A Love Like This (Book 1)

by Lane, Kimberly

  Sarah walks to the center of the field and calls the group over. “Everyone knows the rules of flag football right.” They all nod their agreement. “We have a pretty even amount of guys and girls so let’s make this a battle of the sexes,” she yells thrusting her fist in the air. Some of the girls hoop with excitement. Than the girls and boys run over to convene in a skirmish circle. Sarah smears black theater makeup under each of our left eye. Another girl hands out pink bandanas which we all tie around our foreheads.

  There are eight girls and five boys. We all line up in two rows facing each other. The guys stand near the girl their planning to guard. Tucker and the very handsome man he was with the day I met him are both standing in front of me. In the distance I see three girls sitting on canvas chairs cheering. They’re too far away for me to see their faces but I figure they have to be girlfriends of the players. There’s trash talk on both sides then a stout South African with white blond hair makes the first play. He yells out Mike then throws the ball past the line of girls. Mike catches the ball and runs for the boy’s goal. I hadn’t paid much attention to Mike before because I’ve been so enthralled with Tucker. Mike has the most beautiful smooth dark chocolate skin. He winks at me as he runs towards his goal guarded by two other guys. Sarah sneaks past the guards and seizes both of Mike’s flags before he can score. He flashes a brilliant smile and raises his shoulders, “you distracted me,” he says before going back to the boy’s side to reconvene.

  It goes on like this for six more plays and some of the boys start to get mad. As soon as they’re ready to score their plans are foiled by a surprise attack from the women. Male egos won’t permit them to lose to a bunch of girls so they huddle together and devise a plan. They look around at the girls conspiratorially. Before the play starts Tucker pulls his t-shirt over his head. His stomach looks as if it was chiseled by an artist. All of the girls are distracted, some are blatantly staring open mouthed others taking quick glances in his direction in an attempt to be inconspicuous. The game starts again and there’s a lot of scrambling around on both teams. I have no idea what’s happening until I look up and see that there’s a ball headed right for me. I scream and run from side to side in a panic. People are charging towards me and I have a football headed towards my head. I have no choice but to catch it so I brace myself for the impact. The ball reaches my arms, bounces off my boobs and flops around a bit before I manage to take hold of it. I hear a collective yell from the women saying, “Run,” as a herd of men head towards me. I turn and sprint in the wrong direction screaming the whole time and wishing I had worn a sports bra. I’m a few feet away from the boy’s goal post when I feel a thud on my back and everything goes black. I can’t move because it feels like a ton of bricks has landed on me. A few seconds later the weight eases and someone rolls me over. I look up and cringe. Tucker, Mike and nearly everyone from the two teams are standing over me.

  Tucker kneels next to me looking worried. I’m lying flat on my back still holding the ball. “Are you alright,” Tucker asks lifting me to my feet. I drop the ball and start dusting the grass off my pants and shirt.

  “Seems like you’re always knocking me off my feet,” I say and instantly feel silly. I turn around to check for grass stains on my butt.

  “I can help you with that,” he says with raised eyebrows. I feel my stomach flutter but there’s no time to tell him that I’ve got it covered because a screeching voice comes from across the field.

  “I’m sure she’s fine Tucker get back to the game,” the woman yells from her lawn chair. Tucker’s eyes roll up towards the sky. He smiles, touches my arm and says, “That was a classic play,” before jogging back to the boy’s side.

  Mike is the one who’d landed on me. Sarah told me later that Tucker and Mike were pushing each other trying to get my flag and Mike tripped and took me down with him. Mike’s apology seems sincere and I can’t help but smile at his handsome face. He is about four inches shorter than Tucker with smooth full lips two pierced ears and a fraternity tattoo on his right forearm.

  “Mike,” he says extending a hand and introducing himself. His lips part into a smile revealing perfect white teeth.

  “Leila,” I say shaking his hand. My eyes are glued to his lips. They look like soft pillows and I really want to touch them, bite them lick them. I raise an eyebrow and bite my bottom lip. I’ve been forcing myself to ignore these feelings for so long that they’re all rushing to the surface at once. Mike doesn’t give me butterflies the way Tucker does. Mike’s touch makes my panties moist. Tucker makes me want to fall in love and have babies. Mike makes me want to get naked and have sex.

  “Why don’t you let me take you out? It’ll be my way of apologizing,” he says still holding my hand.

  I’m not sure how to respond to Mike. This is usually the time I tell the guy that I’m planning to join the monastery or that I’m a lesbian to get rid of him.

  I tear my eyes away from his lips when I hear Tucker shout, “Let’s get back to the game,” with a bit of an angry edge.

  Mike backs away still smiling at me. “Think about it,” He says before leaving.

  Mike turns and does a slow jog back over to the group of men. Tucker punches him lightly on the arm when he reaches the group. I see Mike mouth the word, “What,” laughing and raising his hands in mock surrender. I pick up my jacket and find a place on the grass to sit and watch the rest of the game. San Francisco is such a beautiful place. Some of the buildings are over a hundred years old and have managed to survive fires, earthquakes and other natural disasters. I’ve been meaning to take a walking tour of the city. I want to go to a pizza place I’ve heard about in the Western Edition. I want to see a free jazz concert at Stern Grove. I want to sketch the fog rolling pass the Golden Gate Bridge. The bridge has a view of Marin the richest county in all of California if not America and San Quentin one of the most notorious prisons in the back ground. I lie back on the grass with my jacket under my head thinking about how much I’ve missed out on in the weeks I’ve been in school. When Sarah announces that the game is over I sit up and see Tucker hug the girl that yelled out to him earlier. I know that I have no right to be jealous. He’s talked to me a few times, and carried me to my dorm once but it’s not like we’re dating.

  I ask Sarah to take me home. “I thought you said he and Amy broke up?” I ask as soon as we’re alone.

  “I just asked him the same thing. He said she just shows up everywhere.”

  “Yeah I’ll bet,” I say feeling my anger come to a boil.

  “Why don’t you come out with us tonight so that you can ask him about it yourself?”

  “Who’s to say Amy won’t just show up again?” I say louder than I intend. “I have to study,” I say trying to hide my frustration.

  “You like him. So stop hiding behind your books and hang out with him.”

  I look out the window and try and think of a legitimate reason not to go. “I’m not hiding. I really should study,” I say looking down at my hands.

  Back at the dorm Sarah showers and changes into a sun dress and wedged heels. She tops the outfit off with a cowboy hat. “Tex is meeting us at the V bar tonight,” She says as she heads towards the door. “Are you sure you won’t come with?”

  “I’m positive,” I say wishing I was brave enough to change my mind.

  After Sarah leaves the room I take a shower and try to wash away the memory of falling head over ass in front of Tucker. I also think about Mike, he seems like a nice guy but I’m just not sure about him. I dress in my warmest flannel pajamas get into bed and pull the covers over my head. My phone buzzes indicating that I have messages. I dial my voice mail. The first message is from Pookie.

  “Baby I haven’t talked to you in days. We’re all having dinner at your parent’s. Keisha made peach cobbler and your mom made that rosemary chicken you love so much. It’s no fun here without you, call me,” He says and I can’t hol
d back the tears. I’ve been trying not to give myself time to miss my family but it’s so hard to be away from them. I have a brief pity party then pull myself together and listen to the next message.

  There’s noise and loud music in the back ground. “Hey Leila,” the voice on the other end says. “I just want to make sure you’re alright. That was quite a spill you took today but if you have to fall I’m happy you’re falling for me.” I sit up in bed and press the phone closer to my ear. He exhales loudly, “God that was corny, sorry about that. Um, Sarah said you might come out with us tonight. I really hope you do,” Tucker says and disconnects. I lie back on the pillow holding the phone to my chest grinning like the cat that swallowed the cannery. I take out my journal and write about the football game. This entry goes under all of my other encounters with Tucker.

  Chapter 5

  I stop at the student union on my way back to the dorms. I will be done with all of my classes soon so I seriously need to find an internship. I’ve been procrastinating because I’m not sure what aspect of architecture I want to specialize in. But I guess that’s the point of an internship, to help me hone my skills and decide what best suits my interests. I’ve also been procrastinating because starting an internship in the Bay area would mean staying away from home for a very long time. I’m not sure if I’m ready to make that type of commitment.

  The only thing I’ve done consistently besides school work is volunteer at Room for Growth. I contacted Joan a few days after we met. She emailed me all the forms I needed to complete to become a volunteer. I faxed them back and started right away. I absolutely love working with the people there and Joan is probably one of the kindest women I’ve ever met. I’m looking through flyers about internships in San Francisco when I feel a hand on the small of my back. I spin around and I’m standing nose to chest with Mike. He looks like he just walked out of an ad for custom made suits. He’s always so polished. He takes the pamphlet from my hand and looks it over. “You should intern for my company. I’ll make a few calls.”

  “Do you even know what my major is?” His hand is still on my back. I look into his eyes and I know that what I feel for Mike is strictly lust. But I push it aside and replace it with annoyance.

  He scratches his head and smiles, “um.”

  “That’s what I thought,” I say and start towards the door.

  He reaches for my hand. “Of course I know you’re major. Tucker minored in urban design and that’s the only class he’s teaching this semester. Which means your major must be architecture. He crosses his arms pleased with himself. “Haven’t seen you around lately where have you been hiding,” He says flashing a charming smile.

  “Really, I see you all the time. I saw you with Kira yesterday, with the tall blond with the pointy nose last week and with Lisa with the gimpy leg the week before that.”

  He raises an eyebrow, “It’s a cast, she broke her leg and what can I say I’m a popular guy. I think it’s pretty cool that you’re keeping an eye on me. Let’s go have coffee so that we can further discuss my love life.”

  “Nope I’ll pass,” I say and start for the door again.

  “Just coffee, just friends,” he tilts his head and bites his bottom lip.

  I cross my arms over my chest, “just coffee.”

  “Unless you unable to control yourself and we end up butt naked in the middle of the quad,” he says laughing at his own joke.

  We walk across campus towards the Coffee Hut. “So what’s up with you and my boy?” he asks.

  “You really asked me out for coffee to talk about Tucker?”

  “I just want to make sure you’re free before I make you my woman.”

  I laugh, “Does that line ever work?” Everything about Mike is smooth. From the way he walks with his head erect like a proud peacock to the way he raises one eyebrow and tilts his head slightly when he talks. He oozes confidence and his playful nature makes him likable even though it’s crystal clear that his aim is to bone. This beautiful hunk of chocolate wants nothing more than to get in my pants. The problem is the way I’ve been feeling lately I might be inclined to let him do just that.

  “You have no idea how often it works,” he says as we approach the Coffee Hut.

  The place is filled with students and teachers looking for their afternoon caffeine fix. Mike orders a Mocha Late’ and I order peppermint tea. He pays for the drinks and we sit at a booth near the window. “Didn’t you graduate awhile ago?” I ask suspiciously?

  “Business major, magna cum laude,” he says.

  “So you hang out on campus waiting to trick unsuspecting freshmen into falling for your charming lines.”

  “You think you know me so well,” Mike says looking serious for the first time since I met him.

  I narrow my eyes at him. “I know you,” I say.

  “Oh yeah, why don’t you tell me about myself,” he says crossing his arms and leaning back in his chair.

  “You’re handsome, smart, charming and women almost always do what you want.”

  “You’re right so far,” he says his smile returning.

  “I’m sure you’re probably a nice guy deep deep down but I’m just not interested in being one of your conquests.” I stare at him and wait for a reaction. There’s a pregnant pause.

  “You know Berkeley has a mentoring program for under privilege youth.”

  I shake my head not liking where this is going.

  “Kids from Oakland and Richmond come here every week for tutoring. It helps them learn about all the options available to them, college, and trade school whatever. I come here after work twice a week to tutor and mentor the kids.”

  I hold his gaze as I sip my tea. It’s possible that I’ve judged him too quickly. Maybe I’m wrong about Mike.

  “All the girls on campus are just a bonus,” he says interrupting my thoughts.

  I shake my head. “You’re a mess,” I say. “I should head back to school. I have a project due in a few days.”

  “I’ll walk you back,” he says standing and opening the door for me. “Do you have plans for tonight?”

  “Just studying,” I say.

  “Do you like Italian food? I know this great place called Giorgio’s in the Sunset District. Let me take you out to dinner.”

  I comb my brain for an excuse but find none.

  “Just as friends,” I say looking over at those sexy lips.

  He rolls his eyes, “If you insist,” he says.

  I saunter towards the dorm engrossed in my thoughts. I’m not sure why I agreed to go out with Mike when I can’t stop thinking about Tucker. I open the door and Sarah is laying on her bed fully dressed listening to her iPod. I tap her leg and she sits up.

  “I can’t believe you’re home on a Friday,” I say.

  “Yeah it looks like someone had a knife fight in my underwear.”

  “Sarah we don’t have to share everything. Do you need me to get you anything?”

  “No, I just took a couple of pills it’ll be all good in a few minutes. I’ll stay in with you tonight. We can put on our jammies, have chocolate cake and talk about boys. Well I’ll talk about boys and you’ll talk about Tucker.” She says grasping her stomach and grimacing.

  “Nope I can’t tonight. I have a date.”

  “What! The big dooffus finally asked you out?”

  “No he hasn’t,” I say feeling guilty.

  “You’re going out with someone else?” She asks with a look of astonishment. She sits up in her bed. I look away.

  “Who is it you tramp!” Sarah demands with bugged out eyes.

  “Calm down, it’s just Mike.”

  “No fucking way! You’re going out with Tucker’s best friend? Well that will definitely get his attention.

  “I’m not trying to get anyone’s attention. We’re just going out as friends.”

 
; “But if Tucker was to find out----“

  “If Tucker was to find out what,” I cross my arms. “He’s not interested in me and if he is he’s moving way to slow.”

  “But you like Tucker not Mike,” she asks looking perplexed

  “I really don’t know much about either of them; maybe I can learn to like Mike.”

  “Oh Leila,” Sarah says looking disappointed. “Come on if you insist on keeping up this farce you have to at least look hot. Let me help you get dressed.”

  I shower and slide into the white backless call-girl dress that Pookie sent me. I replace my low bun with a high messy bun and I wear six inch strappy silver Nine West heels that I found on clearance. Sarah applies lash extender to my lashes making them look about a mile long. I dab on gleaming lip gloss and a bit of body glitter. One can never be too shiny.

  “Where are you guys going,” Sarah asks before I leave the room.

  “Some Italian place called Giorgio’s in the Sunset District.”

  I meet Mike in front of the dorm at 6 PM?

  “You look beautiful,” he says and kisses me on the cheek before opening the door to his shiny new Lexus coup. Mike talks about himself a lot. On the way to the restaurant he tells me about his five year plan to buy real estate fix it up and turn a profit. I am so bored that I contemplate jumping out of the car onto the freeway. When get to the restaurant he hands his keys to the valet, opens my car door, takes my hand and leads me inside. I feel like the prize horse at the Kentucky Derby. The place is packed and I’m not sure how he managed to get a reservation so quickly. Maybe he keeps an open reservation for dates with whatever woman he happens upon. Our waitress is a petite Asian woman with breast so big I’m not sure how she manages to stand upright.

  She smiles politely her eyes lingering on Mike for a few minutes longer than necessary as she takes our drink orders. He is working a little too hard to avert his eyes.

  “You really do have a way with the ladies don’t you,” I say shaking my head.