“Maybe so, schnookums, but I’m your weirdo.” He pinched AJ’s cheek and squeezed playfully.
“I still might kill you in your sleep for blindsiding me like that,” AJ retorted, swatting at Jeremy’s hand. “Uncool, man. Totally uncool. I’d still have come with you if you’d just thrown down the friggin’ truth.”
“We make such a beautiful couple, man.” Jeremy sniffed and wiped away a fake tear from his cheek.
“Screw you, man. You can’t deflect from the fact you were a jackass by distracting me with your junk.”
“Damnit, that usually works.”
“Uh huh. Don’t pull that shit again.”
“Sir, yes sir!” He gave AJ a salute.
They sat in silence for most of the flight. Jeremy took a nap while AJ worked on an assignment. As their connecting flight from Detroit touched down in Huntsville, Jeremy spoke through a yawn. “Is meeting your folks gonna be as dramatic as meeting mine was?”
AJ chuckled. “I don’t think so, we’re a pretty typical nuclear family – we have our moments, don’t get me wrong, usually around holiday times when stress ramps up, but for the most part we’re ‘normal’.”
“Normal is a myth.”
“True story! My sister will either have the hots for you, or hate you, I can’t quite figure out which yet.”
Jeremy gasped, feigning being wounded. “That hurts, man. She’s obviously going to have the hots for me – look at me!”
AJ arched an eyebrow.
“I know, I know,” Jeremy said, as he stood up to deplane. “No talking about your sister’s ‘flower’.” He pulled his finger and thumb across his lips as though to zipper them shut.
“Absolutely no talking about Ana’s flower. Can we also stop referring to her ‘flower’?” He shuddered and scrunched up his face. “It’s just weird, man.” AJ made his way into the aisle and followed the stream of people as they trickled off the plane. “Changing the subject— ʼcause, ew… We have some shit to do before we get to Thanksgiving, though. Starting with bossing the shit out of this hockey season.”
“Damn straight,” Jeremy agreed.
***
From the moment they landed in Alabama, they were back at the grindstone, though the daily practices of the pre-season gave way to three practices a week combined with their busy game schedule and a heavy course load. Jeremy liked both the captain and assistant captain – as well as anyone can like someone they’d only known for a month, anyway – who had been elected by the rest of the team and he was excited about what the season would bring. The first few weeks of practice had gone smoothly, the team was gelling well and everyone seemed to be looking forward to the competitive season starting. Kyle, a senior and the new team captain, along with Jake, a junior and the new alternate captain, who were chosen to lead the team, had both already started to emerge as natural leaders.
Their pre-season training had been gruelling with the team enduring back to back practices. Their weeks started with on-ice conditioning, followed by off-ice sessions at the gym. Their systems practices, where they worked on their special teams such as power plays, face offs and penalty kills, fell more towards the end of the week. Jeremy was glad that the training sessions had eased off as their season began, he much preferred the thrill of games to the intensive and punishing training schedule.
Throughout the first few weeks of the practice season, Jeremy found himself tested both mentally and physically. According to university rules, students could only play on sports teams if they maintained the required grade point average. Between school work, training sessions and games, there was very little time for anything fun, or off-book.
By the time Halloween rolled around, Jeremy was exhausted.
“You coming out tonight?” he asked AJ, who was lying on his bed playing a game on his phone.
“Nah, man. I’m wiped.”
“Aw c’mon! We’ve been bustin’ our asses for weeks now. It’s time to let loose!”
AJ yawned in reply.
“All work and no play make Jeremy a dull boy, man. Let’s go out!”
“Or, and hear me out on this one for a second, you could go out, and I could stay home and catch up on some zees.”
“You’re really letting me go out unsupervised?”
“Jer, if I went out with you tonight, I’d end up passed out in a corner somewhere. You’d be unsupervised either way and you’re a big boy, I trust that you won’t do something all-the-way stupid. Why don’t you go to that house party Blake and Chris are going to? I bet Mike and some of the others will be there, too. Honestly, I need a recharge. I barely know my own name right now. Go. Let me sleep!”
“I don’t have a costume.”
“I’d say you don’t need one, but that’s just way too easy, man. I have a Karate Kid costume in the closet. I keep it around in case of fancy dress emergencies such as this.”
“Karate Kid? So, shirtless?” He puffed out his chest. “I could totally pull that off, assuming it’s not too big for me.”
AJ arched an eyebrow. “You want it or not?”
Twenty minutes later, Jeremy was showered and heading out the door. He didn’t bother saying goodbye to AJ, because he was already asleep. The house party was only a few blocks away from the dorms, so Jeremy, Chris and Mike walked together.
As soon as they arrived at the party, they started drinking. It had been a while since Jeremy had let his hair down and he was intent on enjoying himself. Scanning the room to see if he recognized anyone else, he saw Blake, making his way through the crowd with jello shots.
“Already? Shit. Tonight’s gonna be messy!” Jeremy announced, as he plucked a green jello shot from the offerings and tipped it into his mouth, washing it down with a gulp of his beer.
Before long, Mike was in the corner making out with a girl Jeremy didn’t recognize, it was verging on R-Rated and even Jeremy found himself blushing. Blake was sitting on one of the two sofas in the main living room chatting to Ben, the server.
Words seem to be easier for you with a little jello shot Dutch courage, BB.
Chris was distracted. As far as Jeremy could tell, he was texting his boyfriend, they’d had some kind of disagreement and Chris was bummed out. For a random and fleeting moment, drunk-Jeremy swelled with pride at how inclusive and representative their team was, not least of all because the deep south often gets such a bad reputation, Alabama in particular. But here they were, two openly gay hockey players surrounded by nothing but acceptance and love; well, with the exception of Chris’s boyfriend but that wasn’t at all to do with the fact that Chris was gay. Jeremy’s reflective moment didn’t last long before Adrianne appeared in front of him, she was dressed as a flamingo and he couldn’t help but chuckle.
“I don’t know what you’re supposed to be dressed as,” she stated, with an edge of humour to her voice. “Are you the party security guard who just likes to show off his six-pack?”
“No, I’m the Karate Kid. Y’know… ‘Wax-on, wax-off’?” He did the motion for added explanation.
Her face remained blank. “Do you actually do karate? That would be pretty cool.”
He chuckled again. “Nah, I just didn’t have a costume at the last minute and my roommate had this lying around in the closet. I figured it was better than nothing.”
She flicked her hair back and eyed him flirtatiously. While there hadn’t been anything wrong with Adrianne, there just wasn’t any chemistry between them during the two dates they’d been out on. After their first and only no-sparks kiss, Jeremy had friend-zoned her without protest from Adrianne.
“You were the kid who always ran around naked, weren’t ya, Jer?”
“Well, when you look as good as all this… why wouldn’t ya?” he gloated.
“Ugh. Why do men think every woman needs what they have? Sure, you look, well, as good as all that, but Jesus. Have some modesty or, I dunno, something.”
“Dang, girl. Who pissed in your Cheerios?”
“Sorry. O
ne of my friends got shit on by one of you… you… jock types. Guess I’m a little sensitive on her behalf.”
“There you are!”
A second flamingo appeared behind her and Adrianne gave a nervous giggle.
“I’ve been looking for you, feather butt.”
Jeremy arched an eyebrow.
Adrianne blushed, took the outstretched cup from the man and took a drink before proceeding to grab him in to a passionate kiss and all but suck his face off. Jeremy expected the pair of horny flamingos to come up for air. When they didn’t, he cleared his throat loudly and said, “Anyone for vomit?”
Adrianne flipped him off from behind Mr. Flamingo’s head, before pushing back slightly so she could talk.
“Be a rainbow, Jer, not a painbow.”
“Wow. The nineties called; they want their Buffy the Vampire Slayer reference back.”
She grinned, flipped him off again, and returned to sucking face with Mr. Flamingo.
As Jeremy stood contemplating getting a refill for his drink, he checked the time and realized it was already much later than he thought. He considered leaving the party, which at this point was just drinking games and people either passed out, or making out. He noticed something moving out of the corner of his eye. Turning his head slowly, he realized that the moving thing was a person and she was standing so close to him that she was touching him. He also realized that despite the black swan costume she was wearing, he was staring directly into the unmistakable eyes of one Ms. Chelsea Davis. She giggled nervously and her eyes darted around as though she didn’t want to be caught doing what she was doing. What she was in fact doing, Jeremy had no idea. Before he could react, her lips were on his and she was kissing him. He didn’t miss a beat, he turned her around so her back was against the wall as he slipped his hand around the back of her neck and held her to him and kissed her.
“Oh, hell no!”
Chelsea jumped as the voice disrupted them, bumping her head against the wall.
“Shit!” she hissed.
“We are leaving, Chels. The time for making out with the Karate Kid is long gone.”
“Hey! You know who I am!”
“Of course I know who you are, I love that movie – it’s a classic. But that doesn’t mean I’m letting you get into my friend’s pants right now. It’s time for her to leave.”
Jeremy glanced at Chelsea. Uncertainty flickered in her eyes as she contemplated the situation in front of her, and he was under no illusion that she could feel the pressure in his pants against her body as much as he could. Her friend sensed the hesitation and tugged on her arm.
“C’mon, Chels.”
Please don’t go, he willed her with his eyes.
What the hell is it with this woman? How does she bring out such desperation in you, Lewis?
“Maybe next time, cowboy,” she said, as she pushed herself away from the wall and followed her friend towards the door.
He grabbed her hand before she was out of arm’s reach. “But… You never called!” He reminded her.
“And I’m sure you were simply devastated by that, weren’t you Mr. Lewis?” she drawled sarcastically.
“As a matter of fact, Ms. Davis I—”
“Shhhhhhhh. Not so much for you with the talking,” she purred at him as she took a step towards him and planted her lips against his once again. His hands found her back and pulled her against him, holding her tightly.
She pulled her head back from his and pecked his nose. “I have to go,” she said, nuzzling her forehead against his.
“You don’t,” he answered, willing her to change her mind. “And for what it’s worth I really was kinda disappointed you never called.”
“Just kinda?” she narrowed her eyes to slits, stepped back from him and put her hands on her hips, waiting expectantly.
“Aw shit, Chels.” He nervously ran a hand through his hair. “You’re gonna make me spell it out for you, aren’t you?”
She seemed to enjoy his discomfort just a little too much.
“You, Jeremy Lewis, are a renowned ladies’ man. You can have any woman you want, so yes, I find it hard to believe that you were butthurt that I didn’t call you.”
“I don’t want any woman, Chels. I want you.” He took a step towards her and brushed her long hair out of her face. Running his fingers down her cheek, he used his thumb to tilt her head so she was looking him in the eye. “And I wasn’t butthurt, I was hurt hurt. I like you, Chelsea. I know we have this verbal sparring thing and our, whatever this is, is peppered with sarcasm and innuendo, but I like you and I want to take you out. On a real date. I want to explore this chemistry.”
She put her index finger over his lips and shook her head.
“I can’t.” She sighed. “I can’t love a hockey player again, Jeremy. I can’t go through that heartbreak again. I can’t break my own rules, not even for you… even if you are perty.”
He tried to protest, no one had said anything about the L-word, after all, but her sad and glassy eyes warned him against it. She turned on her heel to leave, paused and, glancing back over her shoulder, she added, “They really were beautiful flowers though, Jer. Thank you.”
With that, she blew him a kiss and once again Jeremy found himself intently watching her backside as she walked away from him. He watched her hips sway as she walked, and wondered just what he could ever do to convince her to give him a chance.
Chapter 12
“You nervous?”
“Me? Nervous? What the hell do I have to be nervous about? It’s your family, man, not Sting or Bono.”
“You wouldn’t be nervous meeting them either, would you?”
“Nope!”
“My mom is gonna fuckin’ love you, man. You’re cooking. She’s gonna shit her pants. Neither of her kids can cook; a fact she despairs about regularly.”
AJ sounded almost jealous as he watched Jeremy pull the insulated bag of ingredients off the backseat of his car and close the door.
“Can’t show up to Thanksgiving dinner as a first-timer without any offering; my mom would disown me, man! Hell, even if I was part of the furniture in your folks’ place a few years down the line, mom would still kick my ass if I turned up empty handed! Hell, she’d kick your ass for showing up to your own mother’s house empty handed, too.”
As they walked up the path to AJ’s parents’ house, Jeremy took a deep and audible breath.
“Sup?” AJ paused and turned to look at him.
“Nothing, man. A moment of realization, I guess. I just can’t believe it’s freakin’ Thanksgiving is all. I feel like this year is going past in a blur, wasn’t Halloween like, yesterday? I can’t believe we’re at the end of November already!”
AJ chuckled and climbed the steps to his parents’ porch. “You’re starting to sound like an old man, Jer, you know that, right? I’m not surprised your semester is flying by, though, all that partying… time flies when you’re having fun, isn’t that what they say?”
Jeremy stifled a yawn with his shoulder, not having a free hand to cover his mouth. “Absolutely! Now who’s sounding like an old freakin’ man, though? Speaking of curmudgeonly and boring… You should live a little more, Age. We’re only at college once — gotta make the best of it.”
Shaking his head and clearly very much over having this conversation almost weekly with Jeremy, AJ pulled open the porch door and pushed open the green wooden door into the house. “Anyone home?” he called, dropping his duffle bag in the hall and kicking off his shoes.
“In here!” A woman’s voice called from towards the back of the house.
“Shoes off,” AJ instructed. “She’ll hate you from the get-go if you don’t take your shoes off, no matter what the hell you cooked. Drop your bag next to mine, bring the food, though.”
“Yes sir,” Jeremy replied with a grin. “This is a niiiiice house,” he added with a low whistle.
“Isn’t it? I love it here.”
“Looks like something out
of a Steve Martin movie. They split their time, right? They have another house up north?”
“Yeah, though Michigan is pretty far north.” He chuckled. “Mom’s law firm has two offices. One here in Michigan and one up in Canada. It’s why we moved down here, so she could open up another practice, she had to qualify in both countries, too. We call her the overachiever in the family. Neither Ana nor I got that gene, either, and she’s pretty pissed about that, too. They travel back and forth a fair bit. I prefer this house, though. There’s just something about it.”
“Did you get lost on your way to the kitchen, AJ?” The woman’s voice called again a little louder.
“No, Mom, I remember the way. Just making sure Jeremy doesn’t trail leaves and dirt through the house.”
“Oh, never mind all that, I don’t care about a little dirt! Get in here already, I’ve missed you!”
“Don’t let her fool ya. Believe me when I tell you that she absolutely cares about ‘a little dirt’,” he said quietly, chuckling as he led the way into the kitchen.
“Hey Mom,” he said, as he walked around the huge island in the middle of the kitchen, to where Cindy was peeling potatoes and dropping them into a pot of water. He leaned over and kissed his mom on the cheek as she put the potato and the peeler down, wiped her hands on her apron and turned to wrap him in a hug.
“Oh, Pim. How are you? Let me get a look at you.” She held both of his arms and took a step back as if to examine him. “Well, you smell clean, your hair is tidy, you’re wearing clean clothes that don’t have holes in them and you aren’t fading away to nothing; I feel like you might be doing pretty well at this adulting thing, AJ.” She added a playful wink in Jeremy’s direction.
“Wow, thanks, Mom. Y’know, I am perfectly capable of keeping myself clean and tidy.”
“Maybe so,” she said, turning her attention to Jeremy. “But we both know you can’t cook to save your life. I’m guessing you’re the answer to that particular problem for my darling son, Jeremy.”
“Yes ma’am,” he answered with a grin. “I’m definitely the chef in the relationship. Speaking of…” Jeremy put the thermal bag on the island and slid it away from the edge. “I brought some ingredients to make some things to add to dinner tomorrow night. It’s nice to finally meet you Mrs. Williams,” he said, holding out his hand.
Four Letter Feelings (The Jeremy Lewis Series Book 1) Page 7
