Blue Love

by Mj Fields

  “Please don’t,” she said.

  “Okay Tessa sorry,” he said looking confused, “I need to know what is wrong.”

  You are wrong you asshole, you and your games, “I have my period and don’t feel well,” Tessa said trying to make him uncomfortable enough to walk away.

  “Oh,” Luke said as his eyes widened, “Okay. Do you get like this usually, I mean is this normal?” he asked very confused.

  Now she was getting pissed, “No,” she snapped.

  He tried not to laugh, “Okay.”

  “Hey Luke come up for dinner, Tessa put a roast in the crock pot big enough to feed an army,” Alex offered.

  Are you kidding me she thought? “Sounds good,” Luke said, “You alright with that Tessa?”

  “I am probably just going to bed anyway but you’re more than welcome Bud,” she said through clenched teeth.

  “Ride with me?” he asked.

  “I would rather not move,” Tessa said looking down.

  “Alright,” he smirked and walked to his car.

  “Tessa what’s going on with you?” Alex asked.

  “I have my period,” she said knowing that would freak him out.

  Alex shook his head “Gross”.

  ~

  They pulled in the driveway and Luke followed them in. Tessa walked in the door and Chewy bounded up to her and pounced on her. She scooped him up and pet him. Luke walked in and Chewy started going nuts, she set him down and he ran to Luke, “Daddy’s home hu boy,” he said and winked at Tessa as he picked him up.

  “Traitor,” Tessa said.

  Tessa checked the roast and it was falling apart. Kendall, Jake, and John walked in the door wrapped in towels. “Did you tell Luke about the hot tub?” she asked.

  “Nope I forgot,” she said.

  “That’s cool,” Luke said as he messed up Kendall’s hair.

  “Ya Luke likes hot tubs don’t you?” she asked snidely.

  He looked at her and shook his head. She was plating the food and he walked over to help, “Sorry baby,” he whispered, “We do need to talk about that sometime.”

  “Please spare me the details, I can do without them,” she said annoyed.

  They sat and ate and he watched as she pushed around the food on her plate, he knew something was wrong. She emptied her food in the garbage and went to lie on the couch.

  “What’s wrong with Tessa?” John asked.

  “She has her period,” Alex answered.

  “Does she always act like this when that happens,” Luke asked looking scared.

  “No,” Alex and John said at the same time.

  When dinner was finished Luke helped clean up. He washed dishes and Kendall and Jake helped rinse and dry. They told him how good Chewy was doing with the invisible fence training and they laughed as they told him that he was no good at fetch, “Well I would love to help him with that, our last game is tomorrow, after that I will have some extra time until basketball starts,” Luke offered.

  He came and bent down and kissed her cheek, she was acting like she was asleep. “Goodnight baby, I love you,” he whispered in her ear. He said goodnight to everyone and thanked them for dinner, Chewy barked when he left.

  Her phone chimed and she did not smile

  -Day 7 without Tessa Ross has been odd. I don’t understand women things but I am here anytime you need me. Just like you have been for me…LYA Luke

  ~

  She got up and walked into the bathroom and got ready for bed, “Tessa you okay?” John asked, it wasn’t like her to act like this.

  Tessa kissed John on the head and walked up the stairs. She was emotionally drained and the thought of going through this again tomorrow brought her to tears. Her phone chimed again, this time it was Toby.

  -Hello angel, I had this sudden urge to say hello lots of studying and tons of thinking of you, I hope all is well…Toby

  -things are alright. I miss you, when will you be home again?...Tessa

  - Thanksgiving, not soon enough and a very short stay…Toby

  -UUGGHH I can’t wait…Tessa

  -Sorry angel…Toby

  - not your fault, proud of you!...Tessa

  -Thanks girl, gotta go…Toby

  -Goodnight ..Tessa

  She fell asleep thinking of Toby, hoping he was for real because that’s the kind of man she wanted. Not someone who liked playing games. Not someone she desperately wished could be who he said he was.

  Tessa didn’t go to school in the morning, she would go after lunch, that way she could avoid him.

  -very worried about you baby, tell me your ok…LYA Luke

  - I’m ok I will come in after lunch so I don’t have to miss the game,…Your Bud Tessa

  -Ok see you then…LYA Luke

  ~

  Tessa went to school and practice, after practice Luke was waiting for her. “I know you don’t feel well but I need a hug or kiss, I am a ball of nerves right now, I want SU to pick me, I want to be close to you Tessa,” Luke said softly.

  Selfish ass Tessa thought and hugged him and he wrapped his arms around her tightly. He kissed her head and she wanted to fall apart right there. Luke lifted her chin and lightly kissed her lips and buried his head into her neck. She knew this was the last time she would be hugging him. I am going to leave him wanting more she pulled back and he looked at her, she kissed him and he relaxed, he pulled her bottom lip and she willingly let him in. It was a gentle exploration by him, she did not reciprocate.

  “There he is,” they heard little voices yell.

  Luke looked at her and smiled, “Time to meet the family,” he turned around and knelt down, they jumped in his arms. He hugged them tightly and smiled, “I missed you two very much,” he set them down.

  “Lucas is this your Princess?” Ally asked.

  “One of the three,” he said and smiled.

  Or four or 13 she thought.

  She smiled at them, “Hello Ally and Alexandra, I am Tessa,” she said and smiled at them extending her hand. They both laughed and hugged her.

  “She is beautiful,” Alexandra said.

  “And you both are too and very sweet,” Tessa said laughing.

  “Where’s the doggy that’s always with you?” Ally asked. Tessa looked confused.

  Luke laughed, “Chewy is at her house, he doesn’t go to school yet, he is far too young,” he said and smiled.

  He looked so happy, innocently happy. She loved this Luke, the one without walls or that dirty mind racing. She started feeling that knot in her throat.

  “Tessa this is my father Landon and my step mother Audrianna,” he said and she looked up. He looked like she imagined Luke would in twenty years, very handsome, tall with dark very clean cut hair and amazing green eyes. And Audrianna was beautiful, grey eyes, medium height and blonde straight hair.

  “Pleasure to meet you,” Tessa smiled. His father looked her up and down, making her feel like she was being judged at the county fair.

  “It’s wonderful to meet you Tessa,” Audri said and hugged her. “It’s nice to put a face to the name of the girl who has made Lucas so happy.”

  “Thank you,” she managed to smile, yes she has for now but after tonight she was done faking for him.

  “She is beautiful Lucas,” Landon said smiling, “Good job son, would you like to join us for a small dinner before the game Tessa?”

  “No thank you sir,” Tessa said softly. Landon looked annoyed.

  “Tessa hasn’t been feeling well for the past couple days, she just got done with hockey practice, she should probably go home and rest before the game. You are coming to the game right baby?” Luke asked sweetly.

  Big girl pants Tessa she thought, “I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” she said and smiled at him.

  “She’s not pregnant is she Lucas,” Landon asked bluntly. Tessa’s eyes widened and she looked down.

  “Dad,” he said and gave him a nasty look, “quite the opposite,” he whispered.

  Holy
shit Tessa thought, he just told his father I have my period.

  “Okay you three we have managed to make Tessa uncomfortable in less than five minutes, let’s get in the car and wait for Lucas,” she hugged Tessa, “I am so sorry for that, he can be such an ass,” she whispered in her ear.

  Tessa laughed and smiled at her, “No need to apologize.”

  “I want you to know he loves you and I see him finally, he hasn’t had the best role models, thank you,” Audrianna kissed her cheek and took the girls’ hands.

  “Well hello Landon, Audrianna, girls” Sadi said approaching them, “I see you’ve met the farm girl,” she said and laughed, “No offense Tessa.”

  “None taken Sadi,” Tessa sneered.

  “Sadi, you look beautiful,” Landon beamed.

  “And you Mr. Links are hot as hell, as always” they laughed and grinned at each other.

  Luke looked at Audrianna and narrowed his eyes. “Let’s go girls,” she smiled.

  “She isn’t a princess Tessa,” Ally whispered to Tessa.

  Tessa bent down to hug her, “She’s a nasty old troll,” she said and made a nasty troll face.

  Both girls laughed and hugged her. “Will you bring the doggy tonight?” Ally sweetly asked.

  “I don’t know he may be very busy doing doggy stuff, but I will certainly ask him,” she said and smiled.

  Luke watched her with them, and smiled. “Don’t be long Lucas, girls let’s go, nice to meet you Tessa,” Landon said as he turned and walked towards the car.

  “Sorry about that baby,” Luke said and hugged her, “the girls love you almost as much as I do,” she didn’t respond. He looked at her “I hope you feel better soon, can we get together after the game?”

  “Maybe, if you win,” she said and smiled at him.

  “She smiles thank God,” Luke said and kissed her. His father honked the horn breaking up the kiss.

  “See you tonight,” he reached in his bag and grabbed his away Jersey, he handed it to her, “Tessa will you wear this tonight?” he smiled.

  Hell no, she thought. “Sure Luke, anything for you,” she smiled. He kissed her again and walked away.

  Damn it she thought, why I feel like I have to walk on egg shells for this dick! Only a few more hours she told herself.

  ~

  “We ready Tessa?” Alex asked.

  “Yep, sorry Alex,” she said.

  Alex drove home and Tessa texted the girls.

  -Girls night tomorrow, or day, or weekend?..Tessa

  -sure, Phoebe and I are in…Becca

  -Sounds good everything alright Tessa?!?!? …Jade

  -perfect everything is perfect, just thought we needed it, try out the new hot tub…Tessa

  Tessa got Alex dinner, a few eggs, some spinach, and toast. Alex thanked her. She took Chewy out and he ran to his favorite spot by the trees and took care of business. She got ready for the game. So Sadi is beautiful is she Landon Links, well she has got nothing on me! Tessa did her hair and applied make up, she hoped she did it right. She put on a pair of jeans and a tight tank top, she put his jersey on over it, she tied the back in a hair tie so that it would cling to her curves. She checked herself out in the mirror she looked hot, and she knew it. Her hair was all waves and very full and her makeup natural but her eyed popped.

  Tessa brushed Chewy and sprayed him with doggy perfume. Alex had already left, she rode with her dad. The kids would meet them with their Mom, it was her weekend. Tessa would go to her place after the game, but just for the night. She needed the girls.

  ~

  Tessa brought a chair to sit on the lawn so that no one would be tripped up by the ball of fur. She had called the pet store and found out how much each item had cost to pay Luke back and put the money in an envelope with a note thanking him for the gift but it didn’t feel right accepting it under the current circumstances.

  The game was awesome. Another shut out by the boys in blue. Jake grabbed Chewy’s leash and headed for the field at the end of the game. Jake dropped the leash and the little fuzz ball took off through the crowd. Tessa jumped up and tried to help Jake and Kendall catch him. The little traitor had run right to Luke, and was pulling at his laces when Tessa finally saw him. Luke’s sisters were all over Chewy laughing as he licked their faces.

  “Sorry about that,” Tessa said laughing, “I think he was excited to meet you both, I told him all about the two pretty princesses.”

  “That was an awesome game boys,” the man with the SU jacket said and he shook Alex, Tommy and Luke’s hands, “how long have you three played together?” he asked.

  “Tommy and I have played together all through high school, our schools merged, and we started playing with Alex this fall. Alex this is your first year playing right?” he asked. Alex shook his head yes, “Unbelievable right?” Luke said to the scout.

  “None of you play like high school students. You boys are amazing,” he said, “Mr. Links, thank you for the call. By the way how are your grades?” he asked.

  Again Luke spoke, “All national honor society, but Alex is second in our class so far, until I beat him that is,” he said smiling.

  “Amazing, so you play basketball?” he asked, all three shook their heads, “Don’t go getting injured. You’ll be hearing from me soon,” and he walked away.

  Tessa hugged Alex and he spun her around. John and Maggie were there and the kids. Next to them was Luke’s family. “Alex is it?” Landon said. “You did great, how you know Tessa?” he asked with a slight scowl.

  “She is my sister sir,” Alex answered.

  “Oh ok,” Landon smiled.

  “Thank you for getting him here,” Alex said nodding to the SU recruiter walking away.

  “No problem,” Landon said.

  Luke was staring at Tessa about to burst, she leaned towards him, “Good game rock star.” He picked her up and kissed her. “My parents,” Tessa said.

  “Oh, sorry Tessa,” Luke put her down and kept her hand in his.

  “Dad, Audrianna, this is John and Maggie Ross, Tessa and Alex’s parents, this is Kendall and Jake and Molly isn’t here, they are Tessa’s family. This is my father Landon, step mother Audrianna, and these two are Princesses Ally and Alexandra.”

  Luke’s sisters smiled, “How do you do?” and curtsied.

  “Very well thank you,” Kendall curtsied and laughed.

  They stayed and chatted for a few minutes. As they talked and the kids played with the dog Luke pulled Tessa to the side away from the crowd of chatting family, “Hey what are you doing tonight?” he asked as his eyes danced around her.

  “Not that,” she said.

  “Tessa, you’re not wearing a bra,” he said smiling and pulled her into him, “and damn you feel good,” he said as he ran his fingers up and down her back.

  He felt so good against her, she was going to miss this, take it while you can she thought, and leave him wanting more. She wrapped her arms around him and finally relaxed. She closed her eyes and held on tight. Luke kissed her head and Tessa looked up at him and kissed him. She was lost in a very soft and sweet kiss when she heard her mother clear her voice. Tessa turned and all of them where looking at Luke and Tessa. Audrianna was smiling; Landon had a shit ass grin on his face. Tessa’s parents on the other hand were not impressed.

  “Tessa you’re staying with me tonight still correct?” Maggie asked. Tessa shook her head yes. “The kids, the dog, and I will be waiting in the car. Nice to meet you all,” she said nodding to Luke’s family and walked away.

  Tessa looked at him and smiled, his head was down and he was looking up at her through those dark lashes, trying not to laugh. He was so damn beautiful; she took the hair tie from the back of his Jersey, and smiled as she had planned in her head. “You have another one of these besides the one you have on?” she asked as seductively as she knew how. He shook his head yes, “You should give them to your little princesses, armor for what lies ahead in the years to come, from all the boys that may try t
o break their hearts.”

  She lifted the shirt over her head slowly, his heart was beating out of his chest, his eyes widened, he saw how her body had responded to his hug and his jaw dropped slightly. Tessa walked it over to him and kissed his cheek. “Be good to them, family is always there Luke, teach them that okay?” she whispered in his ear. “Do you think your dad will be as impressed with these as he seemed to be with Sadi?” she asked.

  “Tessa,” he said in a deep husky voice, “Baby you are gorgeous, and he is just an ass.”

  She kissed his lips lightly, “Teach him how not to be, show him your heart Luke, I have to go.” She turned towards his family. “Nice seeing you all, I have to go,” she said and picked up Chewy’s leash and walked away. She was gathering her stuff and saw the letter she had meant to give to Luke, “Damn it,” she said.

  “Tessa let me help you with your things,” Luke said as he rolled up the blanket. He saw the letter sitting on her chair with his name on it, “For me?” he asked smiling.

  “Yes but open it tomorrow after they leave, promise?” Tessa asked seriously, he looked confused.

  “Please,” she said and forced a smile on her face.

  “I promise Tessa,” he took her chair that she had bagged up and swung it over his shoulder and grabbed the bag full of blankets and chew toys and carried them to the car holding her other hand.

  “See you tomorrow,” Luke said as he put her things in the car.

  Tessa got in and shut the door; “Please go Momma” she said and started to feel the burning in her eyes.

  ~

  They went to her Mom’s little apartment and Tessa went in to the small room and crashed on the bottom bunk. She cried quietly as she fell asleep, with Chewy curled up beside her. Her mom and the kids left her alone.

  ~

  Luke’s family stayed with him, the girls swam in the heated pool and he sat and talked to Audrianna while his dad was on his computer.

  “Hey does Leah watch the girls a lot,” he asked.

  “Only once a week when they see your Dad why?” Audrianna asked.

  Luke told her about last year at the lake party and that he had apologized. Then he told her all about what had happened Wednesday night. “No way” she said shocked. “And you turned her down Lucas?” He shook his head yes and rolled his eyes. “Well maybe there is a God, my little raging hormone Lucas may be growing up,” she laughed, “Could you teach your Dad that trick?” they laughed.