Big Bad Neighbor: A Single Dad Next Door Romance

by Tia Siren

  The boys all panted as if a bone were being held in front of their eyes. Hollis looked but showed little interest in the matter. He drank slowly from a mug and chatted with the guys that would walk near him. I saw a bit of responsibility in him as he continued to pick up trash and replace snacks when empty.

  I was beginning to feel the drink hit me hard. Things started to spin a bit, but despite my inability to taste anything I continued to go back for more beer.

  After a while, I was using the rail on the staircase to prop myself up while one of Hollis’ roommates kept talking to me about how many times he could lift a particular weight.

  Then I was being picked up from behind. I tried to fight it, but there were two of them, and both of them were football players. They flipped me upside down and held me upside down in front of a keg.

  “First keg stand!” they shouted.

  I was too drunk to say no, and they thrust the nozzle in my mouth. I didn’t know how much I drank before they dropped me, but by the end of it I had to throw up.

  Hollis noticed me behind the bush.

  “Looks like you partied a little harder than you wanted.”

  He walked over and put a hand over my back, pulling my hair away from my face.

  “Am I a hottie?” I asked, slurring almost every word.

  He laughed; which seemed like an annoying way to say ‘no.’

  “Where is this coming from, Christine,” he asked.

  “You called me a firecracker while I was running yesterday,” I replied.

  “All red heads are firecrackers, Christine.”

  “Yeah, but it seemed like a term of endearment. You think I’m hot,” I said as I poked him in the chest. More alcohol decided it didn’t want to stay in my stomach.

  “I think you’re drunk,” he replied.

  I sat down in the cool grass, trying my best to avoid anything I may have just left on the ground. He sat down next to me and held me upright.

  “I can see why you do this,” I said, “being drunk makes a lot of the voices in your head stop talking.”

  He pulled me in close, giving me something to lean on. It was nice being close to his body heat; he smelled amazing. I wished that he’d pull me in closer like he does with all this other girls.

  I leaned in and kissed him on the neck. He turned to me and rubbed the kiss with his hand.

  “What was that for,” he asked.

  “Does a girl really need an excuse for kissing the hottest guy on campus?”

  He smiled. “So I’m the hottest guy on campus, now? I thought I was a moron this morning.”

  “You’re starting to grow on me,” I replied.

  “Okay, you’re too drunk. No more alcohol for you,” he said as he stood back up.

  “Come back down here,” I said, trying in vain to pull him back to the ground. He did the opposite and lifted me from my resting place without any real effort.

  I tried to kiss him on the cheek, but he backed away.

  “Christine, you’re drunk. You need to lie down for a while and sober up.”

  He picked me up from the ground; I did little to resist. I hadn’t been carried since I was six years old and I hoped he wouldn’t set me back down.

  He carried me up the stairs and into his room; laid me on his bed and pulled the covers over.

  “Sleep, I’ll take the couch.”

  “You could stay here with me,” I said.

  “Sorry, Christine, I can’t,” he replied.

  I sighed; I had never felt so turned on in my life. I couldn’t resist my hormones any longer.

  “You’ll regret saying ‘no’,” I said.

  “And I’ll regret saying ‘yes’,” he replied.

  He walked to his door and clicked off the lights.

  As soon as my head touched the pillow, everything went dark.

  6.

  I woke up to a rather wonderful smell from downstairs. My hair was matted to my face, and my glasses were sitting nearby on the bedside table. My clothes were still intact but quite dirty, and my head beat like a jackhammer. I wrapped myself in the comforter from the bed and shuffled my way downstairs.

  The house was empty. I assumed that everyone had left for early morning classes. Then I saw a clock nearby chime noon; I had missed all my classes for the day.

  Hollis was cooking in the kitchen and whatever he was making smelled divine.

  “I see you’re finally awake,” he said while plating some eggs, “I made breakfast. Have a seat, and I’ll bring it over.”

  I pulled myself up to a bar stool and laid my head down on it in a futile attempt to end the jarring in my skull.

  “First hangover, eh?”

  “Why do you drink if you know it’ll end up like this,” I asked.

  “I don’t really think about it,” He replied, “I don’t drink enough to get that hung over.”

  He dropped a plate of food in front of me: eggs, bacon, and some toast. I dug in as a thirsty man would water. He stood on the other side of the bar, eating slowly and enjoying the sight.

  “I missed class for the first time in quite a while,” I said, “why didn’t you wake me sooner?”

  He sat his plate down and started pouring some coffee. “You’re a cute sleeper,” he replied through a wide smile.

  “Please, did I say anything stupid last night?”

  He laughed and replaced the pot of coffee. “I don’t know, am I hot?”

  I remembered it all, now. I came on pretty strong last night. “That wasn’t me talking, that was the alcohol,” I pleaded.

  He wasn’t really paying attention to my pleading, but I could see that behind his eyes he didn’t mean to be rude.

  I smiled back. “Well, am I hot,” I asked.

  “I don’t think you need me to tell you that,” he replied.

  “You have me curious now.”

  He sighed and took a sip of coffee. “Yes, I think you’re hot. I’ve always had a thing for redheads.”

  I unconsciously started twisting my hair around my finger as I had whenever I was nervous. It took me a moment to realize. “Can I show you something,” I asked.

  “Will you keep your pants on,” he asked in return.

  “Only if you want me to,” I said with a coy smile.

  “Alright, what is it?”

  “It’s on campus. I think you’ll like it.”

  He looked intrigued. “Alright, we can go after breakfast.”

  I nodded and continued to eat. I made quick work of the food and drank more than my fair share of coffee in order to wake up. He didn’t seem to mind, even going so far as to ask if I wanted seconds.

  I decided to make a quick stop back at my room before we went to campus so that I could change. He didn’t seem to mind waiting outside for me for a few minutes. I didn’t know what was going to happen, but I felt like at least trying to be a little more attractive.

  He liked the change as I walked out to the front.

  “You have the finest legs I have ever seen,” he noted.

  I felt flattered; I did like to show them off when I could manage to do so.

  I lead him along the walkways, and we continued to talk, and he revealed a few things that I was surprised to hear.

  His dad was a military man, and he was incredibly strict at all time. His mother was young and ended up running out on him at a young age; he barely knew her. Even so, he instilled as many of his values as he could into Hollis; including being a gentleman to a lady when the need arose.

  He was more anxious than I thought, as well. There was always a lot riding on him, and he was worried about his future. He wanted to go professional, but he also just wanted to be a teacher.

  The walk ended too soon, as we had arrived at the ground floor of my favorite spot on campus.

  I pulled out a small key that only few people had, and opened the back stairwell as I had a thousand times before. Hollis looked a little confused but curious.

  At the top of the stairs, he looke
d out at the campus, as though he were its king. It was a satisfying feeling that I had, letting him see something so personal to me.

  “Were you watching me look for my phone the other day,” he asked.

  I nodded and giggled. He just smiled back and pulled me closer.

  “It’s great at sunset; you can see the sun peak over the science building, and it silhouettes the ground. I brought my camera up a few times and took some photographs, but they are just sitting in an album at home.”

  “I know you want to get good grades to get into a graduate school, but what do you want to do with your life after school,” he asked.

  I thought about it for the first time in a while. In reality, I didn’t know where I wanted to work or what I really wanted to do. I just knew that I wanted to have a solid education so I could do anything.

  “Maybe I’ll be a lawyer,” I said.

  “I don’t think you’d enjoy being a lawyer,” he replied.

  “How do you know? Maybe I have a hidden talent for objections and law.”

  He leaned over and kissed me on the lips. It was a jarring moment, like every synapse in my brain firing at once. It felt like passion.

  I pulled him in closer as our tongues begged for each other. I jokingly pushed him away for a brief moment. “I object,” I said.

  He laughed and pulled in close again for another kiss.

  I could feel his hands starting to wrap around my back, and I welcomed the touch. With every second he seemed to want more of me, and I wanted more of him.

  I stroked my hand along his side and felt his muscle ripple beneath his shirt. I hooked my hands under his shirt and pulled it over his head, revealing his bare chest.

  I traced my finger along his pecs and down through his abs. He did the same with my leg. I pulled him down on top of me.

  He tugged off my shirt and kissed me on the neck. His breath sent goosebumps down my spine, and each kiss turned me on more. I unclasped my bra and slid it over my arms.

  He paused for a second to take in the view. I didn’t have large breasts, but he didn’t seem to mind at all. He kissed down my chest and nibbled on my nipple. Both nipples stood erect to the autumn wind.

  I unzipped his pants and worked his member from his jeans. He was sizeable and much bigger than I imagined. It almost made me worry.

  I stroked along his shaft before wrapping my mouth around it. He let out moans of pleasure as I did; I was barely able to fit it in my mouth, but even so I wanted more of it.

  His hand caressed my inner thigh and worked its way under my skirt. He pulled my panties aside and started to stroke along my clit. I could feel my muscles pulsing from his touch. He knew just where to rub, and I could feel waves of sensation jolt through me; starting to build up to something amazing.

  I paused and ripped his pants off. He seemed to like that, as he did the same to my skirt. My thin black panties were soaked through, and I think he could tell. But, he left them on as he positioned himself over the top of me.

  He stroked himself along my opening, wetting his throbbing manhood with my juices. Then I could feel it begin to slide in. He was gentle as he did so, inching himself inside slowly.

  I let out a moan but held my hand over my mouth. There were students still in the campus square downstairs that might hear us.

  He felt amazing as he filled me up, and held himself inside. I clenched my muscles, wanting him to stay inside for as long as possible.

  He then started to gyrate his hips, stirring me up, before slowly moving in and out. It was becoming too much for me to bear, and I could feel that sensation building up again.

  He continued to kiss my neck with his hand massaging my nipple. I dug my hands into the muscles in his back, begging and hungry for more.

  He started speeding up his stride, pumping into me over and over. I stopped being able to think as he continued, then the building suddenly stopped, and I felt tingles all over my skin.

  He kept pumping, and I could felt a release that hit every nerve in my body. Like a firework going off inside me. I did my best to cover my mouth, but I couldn’t even exhale or inhale; the sensation was so strong.

  I still covered my mouth. Then I felt a hot, warm sensation inside me, and I could tell he had gotten off, too.

  I was still in the pangs of ecstasy as he drew himself out of me. I felt so empty after he did so, and I wanted him back inside, but I couldn’t muster the energy to say anything.

  We just lay there, breathless and drenched in sweat. After a moment, I reached down and pulled off my useless panties and tossed them aside.

  “Objection overruled,” he said.

  7.

  He followed me back to my room, later that day. I invited him inside, but he said he had practice. I didn’t want him to miss out, but I also didn’t want him to leave.

  It was probably for the best, though. I had to work on my homework for my other classes that I had missed.

  The night dragged on, and I couldn’t take my mind off the early afternoon. I couldn’t believe that I had slept with Hollis, and in a place that I had kept so private up to this point, too. Still, it felt like a thousand thoughts going through my mind all at once. I wondered if we were dating, now, or if this was just a one-time thing to alleviate stress.

  I ended up closing all my books and going for a walk instead. Signs and banners were hung around the block, cheering on the football team. A few oversized images of Hollis’ face were plastered, along with his player number.

  Eventually, I returned home to sleep, and I slept more soundly than I had ever slept in my life.

  Waking up the next day almost felt like I was going to war. Today was the day that Hollis would be presenting in front of the class. I was nervous for him more than I was for myself.

  My heart continued to flutter until I saw Hollis in class. He nodded at me, then walked over and took his usual seat in the back. I felt a little rejection as he didn’t even come over and say hello.

  I was feeling anxious; this was probably a one night stand to relieve some stress, and I thought it might have been something more. I felt so stupid, now.

  Mr. Takahashi took his usual place in the front and began to speak.

  “We have a special presentation at the beginning of class today; Hollis will be exciting us with an experiment of his and his partners design using hydrogen.”

  Hollis walked to the front of the class quickly and gave his presentation. I was impressed at his ability to state the facts in a concise manner, and he showed how much he knew.

  “Ms. Reynolds seems to be a better teacher than I,” said Mr. Takahashi.

  I blushed and hid inside my book.

  “She really is,” Hollis added.

  I got a couple pats on the back from classmates nearby and was surprised by the attention.

  After class had finally ended, I was hoping I could get a moment alone with Hollis, but he marched out quickly and avoided my gaze altogether.

  I sighed deeply as I gathered my books.

  “You did a great job with him, Christine. How did you get through to that meathead?” asked the teacher.

  I pondered what I really did, and couldn’t really think of anything.

  “He’s smarter than he lets on,” I replied.

  He laughed and continued erasing the whiteboard.

  My phone vibrated, and I got a text message from Hollis’ number.

  “Come to the pep rally tonight,” was all it said. I responded and asked why, but never got a reply.

  I wanted nothing more than to just go for a run and forget everything that had happened the last couple days, but I was still extremely curious and needed to know.

  The campus stirred with activity as I followed the crowd towards the local stadium, it seemed everyone was wearing team colors, and I felt out of place.

  Hollis sidled up next to me as I walked, and he grabbed my arm, leading me down a side road where we could talk.

  “What’s going on, why haven’t yo
u talked to me since yesterday?” I asked.

  “I get incredibly nervous, I don’t like to let anyone know, but I just seize up and can’t think of anything else.”

  I could understand where he was coming from. I’ve had to give presentations plenty of times and always ended up a ball of nerves before starting.

  “So Mister super star does get nervous,” I said.

  He let out a nervous laugh. “Christine, listen. I don’t know what’s going to happen between us. But, it’s the only thing I can think about.”

  I felt a little less nervous after he said so.

  “I really like you, and I’ve never wanted to be with anyone so much. I know that you’re much smarter than I am, and if you really just want to go back to being peers then I won’t try to force anything. But, after yesterday, I don’t think I can.”

  I reached out, grabbed his shoulders and pulled myself up for a kiss. “I’ve thought about the same thing, and I don’t want this to end,” I replied.

  His eyes started beaming with pride as he thought about it. He sighed and looked much less tense after hearing that, as did I.

  “Hollis, they’re looking for you,” shouted a voice from down the street, it was his coach from down the street.

  “Oh, it’s you, Ms. Reynolds,” he added.

  I nodded.

  “Come on, Hollis. We’re about to start.”

  Hollis turned back to me and leaned in for a kiss which I welcomed.

  “You know, I’m going to need people in my cheering section. I know it isn’t your thing, but-“

  “You didn’t have to ask,” I interjected, “I’ll always be in your cheering section.”

  He smiled and ran down the street towards the coach.

  I got a ‘B’ in athletics that year, and it didn’t bother me at all.

  *****

  THE END

  SPORTS Romance – The Coach’s Game

  ''Hi, coach,'' the girls said as they passed him on their way to cheerleader practice.

  ''Ladies,'' Sam said touching the peak of his cap.