by S. C. Adams
“I know. Isn’t it great?! You’ve only been back a couple of days, and you’re already dating the hottest guy in Sunnyside. This is going to be the best summer ever!”
“Yeah,” I laugh tonelessly. “So, anything big happening this summer?” I attempt to change the subject, hoping we can forget about boastful Bobby for right now.
“My parents are throwing a huge barbecue this weekend. The whole town is coming, including Bobby,” she says with a Cheshire cat smile. Great, it looks like I won’t be able to escape him all summer. Just my luck.
“Cool,” I say indifferently. I know Nicole is trying to be helpful by pushing me toward Bobby, but I’m not the slightest bit interested in him. I’d never go for such a show-off. It’s not manly to boast like that. Real men know themselves, and have no need to act like braggarts. But it’s to be expected because he’s not a man; he’s still a teenage boy. He’s an immature kid, and that’s that.
I stare at the glass entrance, wishing Coach Mason would walk through the door. His face is the only one I want to see, and hearing his bass voice would send chills down my spine right now. I know it’s silly to fantasize about Coach, but he’s the only one who makes my heart throb. This is more than a crush; I’m head over heels in love with him. I have to see my former coach before the summer ends because my body craves him. I don’t think I can make it another year without feeling his warm touch on my skin. Even if it’s only a pat on my shoulder, or a friendly hug, my form hungers for him … and I hope he hungers for me as well.
2
Tessa
Barroom Burger is a staple in Sunnyside. Residents from neighboring towns travel to our small suburb just for the juicy patties that sizzle so nicely on the grill. Its craft burgers have made it one of the top places to eat in New York. When I was in high school, my best girlfriends and I used to always come here after a football game. Most of them would be too shy to indulge in the tender medium rare beef patties, but I couldn’t resist ordering their famous double patty melt with a side of crinkle-cut fries.
That double patty melt is the only thing I’m looking forward to tonight. I agreed to meet Bobby at Barroom Burger because I knew that it would be crowded, as usual, and I haven’t had one of their hamburgers since I went away for college. Hopefully, he’ll be so busy stuffing his face that he won’t have time to run his mouth. The last thing I want is to spend the next hour and a half listening to an immature teenage boy go on and on about his college football career.
Couples are scattered throughout the burger joint enjoying craft sandwiches topped with applewood smoked bacon, creamy mushrooms, and gooey mozzarella cheese. A whiff of the combined scents drifts into my nostrils. My rumbling tummy urges me to check the time on my watch. Lo and behold, Bobby is twenty minutes late. What kind of guy asks a girl out on a date and then doesn’t show up on time?! I thought for sure I would be the one late; after all, I’m the girl, and I have a lot more primping to do.
Fortunately, Nicole offered to come over and help me get ready for my date with Bobby. If she hadn’t, I probably wouldn’t be half as dolled up as I am right now because I prefer more of a natural look. I’ve never been into the name brand makeup products my friends spent their entire allowance on. A soft pink lipstick and a little mascara is all I’m used to wearing, but Nicole painted my eyelids with a navy blue glittery eyeshadow and brushed my cheeks with a scarlet blush. She’d given my eyelids wings with her jet black liquid eyeliner, saying something about them helping me fly high on my date with the former captain of our high school football team. I feel uncomfortable with the many different colors swirling around on my face, and frankly, feel a bit like a clown.
I glance at the maroon-colored polish she slathered on my fingernails. The venomous color reminds me of blood, and I absolutely can’t wait to take it off when I get home. I ball my hands up and place them in my lap. At least I feel comfortable in my favorite floral dress; it shows off all of my curves without being tight to the point that I can’t breathe. It’s the perfect dress to wear when you want to devour a double cheeseburger.
My stomach rumbles again, and I check the time once more. Bobby’s thirty minutes late now. Maybe he won’t show. If he doesn’t, that wouldn’t be a bad thing. I could just grab my meal to go, then go home and change into a T-shirt and some sweatpants. That idea actually sounds way better than being on a date with Bobby.
I stare at the entrance, contemplating whether or not I should be courteous enough to wait another ten minutes for the tardy teen. Although my mind screams, “Get the hell out of Dodge,” something in my heart tells me to wait. I listen to the latter. The bell hanging from the top of the heavy door tinkles as a gust of wind flows into the crowded restaurant. For a second, I think it’s Bobby finally deciding to show up for our date. But it’s not. Instead, my heart stops for a few seconds as a familiar figure strolls through the door with the physique of a gladiator prepared to slay his opponent.
I want to rub my eyes to make sure I’m seeing correctly, but if I do, I’ll end up smearing the glittery eyeshadow Nicole decorated my eyelids with. The stance of his masculine body sends tingles throughout mine. It’s him. Coach Mason. I can’t believe he’s right here in front of me. His piercing blue eyes scour the restaurant, eventually locking onto mine. Juices flow from my cunt as I stare into the eyes of the one man who owns my heart. It’s been a whole year, but the softball coach still gets my pussy wet without having to lay a finger on me.
He looks just as surprised to see me as I am to see him. He flashes his pearly white smile, sending a wave of delicious chills down my spine. Gosh, this man is irresistible. I try to keep my cool as he strolls over to my table, but on the inside, I’m freaking out like any teenage girl does when her crush is approaching her. Now, I feel kind of embarrassed by the amount of makeup plastered on my face. Coach Mason has never seen me with a drop of foundation on, and he’s definitely never seen me in a dress. Part of the reason I chose to play softball was because we got to wear a lot of clothing as opposed to the skimpy shorts the volleyball girls put on. With curves like mine, I used to prefer to cover them up in high school, but being away at college has taught me to embrace my figure.
I straighten in my chair as the dreamboat moves in closer to my table. I run my fingers through my curls, hoping to God they’re not frizzy. Oh god, oh god, is this really happening? It seems almost like Coach is moving in slow motion as he approaches, and my body softens even more. I swallow hard as I stare at his broad shoulders and solid pecs; he’s in impeccable shape, as always. His rock hard physique probably has the strength of ten teenage boys. How a man can be this gorgeous is beyond me.
“Hey Tessa,” he says casually, throwing me that charming grin.
“Hi Coach Mason!” I chirp with a wide smile spread across my face. Oh my gosh! I can’t believe he’s standing right in front of me! The last time I saw him was the night he chaperoned when Sunnyside High threw the seniors a graduation party. I remember hugging him tightly at the end of the soiree as tears streamed down my cheeks. No one thought anything of it; I guess they’d figured it was just an athlete saying her goodbyes to her old life. In reality, I was devastated to be leaving him in particular.
“It’s so great to see you. You look beautiful,” Coach growls, his blue eyes trailing over my figure. My heart races as I blush hotly.
“Thank you,” I say with rosy red cheeks. Perhaps Nicole’s makeup tricks paid off. After all, Coach doesn’t take his ice blue eyes off of me for a second, making me feel like there aren’t any other women in the hamburger establishment.
“How was your first year in college?”
“A little tough, but I made it through.”
“Of course you did.” He places a warm hand on my back, sending tingles through my veins. “There’s nothing you can’t do, Tessa. I’ve always told you that. No one can stop you, but you.” He did always told me that. Whenever I’d felt like giving up on anything, Coach would push me further. He never let me quit,
and he encouraged me to try new things, even when they scared me. He taught me how to be comfortable with myself and how to go after the things I want, and for that, I’ll forever be grateful.
“You always know what to say, Coach. Thanks so much.” My heart is full, and my head is spinning. I’m so giddy that I almost feel drunk. If I were standing, I’d probably fall down. How does he weave this magic?
But then Coach smiles.
“I miss having you on my team, Tess. It’s not the same without my star player,” he says lightly. Of course, I wasn’t really the star player of our team – in fact, I was probably the worst player on the team – but that never stopped the heartthrob coach from believing in me.
“I’m sure the team’s doing just fine without me,” I laugh breathlessly. As he stands beside the table, I inhale the aroma of his cologne. It’s his favorite scent; I even bought him a bottle for his birthday last year. It’s musky, masculine, and a total aphrodisiac. My insides feel like they’re melting.
Suddenly, a voice interrupts, jerking me out of my trance.
“Tessa,” snaps Bobby. Oh shit. I’d forgotten all about my dreadful date. Ugh.
“Oh … hey, Bobby,” I say, practically choking on the words. I’m a bit flustered and still pretty wet. Being around Coach always got me hot and bothered, but I can’t let Bobby see me lusting after Sunnyside’s athletic director. That’s how rumors get started, after all. “You remember Coach Mason, right?”
“Yeah,” Bobby says while extending his hand out toward the older man. “How have you been, Coach?” Mason takes Bobby’s palm and smiles genially. I can’t help but notice how Coach towers over Bobby, even though the teen boy is a football player.
“I’m great. How are you? How’s college?” Coach Mason asks.
“Pretty good. I’m playing football at one of the top schools in the country,” Bobby brags. God. This again.
But Mason is kind.
“Good for you. Well, I need to get back to my date, but hopefully I’ll see you around, Tessa,” Coach Mason says as he places his hand on my back one last time. Sparks fly, but they’re cut short as jealousy courses through my veins. Date? What the hell?
Immediately, I’m crushed. Even though I know he must be popular with the ladies, it’s still awful to know that he has an actual date.
I turn and watch as Coach walks over to a table where a pretty blonde woman is seated. Shit. My heart sinks, and I feel sick to my stomach. While I’m stuck over here with Bobby, she gets to make kissy-face with the man my heart desires. I fight back tears as I sink into my chair.
“Do you know what you want?” Bobby asks with no real interest in knowing the answer.
“Yeah,” I reply with a lump in my throat. “A burger.” This date just got ten times worse.
“Cool. Me too,” Bobby says as he stares at his cellphone. He’s not making eye contact with me, and he didn’t even apologize for being almost an hour late. What a jerk.
“Are you ready to order now?” our waitress asks.
“Yeah, I’ll have the Texan Burger,” Bobby says with his eyes still locked on his screen, his finger moving in a blur. Our waitress rolls her eyes as she jots down his order.
“Can I have the double patty melt, please?” I politely ask.
“Right away,” she says, flashing me a smile.
I glance at Coach Mason and his golden-haired date. They seem to be having a better conversation than Bobby and I are. She laughs hysterically as he tells her a story. He always has a funny anecdote up his sleeve; it’s just part of his charm. He could make the most serious nun in a Catholic school crack a smile.
God, I wish I was the one sitting across from him laughing at his witty tale. But instead, I’m sitting across from this acne-ridden boy, who seems to be more concerned with whatever is on his phone instead of me. Bobby hasn’t said a word since arriving, which is all the better, come to think of it.
Even worse, I can’t help but sneak glances at Coach Mason and his date. Who is that blonde? Does she know how lucky she is? Coach is probably the sexiest man alive and I’d love to see him naked. Is that what she’s going to be treated to later tonight? Envy fills my veins and I can feel my skin turning green. He’s so close, yet so far away.
But I have to suck it up because I have no other choice. After all, what can I do? Sashay right up to Mason’s table and blow him a kiss? Touch his knee suggestively under the table while sliding my hand higher? It’s totally inappropriate, but that’s what I’d love to do … and more.
3
Mason
I glance back at the buxom eighteen-year-old with the curls that spring with every step she takes. Damn, I’ve never seen her look so good. She’s always been beautiful, but she’s a woman now, and it shows. I can’t believe she’s on a date with that little turd, Bobby Frazier. I used to listen in disgust as he would gossip like a teenage girl in the locker room about his conquests. Tessa doesn’t need a guy like that; she needs a man to nurture her and help her grow. That asshole would destroy her self-esteem.
I admire her voluptuous body from a distance. She’s gained a few pounds, and she’s wearing them flawlessly. I try not to stare too hard at my former student athlete, but I’ve always had trouble keeping my eyes off of that teenage tease. Out of all of the girls I’ve ever coached, Tessa is my favorite. Something about her is special to me. She has a light about her that the superficial women I’ve dated have never possessed.
I was hoping I’d run into my sweet softball star this summer, but I hate that our encounter had to be so brief. I guess it’s a good thing that douche Bobby showed up or else I would’ve forgotten I was supposed to be on a date with Violet. The vibrant blonde seems to have no idea that Tessa has roamed through my mind for our entire date. I just couldn’t shake the image of her in that floral dress out of my head. Whenever Violet wasn’t looking, I’d snuck glances at the gorgeous brunette.
Wanting Tessa like this is wrong – she’s my former student for crying out loud. But she’s a grown woman now, a college student venturing off into adulthood. For two years, I fought my feelings for her because I couldn’t blur the line of our relationship. The curvy teenager was just a kid, and I was her mentor, her guide. Her parents and the school had entrusted her to my care, so to fantasize about the girl was taboo. I’d never touched her, but I could feel myself falling for my softball player.
The day she graduated was a bittersweet moment. I was happy she was going off to college and starting a new life, but my heart hurt not knowing when the next time I would see her again would be. Even miles away, my feelings never changed for the outcast with a lot of potential. She wasn’t like the other girls who pranced around Sunnyside half-dressed for attention. She could be fully clothed and still take my breath away. The mature young woman could hold a conversation better than half of the middle-age women I’ve bedded. There’s more to her than a pretty face and a phenomenal body. I’ve always known it.
“Are you ready to go, Mason?” Violet asks as she waits for me by the entrance. I nod indifferently. I wish I could stay a little longer to bask in Tessa’s beauty, but Sunnyside’s small, and I wouldn’t want talk to get around that I was checking out a former student. It looks pretty bad when the athletic director of a high school is drooling over a teenage girl, even one as mature as Tessa.
I fling open the car door for my paper thin date. She’s so skinny, she could hula hoop with a Cheerio. Don’t get me wrong – she’s beautiful. Just not my type. I prefer my women with a little more meat on their bones. Someone I can hold onto and cuddle with on a cold winter’s night. Someone like the curly-haired softball athlete.
I shouldn’t be thinking about Tessa right now. She’s way too young. I’m old enough to be the curvaceous teen’s father. I’ve never been the older guy who lusted after young girls like a sicko. My feelings for Tessa had come way out of left field. At first, I’d thought I was going crazy, always wanting to be around the bubbly beauty. Seeing her strut down the h
allways of Sunnyside High drove me insane. I’d have to watch teenage boys make eyes at her while jealousy bubbled inside of me. When she joined the softball team, I could tell she had low self-esteem. I made it my mission to motivate her and help her become the best version of herself she could be. Somehow, in the midst of me inspiring her, she worked her way into my heart with those big brown puppy dog eyes.
“I really enjoyed myself tonight, Mason,” Violet whimpers as she sinks into her seat. I honestly couldn’t tell. The bony blonde barely ate anything all night. I was surprised when she ordered a grilled portobello mushroom wrapped in lettuce. I had no idea New York’s top burger joint even served that type of stuff. I couldn’t wrap my mind around the fact that she ordered a veggie wrap at a restaurant known for its grade A beef patties. To say I was bewildered would be an understatement. Apparently, she shuns red meat. She even gave me a speech about how animals’ lives are just as important as ours and that we shouldn’t eat them. I’m the type of guy who respects everyone’s beliefs, but the last thing I want to hear while I’m chowing down on a juicy hamburger is that I’m destroying the ecosystem. She even looked at me with disdain when I tossed a couple of french fries in my mouth. Complete turn off.
“Me too,” I lie. In all honesty, I would’ve preferred to be on a date with Tessa. It’ll probably never happen, but a guy can fantasize, can’t he? The former softball player had munched on a double cheeseburger at the restaurant, not the least bit bashful about her appetite. It had turned me on watching her enjoy every bite. I love a woman who likes to eat without any shame. Violet, on the other hand, had counted every calorie she ingested tonight. I’d rolled my eyes when she asked our waiter how many calories were in the diet lemonade. She’s as skinny as a stick, so she has no reason to watch her weight. If anything, she could stand to gain at least twenty pounds. Then maybe I’d be the slightest bit attracted to her.