiding the real reason why she was tired and lethargic, she blamed it on the workout, or maybe not eating breakfast but she would not blame it on the fact that it felt like Jake sucked the life out of her. She talked to Margo about the incident and she didn’t have much to say, she couldn’t explain the odd behavior and then apologized for encouraging Lexi to go out with him when clearly Lexi wanted nothing to do with him.

              She didn’t blame Margo, there was only one person to blame and that was the guy with the green eyes. Lexi shook her head in disgust, never in her life had she ever been so mortified. The people at her table gave her the “I’m sorry for your life” look which Lexi had a hard time tolerating. She couldn’t stand getting pitied, especially when it was coming from pompous society folk.              

              “Are you coming?” Margo asked.

              “I’ll catch up with you later.” Lexi replied.

              Margo sat next to her on a bench while Lexi tied up her shoes. “Lex, you can’t let him get to you. That’s letting him win.”

              “I’m not letting him get to me, I’m not even thinking about him.” She lied, “I’m just really worn out. I think I’ve been working too hard. Maybe I need to cut back on the workouts. I didn’t appreciate coach riding my ass this morning.”

              “No one enjoys coach riding their ass, especially when the bitch is eating donuts while we sweat our asses off and puke on the sidelines.”

              Lexi thought about how their coach sat in a cushioned chair and blew her whistle while she munched down on her sugar infested breakfast. If her coach wasn’t so damn good at her job, Lexi would report the dumb bitch to the athletic director.

              Completely annoyed with the morning, she was about to respond when one of the freshman came into the locker room and said, “Uh, Lexi, someone is waiting outside for you.”

              Lexi looked at the freshmen with confusion but all she did was point her thumb to the door and then head into the bathroom that connected to all the girls’ locker rooms. Maybe Parker was outside waiting for her, most likely he wanted to get all the juicy details about what happened last night. Lexi didn’t feel like repeating all the gory details but she knew Parker wasn’t going to let her get away with being silent. Maybe she would blow Parker off for class and leave Margo to telling him the story. That way she didn’t have to relive it.

              Looking over at Margo, Lexi said, “I have to go. I’ll catch you later. Let me know about dinner tonight, I’m thinking tacos.”

              Margo agreed as Lexi grabbed her backpack and headed out the opposite door. Lexi stopped in her tracks when she saw Jake leaning against the wall wearing jeans and a “Property of Cal U Football” shirt. His hair was wet and tussled around and he was holding a drink carrier and a bag.

              Lexi’s mood went from annoyed to icy in the matter of seconds. “What the hell do you want?”

              “Good morning to you to. How was your workout?”

              “Like you care.” She said as she turned and started walking toward the door so she could walk up the hill to her class.

              “I do care.” He caught up to her. They were outside starting to walk up the hill when he talked again, this time getting ahead of her and stepping in front of her so she couldn’t walk any further. “Can you please stop for one second and talk to me.”

              She put her hands on her hips. “And why would I want to do that. You had all night to talk to me last night but instead you decided to dance with someone else.”

              Jake blew out an aggravated breath and said as quickly as possible, “I had to, her Dad asked me to dance with her a while back and I couldn’t say no. I should have handled the situation better, I know that now but honestly I was trying to get rid of her as quickly as possible so I could spend the rest of the night with you.”

              She put her hands to her heart. “Oh how caring of you. I could tell that after two dances you were really trying to get rid of her on my behalf, thank you.” Lexi said in a sarcastic tone.

              “You can believe me or not but what I’m telling you is the truth.”

              “Ok Jake.” She tried to walk again but he stopped her. She looked up at him and knew it was a mistake. She looked directly into his eyes and saw the slight insecurity clouding his sight, as if he was actually putting himself out in the world to be vulnerable. No, no, she was not going to melt before him. She needed to stay strong. “Is there a reason for this little morning meeting or can I get to my class?”

              He held out a warm cup to her, reached in the bag he was holding and handed her a yogurt parfait, damn him for knowing what she liked.

“A peace offering. I know it doesn’t make up for what I did to you last night but I just wanted to say how sorry I really am. My intentions were not to ruin your night and fill it with embarrassment. I actually wanted nothing more than for you to be the one I held in my arms all night.”

              She looked away because if she looked in his eyes she was going to falter. His voice was sincere and sweet. A part of him she never experienced. It was as if he actually cared. She had seen him operate on many different occasions while talking to women and this was the first time she ever saw this side of him.

Instead of being a grown up and looking him in the eyes to thank him, she tilted her cup at him and said, “Thanks, I better get to class.”

He let her walk by, thankfully, because she was through with playing his little sidewalk tango. On her way up the hill, she thought about the words he said to her as she tried to block them out of her memory. He was an ass. People didn’t change in the matter of a night. He treated her like crap once and he would do it again.

When she got to her classroom she pulled her phone out to turn it on silent when she noticed she had a text message and of course it was from Jake.

 

Jake: By the way, I don’t think I got the chance to thank you for being my date last night, even though I blew it, but thank you. It was a pleasure to have you on my arm. P.S. You look beautiful this morning.

 

Damn it all to hell…

 

                                          ***

 

“Taco time!” Margo sang out as she sat down at the table with Lexi and Parker. Parker was looking sexy as usual Margo thought. Not even going out for a late night date with a guy on the football team could cure her need for Parker.

“These look awesome ladies, thanks for having me over.” Parker said with a devilish grin. Margo felt her entire body sigh with content. Just being able to hang out with him was amazing.

Lexi had her elbow on the table and her hand holding her head up as she stared down at her food, not eating it, just pushing it around on her plate.

“You actually going to eat that Lex?” Margo asked. Lexi just looked up and nodded. This was very unlike her friend, she loved tacos. She loved all meals. “What’s wrong girl? Is Jake really getting to you?”

“Oh yea, you never gave me the details of what exactly went down. I just got the abridged version from Margo.” Parker said while biting into the crunchy shell of his taco.

“I don’t want to talk about it. I just want to forget Jake ever stepped in my life.”

Throw off by the snappy tone Lexi just used, Margo and Parker exchanged looks of concern. They shrugged at each other and dug into their tacos and forgot about the topic of Jake Taylor.

All three of them just sat there in silence. Lexi still didn’t touch her food which caused Margo to worry. Lexi worked out every day, sometimes more than twice a day, if anything the girl needed more food to keep up with her burning metabolism.

Margo knew Lexi didn’t want to talk about Jake but she also didn’t want her friend to go anorexic either because of some jackass. Margo stepped into the mother role. “Lexi, can you please eat? Don’t let Jake bother you that much.”

Lexi snapped her face up and stared down Margo. Margo actually felt fear creep across her body. Never since the three years Margo had known Lexi had she seen her friend so distraught and just flat out angry about something…or someone for that matter. Lexi pushed her food to the side and went to her room, slamming the door shut.

Margo blew out am agitated breath and stared down at her food. Parker reached across the table and squeezed her hand, sending chills all the way up her arm.

“Don’t worry about her.” He said, “Just keep being a friend like you are and she’ll realize what a bitch she’s being.” He winked at her as he shoved a tortilla chip in his mouth.

That made Margo chuckle. She looked Parker in the eyes and he gave her another quick wink as he tore his hand away from hers to grab one of his tacos, which he so disgustingly shoved in his mouth, making a mess of his entire plate.

“You’re disgusting, you know that?”

He talked with his mouth full. “Distracted you from the little girly drama that just took place, didn’t I?”

“You’re right about that but for God’s sake can you stop talking with your mouth full, it’s revolting.”

Parker laughed, causing a chunk of ground beef to pop out of his mouth and hit the table. They stared at the browned meat for a couple of seconds before they both started to laugh hysterically.

“Oh my God, that was so disgusting.”

Parker just smiled at her and shrugged while taking another bite of his taco. Margo sat back in her chair and enjoyed the chips and salsa that were on the table. Even though Parker had zero table manners, she enjoyed watching every little food particle fly out of his mouth. What was wrong with her?

Parker wiped his mouth with a napkin and asked, “So are you going to the mixer on Friday?”

“Possibly, there should be some really hot guys there.” Margo said trying to gauge Parker’s interest in her.

“That’s right, because I’ll be there.”

“Awfully full of yourself today, aren’t you?”

“It’s kind of hard not to be with a physique and face like this.” Parker said while motioning his whole body with his hands. Margo just rolled her eyes at him but secretly agreed. He was practically a god. “Well if you plan on going, let me know. I can pick you up and we can ride together.”

Margo tried to act cool but her stomach was doing flips with the mere fact that Parker offered to pick her up. She knew it wasn’t a date but they were going to be able to spend some more time together, one on one. That was what she needed, just a little more Parker time before he went off to do bigger and better things.

“You’re on.” She said trying to be cool, “But you better not be late, you know how I hate missing all the good beer.”

 

                                          ***

 

Lexi managed to get through the rest of the week without hearing from or running into Jake. She apologized to Margo and Parker for her childish outburst during taco night, they were more than understanding. Sometimes she wondered why they stuck around her. They were off to the mixer together, while she headed to the weight room. The last thing she wanted to do was interact with a bunch of drunken idiots and possibly run into Jake.

Not that he would really pursue her if they did see each other. Ever since his morning breakfast escapade she had not heard from him, which was a good thing. She was able to get her life back on track. He really caused a big disturbance and she didn’t care much for it.

Parker begged her to go out with him and Margo tonight but she wanted nothing to do with the stupid mixer. Parker reminded her of their deal about going out and having the best senior year possible, sending guilt through her entire body but she didn’t cave. She promised him that after this night she would go to whatever party he wanted, she just needed a little more time to herself.

She didn’t really know what was wrong with her. So what, a guy ignored her when she was his date. It shouldn’t have bothered her that much but for some reason it did. It nagged at her day in and day out. It nagged her so much that the first couple of days after the horrible night, her coach called her into her office and reminded Lexi of her leadership role on the team. Her coach told her she better get her shit together before the season began or else she would be finding someone to replace her.

The fat, donut eating bitch was right, when had Lexi ever let a man affect her like Jake had? The answer was never. She played the night over and over in her head and tried to think about why his actions bothered her to the point of not wanting to enjoy taco night. She came to the realization in one of her media classes. The night of the dinner, she was secretly living out a fantasy she never got to have. She never went to one of her proms or was asked to a dance so when Jake asked her, it was like being able to step back in time and have that moment she never had.

It was so corny but she couldn’t help but feel let down, like some reject that sat on the bleachers and watched all the pretty girls dance with their dates while she sat alone. A flood of raw emotions attacked her in class and she had to leave early so she didn’t embarrass herself. The night with Jake brought back all her insecurities growing up and she associated him with those insecurities.

She grabbed a towel from the equipment room and headed for the weight room. What she needed right now was to sweat and push herself to the limits. She went straight for the bench and racked up her weights. She pounded out a couple of reps and then just sat at the bench, staring at her lap, wondering if staying in tonight was the right choice.

“Hey.”

Lexi nearly jumped out of her skin from the friendly hello. She thought she was the only one in the training facility. She looked up and found herself looking at two pools of light green eyes.

Jake.

Lexi didn’t know what to do or how to react. What the hell was he doing here? It was a Friday night and there was a party full of willing and eager women to please him.

“Uh, hey. Why aren’t you at the mixer?”

Jake pulled up to the bench next to her and started pumping out reps. The weight on his bar was significantly bigger than hers and she couldn’t help but stare as his muscles rippled beneath his shirt when he pressed up and rested the bar on holders.

“We have our first game tomorrow so we’re on twenty-four hour.” Lexi didn’t think the football team followed the twenty-four hour rule of no drinking before a game.

“I didn’t know you football players followed that rule.”

“We didn’t until this year. I suggested it and we all agreed, well most of us agreed.”

Completely shocked, Lexi nearly fell off her bench. Jake, the party man of the athletic department, enforced the twenty-four hour rule on his team. She better go look out a window because she would bet a million dollars she would be seeing a pig fly right now.

“Wow, that’s a little shocking.”

“Whys that?” he asked.

“Uh, because you’re the biggest partier on campus and for you to suggest such a rule would be like Parker eating a jelly donut and not getting it all over his shirt.”

Jake picked up his weight again and grunted out, “Not anymore.”

Lexi decided to stop watching him, took the weights off of her bar and went over to where the exercise balls were so she could work on her core, which she took great pride in. Not a lot of people knew that having a stable core could help any athlete become better in their sport. That was why Lexi spent extra time in the abs department and also because she liked looking good in her bikini which she was able to wear often since she lived in southern California.

They both worked out in silence, aware of each other in the room but never making eye contact. Jake actually was wearing ear phones, completely tuning Lexi out. Well if she wasn’t convinced before about Jake being able to forget about her, she was convinced now. He floated around the weight room, focusing on different parts of his body and flexing with every pump of iron.

It took all the energy in Lexi’s body to ignore him and just focus on her workout but after twenty minutes of pure torture she decided to call it a night. She couldn’t be in the same room alone with him anymore especially when he was deliberately ignoring her. But wasn’t that what she wanted? She wanted him to ignore her? She wanted to go back to her normal life before Jake took a tiny step into it.

She grabbed her towel, took one last look at him in the mirror and left the weight room. She filled up her water bottle and threw her towel in the dirty laundry bin. What a night, she thought it would be relaxing to workout but instead she had a tension filled night that was cut short by her inability to act like a grown up and share a weight room with a member of the opposite sex.

Once in the locker room, Lexi grabbed her bag, located her keys from the front pocket and exited her locker room while sucking down her water. When she lowered her water bottle she made eye contact with Jake, once again.

She placed her hand over her heart. “Jesus, you scared me. You can’t be lurking around in hallways when it’s late at night.”

She could tell he was holding back a smile from scaring the crap out of her. “You startle easily.”

“And you’re a creep for waiting around in the dark by the girls’ locker rooms.”

“Point taken.”

They stared at each other for a couple of seconds not saying anything, so Lexi started walking toward the exit.

“Hey, are you coming tomorrow night?” Jake asked when she was about to open the door to the warm night. She turned around and saw that he didn’t move from where he was standing instead he was leaning against the hallway wall. He looked like a little lost boy, it was almost endearing...almost.

“I don’t know, maybe.”

“I hope you do.”

“We’ll see.” She was about to walk out the door when he caught her before she shut the door.

“If you do decide to go, there will be field passes for you, Margo and Parker waiting at will call.”

“Field passes?” Lexi asked in a shocked voice. If she told Parker she had field passes to the first football game of the season, Parker would make her go. The game was fun to watch from the stands, even she would admit that but never had she experienced the game from the ground level where all the action was. Field passes were hard to come by especially since they were given to all the VIP alumni or donors.

“Yea, the first game is always the best to be on the field for. The excitement in the air is contagious.”

“I can imagine.”

“Alright, well, have a good night. Hopefully I’ll see you tomorrow.” He squeezed her shoulder and took off to the weight room. She watched him walk away and right before he was about to put his ear buds back in his ears that were dangling on his well sculpted shoulders, she shouted down the hallway.

“Kick some ass tomorrow.”

He spun around and smiled at her before walking into the weight room and disappearing for the night. He had field passes for her on reserve? Parker was going to pee his pants when he found out. Looks like she needed to bust out her Cal U football jersey she got for Halloween one year because she was going to need to look the part tomorrow night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 6

             

              “Wooo! Go Bears!!”

              “Parker! Can you please not do that right in my ear?” Lexi asked while holding her hand over her right ear, the one right next to Parker’s megaphone of a mouth.

              He nudged Lexi, “Oh come on, loosen up a little bit. How could you not let out a good old woot woot right now? We’re killing the Cardinals, all thanks to your boy, Jake.”

              “He’s not my boy.”

              Margo lifted her VIP pass and said, “These passes beg to differ.”

              The marching band started up their victory march again once the kicker made his field go, dragging Lexi’s attention to the field. They really were killing the Cardinals, it was almost kind of sad. Jake was right about the atmosphere, the energy in the stadium was contagious. If she wasn’t trying to play it cool right now in front of her friends, she would be jumping up and down, cheering for her home team.

              Jake was leading the team down the field with his precise throws to his receivers and quick foot work. Mason and he were really connecting tonight, she thought. Lexi watched the whole night in amazement at how accurately Jake threw the ball down the field while in the midst of angry linebackers trying to get a piece of him. It was actually quite impressive now that she thought about it. When she was in centerfield, all she had to do was hop, skip and jump and hope the ball landed in the catcher’s mitt when she was throwing home. She didn’t have over-juiced men running at her with death glares, threatening her.

              Last night in the weight room, Lexi saw a change in Jake. It was as if he traded bodies with Parker or something because while Parker normally would have been in the weight room with Lexi he was out partying. She would have bet a million dollars Jake would had been the one partying with women hanging all over him.  

Lexi tried not to think about how genuine, kind and sexy Jake looked in the weight room. She tried to drive away the image of his green eyes bearing down on hers or the way his backside looked when he walked away. It was all too much for her. The man was infuriating at times but then so kind and caring, it confused her. She didn’t know what to think.

Of course this would happen her senior year, she would be interested in a guy when she was trying to find herself. Was she really interested in him?

The team obtained possession of the ball and Lexi watched Jake put his helmet on as he jogged out to the field. Yup, she was interested. How could she not be? She would be dead if she wasn’t interested. He was drop dead gorgeous, athletic, sexy as hell and at times she could sense that he actually had a heart. Shouldn’t that matter the most to her? That he was kind and caring, not just some hot piece of ass? She cursed herself for letting her libido take over her thoughts.

There was twenty seconds left in the game and instead of absolutely humiliating the other team, Jake let the play clock run out of time. The crowd erupted when the game was over. It was a great start to what looked like another championship season.

“This has been one of the best games I ‘ve ever been to. Thanks Lex for hooking us up with these tickets, even though it pained you.” Parker said with a grin.

“I actually had a lot of fun. Jake was right. It’s much more fun down here. You get the feeling you’re actually a part of the team.”

“I agree.” Margo said while looping her arm in Lexi and Parker’s arms as if they were about to skip down the yellow brick road. “What’s next? Shall we go get some frozen yogurt?”

Lexi was about to say she wasn’t hungry when Parker stepped in before she could, “Oh yea, that sounds great to me. Shall we ladies?” Parker started striding toward the exit with his ladies in his arms.

There was a lot of cheering coming from the crowd and it seemed like the noise was getting louder as they walked away. Lexi thought it was odd until she heard her name being called.

She turned around and saw Jake running up to her, sweaty but oh so handsome. “Lexi, wait up.” His helmet was off and his hair was wet from sweat but he still looked so good, so damn good. He was significantly taller than her but with his gear donning his body, he seemed like a giant.

“Hey, good game.” Parker said while giving Jake a high five. “You didn’t even give those fools a chance.”

Jake didn’t even look at Parker when he said thanks, he just kept staring at Lexi. “Are you guys leaving?”

Not wanting to stammer, Lexi gathered her wits before she answered. “Yea, we’re going to get some frozen yogurt.”

Margo pushed Lexi forward making her run right into Jake’s chest. He steadied her with his arms on her shoulders. Margo yawned, “Actually Parker was just going to take me home. We’re so tired.”

“We’re not…” Margo elbowed Parker in the side causing him to cough. “Oh yea,” He fake yawned. “So tired. See you Lexi, good game Jake.” And just like that they left her alone with Jake. They melted into the crowd that was exiting the stadium, not even turning around to see if she was going to be ok.

What friends they were, they were her ride home. She looked at Jake who had hopeful eyes. Damn, she couldn’t do this dance much longer. Her resolve was weakening by each passing moment she had with him. She was going to give in soon but she didn’t want to. She didn’t just want to be another girl for him to check off on his list. She didn’t think if she gave into Jake she was going to be able to say bye after one night. She would most likely want more and she knew that was not how he rolled.

“Were they your ride?” He asked, still holding onto her arms.

“Yea, not a big deal though. I don’t mind walking.”

“You’re not walking. Who knows what kind of sick fucks are waiting to attack you out there?”

“I’m a big girl, Jake. I can handle it.”

“Please Lexi. Let me give you a ride.”

Lexi didn’t really want to walk to her apartment since it was a good five miles, something she didn’t want to tackle at ten at night but did she want to be trapped in a vehicle with Jake? The more she thought about it, the more she knew Jake was right, there would be creeps out there waiting to take advantage of her. She always heard about those campus rapes that happened around the country and she definitely didn’t want to be a part of that horrifying statistic.

She conceded. “Ok, thank you.”

The smile that lit up Jake’s face when she agreed to a ride from him was unforgettable. It was as if she just told him she got him a new puppy. It was such a charming little boy smile that triggered her legs to start to melt. She needed to get a hold of herself before she did something completely embarrassing like kiss his entire body from head to toe.

“Meet me outside the locker room. I’ll be really quick, I promise.”

Lexi nodded and watched him jog off toward the other players. He gave them high fives and pats on the back as they walked through the tunnel together. Even though he was egotistical and a player, she could tell that he truly cared about every single guy on his team and really saw their win as a team effort and not the Jake show. The thought made her shutter with anticipation about what other kind of team player he might be. She rolled her eyes at her thought and proceeded toward the locker rooms, despising herself.

 

                                          ***

 

“Great game Jake.” Mason said while slipping on a pair of pants.

Jake took one of the quickest showers of his life after the game and was trying to dress as quickly as possible so he didn’t keep Lexi waiting outside. “Thanks, you had some amazing catches tonight.”

“Have you realized that ever since we’ve been doing our morning workouts together it seems like we’ve been more in tune with each other?”

Jake agreed. “I thought the same thing, let’s keep it up.” Jake threw his wallet in his back pocket, tossed a shirt over his head and made sure to apply some deodorant.

“Hey where’s the fire, man? Aren’t you going out to McGirk’s with us for some drinks?” Mason asked.

“No, Lexi is waiting for me outside. I’ll see you later.”

Mason stopped Jake by placing a hand on his chest. “Lexi? As in the girl who completely hates your guts, Lexi?”

“She doesn’t hate my guts. At least I don’t think she does but yes that Lexi. I gave her and her friends field passes for tonight. I caught her right before she left. I’m giving her a ride back to her apartment.”

Mason laughed, “Wow you must be crazy about her if you are willing to shower and change like a maniac to just give her a ride home.”

Jake shrugged, “What if I am? It would do me some good to settle down.”

Mason faked horror. “As I live in breath, I never thought I would hear you say those words.”

Jake playfully punched Mason in the shoulder. “Fuck off.” Jake said with a smile. “I’ll see you later. Have fun at the pub.”

Mason took his towel and whipped Jake in the ass as he was on his way out. Normally Jake would turn around and tackle his friend but he had better things to do. When he exited the locker room he looked around but didn’t spot Lexi. His stomach dropped to a sickening feeling, thinking that she might have tried walking back to her place alone. He was going to kill her if some creep didn’t before him.

He was about to exit the building when he saw her leaning against the wall near the exit. She looked cute wearing her football jersey that was tight in all the right places and her short jean shorts. She looked up and their eyes met. He watched her fidget while he walked toward her and he relished in the fact that even though she gave off a tough persona, she could be human as well and show that in fact she could be vulnerable as well.

“Were you waiting long?” He asked.

She shook her head and her beautiful blonde locks shifted on and off her shoulders as her head turned. “No, I’m actually surprised at how fast you were.”

“Well I cleaned all my orifices, if that’s what you were wondering.”

A little smiled peaked on her lips. “For your information Jake, not every girl is thinking about your body and its orifices all times.”

Jake playfully acted like she hurt him. “Oh Lexi, how you hurt me with your words.”

She just smiled at him and they walked to his Jeep. Jake opened the door and helped her in. He desperately wanted to keep talking to her, to not drop her off so suddenly but he just started getting her to talk to him so he didn’t want to scare her away. He had to take what he could get for now.

They drove in silence to her apartment and Jake cursed himself the entire drive for not being able to come up with one single thing to say to her. What was wrong with him? He never had a problem talking to girls before but whenever Lexi was around him, it was like his mind went completely blank.

They arrived at her apartment way too quickly and he listened to the deafening sounds of her unclicking her seatbelt. He begged and pleaded in his mind for her to ask him into her apartment but knew that was not going to happen.

“Thanks for the ride. I appreciate it.” She was getting out when he placed his hand on her arm to stop her. She looked at him with those bright blue eyes that sent shivers down his spine. He didn’t know what he was going to say but he wanted to prolong their encounter a little bit longer. He wasn’t ready to say goodbye yet.

“Uh, thank you for coming tonight. I’m glad you had a good time.”

“No thank you, we had a great time and you really played great tonight.”

Jake wasn’t going to mention the fact that he could feel her presence on the field which spurred him on to make every pass perfect and every play a gain of yards. It was a lot of pressure but every time he succeeded it took all the energy in his body not to look over at where she was standing to search for her approval. The fact that she complimented him on his level of play tonight meant the world to him.

“Thanks.” He wanted to ask her out tonight, to go to the pub with him or get frozen yogurt like she was going to or even just talk in his Jeep but he didn’t. He lost all his nerve. Instead, he let go of her arm and allowed her to get out of the car.

She waved to him and pulled her keys out of her purse to let herself into her apartment. Jake rested his head against the steering wheel. He hated that he didn’t ask her to stay. He sensed a little hesitation in her step when she was shutting the door to his jeep but he was too much of a coward to do anything about it. What it came down to was he didn’t want to get turned down by her when he was so close to winning her over. No, he would take baby steps, because right now baby steps seemed to be working toward his goal of being with Lexi Knox.

He put his Jeep in drive and was about to press the gas pedal when he heard his phone chime with a text message. He looked at the screen and saw that it was from Lexi. Quickly he opened the message and read it.

 

Lexi: Thanks again for a great night. I look forward to watching you play in your next game. Go Bears!

 

Jake felt his heart surge with happiness. He was making leeway with getting Lexi to be on his good side. Things were looking up for him even though the timing was incredibly slow. The wait was worth it. Lexi was worth the wait.

 

                                          ***

 

“I hope Lexi doesn’t hate us tomorrow.” Parker said while shoveling a spoonful of frozen yogurt into his mouth. After spending some time with him, Margo noticed that he was kind of a slob when it came to eating his food. It was also endearing, he was like a little boy who had quite the sweet tooth.

“Well at least you don’t have to deal with her when you get home. She is most likely going to have my head. Did you see the evil look she gave me when we left her there with Jake?”

Parker laughed and shook his head in agreement. “I do feel nervous for you. You have to promise to text me in the morning to let me know you’re still alive.”

Margo tried to be cool about his suggestion to contact him. She would text him anytime he wanted. Her feelings for Parker had gone past infatuation. Here feelings turned into full blown obsession now. She couldn’t get enough of Parker, she felt like a border line stalker. She kept reminding herself to cool her jets because she didn’t want to scare him away.

“I’m surprised you didn’t have a guy lined up for tonight.” Parker said with a smile.

“What are you talking about? You’re a guy.”

Parker playfully flexed his arms. “Hey look at that! I am, aren’t I? Who would have known.”

“It’s kind of hard to miss.”

Parker gave her a strange look and then started laughing. “Oh no you don’t, babe. I know what you’re trying to do. You are trying to use your feminine ways on me. Not going to work, I know your track record, you’re like the female version of Jake.”