Interception (Distraction #3)

by Angela McPherson

  "You know that's freaky."

  "Hi, Mrs. R," Alyssa said, leaning over the table, her irritation gone. Once back on her side, she mouthed, "Sorry."

  Mom cut through Alyssa's apology. "The same goes for Alyssa. You two have been gone too long." Her voice quivered, and I flinched.

  "Sorry, Mom. I–"

  "No, No. You're busy, I get it. Then you got sick, but–"

  "I miss you, too." I glanced up at Alyssa, and she shrugged. "I'm not avoiding you. Promise."

  "I know." She blew into the line. "I visited your sister today."

  Tears threatened to fill my eyes. I clenched them shut, agitated at myself for not being there with Mom, comforting her. "I miss her, too. Every day." Alyssa squeezed my hand. Her support meant so much, and I returned the simple gesture with a weak smile.

  "Today was a hard day is all." Mom sighed. "The sunflowers we planted are coming through."

  "Oh, yeah?"

  Alyssa let my hand go. She picked up her loaded sandwich and chowed down. At least her appetite returned.

  "How's Tristan's football stuff going?"

  I laughed. Mom understood sports as much as I knew about shopping. "Tristan will be flying out to combine tryouts soon. That's where he'll show off for NFL scouts."

  "He'll be great, as usual." She chuckled.

  "Yeah, he's pretty great." Great, oh yes he is. Especially this morning. "It's going really well so far. He had lots of scouts notice him during combine tryouts."

  "Oh, yes, I think remember you mentioning it. That was when you were so sick. I bet he impressed everyone, as usual." She chuckled. "I'll let you and Alyssa get back to whatever y'all were doing," Mom said.

  "Love you."

  "Love you, too, baby."

  "So," Alyssa jumped right in. "This thing with Rixon." She glared. "You gonna take care of him or do I need to go old-school on his ass?"

  "What?" How the hell did she know about the mess with Rixon? Telling Alyssa was sure to end up badly, which was why I didn't confide in her.

  "I know everything." She smirked.

  "Tristan told you."

  Alyssa squirmed. "Um, yes. But the point is, Rixon is way too far up your ass. You can't continue to pretend he doesn't want to screw your brains out."

  "What an awesome way to put things into perspective, friend."

  "Honesty is the best policy."

  I chewed on my bottom lip, thinking. "I know. I–"

  "You're too freaking nice," Alyssa growled. "Woman-up and let your inner bitch soar. I know you got it in you." Her glossed lips lifted in a daring smile.

  After lunch–holding onto Alyssa's words of quackery–and afternoon classes, I headed over to confront Rixon before going to work. A group of students hung outside the communications building smoking. When I spotted a red-faced, ear-to-ear grinning George talking to Mattie, it made me smile. George had had a thing for Mattie since junior year when she transferred to Tech. I'd told him, multiple times, I'd seen her checking him out. It had taken the Star-Wars-loving goof almost an entire year to emerge out from under his rock. Better late than never.

  A gust of wicked cold wind whipped through the narrow walkway, nearly pushing me over. The damn weather didn't feel like spring would come around any time soon.

  My cheeks heated, and the nausea came back from today's lunch as I buttoned my jacket. I then dug through my bag for the bottled water I tossed in before leaving the house and guzzled the lukewarm liquid, hoping to kill the taste of pickles, mustard, and potato chips. I closed my eyes and tilted my face up, grateful for the cold at that moment. Feeling better, I headed inside.

  The pen holding my hair in a bun fell out, clanking on the tile. I bent to pick it up the same time someone else did. "Haven't seen you in days." Rixon handed me the pen, his expression hard to read.

  "Thanks." I took it, twirling my hair around the pen again, basically stalling until I figured out what to say to him. Turned out I didn't have to start.

  "I'm sorry. I went too far. I'm a jerk." He scrubbed a hand through his gelled locks. "But you can't blame a guy for trying, eh?" He grinned. "Would you believe I was bolloxed?"

  Rixon's mother moved the two of them to the States when he was five. His accent only grew thick when he was upset, joking around, or trying to get a girl to notice him. "I agree, you're a jerk."

  "Ah, I was only coddin' ya." His playful smirk wouldn't get him off that easy. Rixon continued. "Besides, you knew I was a jerk already, so it's really your fault for being too trusting."

  I sighed. Rixon and his complexities were irritating. "See." I pointed at him. "Ass!"

  "You're not, which is why we make a great team."

  I shook my head. "We don't make anything, Rixon."

  With his head cocked to one side, he said, "If I promise never to make a move on you again, can we forget this and be friends? Again?" He grinned.

  Maybe I was dumb for giving him another chance, but I honestly believed Rixon to be a good guy–he just buried the nice guy under layers of assholery. Underneath the arrogance was a guy who dealt with his pain as best he could. Which is why I'd put up with him.

  "As long as you stay within the boundaries of friendship, we're good."

  He leaned in for a hug, and I shoved him away while bending back. Rixon raised his hands. "Hey, friends hug."

  Straightening my spine, I waved a hand between us. "We don't." I lifted my hands up. "Got it, buddy?"

  "Noted," he agreed.

  "Good." I pulled out my phone and winced. "Shit, I'm late for work."

  Rixon slugged my shoulder. "I'm glad we're good."

  Please don't let me regret this. "Me, too." My bag strap fell off my shoulder to the crook of my elbow. "I'll see you tomorrow."

  "Deal." Rixon pushed the door open for me, and I semi-waved while rushing out.

  Out of breath, face wind-slapped, and fingers frozen, I jumped in my car. As I reversed out of the parking lot a horn blared, stopping me. The car jerked to a stop, slinging my chest into the seat belt. "Shit!"

  I waved an apology to the guy as he mouthed something while flipping me off. Nice, Elle. Once the guy was gone, I pulled out of the parking lot and headed to work.

  Freshly ground coffee beans assaulted my nose as I rushed inside. "You're late." Karen glanced at her watch. "Again."

  "I know, I know. So sorry!"

  Karen waved to the mostly empty room. "It was hard to keep this crowd under control."

  "Seriously, I'm so sorry." I tossed my stuff behind the counter. "If it makes you feel any better, a guy flipped me off for nearly crashing into him on my way."

  Karen headed toward her office. "I'm glad no one was injured." She looked over her shoulder. "Right?"

  "Oh, everyone is good."

  ∞ ∞ ∞

  Life settled over the next few weeks, and I caught up with sleep. Much to Tristan's amazement, Rixon's behavior remained within the circle of friendship. Alyssa worked on her relationship issues, too. Mostly. "So you and Bret are okay?"

  She declared a weekend girls' trip when she picked me up from work. "Nope, I'm so over him, Elle." She took a long sip of her vanilla Frappuccino.

  I shook my head, not believing her for a second. We didn't spend as much time together so I agreed. "Fine, I'm game."

  "Whoo hoo!" Alyssa clapped once before returning her hands to the wheel.

  "But only because I miss our crazy weekends." I held up a hand before she had a chance to cheer more. "And because I plan to talk some sense into your hard head."

  She pointed to her chest and gasped, which led to another rant. "I'm not the one with the problem. I mean, who turns down sex with their girlfriend, who's standing in front of them in a skimpy lace outfit." She sent daggers outside the windshield.

  "I'm on speaker," Tisha, Bret's sister, announced, doing well to hide the gagging noise.

  "Sorry, Tish," Alyssa said, blinking quickly.

  "Tisha, you're going with us, so get used to it," I said, earning m
e a wide grin from Alyssa. A break from the guys while spending a full weekend filled with girl talk would cure the current problem.

  "I agree, as long–"

  Alyssa cut Tisha off. "Yay! No take backs, and I'll pick you up in half an hour." Alyssa's voice squeaked with excitement.

  "Fine. I'm agreeing because you and my brother are worth saving." Alyssa flinched and her knuckles blanched around the steering wheel. I didn't push her to open up; I'd get her to during our trip.

  "See you in a little bit, Tisha," I said, disconnecting the line. Alyssa pulled into my driveway. "I love you."

  Alyssa's shoulders rose to her ears then dropped with her breath. "Right back at ya," she said, turning with a small grin.

  "Pick me up in a bit."

  She nodded. "See ya."

  I waved to Alyssa as she backed out of the driveway. Inside the house, books were scattered on the coffee table, sans Tristan. I tossed the keys and they clanked against the end table. "Elle?"

  "Looks like you're working on…" I moved closer to the notebooks littering the center of the living room. "Um, Business Organization." Ironic.

  "I've got a test coming up." Tristan kissed my forehead. "How was work?" He sat on the couch, shuffling through the mess.

  "Good." I collapsed in the recliner next to the sofa. "So, Alyssa planned an impromptu weekend trip."

  Tristan glanced my way.

  "Girls only."

  He frowned. "Not sure I'm up for that."

  "Well, get over it. Alyssa will be here soon." I stretched my arms over my head. "I miss our girl time."

  He smirked. "Trouble in Amazon land?"

  "Yeah." I yawned. "I'm gonna start packing."

  The small suitcase didn't fit everything I wanted to pack, so I lugged the large one from the top shelf in the closet.

  "Staying a while, Spud?" Tristan grinned, leaning against the doorjamb.

  "I can't decide what to wear, and I've no idea what Alyssa has planned so..." I shrugged.

  Tristan moved from the doorway, meeting me in the middle of the bedroom. "I've decided you can't go." He tucked a stray hair behind my ear. "I'd rather hold you hostage in bed all weekend."

  I cupped his cheek, the stubble pricking the inside of my palm. "As much as I'd love to, I'm gonna have to take a raincheck."

  A horn honked outside. My cue to get going unless Tristan wanted to deal with an upset Alyssa. I pecked his lips. "I'll be back before you know it."

  Another honk, this time, longer.

  "Go tell Alyssa I'm on my way."

  "Don't know why Bret puts up with her," he mumbled on the way out.

  "Because I'm amazing in bed, duh."

  I glanced over my shoulder to see Alyssa in the doorway. "Good to know."

  Tristan shook his head, smiling. "I'm out."

  "Hurry your ass up." Alyssa tossed my lotion in the bag. "Tisha's gonna bail if we don't get there." She looked at her imaginary watch. "Now."

  I zipped the suitcase and grinned. "Done, let's go have fun."

  Tristan

  "Sorry, man. Got stuff to do before we leave. Sit tight, I'll only be a few."

  Bret shrugged and headed straight for the fridge, clearly at home with himself. "Fine. I'll wait."

  Socks, jeans, shirts and other shit cluttered the floor. Since Elle left, I'd tossed and turned at night, usually managing to kick the comforter off the bed in the process. Not wanting to give Elle an excuse to complain, I moved my crap to the laundry basket. I also made up the bed with fresh sheets, wanting her to come home and relax. Especially after hearing how tired she sounded last night on the phone:

  "Sorry, what'd you say?" Elle yawned into the phone.

  "Not falling asleep on me, are you?"

  "No, um…" The background sound muted, and a second later, she said, "Sorry, maybe I am a little tired."

  I frowned.

  Elle had a hard time staying awake, again. Thinking back, she'd been sleeping more, too. "Spud, you out partying all night doesn't sit well with me." Half-joking, I added, "Think of all those crazy men out looking for a beautiful woman, like you, to sweep off their feet."

  Elle yawned again. "My eyes are barely staying open. Even while having a blast with the girls." She chuckled. "Pretty sure I wouldn't have the energy to notice a man."

  I raked a hand through my hair. "Your explanation doesn't help."

  Her breathy laugh sent a shiver of hunger straight through me, nearly stanching my worry. "Got to go, perv."

  I suppressed a groan. "Maybe when you get home you should get checked out."

  "What? I'm fine."

  "You sleep all the time. You could be catching–"

  "I'm not sick. You worry too much."

  I pinched the bridge of my nose. "Fine. Be careful. Love you."

  "Always," she finished.

  Bret's heavy steps echoed down the hall, pulling me out of the memory. "Daniels, what's the deal? Stop being a bitch and hurry up. Tee time's in thirty minutes."

  "Yeah, yeah. I'm ready." Changing into a different shirt, I grabbed my visor when I remembered the garbage. "Shit. Let me take out the trash first." I glanced over my shoulder and laughed at Bret's scowl. "Put your panties back on."

  Bret paused, pulling the beer bottle away from his mouth. "The only thing you're missing is the ring."

  I shrugged. "Be back." Proposing to Elle had circled my mind for a while. Hell, her mom and mine brought up the subject every time they called, so the idea always lingered. I just hadn't figured out the perfect time: before graduation or after? Elle using my last name, God, satisfaction washed over me.

  Smiling, I opened the back door and grabbed my wallet, cell, and keys. "Let's roll."

  Bret tossed the empty bottle in the trash. "About time." Bret and I headed out, him following behind. We agreed to ride in his shitty-ass Ford–and he called me a pussy. When the doors closed, the windows wobbled.

  "The fuck, man?" Bret gingerly rubbed the dashboard.

  "Sorry," I said, not holding back a chuckle.

  "Whatever, let's get there."

  My phone dinged, and I opened Elle's text. Be home around 7. Miss you!

  Bret changed the radio station. "What'd Elle say?"

  "Girls should be home around seven."

  Bret's phone chimed, but he ignored the message. A nagging feeling pushed me to ask, "Everything cool between you and Alyssa?"

  "Yup," Bret said, dialing up the volume, obviously nixing any further talk.

  Okay, got it.

  Fifteen minutes later, we pulled up to the golf course. Jarred and Trey, another buddy from the team, parked next to us.

  Outside, Bret clapped then rubbed his hands together. "All right, bitches. Who's ready to get their asses kicked?"

  Jarred slapped a hand on Bret's shoulder and squeezed. "Don't think so. I'll own this show."

  We laughed, bullshitting while gathering up everything to play a full green. Two golf carts, one iced-down cooler full of beer, and we headed onto the green.

  "Dick can't swing worth shit," Bret said, laughing like a hyena when the club flew out of Trey's grip.

  "Shut your face, punk." Trey rammed his putter in the bag.

  "Guys, give it up." Jarred hung his arms around Bret and Trey's shoulders. "I own you."

  "Okay, okay." I pulled out a bottle of water from the cooler and twisted the lid. "Give the drunken lushes a break." The ice water cooled the dryness in my mouth.

  "Daniels, I've got somethin' you can suck on."

  I patted Trey's back. "What makes you think I could find your winky if half the girls on campus couldn't?"

  Trey swung but missed and stumbled, landing on his ass. Jarred, Bret, and I busted out laughing before I stuck out my hand to help him up.

  We took a break at the turn to grab a quick lunch. Melted cheese, baked bread, and other fast-food goodness assaulted my taste buds when we walked in. My stomach groaned by the time I ordered food.

  Trey jerked his head toward the back. "
Let's sit under the vent. Sweat's rolling down my crack."

  "Keep that shit to yourself," I said, laughing.

  Stuffed from the burgers and fries, I leaned back and texted Elle while the guys pissed.

  What are you wearing???

  She replied fast. Hmmm. Nothing much really. Lace panties, skimpy bra… Oh and socks 'cause I'm freezing.

  Damn. I adjusted the front of my shorts. Hurry home!

  LOL! Working on it ;) Almost done?

  Halfway. Ate and about to head back for the last 9. Be careful. See you at home.

  Okay! Love you <3

  Love you too.

  I tucked the phone into my pocket and met the others outside. Jarred kicked ass all over the green most any time we played, but I stayed on his heels.

  Bret and Trey smelled like a damn brewery once the heat beat down. "You drivin' Bret back?" Jarred stopped to put his driver back in the bag.

  Bret swung, ball sailing hard right, missing the green and bounced into the sand. "Son of a bitch," he said.

  I smirked. "Yeah, looks like."

  "As much as I hate taking the win from amateurs," Jarred said, then paused. "Nah. Actually, I don't mind at all." Jarred's eyes were outlined in white from the sunglasses he wore. The rest of us were smart enough to wear a hat.

  "Man, you're not invited next time," Bret whined to Jarred.

  "Don't be a sore loser, loser." I loaded the cart up, ready to head out.

  "Fucker, you lost, too," Trey said, slurring the last word, making it sound more like "zoo" than "too."

  "I'm not bitching about it either."

  "Knock it off. I gotta get some stuff done. Let's go." Jarred hopped in the cart. Bret and Trey followed, jumping on the back.

  Fifteen minutes later, we were packed up and ready to go. Bret tossed his keys over the hood of his truck, and I caught them one-handed.

  "Dude, drop me off at home. I'll get Lyssa to drive me over later to pick it up." Bret leaned back and closed his eyes. As much beer as he drank, I figured he'd pass out by the time we made it to his house.

  "All right."

  Alyssa's car was parked in Bret's driveway, meaning Elle should be home. I missed her. Her bare legs, the smell of her shampoo after she showered, and she'd only been gone a weekend. The guys were right; I was pussy-whipped.