Big Bad Neighbor: A Single Dad Next Door Romance

by Tia Siren

  “I still can’t believe you slept with Jeff,” he replied.

  “Can we change the subject back to the matter at hand?” I asked.

  “Well, I thought the matter at hand is that you slept with Jeff,” he replied.

  “No, the matter is that I can’t concentrate on anything. It’s like being caught in a whirlwind, and I can’t tell which way is up. I used to know what I wanted out of school and life, but now I’m just not sure anymore,” I said in an attempt to explain.

  “I don’t really know what to tell you then,” Matt said.

  “Well, tell me something at least,” I said.

  Matt sat there a moment, not really knowing what to say, or if he did know, he didn’t seem to have much interest in saying it.

  “Okay, look,” Matt started, “I didn’t want to say anything, and I was avoiding saying anything at the party, but I think Jeff is only interested in you to get to me.”

  I looked at Matt and rolled my eyes in disbelief.

  “Why would he do that,” I asked, “What does he have to gain?”

  Matt sighed.

  “I think he’s trying to use you to get close to me because he’s made it well known that he wants to be team captain. If he’s with you, there’s probably a better chance that he’d get it.”

  I laughed at first, but he didn’t join in, causing my laugh to quickly fade. He was truly serious.

  “You don’t really think that he’d use me to get to you. He’s a decent guy,” I said.

  “Tell that to the last girl that he dated,” Matt added.

  “What happened with the last girl,” I asked.

  “After they started dating, it wasn’t long before he was moved up to starter. Then they broke up.”

  “There must be a reason why they broke up that isn’t related to his moving up to starter, I just know it,” I pleaded.

  “Well then, you’ll have to get the truth out of him yourself. In the meantime, you should get back to work. You have a mock trial in just two days, and you need to be prepared for it,” he said, “I gotta get back to my own homework, Holly.”

  He leaned in and gave me a hug before taking his leave.

  I needed to know what was going on more than I needed to work on my homework. I knew where Jeff would be, and that was exactly where I needed to go.

  6.

  I called him, but he didn’t pick up, which would only really mean one thing, he was probably working out in the gym. It wasn’t far, and it was a sunny day, so I walked that direction.

  Then I spotted him talking with Matt in the distance. I wondered why Matt would be talking to him right now of all times. I thought he said he had some homework that he needed to finish.

  The two of them were just barely in earshot.

  “Why do you guys keep thinking that I somehow did something wrong to become a starter,” Jeff asked, somewhat furiously.

  “You’re the one that dated the coach’s niece for a month to get your position. Now you’re dating my best friend so you can be team captain,” Matt added.

  Jeff looked frustrated, and I was glad that neither of them noticed me, it gave me the chance to get a little closer to hear.

  “I may have dated the coach’s niece but it wasn’t to become a starter,” Jeff said, “The coach gave me an ultimatum. Either I quit the team, or I break up with her. Sure, I cared about her, but I didn’t think our relationship was anything special.”

  “Is that the same way you feel about Holly?” Matt asked.

  “Holly is a wonderful girl,” Jeff said simply.

  “Well then, I’ll give you the chance. If you break up with Holly you can be team captain, and I won’t say a word to Holly about any of this,” Matt said.

  I wanted to jump out and yell at Matt about how absurd his idea was. I wanted to tackle Jeff for even considering the option. I wanted to do a lot of things, but none of them came to me. I just left.

  I ran, like I always used to do to clear my head. Except this time, I ran because I couldn’t clear my head at all. There was too much to think about, and I was starting to regret the freedom I had given myself just the other day.

  Jeff really was a creep. I knew it in the back of my head all along, but I didn’t say anything. He seemed so genuine.

  Then my phone started ringing. I checked the caller ID, and it said that it was Jeff. I didn’t want to answer, but I had a feeling he was just returning my call from before.

  I dabbed the tears that were forming at the edge of my eyes and wiped my nose.

  “Hello?” I said.

  “Hey, you called?” Jeff wondered.

  “Yeah, I was just wondering if you wanted to get together for lunch,” I lied.

  “Aww man, I would, but I’m a bit busy today. I have some good news,” he started.

  “Yeah?” I replied.

  “It sounds like I’m going to be team captain, isn’t that great?” he said.

  “That’s great,” I said, gulping down my sadness.

  “So, maybe I’ll see you later, and we can talk; maybe get some food?” he said.

  “Yeah, sure,” I replied then clicked off the phone.

  He had taken the deal. He really was just using me as leverage to get what he wanted. I didn’t want to tip him off, and I didn’t want to answer any more of his calls.

  I returned to my dorm room and buried myself in my books.

  7.

  It had been a couple of days. Jeff continued to call, but I didn’t have any interest in talking. Today was the day of my mock trial, and I had to be alert and prepared. I spent most of the afternoon with my classmates getting ready.

  No matter how hard I tried, I just couldn’t get Jeff out of my head. It was an odd thing too because I really hadn’t had this feeling with any of my previous ex-boyfriends in the past. Breaking up in the past was easy; like changing out the ice in the freezer.

  I was surprised at how attached I had become to Jeff in so short a period of time. But, at least, I could work on getting over it now. I wouldn’t need to worry about being close to him again. That ship had sailed. I couldn’t even come up with the courage to hear him break up with me, either. I knew it was coming, considering the conversation he’d had with Matt.

  Matt made me just about as angry as Jeff right now. Who would go behind their friends back and offer a deal like that? I wanted to punch him, hard. I knew he could take it, but, all the same, I figured taking some time away from both of them would be good. I could get back to being the person that I was before this awful week started.

  The classroom was setup like a classic courtroom. The teacher sat behind her desk as a judge would. Several tables were shoved together to make a prosecution and defense table. There were members of the class representing a jury, and the remaining members of the class were considered witnesses with roles to play in the upcoming trial.

  I was excited for it to start.

  But, then I saw Jeff and Matt sitting in the front row behind the prosecution desk. My heart sank, and my brain went completely blank.

  Both of them stood up as I entered.

  I ran up to both of them, grabbed them by the wrists, and led them to the hall.

  “What the hell are you two doing here,” I said, seething with anger.

  “We’re here to find out why you haven’t talked to us the last couple of days,” Matt said.

  “Yeah, where have you been?” Jeff asked.

  I rubbed my temples trying to drown out the headache that was coming to the forefront of my skull.

  “You guys know where I’ve been,” I started, “I’ve been avoiding both of you.”

  They looked at each other.

  “Why?” asked Jeff.

  “Oh, I think you know why,” I replied.

  “Enlighten us,” Matt said.

  “I saw you guys talking. I heard the deal that Matt proposed. The one that said that you would stop dating me and in return he’d cede team captain to you,” I said.

  “I had
a feeling you did,” Matt said, “I thought I saw you running away from us the other day.”

  “Yeah, well it was me, okay? When I got the call from Jeff that he had become team captain, I knew he took the deal. I just didn’t want to even bother with either of you anymore.”

  “He didn’t take the deal, Holly,” Matt said.

  “Then how is he team captain,” I asked.

  “Because I let him be,” Matt replied.

  “Why?” I asked, becoming more confused by the second.

  “You left before our conversation ended. I proposed he stop dating you and in exchange he’d get to be team captain. But, he said it was no contest. He wanted to keep dating you,” Matt said.

  “Holly, you’re probably the most amazing woman I’ll ever meet in my lifetime. I would rather quit the team than quit dating you,” Jeff added.

  “When I heard how genuine he was, I had a change of heart. He’s a good guy, Holly,” Matt said.

  I looked at the two of them. They both looked like they were ready to break down and cry; a very unbecoming look for two giant footballers. I laughed when I looked at their puppy dog faces, and they just looked back in confusion.

  “I’m sorry. You guys are just the most ridiculous looking people when you get emotional,” I said.

  I pulled them in and gave them both the biggest hug I could manage.

  “Hey Holly, we’re about to start, you comin’?” said my class-mate poking her head out the door.

  “I’ll be right there,” I said.

  “Alright, time for me to go win this; then I’ll take you two out for a much-deserved dinner, and we can talk,” I said.

  I was feeling clear-headed; the fog was beginning to lift. I still had no idea what I really wanted out of life, but I was beginning to realize that it really didn’t matter. What mattered is who was there to enjoy it with me.

  *****

  THE END

  SPORTS Romance – Playing For Keeps

  “We have a winner!”

  The crowd cheered, and I shouted with drunken excitement. Craig was drenched from head to toe, and I laughed between cheers. I had decided to go out with my girls tonight, and they didn’t disappoint. This was a great party, especially watching Craig win a wet T-shirt contest. More than half the football team was here, almost all of them taken up by other girls. That was fine for me, I wasn’t really interested in any of them, save for one.

  Craig stumbled from the front of the crowd with victory. He wasn’t much to look at, but he was one of my best friends. A tall and lanky bean pole of a friend; but a friend nonetheless. But, he was genuine and didn’t flirt with me like so many of my other guy friends did.

  “Craig! Over here,” I shouted.

  He looked up and acknowledged with squinted eyes and shuffled my way with the goofiest smile on his face, I thought I might shoot my beer from my nose.

  “How did I do?” he asked.

  “I don’t know how you managed to win a wet t-shirt contest as a man,” I laughed.

  “It’s all in the hips,” he said as he slinked around in an awkward dance.

  I downed the last of my drink and grabbed Craig by the hand. He stumbled along behind me as I pushed through the crowd around the keg.

  “So, where are the rest of the girls,” Craig asked.

  “Most of them met new boy toys,” I said, “why are you wondering?”

  “I thought I might have the confidence to ask Jane out tonight,” he said.

  He had been pining for her since I met her.

  “I’m pretty sure she’s around here, why don’t you ask her?” I said.

  “Oh, come on Tess. She’s not that interested.”

  “Yeah, but she’ll never know you’re interested if you don’t say anything,” I replied.

  “Pfft, look who’s talking!”

  Then I saw him out of the corner of my eye; John walked by with a couple of his football buddies. I froze for a second, hoping that I wouldn’t do anything stupid to get noticed in a bad way. It was the most annoying reflex, and he was the only person I ever had this reaction to.

  He was tall, with a powerful build. His tank top rippled with raw, sinewy muscle as the group of guys pushed each other around. He had a kind face that always made me swoon. Cute brown eyes, gorgeous, broad smile, and short brown hair that always seemed just a little messy; these were just some of the things I liked about him. I couldn’t tell Craig any of it, but I think he knew everything by the way I acted.

  “This is different Craig,” I said.

  “How?”

  “Well, girls don’t usually ask guys out,” I tried to explain.

  “That’s just an excuse,” he replied.

  We stood in silence getting our drinks. I took a few peeks at John again, wrestling with his friends behind me. I never saw a problem getting close to men before. A lot of my friends called me a ‘natural flirt’, but I couldn’t really tell. I just like meeting new people and being friendly.

  “Let’s see what Jane is up to,” I said as I started walking inside the frat house.

  “We really don’t have to,” Craig said in response, following close behind.

  I found her next to the bay window in the living room getting awfully close to one of the linebackers. I tried to turn around and walk away before Craig saw, but easily stood a head taller than me and saw everything.

  “Well, that solves that,” Craig said.

  He made for the front door, but I caught him and pulled him back.

  “Wait, please. Can we just stay a little while longer?” I pleaded.

  “You can stay as long as you want Tess, I’m going home. I’m soaked anyway, I could use a change of clothes,” he said as he pulled himself away and continued for the door.

  I started to follow him but was promptly struck in the back. I turned to see the offending instrument was a football.

  “Hey, little help,” I heard John say from the backyard.

  I turned back toward the door, wondering if I should make a break for it and run away, but I wasn’t even capable of that. I leaned down without turning around and picked the ball up.

  I could feel everyone’s eyes on me. Their conversations were ending for the sole purpose of watching the girl who was hit in the back with a football; I was now a spectacle.

  I walked slowly toward the backyard holding the ball. I had no confidence in my ability to throw the ball. I was athletic, yes, but that didn’t mean I was competent at throwing footballs.

  “Almost there,” John said with a crooked smile.

  He jogged over and held out a hand, into which I deposited the ball. I looked around briefly and realized that everything was normal. Nobody was actually staring at all; maybe I had it all in my head. I breathed a sigh of relief.

  “Thanks,” he said.

  I had never been this close to him. Those eyes that I found so dizzying before were swallowing me. Everything seemed to be in slow motion as I took in every detail of his face. I lost myself in the moment and only found myself when he turned around to leave.

  “I like your eyes,” I blurted out.

  In my embarrassment, I immediately threw my hands up to cover my mouth. He stopped in his tracks, and I could already see the other football players trying to stifle their laughter but failing miserably. He turned back to me.

  “Thanks?” he replied and jogged off.

  I had never walked so fast in my life when I left. I had brought a jacket, but I didn’t want to take the time to find it, I just needed to be anywhere but here.

  I really regretted leaving my jacket behind after I found myself three blocks down the road. I slowed to a stop and let out a sigh. The street was illuminated by the circles of light beaming from the overhead street lamps.

  The silence gave me a second to think, and that was the problem.

  2.

  “Craig, get you stuff, we’re having lunch,” I said to Craig over the phone.

  I wanted to invite more people than Craig,
but he was one of the few people that understood what I was going through. I tried calling my girlfriends first, but none of them seemed interested in meeting today. While I wasn’t the boss of Craig; he was the most open to getting together.

  The cries of regret echoed heavily in my head. I kept reliving my stupid moment from the other night. I wondered what I should have done instead; possibilities cycled endlessly as I focused on my blunder.

  We met at a diner that I always enjoyed, partially because the food was decent, and partially because it was close enough to the practice field that I could watch the football players as I ate.

  “Took you long enough,” I chided at Craig.

  “I heard about your lucky night, Tess. I’m almost a little sad that I missed out,” he replied.

  I went flush with embarrassment, and he just laughed.

  “Who told you, already?”

  “What does that matter,” he asked.

  “I want to know who I have to kill later,” I replied angrily.

  “Then it’s probably best I not say anything at all,” he laughed.

  I sat there, defeated, with my head resting in my hands at the table. Rumors travel fast, especially around school campuses.

  I looked to the field nearby. The players were running sprints and out in front of them, wearing a number I was far too familiar with, was John.

  “Seriously, it’s not as bad as you think, Tess.”

  “Your words of comfort are reassuring,” I said sarcastically.

  “Hey, look at the bright side. At least you talked with the guy,” he said.

  “I don’t know if this counts.”

  The team on the field broke up and started running plays. I watched in earnest and more than a little heartache. I continued to dwell on the chance I missed, replaying it mercilessly in my head. Even spending time with my best friend wasn’t taking away my frustration with myself.

  Craig took my hand from the table and held it tightly. He was doing his best to reassure me, but I wasn’t in the mood to accept.

  “Jane called me last night,” he said.

  I perked up.

  “When? I thought she was busy with that player,” I questioned.

  “It was almost three in the morning. I guess the guy she spent the night with was only trying to make his ex-girlfriend jealous. So I gave her a ride home. Really Tess, who does something like that? You hurt a good person’s feelings just to get back with someone that broke your heart. That’s not how good relationships work.”