His room was nothing extravagant, yet Alex gazed upon his walls and shelves as though she were in the home of some celebrity. Wide-eyed and smiling, she asked curiously about his knick-knacks and pictures of his family. Thankfully, she seemed to overlook the pictures of him and Nathan.
Other than their intrusion, the house was silent, occasional clocks ticking from different areas of the home. The tour of the house left Alex silent until they reached Bishop’s room.
“This is amazing. So many memories all neatly displayed.”
“It’s okay. Just a place to sleep.”
She turned to him from his wall of awards and high school honors. “You grew up in here. There’s so much history of you all right here…and you’ve let me in.”
Taking in her comment, Bishop couldn’t help but imagine her waking up with him in his room. “I’m ready for new history, Alex.”
“New…new history?”
“Yeah. I’m ready to start something new. Something happy.” He watched her walk cautiously to him, sporting a half-cocked smile.
“Okay.” She leaned closer, her breath on the side of his face had his blood coursing. “Race you to the pool.” And with that she darted from the room and out the door.
“Alex, the pool is this way.” Bishop remained in his doorway as she ran by again down the hall and to the stairs. Slowly he followed her in the dark house through the kitchen and to the patio.
At the poolside, they stood motionless momentarily, just staring at the still water and all the lights reflecting on it.
“Look at that. No bathing suit.” Alex shrugged as she turned to him.
Instantly he removed his t-shirt over his head and tossed it aside. Kicking his loafers off, he inhaled and took his jeans off too. His gaze was heavy on hers as he watched her examining his trunk and the rest of his body as he stood in nothing but boxer-shorts.
“Nice.” She smiled as her gaze finally met his.
“Could be better. My six-pack is now a four-pack.”
“I prefer four…you’re perfect.” She stepped closer, her warm hands on either side of his waist had his heartrate accelerating as she kissed him.
“Your turn, Milady.” And then he was falling sideways into the water.
Completely submerged, he smiled knowing he should have anticipated the action—Alex shoved him in prior to her disrobing.
As he surfaced and wiped his eyes, he was pleased to find her removing her jeans. He remained silent as she removed her top as well. She was perfect. Her olive skin in the moonlight contrasted against her long brown hair. Her eyes were the bluest he’d seen in the ambiance of the pool’s water and the natural light outdoors. Her tone physique and beautifully-crafted face left Bishop at a loss for words as she cautiously made her way to the water, touching it shyly with her toe.
“What dude? You’re staring.” She smiled as she pushed her hair behind her left ear.
“Um…your underwear don’t match. Blue panties and white bra.”
“And your underwear have SpongeBob on them so…”
“Because it’s the best day ever!”
“Oh my god. You and Tyson should have been brothers.”
Instantly she was looking at him, something serious rather than playful, as if she regretted saying what she’d said. Bishop thought more of her own reaction to the comment than the comment itself.
“Maybe I’ll get to meet him sometime. He sounds like a solid guy.”
Alex’s expression changed as her gaze bounced about the water. Rather than diving in, she sat poolside, a look similar to despair on her face as her feet went into the water.
“Alex, what’s the matter? Too soon? Not like I was saying I wanted to meet him tomorrow or anything—”
“I think I should go, Bishop.”
Her statement had him moving toward her. “What? No. Why would you leave? We can put our clothes on. What’s wrong?”
“I just…It’s all fucked. I’ve fucked everything up and I don’t know how to fix it. So I think I should just walk away before I get too deep.”
“Too deep? You haven’t even gotten in yet. You’re still chillin’ on the side. How could you have messed it up?” Looking to her, he looked up to her as she continued to sit near the water. He smiled as he kissed her knee. “If you wanna go you can. But I really want you to stay.”
“Truth or dare, Bishop?”
The fierce look of intensity had Bishop wondering what the hell was going on in her pretty head.
“Truth, Alex.”
“Could you…could you forgive someone for a mistake. Could…could you forgive somebody for making a huge mistake if they never meant to hurt you?”
With this, Bishop was at a loss for words. There’s nothing. She’s done nothing. Seeing her so distraught had Bishop wanting to change the scene all together. “You. You stole my Snickers off of my dresser, didn’t you? I forgive you but you’re getting dunked.” He grabbed her arm, pulling him into the water with him.
“Bishop!” She emerged. He was glad to see her smiling.
As he pulled her closer he kissed her wet forehead. “There’s nothing you could have done that would make me want you to leave. Please don’t go, Alex.”
“I need to tell you something, Bishop.”
“Then tell me.” Wrapping his arms around her, holding her close, he pressed his lips to hers prior to any chance at a proclamation. The tension in her body eased as she worked her way into his kiss. He felt her hands exploring his back and shoulders. The heated moment continued as the two embraced in the cool water.
“I need….I need to text Tyson.” Gently, she pushed away and hoisted herself from the pool. “Come sit over here with me.” She motioned to the patio furniture as she fished for her phone in her jeans.
“Yeah. I think it’d be good if I stay in here just for a bit.” Bishop smiled sarcastically, his gaze pointing southward to his waistline.
“Oh. Gotcha.”
He watched her text something on her phone and was disheartened by her sudden mood change. “Alex. I could…I would.”
“Would what?” She didn’t look to him as she continued texting.
“I would forgive someone for whatever mistake. Especially if she was hilarious, intelligent, beautiful and soaking wet in my backyard.”
He watched her place her phone down as she turned to him, smiling.
“What the heck is going on here?” Constance and Monica appeared through the backdoor. “Who are you, young lady?”
“Mom!” Bishop emerged from the pool, covering his crotch and looking for a towel.
“Bishop, I didn’t see you there, Son.”
“I’m so sorry. I’m Alex.” As Alex presented her hand, Bishop was relieved to find his mother smiling and accepting the handshake, regardless the awkward circumstances.
“I’m assuming Bishop talked you into a late night swim despite your lack of swimwear?”
“Yes ma’am.” Alex appeared nervous as she stood in front of the two older women.
“Bishop, what is your excuse? You have at least four pairs of high quality trunks, yet you’re out here in your underwear like a hoodlum?”
“Hey now, Mom. At least we weren’t skinny dipping.”
“Indeed, Son. I’ll get you two some towels.”
Constance and Monica went indoors, Bishop walked to Alex, smiling and reaching for her.
“Holy shit, Bishop. Embarrassing. Your mom is going to hate me.”
“Nah. You’re good. We’re good. I promise, everything is good.”