Play to Win

by A. C. Arthur

  “I delivered the beer,” Ethan said, hoping to head off any further discussion.

  Especially since what Rod had just alluded to was an all-out misrepresentation of how Ethan had actually spent his Friday night. And the rest of his weekend for that matter. As much as he’d wanted her to, Portia Merin hadn’t joined him in his bed—or hers—that night. And the next morning when he’d hit the gym just after dawn, he’d overworked himself on every machine in the place because he’d been still wishing like hell she had. By this morning, Ethan had told himself he was over it. Sleeping with her might’ve been nice, but he hadn’t, and that wasn’t the end of the world.

  “You were in a place where all this sex was going on and you didn’t partake?” Jeret continued, a grin spreading quickly across his face.

  Jeret didn’t smile or laugh often, not since returning to Providence, but when he did, it reminded Ethan of old times.

  “Nobody was having sex,” Ethan said, a little too forcefully. “At least not that I saw. There was some kind of fetish conference going on, so there were a lot of…sexual things there.”

  Including the girl that used to get teased relentlessly by the kids at school, some of whom, Ethan was ashamed that he’d called friends.

  “There was even a woman there teaching people how to give good blow jobs.” Rod was determined to tell the whole story. He closed his eyes and made a moaning sound. “I sure wish I could’ve been in that room to see what tips she was giving.”

  “Why?” Del’s expression was deadpan. “You wanna learn how to give good blow jobs?”

  Ethan grinned.

  “Not funny, Del.” A tinge of irritation marked Rod’s drunken tone and he motioned for Ethan to bring him another shot.

  “Coffee time,” Ethan announced and tossed the towel he’d been using over his shoulder as he poured the cup of coffee.

  He heard Rod grumbling while he set the coffee pot back onto the warmer and watched his frowning face as he carried the cup to him. When he set the cup down on the bar top Rod frowned and Ethan smirked. “Enjoy.”

  The last thing he wanted to hear about was blow jobs or sex classes or anything that circled his thoughts back to seeing Portia after all these years. He walked back to where Jeret was still standing across from Del and dropped the towel he’d been using to clean onto the bar top next to him. “It’s quitting time for me.”

  “Got a curfew?” Del asked without looking up from his notebook again.

  Ethan shook his head. “You’re full of jokes tonight.” Even though Del wasn’t usually the jokester. Of the twins, Lance was definitely the more laid back and fun-loving one, while Del was serious morning, noon and night.

  “I’ve been here since eight this morning, doing inventory until eleven when we opened,” Ethan told him. “Sunday’s and Monday’s late shift is for you, Jeret and Lance.”

  “Who made that schedule?” Jeret grumbled.

  “He did,” Ethan said pointing a thumb over his shoulder at Del. It was one of the many things Del kept in an orderly fashion and because it worked in his favor at the moment, he wasn’t about to complain. “See you two in the a.m.” He kept on walking toward the end of the bar closest to the door. There was a hot shower and a cold beer waiting for him at his apartment.

  “Early,” Del shouted to him. “Noah heard from the PR company about advertising, so we’re gonna go over that before we open.”

  “Yeah, I got the text.” Ethan pushed through one of the two glass doors that were the front entrance of the bar.

  There was another set of double doors that opened directly to the parking lot, but he rarely left through them. He always parked his truck at the corner out front so he could see it from his station at the bar. They didn’t get a lot of car thefts in Providence, but there’d been a couple of occasions when patrons from the bar had too many drinks and got a little rowdy upon leaving.

  He climbed into the cab of his midnight blue Expedition and checked his phone. His glided a finger over the screen to check for emails and/or text messages, there were none. Just as he was about to feel a spurt of disappointment he grinned at his own foolishness, he hadn’t given Portia his contact info the other night, so how could he be expecting her to reach out to him? That was something else he kicked himself for the last two days. He’d let her walk out of that room without trying to get any contact information from her. A few years ago, that would’ve been totally unlike Ethan’s charming way with women. A few years ago, he hadn’t been involved with Stacey either.

  Shaking his head, he tried to convince himself that memory had no place in his mind, not anymore. His relationship with Stacey was old news. Just like the friendship he’d had with Portia was. Two women, two missteps in his life he couldn’t go back and fix.

  Forward movement, that’s where his concentration was now. Moving on with his life and letting the past live in the past. With those thoughts, he started the engine and pulled out of his parking spot. It was only a few minutes later before huge drops of rain splattered onto the windshield. He turned on his wipers and his radio. His favorite playlists were already loaded so he only needed to hit a specific number to hear designated tunes. Tonight, it was Drake. He needed the smooth lyrics and pumping beats to keep his mind off pretty women with lush lips.

  He’d just turned onto the highway when the thought of lush lips fled from his mind as his headlights zeroed in on a plump ass leaning into the trunk of a car. The rain had already picked up as he slowed the truck and passed the woman, but the moment he noticed the front tire of her car was flat, he stopped. He put the truck in reverse and parked in front of the car so that he could get out and help. Stepping out into the rainy night he tried not to notice the jeans, red t-shirt and Jordan Retro 13 tennis shoes he wore were now getting soaked.

  A car jack and lug wrench were on the ground near the front driver’s side tire. She knew what she was doing and was probably at this moment searching for the spare tire in the trunk. Stopping at the back of the car, he asked, “Need some help?”

  The woman’s head came up so quickly, she lost her balance and started to flail backward. The flashlight she was holding sent beams of light shooting through the night sky. He moved fast, clearing the remaining distance until he was closer to her. He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close to keep her from falling. When she turned in his arms and slapped her hands against his shoulders, his gaze caught hers.

  Her hair was wet, slacked down to the sides of her face. Long lashes with drops of water on the ends, blinked over lovely amber-colored eyes. Thanks to the bright beam of the flashlight she still held, Ethan could see the flecks of gold in those pretty eyes he would recognize anywhere. He could also feel the heat moving steadily throughout his body as he once again stared at Portia Merin.

  “I don’t need any help,” she said quietly, before licking her lips.

  “I do,” Ethan whispered. I need help getting you out of my head. Of course, he didn’t say that to her, he wasn’t a total idiot. But it was true. As hard as he’d tried all weekend his thoughts had continually returned to her and now, here she was again. “I mean, I do need to help you. I can’t just get in my truck and pull off while you’re out here trying to change a tire in the rain.”

  “I know how to change a tire.” He didn’t doubt that for one minute. In fact, he was certain Portia knew how to do just about anything.

  “Just let me help you and then I’ll be on my way. I promise. No strings attached.”

  “I’d probably be more inclined to believe those last words if your arms weren’t so tight around my waist.” With that she pressed her palms flat against his chest as if she planned to push him away, but she didn’t.

  And he couldn’t let her go. As odd and probably obsessive as that sounded, it was clear they were being drawn together for some reason. “I didn’t want you to fall.”

  “I’m not falling now.”

  No. She wasn’t. But the way she was looking up at him, the way her b
ody remained pressed against his even though he’d lessened his hold at her former comment, it sent a very conflicting message. Her mouth was saying to leave her alone, not in specific words, but he could easily get that message. Her actions, on the other hand, were telling him something different. “Let’s make a deal.” An impromptu proposal that he hoped she’d go along with. “You let me help you with this tire and I won’t ask to follow you back to your hotel this time.”

  The corner of her mouth tilted in a smile as she shook her head. “Just like you tried to make a deal that we only study Algebra for half an hour and then we talk about your football stats the remaining thirty minutes.”

  The memory of those days sitting in the back of the library, or at the diner studying came back with a rush. Per his recollection conflict and indecision had always been their thing. “I enjoyed talking to you. Much like I apparently enjoy touching you now.”

  She faltered for the barest second before easing closer and slamming her lips into his. It only took a second of dazed delight before he was moaning with satisfaction as his lips parted and her tongue eased inside.

  4

  She was kissing Ethan Henley.

  After all these years, all those nights she’d lay in her bed with her eyes closed tightly, wishing like hell this would finally happen. It was happening. Sure, rain fell in what seemed like buckets over them, her hair and clothes were soaked and the stupid lug nuts on the tire were too tightly screwed for her to get them off. But she was kissing Ethan Henley! Finally!

  His mouth was masterful, just as Portia imagined it would be. His tongue stroking hers as if they were long lost lovers having the reunion of a lifetime. She could get with that explanation. This was a reunion. She was finally in the arms of her high school crush. His hands were on her body, one palm pressing tightly against her butt cheek, the other planted firmly against her back. Her fingers curled into the sleeves of his shirt, grazing his hard biceps.

  Where did he come from? Why was he here?

  She felt like she’d asked those questions before, but still had no answer. And right now, just at this moment, Portia only wanted to ask for one thing. More.

  The kiss was hungry and urgent. Ethan held her tightly against him, so that she could feel the muscles of his body and the throbbing of his arousal. It was thick and hard and felt as if it were straining for release. Her breasts felt heavy, tight nipples pressed against the thin material of her bra and the blouse she wore. There was something in the pit of her stomach, a swirling sensation. Or was it yearning? Was it something that had been waiting for this contact and would now react accordingly? Or…was it dread? Was this another trick? Another way to embarrass her?

  On instinct, she pulled away from him so quickly her thigh banged against the back bumper of the car and she yelled out.

  “Whoa.” He took a step toward her.

  His arms were outstretched as he reached for her again, but she sidestepped him this time.

  “What are you doing here?” She resisted the urge to touch her now swollen lips but could feel them still warm and pulsating from the fevered kiss. “Why do you keep showing up?”

  He stopped moving toward her at that moment. His eyes were intense as he glared at her. The red shirt he wore was molded to his body so that every chiseled inch of his chest and abs were visible. He looked like a superhero standing there in the rain with her jacked up car behind him.

  “I saw a woman stopped on the side of the road, in the rain. I stopped to help,” he said, his voice tight with irritation.

  And he’d come to save the day, just like a hero often does. Only Ethan had never been her hero and at this point in her life, she wasn’t even looking for one. She shook her head and wisps of wet hair slapped the sides of her face. She took another step back, inhaled deeply and released it slowly, giving herself a few moments to gather her thoughts.

  “I already called AAA. A tow truck is on the way and they’ll take care of the car.” And she could take care of herself. This wasn’t high school, and she’d learned to guard her feelings and fight back when necessary. So if this was another joke on Ethan’s behalf, she’d be ready.

  He looked confused or exasperated, not as if he were conspiring something and she tried to rein in the thoughts of self-preservation that came on instinct now.

  “But you were trying to fix it yourself?” he asked.

  Portia sighed. “I can change a flat tire,” she told him. “But the stupid lug nuts are on too tight and then it started to rain. And why did you kiss me?” The last came out abruptly, she hadn’t planned to discuss that kiss with him. Still, after a second of seeing the perplexed look on his face, she was glad she’d asked. Catching Ethan off guard wasn’t something she’d seen anyone do before, her shoulders squared at the thought that she’d accomplished it after all these years.

  He took another step toward her now and a part of her wanted to retreat. The stronger, new Portia stood her ground. She wasn’t sixteen anymore and running was no longer an option.

  “Because I wanted to taste your lips,” he said, his voice like a smooth melody over the monotonous beat of the rain. “I wanted to kiss you that day under the bleachers, but you were upset and you ran off.”

  “Wait, what?” His words had been clear, she just didn’t understand their meaning. She’d been there that day and had replayed it over and over in her mind a billion times. At no point had it ever appeared Ethan wanted to kiss her. In fact, his actions had dictated the exact opposite.

  “You and your friends tried to set me up that day. Melissa Bannon snatched a piece of paper I’d been doodling on in chem class. She told her boyfriend, Patrick Riggs, that I had a crush on you. Then she told me that you liked me too and that you wanted to meet me under the bleachers. So I went, like an idiot. I should’ve known better,” she said, pain and embarrassment still as fresh as if this had taken place yesterday. She tried to will the emotions away and replace them with resolve and courage. Twelve years ago, she hadn’t had the nerve to argue with Ethan or his friends, to tell them all they were ignorant scum for tormenting her the way they did. Tonight, she wasn’t going to let the opportunity slip away.

  “I waited under those bleachers for almost an hour. And when you showed up, I was elated and…hopeful. But then you looked so confused and I heard something. Patrick fell from the top of the bleachers where he’d been waiting with a camera to catch the exact moment that you would tell me how crazy I was forever thinking you were interested in me. I felt like an idiot for being foolish enough to believe that you, of all people, wanted to be alone with me.”

  She’d almost repeated the nickname they used to call her, but she’d promised herself to never say foolishness aloud. Just as she’d sworn she would never be in a vulnerable position with another man. Not after Ethan and then Bobby.

  Ethan ran a hand down his face, his eyes a fierce green now. “I wasn’t part of any plan, Portia. And when Patrick insisted I go behind the bleachers to find a surprise, I knew he was up to no good. I didn’t know it involved you until I got there.”

  Well, she would’ve said that announcement was like rain on her parade, but considering the circumstances, she refrained. It was anticlimactic for sure considering all the time she’d spent hating him for that day after all she’d done to help him. Still, somewhere in the recesses of her mind she wondered if she could even believe him. Why would he lie now? Because he thought he had a shot at having sex with her? Not likely. A kiss was one thing, but sex was something she’d never actually considered.

  “It doesn’t matter,” she said finally and looked back as she heard the sound of another vehicle coming.

  It was the tow truck. Thank the heavens!

  She tried to walk past Ethan, but he reached out to touch her arm. She didn’t yank away, instead she met his gaze when he spoke.

  “I’m sorry they did that to you. I’m sorry for all the cruel things they did and said back then. But it wasn’t me. I was never involved in any of it,�
�� he told her.

  He sounded sincere, standing in the rain after he’d kissed her brains out.

  “And you never tried to stop it.” That had been a simple truth that she figured they’d both have to live with. “But don’t worry about it now. It’s done.”

  And it was. She slipped her arm easily out of his light grip and walked back to the front of her car, where she opened the door to grab her purse and phone from the front seat. Without looking back to where she knew he still stood, she walked to where the tow truck had come to a stop, opened the passenger side door and climbed inside. While the tow truck driver hitched the car to the back, she watched through the moving windshield wipers as Ethan came around her car and walked to his truck. He got inside but didn’t pull off until the tow truck drove past him.

  What was he thinking now? Was he still feeling the residual warmth from their kiss? Or was he remembering that day she’d stood there looking at him as her entire world had been shattered? That’s how she’d felt that day under the bleachers and she’d never tutored Ethan again after that. She hadn’t cared if he played football again or not, she wasn’t going to sit next to him at a table after he’d shown her how he really felt about her. But now, what was she supposed to do with all that she’d learned about that fateful day now?

  Nothing.

  Just like she’d told him, it was done. That moment and so many others had been defining moments for her. They’d molded her into the woman she was now, so she guessed she should be grateful to some extent. At any rate, she wasn’t going to be in Providence much longer. All she had to do was take care of Sunny’s house tomorrow and then she would be on her way. What happened twelve years ago didn’t matter. Ethan Henley no longer mattered.

  Even if she desperately wanted to kiss him again.