Sidelined: A Sports Romance

by Violet Paige

  “But it’s not going to be enough.” He kissed her stomach. “I’ll make you come tonight.” His fingers curled inside her. “And tomorrow night.” He pulled them out and she whimpered. There was an emptiness clawing from inside her where they had been. All she could think about was how to fill the void again. What was he doing to her?

  “You’re going to want me, baby. You’re going to want all of me inside you.” She saw his heated stare before his head moved toward her breast.

  “Ohhh.” She clutched at his back as his fingers slid inside again, grazing the most tender spot, building pressure one stroke at a time. It was like he had found the center of all her desire, as his fingers began to circle, teasing her over again making all the colors blend to white as the heat burned between her legs.

  “Because if I can do this now, imagine what we’ll feel like together.”

  Skye closed her eyes and tried to balance herself. She knew every word he said was true, but she wasn’t going to give in tonight and she wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of breaking her down so easily. Some things were worth waiting for. She vowed to last longer than a week, although right now she had to clench her jaw as she fought the words in the back of her throat. She wanted him. She wanted him to rock her like she had never felt before, but instead she sunk into the couch as her hands roamed across his chest and shoulders. She let her hips take over as the waves crashed through her body and she gave herself over to his hands.

  Five

  Bolt pulled out of the apartment complex, shoving his shades on the bridge of his nose. What in the hell was going on? He had spent two nights in a row at Skye Stephens’s place without having sex. A world record had officially been set.

  He turned right to wind back to the interstate. She was gorgeous, smart, and could hold her own around his friends, a feat most would fail at immediately. It was hard to ignore that the guys seemed to like her too. Before he had even known what he was getting into he had entered the dating zone. At least that’s what it sounded like. She wasn’t going to give it up unless they had been seeing each other for a month. It didn’t seem like the right time to tell her that he’d be leaving the country in five weeks.

  He had been looking forward to the WESTPAC deployment since he joined the squadron. It was one of the best tours the Rebels had. It beat his Afghanistan tour hands down. If he was lucky he would go again to Japan in two years when the Rebels hit the next deployment cycle.

  He exited onto the interstate and merged with the onslaught of cars that buzzed around him. When was the last time he had actually dated a girl? He rolled down the window and rested his elbow on the door. He hadn’t been on a single date since he moved to San Diego. Picking girls up in bars and clubs didn’t count as dates. Those were hookups and he knew it.

  A date entailed getting dressed up and having a plan. What kind of place should he take a girl like Skye? That’s assuming she accepted his invitation. He didn’t try for breakfast this morning. She wasn’t as standoffish as yesterday, but something about the morning sun made her reserved side return.

  He left with a promise to call. Something about her and the way the last two nights had gone made him think he would call her later. He had her number in his phone.

  As soon as he got home he changed into his running shorts and shoes. Sundays were work out days. His favorite place to run was Mission Bay. He could see the bay, the city, and in certain spots, the ocean. He cued his regular playlist and took off running.

  The low morning mist that settled on the city didn’t usually burn off until lunch time, but today it was already bright and sweltering before he was five minutes into the run.

  Bolt wiped his forehead with the back of his hand. He loved living in San Diego, but it always felt like a temporary home. Since joining the Marine Corps he had lived in four different cities and completed two tours. It was hard to get attached to a place when he knew it was only a stop on the way to the next town. But that’s one of the things he loved about being in the military. He traveled all over the world, met interesting people, and it kept his life fresh. There was never a dull day doing what he did.

  He crossed over the first bridge. There weren’t many places more beautiful than this. He stopped at the top of the second bridge that overlooked the bay. He inhaled, filling his lungs with the California air until they felt like they could explode. He looked at his phone tucked in his armband. Thirty minutes wasn’t bad for a warm-up run. He repositioned the earbuds and started the second half of his run. Today felt like it was going to be a good day.

  Monday morning came fast. Bolt grabbed his cup of coffee from the ready room and headed to the briefing room. According to the schedule, he and Eagle had an out and in, or a two-part flight today. They would take off in two hours, meet an aggressor squadron from Yuma for tactical dog fighting sets, land for lunch, and then takeoff to do it again. He loved it when they met up with other squadrons. He and Eagle could out maneuver any other jet and every time these events were scheduled was just one more chance to prove it.

  “Hey, Bolt. Did you see that we’re with the Renegades again today? I thought after last time they’d want to go up against anybody but us.” Eagle laughed from across the conference table in the briefing room.

  “I’m calling them now.” Bolt punched in the number for the Renegades’ briefing room he had been given by the schedule writer. He and the lead pilot would discuss the meeting time and place, along with the logistics of the mission.

  “Hey, this is Captain Hardcastle calling in for a briefing with Renegade-one-one.”

  The voice on the other end of the phone responded, “Hold please, sir. That’s Major Shipley. I’ll get him for you.”

  Bolt put his hand over the receiver and whispered, “We’re flying against Shipley. Shit.”

  Eagle shook his head. “Yeah, that’s not good.”

  Bolt’s shoulders straightened when he heard the booming voice answer. “Major Shipley here. Ready for briefing, Captain Hardcastle.”

  “Good morning, sir.”

  Bolt had heard of Major Shipley’s reputation as the premiere dog fighter for the Renegades’ squadron, but he and Eagle had never faced him. The guy was good. He had flown three tours in Iraq, and was fresh off a Blue Angel tour. To top off his resume’ he was a former Top Gun instructor. Bolt shook his head. He was going to get his ass beaten today.

  “Looking forward to flying against you and Captain Haywood today. We’re planning on taking off at 0900. If you do the same that should put us at the rendezvous point right on target.”

  “Yes, sir.” Bolt listened as the senior officer gave out the instructions. Shipley had obviously planned out the fight for this morning.

  “Anything else we need to add before filing our flight plan?” Shipley asked.

  “No sir, I think you’ve covered everything. We’ll see you up there, sir.”

  There was a click and Bolt turned to Eagle. “This is not good. We are fucked.”

  Eagle whistled. “Tell me about it. Well, at least the winning team has to buy us lunch, so we get free tacos.”

  Bolt threw his coffee cup in the trash. “You know I don’t care about tacos, right? I don’t want to eat some damn loser tacos today. I want to win. I care about winning.”

  “I know you do, but sometimes you have to know when to fold ‘em.” Eagle followed him out of the room.

  “We’re not giving up before we’ve even taken off.” Bolt walked into the locker room where their flight gear was stored. It usually took a few minutes to climb into, buckle, and hook into all the gear that they needed in the aircraft.

  They walked to the jet, passing Hollywood and Ranger on the way. “Heard you two are going up against Shipley today.” Ranger chuckled.

  “Jealous?” Bolt taunted.

  “No way. He might be the only one who can de-throne your pompous ass.”

  “You won’t be saying that when Eagle and I land with not one, but four victories.” Bolt held up t
wo fingers.

  Eagle shook his head. “Do not start making bets, man. We need to walk to the jet for pre-flight. Come on.” He tried to push Bolt out of the hangar.

  “Oh wait, did you say a bet?” Hollywood spun on his heels. “I’ll make a little wager with you both right now.”

  “Bolt, let’s focus on the flight.” Eagle walked backward until he hit the door with his back. “No bets. Come on.”

  “You know you wanna,” Hollywood teased.

  “Alright. What’s the bet?” Bolt didn’t want to back away from the challenge. He had his work cut out for him, might as well make it worth something.

  “Dammit.” Eagle shook his head.

  “I’ll even give you one.” Ranger stated. “You only have to beat him once.”

  “Ok, and if I don’t?”

  “Then you owe me a case of beer, my choice. Make that one for me and Hollywood.”

  “What do I get if I do?”

  Ranger twisted his lips. “Bragging rights?”

  “Doesn’t seem like much of a bet, Bolt. Don’t take it. Just keep on walking. Come on, we’ve got pre-flight checks to do.” Eagle’s eyes were wider than usual.

  “How about this? If I do get my one victory, then you can wash my truck and we both get cases of beer.” Bolt pointed at Eagle.

  “You’re on.” Ranger stuck out his hand.

  “Better get your buckets and sponges ready. And you might need a ladder to get to the roof of the truck.” Bolt laughed.

  Eagle shook his head. “I can’t believe you just did that.”

  “Good luck out there,” Hollywood called as Bolt and Eagle jogged to the jet.

  If they ever needed four-leaf clovers, heads-up pennies, and horseshoes, it was now.

  “How do you boys like your tacos?” Major Shipley strolled to the cantina’s tin counter, ready to take orders.

  Bolt hung his head. He couldn’t remember the last time he had been taken down like that.

  “Extra cheese and salsa for me, sir.” Eagle piped up. “What?” He looked at Bolt. “I’m eating lunch. No point in losing and starving.”

  “Captain Hardcastle?” The major waited at the register. “What kind of tacos?”

  Bolt left his shades on the bridge of his nose. He didn’t wear defeat well. “I’ll take a chicken and a beef. Thank you, sir.” He followed Eagle to a booth in the corner.

  After the two jets landed they used the squadron car to drive out to the most popular taco spot in Yuma. It was a tradition when the two squadrons met to dog fight.

  It didn’t matter what maneuver Bolt tried, Shipley was ahead of him. Bolt shook his head knowing that he had flown behind the jet and looked like a rookie next to this guy. There was still round two to get through. After lunch they’d be back in the sky trying to out-strategize each other again.

  “Here you go, boys.” Shipley slid two red trays across the table along with a basket of chips.

  “Thank you, sir.” Eagle doled out a pile of napkins along with the baskets of tacos. His head rose with a stream of cheese running down the side of his mouth.

  Bolt eyed him. How could he eat? The flight had gone wrong from the start and the next one was bound to be the same. Bolt had lost his appetite.

  “How long have you two been flying with the Rebels? Surprised we’ve never matched up before.” Shipley slurped on his tea.

  “I joined the squadron last year, and Eagle and I have been flying together since then.”

  “Alright. How do you like it so far?”

  Bolt thought about how to answer. He enjoyed San Diego and he made friends quickly with the guys in the squadron. Things were different for him though after his Afghanistan tour. Riggs wasn’t in his life anymore. At least not in the way he had always been.

  “It’s a great squadron. I think as long as I’m flying, I’ll be happy anywhere, sir.” Bolt reached for his first bite of taco. He didn’t want to be rude.

  “The Renegades are always looking for good pilots. Don’t think I’ve flown against somebody who’s given me such a hard time.”

  Bolt needed his drink to help him swallow. He sipped on the straw. Was Shipley recruiting him? “Thank you, sir. I’ll keep that in mind.”

  “I keep my eye out for talent. And you’ve got it.” Shipley stood, taking his tray to the trash bin. “I’ll meet you at the car. I’ve got a few calls to make.”

  “Yes, sir.” Eagle and Bolt answered.

  “Dude, you just joined the Rebels.” Eagle had a mouthful of chips and guacamole.

  “I’m not going anywhere. He’s probably just trying to get me rattled for the next flight.” Bolt knew that wasn’t the case, but he couldn’t let Eagle get worked up for no reason. He wasn’t moving and leaving. San Diego was home for now.

  “You ready?” He slid out of the booth.

  “Right behind you, man.” Eagle hopped out.

  “Let’s get this over with.” They walked into the blaring Arizona sun.

  Six

  Skye poured her second cup of coffee for the morning in the break room and leaned against the counter. Greg was laughing across the hall. Gloating was more like it, she thought. If her scowl could cause mortal harm, he would be slashed to pieces by now.

  Kari poked her head around the corner. “Hey, good morning.”

  “Hey, how are you feeling?” Skye had gotten a few texts from her friend over the weekend assuring her she hadn’t perished on the bathroom floor.

  “Ugh! I will never eat sushi again. I had the worst weekend. But thanks for checking on me. I felt so bad about not going out Friday night. Did you leave?”

  Skye tugged on her bottom lip. “Not exactly.”

  “Really? What does that mean?”

  “Quick meeting in my office.” Skye darted out of the break room and hustled her around the corner. As soon as Kari was inside, she closed the door.

  “What is going on?” Kari asked.

  Skye lowered voice as if someone walking by would still be able to hear her through the door. “Ok, well when you didn’t show up, this guy sort of swooped in and bought me a drink.”

  Kari squealed. “Oh my God. This is the best news. I mean I hate I had to get food poisoning for it to happen, but this is seriously good news. Tell me. Tell me. I love a good swooping story.”

  Skye sat behind her desk. Talking about everything that happened between her and Ben in her office felt out of place. Who she was over the weekend was nothing like the woman she was at work.

  “He is hot. As in, drop dead gorgeous hot.”

  “Oh, go on. I already like him.”

  “And we kind of tried to have a one-night stand.” She grimaced, this part of the story sounded awkward.

  “What do you mean tried? Wait? Could he not—”

  “What? Oh no, no. He was good.” Skye waved her hands. That’s not what she meant at all. She continued to whisper even though her door was closed, “We didn’t have any condoms.”

  “Ohh. That’s a bummer.”

  “Tell me about it.” Skye flashed to the moment when Ben asked her for one. Utter embarrassment.

  “I’m proud of you, Skye.” Kari smiled. “You went out in the world, and you hooked up with a hot guy. See? Without work there are actually fun things out there.”

  Skye rolled her eyes. “That’s what you keep saying.”

  “So are you going to see him again? Maybe with condoms next time?” She giggled.

  “We already went out again Saturday night.”

  “Oh, now it gets steamy. How was he?”

  “Kari!”

  “Seriously? You wouldn’t be telling me all of this if you didn’t want me to know the details, but you better hurry because we have five minutes before the meeting.”

  Skye looked at the clock over the door. The last thing she wanted to do was sit in a meeting with Greg and the bosses who yanked the account away from her, but she wasn’t about to quit. If she had to walk through these halls every day and stare them down until s
he landed the next big account she would. Greg couldn’t force her out. She’d worked too long and hard to turn around and run.

  “Skye? Come on, tell me what happened.”

  “How about at lunch? I don’t want to be the last one to walk in the meeting.”

  “Ugh. I guess I can wait, but this is a serious cliffhanger.”

  “Let’s just get this meeting over with.” Skye led the way down the hall and around the corner where a few of her co-workers were mingling.

  She and Kari took seats across from each other.

  “Good morning, everyone.” Stan Preston, CEO of Regency Advertising, greeted the assembly.

  A low murmur circled the table.

  He continued, “As you have probably already heard by now we landed the San Diego tourism account. This is a real coup for our company. I couldn’t be prouder of our research team. Skye, we owe you one.” Stan applauded in Skye’s direction, starting a chain reaction around the room.

  Skye blushed and nodded. This wasn’t the accolade she wanted. It was almost humiliating. Everyone in the room knew she had pitched the campaign to the city. The fact that they wanted the contract, but her bosses at Regency didn’t see the same qualities in her was frustrating.

  Kari shot her a sympathetic smile from the other side of the table. At least she had one friend in this shark tank.

  They had started working at the company within three months of each other. Skye admitted she wasn’t the easiest person to be friends with. She might have been the only human who didn’t move to San Diego for the California beaches and the sunny winters. Instead she moved strictly for her career. If she had money, stability, and a way to pay for her own things, she wouldn’t have to worry and scrape by like her mother. She wouldn’t waste tears on endless amounts of credit card debt and loans she couldn’t repay. Her six-figure salary was the start to that security. She would stand on her own, no matter what.