PENALTY

by Jacob Chance

Brady knows a lot of girls. It was probably just someone saying hello. I caution myself not to overreact. I’ll just keep my eyes open for other signs he’s not through with his playboy ways.

  My stomach is tied in nervous knots as I arrive at the food court right on time. I haven’t felt well since this morning when I saw him with his arms wrapped around some other girl. Don’t think about it. My eyes scan the area for a sign of Brady’s dark blonde hair or tall stature, but I don’t see him anywhere. Expelling a large sigh, I walk across the tiled floor to the salad bar.

  Reaching for a plate, a deep voice in my ear startles me. “Hey beautiful.”

  My head snaps over my shoulder to catch my first glimpse of Brady. His grin is infectious and makes me smile back.

  “Hey, I thought maybe you were standing me up.” I turn to face him and notice the large pizza box from Gino’s in his hands. My eyes go wide and my mouth waters in anticipation of the first taste. “You brought me lunch?”

  “I did. Let’s go find a table. Grab some plates and napkins for us, if you don’t mind.”

  Scooping up both items, I follow him to a table in the right back corner of the food court. This is the perfect spot to give us some privacy. I assume he did this for me and I really appreciate the gesture.

  He sets the box down in the middle of the round table then pulls my chair out for me.

  “Thank you for choosing this corner. It was really thoughtful of you to keep me away from all the prying eyes.”

  “What makes you think it was that noble of a gesture?” he asks, then leans over toward me. “Maybe, I just wanted some privacy so I can steal a kiss or two from my girl.” He winks at me.

  My eyes lock with his. “Your girl, huh? Is that what I am?” I lick my suddenly dry lips and wait for his answer.

  “That depends on you. I want you to be my girl.” He runs the back of his fingers down my cheek. His touch is gentle and caring. “Hell, I already think of you as mine. What do you say? Put me out of my misery and say you’ll give us a chance. I want to take you out whenever I can.”

  “I’ve been thinking about this a lot. I didn’t want to rush a decision and then regret it later.” Pausing, I stare into his deep blue eyes and pray I’m not making a bad decision, especially after what I saw this morning. But this doesn’t feel like a mistake. We don’t feel like a mistake, but only time will tell. His eyebrows draw together as he waits for my answer. “Yes, I want to be your girl.”

  He grins at my words and then pulls me out of my chair and into his lap. “Give me those sweet lips. I can’t wait any longer to kiss you,” he says, his hands tightening on my hips.

  Wrapping my arms around his neck, I press my lips to his. His hands move up to cup my cheeks, holding me in place as his tongue slowly dances with mine.

  “Is this a Gino’s pizza?” Nick’s voice interrupts us.

  Brady rests his forehead against mine. “So much for privacy. We better eat something before Nick steals it all.”

  “Hey, I resent that,” Nick replies, staring pointedly at Brady, a large slice of pizza already in his hand. I giggle, reaching into the box for a slice of my own. Bringing it to my lips I take a bite and then hold it in front of Brady. He tears a large chunk off with his teeth and we both groan as we chew.

  “I had convinced myself their pizza couldn’t possibly be as good as I remembered, but it’s even better.” Taking another bite, I hold it out for him to do the same. We share the rest of the piece and when I choose another I tell him, “you’re on your own now. This one is all mine.”

  He lifts me from his lap, placing me in my own chair. “So that’s how it’s going to be?” he says with a smirk and reaches into the box for his own slice. Nick has already made short work of two pieces. Brady raises a brow at him. “Dude, get lost. I’m trying to eat lunch with my girl.”

  “Fuck off. You should know by now if you bring Gino’s pizza I’m close behind. If you bring it, he will follow.”

  I giggle at his answer. He’s entertaining for sure.

  “Did you catch my movie reference?” Nick asks me.

  I nod. “I did. Field of Dreams, it’s a great movie. I’ve watched it many times with my dad.” Brady rubs his palm over my back at the mention of my father.

  Nick looks at me with an expression of awe on his face before his eyes slide over to Brady. “Dude, you have the perfect girl for me.” He glances in my direction.

  Brady scowls. “The hell I do. Find your own girl.” He wraps his arm around my shoulder, his fingertips lightly skimming up and down my arm.

  Nick places his hand over his heart. “Harlow, you and I were meant to be. You love sci-fi and Field of Dreams, come on. I’ll even watch Battlestar Galactica with you. I doubt this guy will.” He lifts his chin in Brady’s direction.

  Brady chuckles. “Don’t spout off bullshit about what I will or won’t do. I get it, you’re kicking yourself because I have such great taste. I’m sure you won’t be the only one.”

  “Okay, we’ll see how long this lasts,” Nick mentions, his skepticism more than apparent.

  Brady meets his stare, his expression serious. “Don’t be an asshole.”

  “I’m not. I’m just being optimistically skeptical.” Nick shakes his head.

  “What the fuck does that even mean?” Brady questions.

  Nick holds up his hands. “It means I’m not sure how long Harlow will put up with you, but I’m thinking positive.”

  “So, it’s like that?” Brady asks.

  “Dude, don’t be so sensitive. I hope you’re happy forever and ever,” he mocks, his hand over his heart

  “Isn’t it time for you to beat it? I want to spend some time with Harlow,” Brady grumbles

  “Harlow, it was nice seeing you again. I’m going to make myself scarce now.” He deftly grabs one more slice of pizza, winking at me. I giggle and turn my head to look up at Brady. Resting my chin on his arm, I study the angles of his face. His nose is straight with a slight bump in the bridge and his lips are masculine in shape. Feeling the heat of my gaze, he turns his head to glance down at me. Leaning down he brushes his lips against mine. “Are you sure you still want to be my girl? I might need to lock you away to get any time alone with you.”

  “I’m sure.”

  The stadium seats are cold underneath me. The chilly November temperatures of this Friday night, make it difficult to sit still and watch the rest of the football game. Raine and I are huddled together seeking any warmth we can find underneath a fleece blanket. Thank god the people next to us had an extra one. We’d be frozen solid by now without it. My fingers are numb even with the thick knit gloves I’m wearing. Earmuffs weren’t enough protection and I had to add the black knit cap of Brady’s I’ve yet to return. I may be holding on to it on purpose. His masculine scent is all over it and sniffing it at different points this week helped me get through the past four days. I still can’t believe I did that.

  It’s been four long days since I’ve seen Brady. He’s been busy with football practices and gym time, not to mention he still has to attend his classes.

  My own schoolwork has been keeping me occupied and the one night I could’ve spent some time with him, I had to meet my stepmother Cindy. She was here for the day and wouldn’t tell me why, but she wanted to check in on me. We went to dinner at some restaurant that screamed pretentious and snobbish, just the kind of place she prefers.

  I wish I could’ve taken her to Gino’s, but it’s not someplace she’d like. She would’ve curled her bright pink lipstick coated upper lip at me and I’d have never heard the end of it. A lecture about how I won’t be thin forever would’ve followed.

  As it was, I had to listen to how she’s in the gym four days a week to keep her body fit. It was all I could do to not roll my eyes and I had to bite my lip on more than one occasion. She does look great for her age, but what good is that when her personality is so lacking. I’m sure there are some guys who’d be happy to have her on their arm or in their bed, b
ut those aren’t the ones who are good for the long haul. I want someone who’s there for better or worse and not just because I’d make good eye candy.

  Her shortage of motherly concern used to make me sad, but now I’ve come to accept she gives me all she’s capable of.

  The cheers of the crowd are a welcome interruption from thoughts of my stepmother and the dinner we shared. “What happened?” I ask Raine.

  “Aren’t we watching the same game?” she asks her voice filled with sarcasm.

  “Yeah, sorry. Just thinking about dinner with my mother the other night.”

  “Gross, why would you willingly think about her?”

  “I know. It was a momentary lapse in sanity. So what did I miss?” My eyes greedily seek out Brady on the field. I need to focus on the good in my life, not the things I’ve no control over.

  “They got the first down they needed,” Raine informs me.

  I watch the remaining two minutes of the game as Brady leads his team down the field to score, reminiscent of his favorite quarterback Tom Brady. I jump up and down and cheer, happy he won, but in the back of my mind I’m dreading going to another party.

  Raine and I head outside to wait by Brady’s Tahoe. She has plans with Cameron again. We haven’t really discussed what’s going on with them. She knows I’m not a fan of his. Any guy who grabs the ass of a girl he doesn’t know is a dickhead and not worth her time. She doesn’t see it that way. She’s enamored with his social status and big dick - her words, not mine.

  “Are you going to do the dirty deed with Brady tonight?” Raine asks, a mischievous expression on her face.

  “What?” I ask with a laugh.

  “Are you going to bump uglies? Bang? Fuck? Slam? Smash? Do the deed? Tickle his pickle? Ride the baloney pony?” She laughs when she says the last one and I join in.

  “That’s a horrible way to refer to it and possibly the least sexy way also,” I inform her.

  “I’m pretty sure I can come up with worse. How much time do I have?”

  I snort at her answer.

  “What’s all the commotion about over here?” Brady asks as he and Cameron walk up to us. Raine practically skips over to stand beside Cameron.

  I smile up at him. “Nothing we can tell you about.”

  He leans down brushing a quick kiss over my lips.

  “We’ll see you later, right?” Cameron questions Brady.

  “I’m not sure. Great game though, man.” They bump fists.

  Raine smiles and waves her fingers as she turns to walk away with Cameron, his arm wrapped around her shoulders.

  Grabbing my hip with one hand, Brady leans down, claiming my attention. He brushes his nose along mine before skimming over my cheek. His lips close around my earlobe and then are replaced by his teeth as he gently tugs before releasing it. “I’m glad you came to watch me.” His breath is warm in my ear and makes me shiver. His lips hover over my cheek before he kisses my forehead. “How did you like the game?” he asks.

  “It was awesome. You played great. My favorite play was when you rushed twelve yards for that first down,” I say, wrapping my arms around his waist, squeezing him tight. His hand slides from my hip around my back to rest at the top of one ass cheek.

  “Did I ever tell you how much it turns me on when you talk about football?” He drops the duffel bag to the ground, splaying the fingers of his other hand out in the middle of my back. I rise up on my toes as his lips come down to claim mine with a sense of urgency. Our tongues hungrily explore and I lose track of everything, but the warm, wet strokes and the press of our bodies against one another. The beep of a car alarm nearby brings me back to the present and I pull my mouth from his.

  His eyes are heated as they stare down into mine. “Let’s get out of here. If it’s okay with you I’d like to skip the party tonight.” His hand reaches out, his fingers caress along the curve of my jaw, and then his thumb traces over my bottom lip. “I’d like to spend some time alone with you.”

  “I’d like that too,” I reply, relieved I won’t be on display. I wasn’t looking forward to another party, but of course, I’d tough it out for him.

  His Tahoe is spacious but it only takes a few minutes before the heat is kicking in. Groaning, I lean my head back into the soft seat. “I was so chilled, I never thought I’d be warm again.”

  Brady smiles. His eyes briefly flick to me before returning to the road. “I don’t even feel the cold when I’m playing.”

  “I know, I couldn’t believe you were out there in short sleeves. Watching made me even colder.”

  “Nice hat by the way,” he says with a flash of his white teeth.

  “I...thanks.” I flush and stumble to find the words.

  “I like you in my clothes.” His words surprise and reassure me.

  “Good because I might never give it back.”

  Once we’re at his apartment, I hang my jacket up on an empty hook next to the vest he wore the other night and tuck the earmuffs, hat and gloves in the side pockets.

  “I’m going to see what I can scrounge up for us to eat. I’m always starving after a game. Make yourself at home.” Brushing my bangs to the side, I watch him walk away. I let my eyes take him in from the top of his hair, down to his shoulders which seem broader than ever in the black henley he has on. My gaze wanders down to his lean hips and the way his jeans snuggly fit his ass. His legs are long and muscular from all his training. I know how powerful they are after watching him play. He’s limber and agile on the field and I can’t help but wonder what it would be like to have sex with him.

  As if he can feel me ogling him, he glances over his shoulder at me. He flashes me a wink letting me know I’ve been caught checking him out.

  Oh well. It’s not like he doesn’t know he’s hot. Every girl on campus wants him. Blowing out a large sigh, I walk toward his living room. I don’t want to think about Brady and all the girls who’ve come before me - literally. It turns my stomach to think of how many there could be. Has he reached triple digits? Quadruple?

  Sinking down onto the couch, the disturbing path my thoughts have taken has me feeling less enthused about being here.

  “I hope you like chicken salad” he says, placing a large oval plate in the center of the coffee table. There are four wraps and a pile of potato chips in the middle. “I need to eat a lot after I play,” he explains, standing in front of me. “What can I get you to drink? Water? Beer?”

  “I’ll take a beer thanks.” You only live once. And if this night ends where I think it might - where I hope it will; I’ll need all the help I can get.

  He returns, handing me a beer, before taking a seat next to me with a bottle of his own in hand. Raising it, my lips immediately close around the glass rim as I take a large sip.

  “Don’t be shy. Dig in.” He leans forward choosing one of the wraps and then places a napkin on his thigh before adding a handful of chips on top.

  Reaching over, I grab a few chips from his pile and laugh at his expression of feigned anger as I push one between my lips.

  He takes a large bite of the wrap and then holds it in front of my mouth. Leaning forward, I do as he wants. Chewing it, I’m pleasantly surprised by how good it is.

  “Come on, you can do better than that,” he encourages me as he holds the roll up in front of me again. This time I take a larger bite and moan as the flavors hit my taste buds.

  I crunch through the rest of the salty and somewhat greasy chips and suck the residue from my fingers before I realize Brady is watching. Smiling, I glance at him to apologize for my lack of manners when I find him staring ferally at me. The heat in his gaze has liquid pooling between my thighs. I’ve never had anyone look at me with such intensity. I like it. I like it too much. I nervously gulp down some more of my beer.

  He smiles and pushes the rest of the wrap into his mouth, followed by the remainder of chips. I contemplatively sip my beer, studying him. I don’t know why anything to do with him surprises me at this point, b
ut Brady knowing his way around the kitchen does. I know he can man a blender and make a protein shake, but I didn’t think he’d know how to do anything, besides dial for takeout.

  I know I need to forget all the bad things I convinced myself were true about him. I’m ashamed I had no concrete evidence to base any of my misconceptions on.

  “You’re a lot different than I thought you’d be,” I say as our eyes connect. “I might’ve misjudged you without giving you the benefit of the doubt. I owe you an apology,” I sheepishly confess.

  His hand lands on my knee. “You don’t owe me anything, Harlow. You’re here now; that’s what matters.” He runs his fingers up toward mid-thigh and back down to my knee. His simple touch has my stomach fluttering and me craving so much more. “And for the record, I’m glad you’re here,” he says, his expression earnest.

  “So am I.” I sip my beer, covertly stealing glances at him beside me. He stirs up feelings inside me I’ve never experienced before, making me wish for something, but not be able to put my finger on exactly what it is I want. I know I want to kiss him. I want to do so much more, but this is Brady Lincoln. After having some of the hottest girls in our school, my amateur seduction wouldn’t be very interesting. I drink down the rest of my beer and place the empty bottle down on the coffee table. Perched on the edge of the couch, I’m lost in indecision. Should I kiss him or not? It’s not the kiss itself I’m contemplating. It’s everything that comes after because we both know there will be no stopping once we start. There’s an energy between us, a low hum below my skin signifying taking things to the next level is inevitable. The attraction between us has been growing for the past few weeks and it’s getting too big to contain.

  If I was braver I’d crawl into his lap, straddle his muscular thighs and lay a kiss he’d never forget on him. But, I’m not. Instead, I’m going to sit here and try to summon the courage to put myself out there.

  His hand closes around my upper arm. “Hey, what are you thinking about?” he questions as he spins me around to face him. I open my mouth to answer when he leans forward, lifting me into his lap. I end up in the very position I was fantasizing about. His large hands on my hips, holding me in place.