Love On The Rebound: A Basketball Romance

by Julia Bevan

  “How about the Great Hall!” I say excitedly. I’m so proud of myself for remembering a room from Harry Potter that I feel like I could almost explode.

  “The Great Hall?” TJ replies. “And why would you pick that?”

  Well, the truth was it was the only Harry Potter room I could think of on the spot. However, I know I need to come up with a better answer than that.

  “Don’t you think it would be cool to do it right in the middle of that giant hall? Plus, couldn’t you make the roof change to reflect the seasons?”

  “Yeah, that does sound cool,” agrees TJ.

  “It kind of fits in with another one of my fantasies, which is to do the nasty right in the middle of a football stadium on the fifty-yard line.”

  TJ arches an eyebrow at that.

  “Would there be fans in the stands too?” he asks.

  I nod in the affirmative.

  “You bet, they’d be watching. They could even do the wave!” I laugh at the image I’ve created before I suddenly grow a little concerned. Have I revealed too much too soon? I look at TJ, who takes his eyes off the road for an instant to give me a little wink.

  “Wow, looks like I have a live one on my hands,” he states with a grin. “I like your imagination.”

  Phew! The last thing I wanted to do was scare him off. I decide to change the subject.

  “So, where exactly are you taking me?” I ask.

  “It’s not a question of where I’m taking you, because we’re here.”

  I look up and watch as TJ pulls the car into … the mall?

  “You’re taking me to the mall?” I ask.

  “Well, not just the mall, but one particular store in the mall.”

  I’m a little bit skeptical, but I decide to play along.

  “I hope you’re not planning on buying me an engagement ring. Up until now, you haven’t struck me as the needy type, but ring shopping on a first date would definitely send up the warning flares.”

  TJ laughs at that.

  “No wedding rings, you don’t have to worry about that. If you’re curious, I decided to base this date on my past. Don’t forget, I grew up in Portland. When I was a teenager, I used to bring my dates to the mall all the time.”

  “Ok, but, just so you know, I don’t want to make out in the food court either.”

  “They’ll be no making out in the food court,” TJ assures me as he opens the car door for me. Man, a gal could really get used to being treated like this. Once again, he puts his arm around my shoulder, and we make our way to the mall.

  “Here’s a question for you. Let’s say we got serious. Not wedding band serious, but serious. Would you still open the car door for me?”

  “I’ll open the car door for you, April, as long as you wish, that’s a promise,” he whispers in my ear. His breath is so warm, it actually hits a sensitive part of my earlobe that makes me swoon a little. Then, to my delight, he plants a small kiss on my cheek. I turn to look at him, but all I can see is his handsome face and those luscious lips of his. He’s still holding me close. I’m not entirely sure what I want to do.

  “You’re being a little forward, Mr. Cunningham,” I say to him coyly.

  “I intend to be a little more forward, Ms. Rose,” he replies as our lips finally meet. It’s not the longest kiss in the world, but it’s absolutely divine. And then, just as suddenly as it starts, it’s over. We just stare at each other for a moment. Him with a wolfish grin, me with what feels like a flushed face. In fact, it’s not only my face that is feeling flushed.

  “I feel like I could do that all night,” TJ informs me. “But, if you don’t want to make out in the food court, I’m guessing that goes double for the parking lot.”

  I run my tongue over my lips in an effort to taste him again as I nod my head. Frankly, maybe I do want to make out in the food court, or the parking lot. My mind is a little dizzy at the moment, and I’m not entirely sure which way is up. Thankfully, TJ is here to take me by the hand and lead me.

  “Come on, we have a task to accomplish.”

  I manage to gain my composure as TJ leads me through the labyrinth of stores that makes up the mall. I’m so curious as to where he might be taking me. Where could it be? And then, suddenly, we’re there.

  “Build-A-Bear?” I ask.

  TJ nods his head in the affirmative.

  “I thought it would be fun. I kind of want to make a bear of my own for Rose’s parties. You seemed to strike me as being a little envious of Brown Bear when you met him. Now you can have a bear of your own. Don’t worry about the cost, it’s on me.”

  I can’t help but giggle a little. On all of the dates I’ve been on no man has ever taken me to a Build-A-Bear store. It’s perfect. Plus, it might help me bond with TJ’s daughter, should that day ever come. We enter the nearly empty store (it is late and getting close to closing time) and TJ leads me to a wall where I need to select a bear. There are so many to choose from.

  “You’ll notice they have Paw Patrol dogs too, it’s not just limited to bears,” he points out. Sure enough, I spy Rubble and the gang towards the end of the wall.

  “As much as I love Paw Patrol, I feel like I should get an old-fashioned bear if I’m going to go for the quintessential Build-A-Bear experience.” I select a classic bear with light brown bear fur which looks particularly cuddly. TJ gets a similar bear, except his seems to be some kind of polar bear.

  “Hey, aren’t you TJ Cunningham?” asks a man out of the blue. We both turn to look at this stranger and are greeted by the enthusiastic look of a young dad with his even younger daughter.

  “That’s me,” replies TJ with a smile. The man shakes his head in astonishment.

  “Well, imagine that. I came in here to make my daughter’s day, and instead, I get my day made. I was your biggest fan when you were in college, but I guess you hear that all the time.”

  “That’s OK, you can never hear that enough. I appreciate it.”

  “I hope the Pumas have the brains to keep you on the team. I’d love to cheer you on again from the stands if I could.”

  “Well, believe me, I’d love that too,” replies TJ as he goes to shake the man’s hand. “Thank you for the support.”

  “Do you mind if I take a selfie with you?” he asks.

  TJ smiles knowingly.

  “Not at all, selfie’s are all the rage, aren’t they?”

  “I actually never take them, but no one would believe that I ran into TJ Cunningham in a Build-A-Bear.”

  TJ smiles as the man takes the selfie. He looks like he’s on top of the world.

  “Wow, thank a lot. I’ll leave you alone now. I can see that you’re on some kind of date.” The young dad looks me over briefly before turning back to TJ. “Wow, she’s gorgeous, good job man. Come on, Peanut, we have to go!”

  The man’s daughter comes scampering up with her bear in tow. Before they leave though, the man gives TJ a little punch on the arm.

  “Good luck.”

  “Thanks.”

  TJ appears to be a little embarrassed by the attention, but I bet he enjoyed it too. Who wouldn’t want themselves validated as being awesome when you’re on a date?

  “You’ve got quite the fan club,” I smirk.

  “You know, if I do make the team and we become a thing, the spotlight is going to come down on you a bit. Portland’s not a big town. Are you prepared for that?”

  “Let’s take it one step at a time. First, let’s finish our bears.”

  The actual bear-making process is relatively straightforward. The bear gets stuffed, and you get to choose what kind of noisemaker to put in him. I choose “I Love You” while TJ chooses your basic bear growl, which I kind of like. We then choose our bear costumes, and TJ picks out a Puma basketball uniform (“I think it will be good luck,” he says) whereas I dress mine like a bear cheerleader. I give my soft little bear a hug, and it replies with an “I love you.” I love it.

  “You know what’s funny? Rose nearly pick
ed the same outfit you did,” notes TJ. However, he then looks away like he’s a little embarrassed. I think I know what this is about. I put my hand on his arm to reassure him.

  “It’s OK, you can talk about your daughter around me.”

  TJ looks at me with soft appreciation.

  “I know I can, and I appreciate it. It’s just that this is our first date and I want it to be memorable. Believe you me, I could talk about my daughter all night, but I really want tonight to be about just us. Your choice of bear clothing kind of brought back some memories for me.”

  “Well, I like your daughter’s taste. Where to next?”

  TJ’s face instantly brightens at the thought.

  “How does a visit to Castle Fun Park grab you?” he says with a devilish grin.

  ◆◆◆

  We pull into the parking lot of Castle Fun Park, and it’s apparent that it’s not very full. The park itself is open until midnight during the summer, but it’s so late that most of the families have gone home. Most of the crowd that is there is made up of teenagers and college age kids, and there doesn’t seem to be many of those.

  “So, in the memories of your past, what does Castle Fun Park mean to you?” I inquire. TJ breaks into a big smile.

  “Oh man, I had so many good times here. When I was a kid, I would spend all day here with my friends. We’d play the video games, table hockey, mini golf, batting cages. Later, I’d bring dates here, and it was even more fun.” A slight scowl suddenly makes its way across his face. “Damn it, looks like the go-karts have closed down for the night.”

  “I think that’s a good thing. My jeans are pretty tight, and I don’t think I’d fit into one of those things,” I point out.

  “Believe me, I noticed,” says TJ. Suddenly, he leans over and tries to kiss me. Although I desperately want to feel his soft lips pressed against mine again, I decide to tease him a little. Quickly, I lean away from him and put my palm up so that his face smashes into my palm.

  “Whoa! Looks like TJ was denied at the rim!” I laugh.

  TJ turns away with a look of mock surprise on his face.

  “I don’t believe it, rejected at the rim. That doesn’t often happen to me.”

  I bet it doesn’t, either in a basketball game or on dates. I look at him and think of how desperately I do want to kiss this handsome man again. However, I really like him, which means I can’t make it easy for him. I know men and men like the chase. Why is that? Because what you have to chase makes it seem like you’re much more valuable. I have no doubt that TJ has had all kinds of women throw themselves at him at various times of his life. I know I can’t be one of those, I’m not one of those. It’s going to take all of my willpower to resist this handsome man, but I’m going to do my best. Hopefully, I’ll be able to hold out for at least the next twenty minutes.

  I decide to tease him a little more.

  “What’s wrong there, big guy? You don’t give up so easily, do you?” I lean in slightly for a kiss and pucker up. TJ looks happy and moves in…and I deny him again!

  “And TJ is denied again!” I say as I press my palm into his luscious lips. Damn, I really do want to kiss him, but there’s time for that later.

  TJ laughs and shakes his head.

  “I can’t believe I fell for that again. You’re like Lucy with that damn football.”

  I give him a little wink as I start to get out of the car.

  “Let’s go, Charlie Brown.”

  Before I’m able to get out of the car though TJ lightly grabs my arm though.

  “I just want to warn you though, I’m no Charlie Brown.”

  TJ speaks with such a lustful voice that I’m almost taken aback, not to mention that this animalistic side of TJ is seriously arousing. It’s like it came out of nowhere. One moment he was happy and loose, and now he’s suddenly dangerous. He leans in for a kiss, and I don’t dare deny him now.

  “Psych!” he says as he leaves me hanging with my lips out. “Let’s go, Lucy.” TJ gets out of the car and leaves me there with a look of bemusement on my face. Damn it, he got me. It’s obvious that two can play at this game. Shall we keep playing? Yes, we shall keep playing.

  TJ helps me out of the car, which is actually very much appreciated. My jeans are so tight that getting into and out of cars is actually proving a slight challenge. I stand up and immediately find myself in his waiting arms. Without even thinking about it our lips reach an armistice, and they meet in a delicious détente. Our kiss starts slow and tender but quickly grows in intensity as our feelings of hunger for each other reach a peak that I don’t think either of us expected. I find my tongue exploring his mouth, and his exploring mine. It’s almost like time stands still until…

  “Hey, get a room, you two!”

  The spell we found ourselves under is quickly broken as we remember where we are, two adults standing in the parking lot of Castle Fun Park. We look over and see a group of teenagers moving away from us, laughing and giggling like they don’t have a care in the world. It wasn’t so long ago that I was a teenager, but it seems like another life. I also know that, despite all of the giggling and laughing and false bravado, those kids are navigating difficult waters. I’m so glad I’m an adult now, or at least, adult-ish.

  I mean, I am at Castle Fun Park.

  “We should get going, this place is only open for another hour, and I want to see how you perform,” says TJ cryptically. With his arm around my waist, he starts to lead me to the entrance.

  “What do you mean, how I perform?” I ask.

  “Well, think about it. What are first dates all about? Getting to know each other, right?”

  “I would agree with that,” I reply, although I’m not really sure where TJ is going with this.

  “Well, we’re about to play all kinds of games of various kinds. Due to my overwhelming skill and finesse, I’m probably going to kick that cute butt of yours all over the place. How will you respond? Are you going to get all angry and petulant, or can you take your loss with dignity? Enquiring minds want to know.”

  I laugh at that. Being a pro athlete, I had no doubt that TJ would be ultra competitive. What he is about to learn though, is that so am I.

  “So, you think I’m going to be a pushover, do you, Cunningham? I’ve been beating my younger brothers since I was ten years old. Bring it.”

  “I intend to,” He replies as he leans in for a kiss. It takes all of my strength to deny him as I free myself from his grasp and sprint as best as I can in heels to the front door.

  “You’re going to have to earn that, Cunningham, on the field of battle,” I say to him in what I hope is a teasing and challenging voice. I leave him looking momentarily gobsmacked at the entrance. Good. He may well beat me in some of these games, but there are a few I’m a Zen master at, and not all of them are in an arcade. TJ Cunningham is going to learn that soon enough.

  ◆◆◆

  “And goal!” I shout as the crowd goes wild. Well, the simulated crowd anyway. I’ve just managed to beat TJ in a game of Bubble Hockey 3-2.

  “I’m actually impressed. You’re good, you’re really good,” says TJ in a complimentary if slightly surprised voice.

  “Like I said, I’ve been beating little brothers for a long time. We actually used to have one of these things when I was a kid,” I say as I rest my hand on the transparent dome that covers the hockey game. “I used to beat my dad too. I don’t like to lose.”

  TJ walks over to me from his spot behind the bubble hockey game with a grin on his face.

  “I can see that, and I like it,” he says as we embrace and he looks at me with those gorgeous eyes of his.

  “So, do I pass the test? It seems to me that in these games we’ve played I’ve basically given as good as I’ve gotten, wouldn’t you agree?” I ask TJ. TJ looks at the ceiling as he mentally tabulates the games we’ve played.

  “Well, you’re definitely the queen of Bubble Hockey and driving. But I pretty well dominated in air hockey and foo
tball…”

  “If you even consider those to be games…” I teasingly say as I roll my eyes.

  “Shush, you. That tells me that we’re all tied up. I think we need a tiebreaker.”

  “And what do you suggest?” I ask. TJ isn’t looking at me as he’s clearly plotting something. Good. It gives me a chance to gaze into his dreamy eyes.

  “We’ve still got twenty minutes before this place closes. I suggest a game that I’ve used to vanquish many a pretender to my Castle Fun Park throne. Do you accept the challenge?

  “Of course I do, what do you have in mind?”

  “Mini-golf!”

  TJ leads me to the indoor mini golf grounds that are housed within the walls of Castle Fun Park. The course is named “Coral Sea Mini Golf,” so I presume it’s sea themed. TJ hands me a golf club.

  “Your club, my lady,” says TJ in a chivalrous manner.

  “Thank you, good sir,” I reply.

  TJ then proceeds to lead me down a staircase where I presume the golf course is located. It’s actually quite dark and not more than a little humid. Once we reach the bottom, I can see what the designers of “Coral Sea Mini Golf” were going for. Most of the course is lit with back lights of various kinds which are used to illuminate multiple fluorescent sea creatures and monsters. The effect is that you feel like you are playing golf under water. With the many little lakes and streams that have been created throughout the course, it’s surprisingly effective.

  “We should have the course to ourselves. When it’s this nice, most people prefer to play outside.”

  TJ places a golf ball down on the first course.

  “ Care to make things interesting?” he says with a grin.

  “What do you have in mind?” I reply.

  “If I win, I get to sleep with you.”

  Those are some high stakes, I think to myself. You may not even have to beat me in mini golf to do that. However, it’s still the first date, and I want to play it cool.

  “And what if I win?” I ask him skeptically.

  “Then you get to sleep with me,” he replies.

  TJ says this with such a devilish grin that I can’t help but laugh.