He's The Goal

by Faith M Troyer

  Chester chirps, then meows from behind me, trying to get my attention. I jerk my head up, looking behind Max’s head to see the time, and I’m trying so hard not to look into those passionate pitfalls that he calls eyes. He can get anyone to fall under his spell with those deep pools, as blue as ocean water. I manage to see the time, and it’s 4 p.m. on the dot, Chester’s treat time. I’ve trained him well, and with enough time, I could do the same with Max.

  “There’s a bag of kitty treats near the microwave,” I say and find myself gathering my long hair to the side of one shoulder, the way I do when I get nervous.

  I can hear Monica standing up, the couch creaking a little under her weight as she does. Chester follows, and I can tell his claws need clipping as they make a clicking sound against the linoleum.

  Max remains silent as he pulls out two VIP tickets to Night Beats, a very exclusive club in Miami. They opened early last year, and Monica and I have been dying to get in, but you’ve either got to know the right people or have hella money.

  Max waves the tickets in front of me, and I instinctively reach out to grab them, but he pulls them back. My cheeks heat with confusion, and I knit my brow, wanting to slap him. A slow smile curls at the corner of his kissable mouth and slides them carefully back into his pocket.

  What does he think he’s doing? Max can’t buy me with VIP access to one of Miami's hottest clubs, or maybe he can. But I won’t tolerate defeat.

  I cock my head to one side, raising a brow in question, and tap my foot. His gaze travels to my hand, resting on one hip, and he silently chuckles. Flashing the tickets out one more time, he hands them to me and steps back with his hands raised in surrender.

  Yeah, that’s right, buddy! You better wave your white flag.

  Max

  And there it is, that aggressive attitude that I adore! But I would never let Vada know that because I would never be able to live it down. I secretly live for the sass that she throws at me.

  I watch as Vada gazes at the glossy black rectangular ticket in her hand, and she slowly smiles. Her hazel eyes peek up at me through those impossibly long lashes of hers, and my heart races; she has no idea what she does to me.

  Sure, Vada is a pain in the fucking ass sometimes. Still, I look forward to seeing her in the mornings, standing barefoot in front of the stove as she pours the thick cream-colored batter into the searing hot waffle maker, shaking her delicious ass to a song on her iPod. Vada isn't fake or doesn't pretend to be someone else to get a guy's attention. They just come to her because they love her carefree nature and beautiful face.

  I crack a smile as I watch the bubbly excitement fizz it's way to the surface, and I'm hoping she'll lean in to kiss me to show her gratitude.

  "But you need a favor, and these tickets are an exchange, aren’t they?" My heart lurches at Vada's words because, just like always, she’s called me on my shit.

  The Leopards are a professional sponsored sports team, so we're showered continuously in swag. The tickets were a gift from Night Beats. I don't go out much, and if I do, Jack and I have a few beers, but that's about it. A few days ago, Vada and Monica talked about wanting to go to Night Beats for girl's night, and I had VIP passes, and now an opportunity is presenting itself to me.

  I give Vada the tickets to get her out of the house to ensure my hot night with Bianca. Vada and Monica will have an incredible time dancing, and I get laid tonight. Simple solution.

  When Vada looks at me, question marks dance in her eyes, glowing like no vacancy signs on a deserted highway. She wants answers that I’m afraid I can’t give to her or just too scared to admit. I could be a nice guy and give her the tickets out of the kindness of my own heart. But then I remember Josie's words from five years ago.

  You're an opportunist, just like your father. You sniff out a good thing, an unexpecting woman who has no idea who you are and what you'll do to their heart, and when the time is right, you pounce. I have no respect for you anymore.

  I grit my teeth in anger as Josie’s words hit my still wounded heart like bullets.

  I sigh deeply and decide to be straight with Vada.

  Our eyes lock on each other as I press my fingers to the warm skin of her cheek. I don't know why I'm touching her, but I can't seem to pull away. Those stunning flecks of green, gold, and chocolate shimmer inside those perfect irises; they make me want to get closer to Vada and explore her deeper.

  Vada's breathing speeds up, which makes my cock pulse with need. Damn, if she pants like that now, I wonder how she’d sound when I have her underneath me.

  “Yes, there is a favor I must ask of you if I may.” I feel embarrassed for some reason.

  I don’t usually have to ask for permission for my lady friend to come over for the evening. I’ve been flying solo since I was of legal age after moving out of my dad’s house. This situation is a little awkward.

  I feel myself blushing as I rub the back of my neck, and I swear Vada is enjoying watching me squirm. She bites her bottom lip to keep from laughing as she keeps her eyes trained on me, waiting for an explanation.

  “I was wondering if I may have a female friend over for a few hours tonight,” I say quickly and all in one breath.

  I purposely leave out who I am bringing here tonight. If I told Vada that it was Bianca, she would want to castrate me without using a local anesthetic. I hate lying to her, but I also hate having sex in a sweaty locker room, where I also happen to be employed.

  This whole thing is a fucking mess, and I’m this close to just saying forget it. B will just have to live without the dick for a night. She has vibrating toys she can play with instead, and let's face it, Bianca gets the same level of emotion from an inanimate object as she does from me.

  . “Oh,” Vada says, with surprise lacing her tone.

  Vada told me that I was not allowed any female company from day one. She said no “puck bunnies,” to be exact, but Bianca isn’t technically a puck bunny. No, Bianca’s not my girlfriend, but B is more than just a groupie. It’s complicated, and I can’t explain that to Vada, not the way she’s looking at me right now; she’s like an adorable kitten that you just want to scoop up into your arms, giving her all of your undivided attention.

  My fingers fly up to my hair, and I fist the thick wavy strands in frustration.

  “Well, I can’t expect you to be celibate forever, can I?” Vada says with a trace of jealousy, leaving me surprised with many more thoughts.

  Is she upset that I’m asking to have a woman come over for some company? Were Vada’s intentions of cock blocking me because she wants— Me? Nah. That can’t be.

  Though when I touched Vada’s cheek and felt the warmth in her skin, I felt a bolt of electricity shoot through my body, and I have to wonder, did she sense anything too? I love how she makes me think, and I believe it might be worth exploring if she’ll allow me to.

  I’m back peddling now, and my mind churns with thoughts of getting closer to Vada and telling her the truth about how I feel. The truth is right there on my tongue! I want so badly to take the plunge.

  I know that I’m setting myself up for failure in the long run. I’m accepting the “man-whore” lifestyle because that’s all I think I deserve. It’s not like I can’t commit or don’t want to settle down. I do want those things, and I want them with Vada. I just have a shit-ass way of showing it.

  “Okay, she can come by,” Vada finally declares. “Just please make sure to clean up after yourselves, and please don’t be shagging her in the living room when I come through the door later.”

  I want to say something. I want to tell Vada just to forget my asking about having company, and Vada’s the one I want in my bed next to me. But that will only open a whole new jar of worms, and neither one of us wants that. Damn.

  What am I doing?

  Vada

  My phone rings from across the room as it sits inside of my backpack, playing “Sharp Dressed Man” by ZZ Top, and I know it’s Jack. I haven’t talked to my brother i
n a few days, and I miss hearing his voice, but a particular blue-eyed pain currently has my attention, and I can’t pull away. My phone rings one more time, and I let it go to voicemail.

  The way Max looks at me is surreal. I don’t see any irritants or annoyance of any kind. Those gorgeous ocean blues are soft and sweet, looking almost boyish, and my stomach fills with butterflies. But I know how he is and his track record with the ladies. I can’t believe he’s tempting me with VIP tickets to a stupid club. I feel cheap.

  I sigh and take one more look at the tickets. Somewhere in my heart tells me that I’m not for Maxwell Vahn. He’s wild and is not willing to settle down at any point.

  I watched my dad crush my mom’s heart after vowing her heart and soul to him. I know my dad and Max aren’t the same people, and I can’t help but want to be close to Max. I find him attractive in more than just a physical way, and it scares me. I want him all to myself, but knowing the past with all of those women, I don’t know if I can ever fully trust him not to fall back into his old ways and stray.

  I straighten my shoulders and sober my expression. I can't let Max see me upset because he might ask me what’s wrong, and I’m not sure if I can trust myself enough not to let all of the things I’m feeling and thinking tumble out of my mouth. I’m jealous of Bianca and the alone time she’ll be spending with max.

  “Monica’s going to freak when she finds out,” I say, trying to keep my smile full of charisma and happiness, but if Max could take a look on the inside at just how shitty I’m feeling right now, I’m scared of how he’d react if he knew.

  I swear Max’s eyes haven’t left me since we began this conversation fifteen minutes ago, and I can sense Monica hovering around the corner.

  “Come on,” I say, faking annoyance when I’m smiling.

  Monica has kept me from going insane on many occasions, so I’m happy she’s here to keep me distracted. I look over my shoulder to see her green eyes go wide as saucers, feigning innocence as her hand softly touches her chest, mouthing, Oh, me? She holds onto Chester with her other arm, back to cradling him like a baby. A slow grin spreads across her full mouth.

  I flash the tickets in Monica’s line of vision, and she lets out a chorus of loud screeches before jumping up and down like some deranged bunny rabbit. Chester meows and pushes his way off her arms and darts across the room. I laugh as Monica comes charging at me and throws her long arms around my neck.

  “Thank you, Vada! Oh, my God! We’re going to Night Beats! Like, we’re going?!”

  “Yes, we’re going, and don’t thank me, Max is giving us the tickets!” I say and bring my eyes up to meet him again, and I swear they’re still just as soft and sweet as they were thirty seconds ago. As Monica celebrates at my side, my heart hammers hard against my ribcage and tells me things have officially changed.

  What is this man doing to me?

  Max

  "It's officially a go, B. Vada said you could stop by the house tonight," I say as I close the door behind me to my bedroom.

  I conveniently leave out the part about not mentioning my new roommate, who this “lady friend” actually is, but we won't worry about that. Bianca squeals with delight, but I don't grin. I can't smile for some reason.

  Wait! Who am I kidding? It's because she happens to be down the hall, getting ready to go out with her best friend for a night out on the town. My mind runs with the possibility that Vada will meet some guy, doing who the hell knows for the rest of the night.

  Then I kick myself for being a filthy hypocrite. I feel like trash. I can't worry about what Vada's doing. I'm a bachelor, damn it, and I like living this way. No responsibilities to a wife or girlfriend; I'm happy just like this.

  So why do I feel like something is missing?

  "Okay, let me get my things together,” Bianca exclaims quickly over the phone. “And I'll be over soon,"

  Before I can tell Bianca to wait until I say the coast is clear, she hangs up, and the line goes dead.

  Shit! I jab the red end call button on the screen and lay back on the bed, listening to the springs creak and groan under my weight. Outside of the door, a pop song plays on the radio, and the sweet sounds of Vada's laugh fill the space, and I find myself smiling.

  Vada makes me smile, even though I would never admit it. When I first met Vada five years ago, I thought she was a prude. She was so buttoned up and acted as though I repulsed her, which I guess I did. Jack didn't have to tell her about my reputation with the ladies. All she had to do was search my ass on the internet, and there I was, on the arm of just about every beautiful woman in Miami.

  It was no secret that I liked sex, and the women I usually slept with were puck-bunnies, and Vada decided then and there that I was too much of a pig for her virginal standards. My phone chimes one more time with an incoming text, and I sit up, typing in my pin when I see the text is from Bianca.

  Good. I'll tell her not to come until I say, or Vada will flip shit for sure.

  Hey handsome, I can't wait until tonight. I think I'll wear this little ensemble underneath my clothes. You better buckle up, sexy man, because this is going to be a very long night.

  I blink a few times before the picture on my phone makes sense, and my jaw gapes open in shock. Bianca has sent me a photo of her sitting on the sizable queen-sized bed, crossing those impossibly long legs as she dangles a red pump from her toes, and she smiles playfully at the camera. Her blonde hair is swept over one tan shoulder as she peeks out at me through her soft bangs. She's wearing the lingerie I bought her last year.

  I lick my lips when I see her full breasts spilling out from her pink lace bra. Another text comes in, then another and another, making my phone explode with loud chimes, and I inwardly groan in horror. They finally come to a stop, and I plaster my hand over my face but find myself peeking through the open slits of my fingers so I can view the images.

  In this photo, Bianca's standing near her four-poster bed. All of her thick blonde hair pulled into a messy bun on the top of her head. All I can see is Bianca's profile, which allows me to take in the soft planes of her cheekbones and the full slope of her pink, glossy lips. The white canopy plays well against her tan, naked skin of her back and shoulders, and I swallow hard as my eyes drop down to her cotton candy pink lace thong, which hugs every inch of her tight ass.

  I swallow hard and scroll up to find another.

  This time she's laying flat on her back, no bra this time, but has her hair placed perfectly over pert, pink nipples. Bianca's smooth legs are crossed over one another as she puts her head to the side, smiling shyly as her arms are stretched high above her head.

  My mouth is dry as one more text comes in.

  I breathe deeply and shut my phone screen off as I stand. I take a deep breath, and I can feel my cock hardening as I try to adjust myself. I could ask Bianca to be my girlfriend. She's been hinting that she wants to take things to the next level for a long time, but I'm content with being just friends with benefits. Though I'll be twenty-nine soon, and the thought of still being a bachelor going into my thirties doesn't exactly sit well with me, I don't want to make promises to Bianca that I know I won't be able to keep. I'm simply not in love with her.

  There is a woman out there for me somewhere; my perfect match is waiting for me, and I think she might just be my new roommate.

  I keep to myself for another hour, but I'm bored out of my mind. I'm not a prisoner of this house; I can leave the bedroom, plus I need to get ready for when B gets here. But I know why I'm not going— I know if I run into Vada, she'll be all made up and looking a thousand times more beautiful than usual, and there'd be no way I could hide my boner.

  If Vada knew she made me hard as a rock, I'd probably gross her out, and she'd ask me to leave. I sigh deeply and pat my jean-clad crotch. You stay in your lane tonight, got me?

  Squaring my shoulders, I stand up and head for the door, opening it wide. As I walk past the bathroom, I see the light is off and the radio too, but tons of ma
keup, cans of hairspray, and two curling irons sit abandoned on the Formica countertop.

  I take a step inside and shrug. I'm going to make the best of tonight. I have a gorgeous woman coming over tonight, and we haven't got to have any alone time in an actual dwelling space since I left the condo. I shut the door behind me, flicking the lights on and going to work on fixing my hair, adding a little gel to my thick dark mane. I freshen up a little too, of course, reapplying more deodorant and cologne.

  Reaching for the mouthwash, a sudden eruption of female laughter sounds from the hallway, telling me the girls are in the kitchen. I stop in my room for a change of clothes and decide on a simple black t-shirt and dark wash denim jeans.

  I make my way there, and I stop dead in my tracks when I see Vada.

  She turns to look at me, and oh my God. I never saw her look so fucking edible in my entire life, and I swear, if my cock could explode right now from sexual frustration, it would. Vada’s hazel eyes shine with a shimmery mahogany color; coal-black, winged eyeliner makes her deep-set eyes pop that much more, and her lashes are even more impossibly dark and thick with mascara.

  I think she has blush on, or perhaps that she is blushing, and I want nothing more than to pull her in for a long, passionate kiss. But I'd ruin her perfect red lips, glossy and full in the process. I'm not big on a full face of makeup; I’m a fan of natural beauty for sure, but it's surreal to see Vada all made up like this, and I love it.

  I don't think my heart has ever pounded so hard having Vada in my presence.

  Then a surge of mad jealousy rips through my veins like a fucking wildfire. I can see it now. Some asshole is going to think Vada's up for grabs and try to get into her pants. But I know Vada, and she won't bring some dickhead home that she just met and fuck him.