Romance Rivals

by Chloe Morgan

  Some of the neighbors were already blocking off the street for the party. There were big orange cones put up at either end of the street. I heard the giggling and laughter of kids as they poured from the houses, chasing one another around in the empty street. Bike bells rang out, and water balloons burst on the concrete. I forced myself back into the house, trying to resist the temptation to go over and open the smoker to see my beautiful meat. I couldn’t alter the temperature, otherwise they wouldn’t turn out as good.

  “How’d they smell?” Hutch asked.

  I grinned as I walked over to the cooler, sticking my hand inside. I pulled out an ice-cold beer and tossed it to him, then cracked one open for myself. He came over and clinked his glass bottle against mine, and then the two of us threw them back. We chugged like we always did back in high school. The first beer of the Block Party downed together, just like the good old days.

  I sighed with a growl before I nodded.

  “They smell even better than they did last year,” I said.

  “Is that even possible?” Hutch asked, chuckling.

  “I wasn’t sure, but it smells like it! I’m ready for them, though. I actually want to eat them this time around.”

  “That’s saying something. Usually, you don't want to have anything to do with what you cook.”

  I shrugged. “What can I say? I’m a master of meat.”

  “Well, if you’re the master of meat, then I’m the master of scraping off fucking popcorn ceilings.”

  “Uh-oh. The renovations not going well?” I asked.

  “I figured when I took a page out of your book and bought my parents’ house around the corner, it would be a great thing. Except they hadn’t updated the place at all. Ever.”

  “You were raised in that home. Didn’t you know that going in?” I chuckled.

  “I don’t know. I guess it never bothered me until I owned the damn place.”

  I laughed. “Oh! Did you get the right kind of water balloons for the toss this year?”

  Hutch winked. “I’ve already got them filled up and sitting in the plastic kiddie pool in my backyard. I mean, the anticipation for the Great Toss-Off is killing me.”

  “Yep. You love that event just like I love smoking my ribs.”

  “Which smell great, by the way. The smell wafted in behind you and I almost shoved you out of the way.”

  “I would have tackled you to the ground,” I said, grinning.

  I handed him another beer before grabbing myself one. Then, the two of us headed out onto the porch. We kept talking about the water balloon toss and laughed at the teenagers wiping out on their skateboards, getting pinged with water guns by the little kids at they soared by.

  “Holy shit, did you see Little Robbie… get… the fuck?”

  Hutch’s words tapered off as he slapped my chest. And when I looked in the direction he was staring, my jaw dropped open. Alison Blake was standing on her porch in a beautiful bright green and yellow sundress that fluttered with the wind, just like her hair. And that green accented the color of her eyes.

  Along with the sensuous curves that made my fingertips tingle.

  “Well, she looks like she’s… matured,” Hutch said.

  “Down, boy,” I said, chuckling.

  “We’re looking at the same girl, right?”

  Hell yeah, we are.

  “I guess she looks nice,” I said.

  “You guess? Holy shit, do you see her waist in that thing?”

  “Looks aren’t everything, Hutch. Remember, she’s a bitch,” I said.

  Even though she’s probably the hottest woman I’ve ever seen in my life.

  “You’re an idiot,” he said, chuckling.

  We watched as Alison turned her head to meet our gazes. She grinned at us before she walked back inside, and I breathed a sigh of relief. I tipped my beer up and took another long pull, hoping beyond all hope she’d stay inside for the day.

  But I should have known better than that.

  Her front door slammed open and I whipped my head over. I saw her walking for us, her hands carrying a dish covered in tinfoil. She walked all the way up to us, slipping her body onto my damn front porch.

  “Alison, nice to see you,” Hutch said.

  “Hutch, it’s been years. How are you?” she asked.

  “Life’s been good. You?” he asked.

  “What do you want?” I asked curtly.

  She didn’t answer. All she did was pull back the tinfoil to reveal a pile of smoked fucking ribs.

  “Really?” I asked.

  “Try one. I need a taste tester,” she said.

  “I’ll be happy to,” Hutch said.

  I wanted to smack his fucking hand and tell him to back off. I scowled as my best friend-slash-traitor shoved that damn rib into his mouth. His eyes rolled back, and a groan left his lips. Which spread a satisfying smile across Alison’s cheeks.

  “Alison, what the hell did you do to these things?” Hutch asked.

  “Are you serious?” I asked.

  “Miss Blake?” one of the kids asked.

  “Yes, sweetheart?” Alison asked.

  “Can I have one? I’m hungry.”

  “Sure. Of course you can. Anyone can have one,” she said.

  Soon, a flock of people surrounded her, grabbing for her ribs and murmuring how good they were through their full mouths. Well, two could play at that game. I stormed through my house and pushed my way out back. I grabbed the covered dish off my patio and made my way for the smoker at the corner of my backyard. I opened it up, coughing and sputtering as smoke flew into my face. I used my tongs to slide the ribs onto the dish, then took them inside quickly to slice them into individual portions.

  I got them outside within minutes, but I couldn’t get a damn person to lay their hands on my ribs. Not the kids. Not the adults. Not anyone. They all bypassed me for Alison’s ribs, and I felt anger filling my gut.

  “Here,” I murmured, slamming the ribs into Hutch’s chest.

  Then, I slipped silently back into my house to get myself another beer.

  CHAPTER 4

  ALISON

  I watched Keith sulk into his house, but he didn’t return. I kept looking for him, wondering if he’d come back out and stand with his ribs that honestly smelled really good. I reached into the covered dish Hutch was holding and pulled one out, placing my empty one down at my feet. I bit into it and felt the meat practically melt on my tongue before the natural smoked flavor burst in my mouth.

  “So, what’s Keith’s deal? Why is he pouting?” I asked.

  Hutch laughed. “Your ribs eclipsed the ones he spent all day smoking.”

  “Well, I didn’t know he was bringing ribs.”

  “Says the smirk you walked over here with.”

  “I was smirking because I was ready to blow his ass out of the water. That man relentlessly teased me in high school about not being able to cook ever since I—”

  “—almost burned down the house with that pizza. I live around the corner, Alison. I saw that smoke from my back porch.”

  “Yeah, yeah,” I said, rolling my eyes.

  “And besides, Keith brings ribs every year. And they’re usually a big hit. But I don’t believe his are as good as yours this year.”

  I watched Hutch reach into the dish and pluck a rib out. He bit into it, his tongue licking his lips. I mean, I thought they were great. Fantastic. Melt-in-my-mouth good. I’d never tell Keith that, but they were damn good ribs.

  Hutch, however, simply shrugged.

  “Yeah, yours outshine his,” he said.

  “Well, I hope it doesn’t get his panties in too much of a bunch,” I said.

  “Keith’s a big boy. He can handle it. So, what brings you back to town anyway?”

  I reached in for another rib. “Took a mathematics position at the local college up the road. I’m staying with Mom till I can find myself a permanent place in the area.”

  His eyes widened. “So, you’re back for g
ood?”

  I swallowed my food. “For now, yes. I plan to keep this job for at least five years. Hopefully use it to leverage a university professorship of some sort. Why?”

  He chuckled. “Oh, Keith’s gonna love to hear that.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “Are you talking about UC Irvine?”

  “Yes?”

  He shook his head. “Keith works there, too, as the assistant football coach.”

  I snickered. “Figures.”

  “Maybe you two can get lunches together or something.”

  “Cut it out.”

  “Isn’t that what teachers do together?”

  “He isn’t a teacher. He’s a coach. A dirty, nasty, smelly coa—didn’t Keith want to be a police officer?” I asked.

  He shrugged. “Things change.”

  I wondered what he meant by that. Because it felt like a very cryptic answer to a simple question.

  I took one more rib for the road and left Hutch standing on Keith’s front porch. There were so many familiar faces I was surprised to see there as I walked around, looking at all the wonderful foods. Connie DeLood, the captain of the girl’s lacrosse team, who was apparently the general manager of a bar in downtown. Michael Scott, who lived just outside of town and opened his own bookstore.

  Then, I heard a squeal behind me that could only have been one person.

  “Oh, my gosh. Ali!”

  “Heather Feather,” I said, grinning.

  I tossed the rib bone into a nearby trash can and wiped off my fingers with a napkin from one of the tables. Then, I wrapped my high school best friend up in a massive hug. Oh, it had been years since I’d seen Heather. We hugged and bounced around, swayed from side to side and squealed our fucking heads off.

  “I didn’t know you were already back in town,” she said.

  “I got in four days ago. So, it hasn’t been long. It took me that long just to unpack the things I’d need for my temporary stay,” I said.

  “Wait, when are you leaving again?”

  “No, no, no. Just the stay at my mom’s. I had to split my stuff between my bedroom and storage until I can find my own spot. Places here are on the market and gone again before I can even put in an inquiry!”

  “Welcome home,” she said mockingly.

  I smiled and hugged her again. I was so glad to see her. I’d been so busy with unpacking and looking for places to rent and helping my mom around the house that I hadn’t even stopped to take stock of who I wanted to catch up with or how I’d get in touch with them.

  “What the hell are you doing at this party? You hated these things when we were in high school,” I said.

  “Well, my great-aunt lives around the corner, and she wanted to contribute her five dozen cupcakes she baked for the event. I was enlisted to help haul them down here,” Heather said.

  “Why didn’t you say so? I’m in, if you pay me in cupcakes.”

  “Deal, because I can’t haul them all down here myself.”

  We walked back and forth from her aunt’s to the little table Heather had set up. And we caught up along the way. Apparently, Heather was now part owner of the local tea shop that sat next to the bakery the two of us always frequented. Nor was she the uptight girl I remembered from high school. Back then, she fussed over her nails and hair, her accessories had to match her outfits. But now? She had a very Zen sort of attitude to life. She seemed to be going with the flow a bit more, and her outfits no longer matched. Her hair flowed halfway down her back, and it wasn’t painstakingly groomed.

  She looked happier. Like she’d found her place in life.

  I was kind of jealous, actually.

  “We have to catch up more soon, yes?” Heather asked.

  I picked up my cupcake as payment and bit into it.

  “Holy. Shit,” I murmured.

  “Good, huh?” she asked.

  “How the—why doesn’t—she needs to sell these.”

  I practically inhaled the cupcake while Heather giggled.

  “I’m trying to convince her to. But for now, this is all anyone can talk her into doing,” she said.

  A loud cough came from behind me, and I whipped around. I saw Hutch standing behind me with an eager smile on his face, and I rolled my eyes.

  “Heather, this is Hutch. Hutch, Heather. My best friend from high school,” I said.

  He stuck his hand out. “It’s very nice to meet you. Your skirt is beautiful.”

  Heather smiled. “Thanks. I found it at the local thrift store. I find so many gems there throughout the week. Have you ever been?”

  “Can’t say that I have. Maybe you could take me sometime,” he said.

  “I’d like that,” she said.

  The thrift store? Wow, things really never stayed the same around here.

  “Well, until then, would you like to accompany me to the Great Toss-Off? It’s about to start and requires two to compete,” Hutch said.

  “To watch, or…?” Heather asked.

  “If you’d like to be my partner, I’d enjoy that greatly,” he said.

  I rolled my eyes. “Go with the man, Heather. He’s practically salivating at your feet.”

  Heather giggled and nodded her head, then Hutch offered her his arm. He was a complete gentleman the entire time, and I snagged another cupcake before following them. They walked side by side, drawing my eye as my mind fell into its own little world.

  Something like that would be nice.

  I stood at the plastic kiddie pool filled with water balloons. I nibbled on the cupcake, my stomach filling itself up faster than it usually did. Hutch explained the game carefully to Heather, as if he were talking to a child. And while I found it annoying, she drank that shit up. The game was simple. Two people had to stand with six feet between them and toss a water balloon back and forth. Every time a successful toss was made, they each had to take a step back.

  “Ready?” Hutch asked.

  “Whenever you are,” Heather said.

  He tossed the balloon softly and she caught it, laughing. She tossed it back and Hutch grinned, and then the two of them took a step back. They continued like that for a few rounds, with Heather catching the water balloon with grace every single time.

  “You handle a balloon well,” Hutch said.

  I rolled my eyes at his blatant flirting.

  “Really, Hutch?”

  Keith’s voice sounded behind me with a boom, startling Heather. She looked over at the sound and lost focus on the balloon, which plummeted to the ground and busted at her feet. She squealed as the cold water splashed her, which resulted in Hutch shooting Keith a glare.

  “Really, dude?” Hutch asked.

  “You couldn't even wait for me?” Keith asked.

  “Apparently, you’re in it to tank everyone’s moods,” I murmured.

  CHAPTER 5

  KEITH

  I ignored Alison’s quip and strode over to Hutch. I grabbed him by the arm and pulled him aside, away from the two girls staring at me like I’d lost my mind.

  “The hell are you doing?” Hutch asked.

  “We’re always partners,” I said.

  “Yeah? So?”

  He wrenched his arm away and turned around, waving at the girl he’d already begun the challenge with.

  “So, what’s your game? Because you always have one,” I said.

  Hutch leaned in close. “I’m into Heather, okay? Find another partner. It’s not that big of a deal.”

  “Not that bi—? Seriously?”

  “Dude, it’s just water balloons. Find another partner and let me do my thing.”

  I scoffed as Hutch trotted back over to his kiddie pool of balloons. I grumbled as he began passing them out to the contestants, one by one. I saw Hutch’s “new interest” talking lowly to Alison. Then, I saw her point to me.

  And Alison’s eyes widened.

  “Oh, hell no,” I murmured.

  I walked over there as Hutch gathered up his new partner.

/>   “Not a chance,” Alison said.

  “I’d rather die than be your partner. So, you can tell your friend to shove it,” I said.

  “Trust me, I already did.”

  I sighed as I looked around, trying to find someone to pair up with. Anyone. An older woman. Hell, her older husband. A kid. Any of the kids. Any single one of the kids. At all. Any age. But everyone was taken.

  Alison and I were the only two not paired up.

  “Shit,” I hissed.

  “We don’t have to play, you know,” Alison said.

  “Clearly, you’ve been gone a while. Come on,” I said.

  I grabbed her arm and tugged her over to Hutch. He looked at us with a coy smile before handing me a water balloon. I felt Alison struggling against me, trying to get away, so I whipped around and looked at her.

  “Do you want to be one of the only two people who didn’t participate in this challenge? Because as far as I’m concerned, if you don’t participate with me, then we’re last place together. And I’m sure that bubbles the marrow of your bones,” I said.

  She glared at me. “Actually, it does. I’m going to kick your ass.”

  “Great,” I murmured.

  We took our spot in the mix and stood six inches away from one another. Though, I wished it was six miles. The countdown to the balloon toss began, and we started off slowly. Each time back and forth, we took a step back. Back and forth, then step. Back and forth, then step. We quickly grew far enough away to have to toss them to one another, and people were dropping their balloons left and right. Dropping was fine, bursting was not. Dropping simply meant people didn’t have to step back.

  And quickly, couples dropped like flies.

  “Come on! Gently,” Alison said.

  “I’ve got it!” I called out.

  She rolled her eyes but caught the balloon tossed toward her. I watched her extend with grace, the balloon rolling softly off her fingertips. She had a good arm, and her technique of catching the damn thing against her chest drew my eyes straight there. Straight to her massive tits. I kept staring at her technique. Staring at how she cradled that balloon so close to her damn bosom.