by J. Lea
“I’d like to own my own gym, and teach children martial arts.”
“So, you like sports?”
Parker nodded. “Ever since I was little. You?”
“Yes,” I confirmed. “I used to run track.”
“Really? Why did you stop?”
“Long story,” I said, and he must have read on my face that this wasn’t something I wanted to discuss, because he switched the topic.
“What food would you want to be?”
“A fortune cookie,” I shot out.
“A fortune cookie?”
“What? Don’t tell me you hate them. Because that would be a deal breaker,” I laughingly declared.
“No, it’s just something I wouldn’t have thought of. Why a fortune cookie?” Parker inquired curiously.
I shrugged. “They don’t appear interesting in the beginning, but they hide many answers inside, which makes them special and wonderful.”
“Well, I can tell you’d make a great fortune cookie, but I’d gladly eat you from the outside, and discover what is hidden within.” I nudged him in the ribs, and we both started laughing. “But, there’s one thing you don’t have in common,” he added.
“Oh, really? And what is that?”
“That you don’t appear interesting in the beginning. You’re more than interesting, I’d say,” he responded in a serious tone. His words left me speechless, blushing hard. I wasn’t used to receiving compliments, except from Elias, but he didn’t count since he was like my brother.
“Thank you,” was all I was able to utter. I awkwardly cleared my throat, and hit him with another question. “What’s the thing you like most about yourself?”
“Everything,” he winked at me.
“Oh, somebody’s feeling very confident,” I playfully nudged his shoulder.
“Just kidding. I don’t know, I’ve never really thought about it. Can I tell you what I like about you instead? That’s way easier to answer.”
“Okay…” I muttered, not really convinced.
“I like that you’re talkative and mysterious at the same time, that just intrigues me more. I don’t like it when I find out on the first date what bra size the woman wears,” he shook his head. I must have given him a confused look as he continued. “Yes, that happened before.” When I wanted to pose him the next question, he interrupted me by showering me with more compliments. “I like your eyes and your smile. It’s so simple, yet so rich.”
“Oh, stop it, you’ll make me blush,” I diverted my gaze, but a smile played on my lips.
“But you look so cute when you blush,” he grinned at me. “Hey, do you like bowling?”
“Yeah, why?”
“We could go knock down some pins. Are you up for it?”
“Now?”
“Sure, why not? It’s still early.”
The ice cream was already long gone, and since I had nothing planned for the night, I gladly accepted. I enjoyed myself in his company, and I was happy for every chance to get to know him better, even though the voice in my head kept telling me to be cautious, and not to be too open with my trust. I didn’t want to get burned again. But, for the first time in my life, I was determined to ignore that inner voice because I just wanted to be an ordinary girl, going on ordinary dates.
Parker drove us to the Dragon bowling center, where we were handed our bowling shoes at the control counter, and directed to lane 3. I took a walk around to find the best bowling ball for me. When I returned, I saw Parker was also ready.
“You start,” he winked at me.
“It’s been a while since I played,” I admitted. I hoped I hadn’t forgotten everything. I approached the foul line, back straightened, knees slightly bent, aimed the ball, and released it. I knocked down three pins, and three more followed the second time.
“Not bad,” Parker remarked, observing me closely the whole time.
I shot him an incredulous look, eyebrows up, and burst into laughter. “It was terrible.”
As I expected, Parker bowled a perfect strike in the first try. When it was my turn again, he stepped right behind me, so I cast a glance backward, waiting for him to move. But he stood still, placing his hands on my hips, fixing my posture, assaulting me with his intoxicating smell. He smelled like citrus, and something stronger, more manly. I couldn’t place my finger on exactly what it was, but it made my heart spin. It was hard to concentrate. The firm yet gentle feel of his hands on me lit a fire inside my belly.
“Hold it like this, and now take three steps forward, swing the ball outward, and aim for the pins.” My head was still tilted back toward him, and he slid his hands up to my shoulders. I felt every movement of his fingers on my heated body. He looked straight into my eyes. “Try now.” Wordlessly, I nodded, since my mouth was completely dry, and if I tried to utter a response, I’d probably look like I was in pain. His hands slid back down my body, and only left me after they descended to just below my hips. I was finally able to move after these few excruciatingly long minutes. Taking a deep breath, I put myself back together enough to swing the ball. One, two, three, and the ball went racing down the lane.
“Like this?” I asked Parker, with a smirk on my face, as the ball knocked down all the pins.
“Wow, yes. Well done!” he exclaimed in surprise. “You’re a fast learner.”
“I have a good teacher,” I shrugged, throwing a smile at him over my shoulder.
Parker regarded me with hooded eyes, but he didn’t say anything. When it was my turn again, and the ball was sliding down the lane, I turned to Parker, who raised an eyebrow at me, a small smile dancing on his lips. At that moment we heard the ball slamming into the pins, winning me another strike, but neither of us looked that way. “You played me. You haven’t bowled just a few times before, have you?”
I bit my lower lip, and gave him an innocent look, shaking my head at the same time. “My dad loved bowling, and he often took me with him when he and his friends organized a tournament. I was a fast learner, and quickly got the hang of it.”
“You little minx, I’ll have to pay you back for this. And, you just let me show you how to throw the ball.” He shook his head incredulously, the corners of his mouth curled up.
“You looked so pleased with yourself, I didn’t want to ruin your moment,” I said innocently. Even though I was the one who was pleased by his touches.
“Pleased, huh? I’d say I was since I got to feel you up,” he winked. “Now that we both know you know how to play, let’s make things a little more interesting. Are you up for it?”
I placed my finger on my lips, pretending to think. “What did you have in mind?”
“If I win, I take you out to dinner tomorrow.”
I’d go to dinner with him even if there were no bet. I’d go anywhere with him if he asked me, since I desperately wanted to learn every intimate detail of his life.
“Okay. And if I win?” I challenged him. “After all, you’re playing with a professional,” I boasted.
“You won’t,” he assured me, grinning at me.
“I wouldn’t be so sure if I was you.”
Five frames later, we were almost at a tie with me leading measly five points. Parker then left me behind with a perfect strike.
“Your turn.” Parker rubbed his hands together, pleased with himself. “Show me what you’ve got.”
“Show-off!” I stuck my tongue out at him. I scored another strike. “What do you say now, huh?” I exclaimed triumphantly, my hands on my hips.
“You’re good, I’ll give you that. But I’m better.”
The final frame was up, and my eyes glanced at the scoreboard above our line. I was still in the lead, but Parker had a great chance of changing the score if I didn’t deliver on my last throw. I walked confidently to the lane, took a slow, deep breath to calm myself, then took three steps, swung the ball and released it with plenty of force onto the lane. With my heart beating franticly in my chest, I stood there watching the ball hit the center p
in, and just as I was about to squeal in joy, I realized one pin remained standing. “Crap,” I groaned. Parker gave me a reassuring pat on the shoulder, and a smug grin on his face told me he was already celebrating victory. “Don’t celebrate too soon. I can still win. And I’m still ahead of you,” I wagged my finger at him.
“Just by a whisker,” he smirked.
I knocked down the remaining pin, and since it was a spare, I could throw again, it being our tenth, final frame. This time, I only managed to take down six. My lead was shrinking by the minute. And Parker had a great chance to overtake me.
“Ready to have dinner tomorrow?” he called out as he grabbed his bowling ball.
“Throw the ball first, and then we’ll talk.” I sat down at our table, and took a sip of water from my cup.
I really had a fun day; it’s been a long time since I laughed so much. And I loved watching Parker. He was so confident, oozing with optimism that was contagious. While he prepared for his throw, I decided to try and throw him off his game a little. I walked up to him until I was pressed lightly against his back, put my hands at his sides, stepped on my toes, and whispered in his ear, “Good luck,” and moved back only slightly.
“You just gonna stand there?” was his strained reply, his eyes travelling the length of me.
“Yes, why? I want to see how this event unravels from up close.”
“You’re a distraction,” he said, licking his lips.
“That’s debatable. Come on, and throw the ball. I want to celebrate my victory.” I purposely bent down, pretending to fix the shoelaces on my bowling shoes, and as I stole a glance toward Parker, I saw him shaking his head. He then took a deep breath, and swung the ball. Only seven fell.
“You,” he swung around and pointed his finger at me. “Are not playing fair.”
I widened my eyes and batted my eyelashes. “Hey, I had absolutely nothing to do with your sucky throw.”
“You’re distracting me with your sexy legs. How on earth can a man focus with those in sight?” he said rather dramatically.
He thinks my legs are sexy? My expression turned from playful to surprised and at the same time, pleased. I was so stunned by his comment that I completely missed his second throw, which turned out to be a spare.
“Oh, no, you won’t,” he wagged his finger at me. “I want my dinner. This time I’m not letting you get to me.” Once again, I moved closer to him, but he paid me no attention, his focus was solely on the line and the pins. “Just one more strike, and I win. Eyes on the lane,” he murmured to himself, which I found endearing. I was so glad he wanted to see me again; I wanted to keep seeing him, too. He was a lot of fun, and the fact that he was unbelievably attractive didn’t hurt, either. But there’s that little voice in my head, whispering about how I shouldn’t get attached too soon.
“I guess I’ll see you tomorrow at dinner,” Parker smiled smugly at me as he wrapped an arm around my shoulders, and drew me to him. The screen above our heads announced Parker as a winner in big, flashy letters. I wasn’t a sore loser, so I congratulated him for the win. And I wasn’t even slightly disappointed I lost—it only mattered that I get to see him again soon. After our game, we grabbed a quick drink, and then he took me home.
“I had a great time tonight,” I smiled at him, as he walked me to the entrance to my building.
“So did I.”
We were standing close to each other, looking at each other’s eyes. I dropped my gaze to his full lips I wanted to kiss desperately. Pulling my bottom lip between my teeth, I turned my gaze back to Parker’s. His eyes were watching me intently. I wondered if he was going to kiss me. He licked his lips, reached out his hand to pull a strand of my hair behind my ear, and slowly dipped his head toward me. My heart hammering in my chest, I gripped the handles of my purse harder, and closed my eyes. But nothing happened. As I slowly opened my eyes again, his face was inches away from mine, his breath warm on my cheek, where he pressed a gentle kiss. Even though it was only a peck on the cheek, my knees turned to butter. I dropped my head to the ground, and took a step back. We both smiled when our gazes met again.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” Parker said, before he turned around and walked to his car. As I was unlocking the front door of our apartment building, I heard a soft “Lori?” and I turned around.
“Yes?” I answered, slightly out of breath, and bursting with anticipation.
“Sweet dreams,” he winked at me.
“You, too,” I responded. I looked forward to going to bed because I knew I’d be dreaming about Parker, and his strong hands on my body, his enticing smell, and his warm lips on my skin.
Chapter Six
August 2010
14 years old
“Lori, come down, you’ll be late for your practice,” I heard dad yelling from the living room through the closed door. I stood in front of the mirror, dressed in a pair of long sweats, and a T-shirt a few sizes too big. I changed my usual workout gear for loose clothes; I couldn’t stand his eyes on me anymore. Ever since my coach started stopping by the girls’ locker room regularly, I changed my clothes at home. I ran a brush through my hair, and put it in a high ponytail.
“Coming!” When the ponytail was in place, I took another deep breath. I loved practices; I enjoyed long jump and sprints immensely, and I loved surpassing myself even more. What I severely disliked was Coach Briggs’ unhealthy amount of attention directed at me. He made me feel really uncomfortable.
“You alright?” Dad asked when we were driving to the stadium. “You’ve been acting strange lately.”
“Yes, I’m fine,” I assured him, not wanting to make a mountain out of a molehill. After all, Coach hasn’t done anything inappropriate, he only paid a little more attention to me than I was comfortable with. “I’m just a little tired from everything that’s been happening, that’s all.”
“Is the practice too intense for you? It was you who agreed to it.”
“I know, Dad,” I agreed softly. “It’s not that. I’m fine. Forget I said anything.”
“Okay, have fun, pumpkin.” Dad gave me a hug before I got out of the car.
I headed toward the stadium, and ran into Simon.
We’d had a great time on our first date. He took me to a fair where we visited the haunted house and rode the roller coasters. We shot cans, and tried to score as many balls into a basket as possible. At the end of the night, we split a plate of delicious pancakes, sprinkled with chocolate and with whipped cream on side. He made me laugh out loud throughout the whole evening, and he made me feel special, like a princess. I truly enjoyed his company.
After practice, we were going on another date. We waved hello, and I hurried inside the stadium. I avoided the locker room like the plague. I could only cross my fingers that Coach Briggs won’t bother us there after practice since I needed to take a shower so I won’t be all smelly and drenched in sweat on my date with Simon.
Panting, I sat on the floor, and took a few swigs of water from my bottle. Practice, like always, was hard and demanding. My legs could barely carry me, but I enjoyed the vigorous workout. I loved when I pushed my boundaries. My friends and I chattered and giggled while doing some stretching exercises at the end of the practice, when Coach Briggs approached us with a serious expression on his face. Coming over to me, he put his hands on my shoulders.
“Before you leave, stop by my office. We need to discuss some things.”
I swallowed hard and nodded. “I’ll just grab a quick shower, and then I’ll be right there.” In that moment, it hit me what I had just said. I clamped a hand over my mouth and closed my eyes as he rushed off. I’m just being unreasonable and I’m not reading his actions correctly, I tried to think, rationally.
“I hope you’re not in trouble,” Maggie said. “Your jumps weren’t as long today as usually.”
I shrugged my shoulders, and hoped it was only that.
I sent a text to Simon, saying I’ll be a little late because I was called into the
Coach’s office. He quickly responded that it wasn’t a problem, and that he’d be waiting for me on the bench at the front entrance.
Fortunately, Coach Briggs hadn’t showed up in the locker room, so I was able to get ready in peace. However, I got extremely nervous when I reached his office.
“Coach Briggs?” I opened the door and stepped in. It was empty. Letting out a relieved breath, I turned around to leave, glad to postpone our meeting to another time. But, luck failed me when he swung the door open and entered the room, closing the door behind him. It didn’t escape my notice that he also turned the key in the lock. I swallowed thickly, and took a few shaky steps back.
“Is something wrong?” I asked timidly. He’d never before requested to see me alone in his office.
“Sit,” he pointed to a chair that stood in the middle of the room.
I obeyed him quietly. He leaned his hip against the desk in front of the chair I sat in.
“Lori, do you know why I called you here?”
I shook my head. “Did I do something wrong?”
He bent his head toward me until his eyes were leveled with mine, and brought his hand up to caress my cheek. “No, honey. You did nothing wrong. I would actually like for you to have extra practice on Tuesdays, just the two of us. Maggie and Jenny are only holding you back, and I want to bring out the best in you. What do you say?”
“I don’t know. I’m already exhausted as it is.”
“Do you want to be the best?” I nodded hesitantly. “Then you need Tuesday practices.” His voice dripped with sugary sweetness.
“Okay…” I didn’t dare protest.
“That’s my girl. Now, lean back,” he ordered.
“Why?” I wrinkled my forehead at him. “My dad is going to be here soon, so I should be going,” I lied.
He ignored me and lifted my left leg off the ground, removed my flip-flop and started massaging my foot. I tried to free my leg from his hold, but his grip was too tight.
