Love On The Rebound: A Basketball Romance

by Julia Bevan

  Where to take a girl like that? I do want to impress her, but I know you don’t impress a classy girl like that with money. Wherever we go, it needs to be comfortable and fun. Hmmmmm, I might know just the place.

  Chapter Three

  TJ

  April: Hey, Mr. Sneaky. I just learned something about you. You’re a basketball player.

  TJ: Why does that make me Mr. Sneaky? I wasn’t hiding it; it just hadn’t come up yet.

  April: But couldn’t you have at least mentioned it somehow? I mentioned it to my dad and he practically freaked out. I think he wants to come on our date to meet you!

  TJ: Yikes! A chaperone? Tell your dad that if his daughter doesn’t screw things up, maybe he can meet me in the future, lol. Also, I don’t usually have to bring it up that I’m a basketball player. Lots of people, especially in the Portland area, know me well enough. A little too well, in fact.

  April: Well, count me among the great unwashed and ignorant who didn’t know. I had to Google you, and then all of this stuff came up about your career at Portland State. You must have been a pretty big man on campus!

  TJ: Like I said, people knew me, that’s for sure.

  April: Can I ask you a question, though?

  TJ: Of course. Shoot.

  April: I could tell you were in great shape from the moment I met you. Aside from the height though, which isn’t really that tall for a basketball player, you’ve got a lot of muscle. Don’t you have a little bit too much muscle for a basketball player?

  TJ: LOL, that’s not the first time I’ve heard that. I’ve always been built more like a football player than a basketball player. However, my build lets me get into the paint and grab the occasional rebound, which my coaches love. I hope I’m not too intimidating for you?

  April: Intimidating? A man who walks around with a teddy bear? Don’t make me laugh. And don’t judge a book by its cover, bub, I’m a lot stronger than I look.

  TJ: Really? I’m intrigued. How much stronger?

  April: We’ll have an arm wrestle on our date. I used to beat all of my brothers.

  TJ: I’m intimidated!

  April: You should be.

  ◆◆◆

  TJ: Hey, April, I just had a thought. Do you put the toilet paper roll on the right way, or the I’m going to have to murder you way?

  April: Whoa! What are you, some kind of toilet paper dictator?

  TJ: No, I am merely civilized and I follow the rules, for without rules we descend into chaos.

  April: I had no idea that how we unspool toilet paper was preventing the apocalypse!

  TJ: It is, and don’t think I haven’t noticed that you’re avoiding my question.

  April: Have no fear! I happen to enjoy all of the benefits that civilization brings. I love my electric blanket and striped toothpaste. My toilet paper is on the correct way.

  TJ: I’m so relieved! I was so looking forward to our date. It would have sucked if I had to murder you (with complete justification) instead.

  April: I’m happy about that too. Hey, wait a second; are you texting on the toilet?

  TJ: Um, I gotta go…

  ◆◆◆

  April: Here’s a question for you. How long do you typically sit in agony and watch something you don’t want to watch, as opposed to standing up and getting the remote control?

  TJ: To be honest, I don’t watch that much TV. I spend so much of my time training, and I prefer to read.

  April: Just answer the question, Cunningham.

  TJ: Well, I think it’s like a pulling off a Band-Aid. It’s better to do it quickly and just get it over with. Although, of course, that’s not my ultimate plan…

  April: You have an ultimate plan for getting the remote? I’m both intrigued and desperate to hear it.

  TJ: I’ve always wanted a monkey for a pet. I could then train the monkey to do things I don’t want to do, like get the remote for me, wash my car, do my taxes…

  April: Bah! Your monkey plan doesn’t help me at all right now. The stupid remote is on the other couch, and I’m so comfy under my blanket on this one. What am I going to do?

  TJ: Sounds like you’re just going to have to suffer in silence. However, I will make a promise to you.

  April: What’s that?

  TJ: If we ever get to the point where we are Netflix and chilling, I promise I will always get the remote for you.

  April: And they say chivalry is dead.

  TJ: It’s not as long as I’m around m’lady.

  April: I almost feel better about having to watch this old episode of “CHIPS.”

  TJ: “CHIPS?” OMG, Erik Estrada was a god!

  April: I think I’m going to hang up now. I don’t like where this is going. Goodnight! ☺

  ◆◆◆

  TJ: If you had the opportunity, would you leave me for Chris Hemsworth?

  April: In a hot second.

  TJ: Good.

  April: How is me admitting I’d leave you for another man good?

  TJ: I appreciate your honesty.

  April: Wow, that’s good. Well, I appreciate honesty too.

  TJ: Really? Can I be brutally honest with you then?

  April: Yes, (she says with a certain amount of trepidation)

  TJ: I’d leave you for Chris Hemsworth too.

  April: What!?!

  TJ: He’s a handsome man. A VERY handsome man.

  April: You’re weird.

  TJ: Do you like weird?

  April: I like weird.

  TJ: Good.

  ◆◆◆

  April: What’s the worst first date you’ve ever had?

  TJ: Why do you want to know that?

  April: I’m just curious what your standards are. It might give me some idea of what to expect on our date.

  TJ: Ok, well, how about the strangest date I’ve ever been on?

  April: That sounds interesting. Go ahead.

  TJ: Well, I met this woman for a blind date for dinner. She sat down and didn’t say a word throughout the entire meal. Then, without saying a word, she got up and left.

  April: That is strange.

  TJ: It gets stranger. Later, I got a text from my blind date apologizing for not showing up.

  April: What!?!

  TJ: I know!

  April: But who did you have dinner with?

  TJ: I don’t know!

  April: That is so strange, talk about a plot twist!

  TJ: It kind of creeps me out to this day.

  April: You better show up for our date!

  TJ: Well, you already know what I look like, so there’s no danger of that.

  ◆◆◆

  TJ: What’s the worst date you ever had?

  April: There’s been so many, do I have to pick just one?

  TJ: Why don’t you start with one, then we’ll go from there.

  April: Do you want to hear one where I embarrassed myself?

  TJ: Absolutely! This sounds great!

  April: Well, one time I went out for brunch with this guy …

  TJ: That’s sounds fine…

  April: And I had an omelet…

  TJ: I love omelets.

  April: But I ate too much and starting choking on it…

  TJ: Uh, oh.

  April: Then I started coughing…

  TJ: Well, coughing is better than dying.

  April: Then I coughed so hard I blew an onion right out of my nose onto my plate!

  TJ: OMG!

  April: I know! What’s worse is that my date was kind of a germ-a-phobe. Not saying anything, he got up and just left the restaurant.

  TJ: What a wuss.

  April: That wouldn’t have grossed you out?

  TJ: Are you kidding me? A girl who has the power to shoot an onion out of nose? I would have married you right there!

  ◆◆◆

  TJ: Well, you can put whatever worries you had to rest. I think I’ve got our date planned!

  April: Really? What are we doing?

  TJ: That’s
a surprise!

  April: Can I at least have some idea of what I should wear?

  TJ: I like to keep first dates fairly casual. So, no need to dress up excessively.

  April: Let me guess, you’d prefer tight jeans and a tank top? Is that casual enough for you?

  TJ: Yes, please!

  April: What if I prefer to wear grey sweatpants and matching top?

  TJ: I think you’d be abusing the concept of “casual.”

  April: But I would be so comfortable!

  TJ: And part of the reason you’d be so comfortable is because you’d be home alone, watching TV, eating ice cream.

  April: You’d cancel our date!

  TJ: That, or I might abuse the concept of “casual” from a male perspective. Believe me, you don’t want to plumb the depths of how far I can go with “casual.”

  April: EEK! Ok, I tap out. No grey sweatpants.

  TJ: Thank you.

  ◆◆◆

  April: So, it’s still a go for our date tonight?

  TJ: So long as you’re not putting on grey sweatpants, you bet!

  April: What will you be wearing?

  TJ: A big smile.

  April: Timothy James Cunningham, you haven’t even picked out your outfit, have you?

  TJ: Don’t worry, I have several options.

  April: Options?

  TJ: By options, I mean clean clothes.

  April: Clean clothes?

  TJ: Fine, by clean clothes, I mean clothes that haven’t been on the floor for that long.

  April: Am I going on a date with a grown man, or Archie Andrews?

  TJ: Well, I was thinking of taking you to Pop Tate’s for a malt, but that’s only if you’re good.

  April: A malt? That actually sounds pretty good. See you tonight!

  TJ: Can’t wait ☺

  Chapter Four

  April

  Knock! Knock!

  Damn it, he’s here. I quickly take a look at myself in my bathroom mirror to make sure everything is in place. Hair looks good, makeup looks good, boobs look full and perky. I’m wearing tight jeans along with a white tank top that easily shows off my ample curves. Once I add my snug and tight leather jacket, I’ll look devastating.

  At least, that’s what I’m telling myself.

  If I’m being honest, I’d have to admit I’m kind of nervous, which surprises me. I’m not usually like this. I know that I look good, and when I’m dressed to kill, I’m dressed to kill. In the past, I’ve turned grown men into babbling simpletons using only my body and a smile. Why does this date feel so different?

  The truth is that I’ve been feeling increasingly nervous ever since I started texting with TJ. I thought he was a good-looking guy from the start, no doubt. Tall with a great body and smile, what wasn’t to like? But after texting with him, I started to get a sense that there was something more to him. His charm, his humor, his self-deprecating wit. There’s more to him than a great body and smile. There’s a real man there, and there just aren’t that many left in this world.

  It has nothing to do with the fact that he’s a pro basketball player with a chance of making the Pumas. I didn’t even know he was a big man on campus until I Googled him later. Maybe that’s part of the appeal too. I’ve met a few arrogant jocks in my life, and I’ve never given them the time of day. I suspect from a very young age that the athletically gifted get used to a certain amount of female attention. They think that all they need to do is to snap their fingers and women will come calling. Of course, some women do, but not this one. If you want me, you have to show me something more.

  For example, you have to show me the confidence to take your little girl on a picnic with you and let her decorate your face. That’s the kind of confidence that a real man has, a man who can rock me to my foundations. That’s also the kind of confidence that can lead to long nights of midnight grappling in bed. The thought of him dominating me, controlling me with his muscles, I bet it would be mind-blowing. What kind of girl can’t get excited about that?

  Knock! Knock!

  TJ is getting impatient, and I don’t blame him. I just don’t feel quite ready yet. I take another look at myself in the mirror and say the following to myself.

  “Don’t forget, you’re good enough, smart enough, and, gall darn it, TJ is going to love you.”

  I laugh a little at my piss poor Stuart Smiley impersonation. Nonetheless, it had its desired effect. I do feel better now. I find myself walking to the door with a little extra sexy swing in my hips. Thanks, Stuart, now it’s time for TJ.

  I take a moment to wet my lips and strike a sexy pose. Not too sexy, I don’t want to look like I’m posing for him or putting in too much effort. Nonetheless, I do want him to gasp a little when he opens the door. I give my head a little shake to tousle my hair in I hope an alluring way. Get ready TJ, the goddess has arrived. I open the door and …

  Damn.

  I’m not entirely sure what happens next, as it’s kind of a blur. I think I manage to say “Uh,” in a low voice. Standing before me, looking like he just stepped out of a page from Gentleman’s Quarterly is TJ Cunningham. He is wearing jeans and a casual dress shirt, but it fits him so well and is tight in just the right places. That’s what a good body (did I say, good?) I meant that’s what a fantastic body will do for you. You can wear anything like a glove. I bet TJ could wear a potato sack and make it look good. It leaves me thinking about what his naked body actually looks like.

  In an instant, he flashes that dazzling smile at me, and I swear his beautiful eyes sparkle momentarily like diamonds. I can feel my knees go weak and it takes some willpower on my part to keep my balance.

  “Hey there,” he says in a deep, masculine voice. He allows his eyes to briefly roam over me and from his smile I can tell he likes what he sees. “You kept me waiting, but it was worth it.”

  The fact that he likes how I look gives me a boost of confidence. I find myself shifting on my feet to ensure that I remain balanced on my heels before answering.

  “You know it’s the girl’s prerogative to be a little bit late, don’t you? We’re not men. We can’t just throw something on in ten minutes and look good.”

  “So, you think that I look good?”

  “Absolutely.”

  TJ weaves one of his muscular arms around my waist.

  “Well, you look amazing, and, just for the record, it took me twelve minutes.”

  “It kind of makes me wonder what you’d look like if you took fifteen.”

  TJ laughs at that. I do love his laugh.

  “Let’s get this show on the road,” replies TJ as he leads me down away from my apartment.

  Let’s get this show on the road indeed. This is going to be fun.

  Taking me by the hand, he leads me to what looks like a brand new BMW.

  “Nice car,” I remark.

  “Like it? It’s not mine,” he replies.

  “Really?”

  “I decided not to buy a car until I’m sure I’ve got the gig with the Pumas. I’m not spending any money until every ‘I’ is dotted and ‘T’ is crossed on that contract. This is a rental.”

  Like a perfect gentleman, TJ opens the passenger side for me and guides me in.

  “Well, it’s still a nice car,” I reply.

  “Don’t get too used to it. If we go out again, I may wind up borrowing my brother’s minivan.”

  I laugh at that as TJ closes the door. I then find myself enjoying the view as he walks in front of me to get to the driver’s side. He has an athlete’s gait, that’s for sure. He doesn’t walk so much as he glides. God, even the way he walks is turning me on.

  TJ slides into the driver seat and gives me a playful look.

  “Seatbelt?”

  Oh right, I nearly forgot. I put on my seatbelt.

  “Safety first,” remarks TJ.

  “Absolutely,” I agree.

  With that, TJ presses a button, and the BMW comes to life. The dashboard in front of TJ looks like NASA de
signed it.

  “You ready for this?” asks TJ.

  “Let’s do it,” I reply with a hint of excitement in my voice.

  And with that TJ pulls the car into traffic and we’re off on our adventure. I take a moment to observe how TJ handles the vehicle. He does so with ease and precision, one hand on the steering wheel while the other commands the gearshift. He looks entirely in control, and it’s as sexy as hell. He doesn’t even look at me, but he’s wholly focused on the road. I think he really enjoys driving. His face is freshly shaven, and I can make out the faint hint of a male body spray. His haircut is short and masculine, and his lips look surprisingly lush and full. I wonder what they taste like? Perhaps I’ll find out tonight.

  “Which room in Hogwarts would you most like to have sex in?” he suddenly asks.

  “Huh?” I manage to reply. I was so focused on his gorgeous features that I’m not entirely sure if I heard him correctly. Is he asking me about Harry Potter?

  “You know, the big castle in Harry Potter. If you could have sex in one room, which would it be?”

  “Wow, you know, I’ve never really thought about that.”

  TJ smiles.

  “I’m sure you haven’t, but I’m just making conversation. If I had to choose, I’d choose The Room of Requirement.”

  “And why’s that?”

  “Anything you need it can produce, except food. Doesn’t that sound like fun?” he says mischievously.

  “It does,” I agree. Harry Potter? I’d seen most of the movies and liked them, but I have to admit I was drawing a blank on this question. There was that movie with all of the camping. Maybe that? The tents were larger inside than they were on the outside. That could be cool.

  “I don’t mean to stump you, it’s just a silly question. Rose loves the whole Harry Potter series. I read her the books, and I’ve seen the movies I don’t know how many times. I’m a bit of an expert as a result, as you might …”