Pushing Limits (Fighting Love: Book 1)

by cross, kali

  As we walk through the quad, a group of guys approach, laughing and joking around, still dressed in their soccer uniforms.

  “Hi Bobby,” Karen says.

  “Ladies,” he says drawing the word out with a slight Spanish accent.

  “Hey,” I say.

  Bobby’s eyes roam up and down my body only to look away in disinterest. Turning to his teammate he says, “Es un traje caliente.” He gestures like he’s touched something hot.

  As I pass, I turn back calling, “Muchos gracias. Bolas de acero cuando usted habla español, huh?”

  Bobby looks mildly surprised, and shrugs. His Hispanic teammates crack up and the others look back and forth between us.

  Karen asks, her face intrigued, “What did you say? Shoot, what did he say?”

  I whisper, “He said my outfit was hot. I said thank you and commented that he had balls of steel when he thought I wouldn’t understand.”

  She cracks up, “Amber, you’re the one with balls of steel.”

  “He’s so arrogant. He kinda gets on my nerves.” I grimace as I jut out my chin. “He never has given me the time of day even though Sally has introduced us a couple of times. I catch him watching me, start to say hello, and he snubs me again. I guess I’m the latest freak show on campus.” I shrug. “I even have him in one of my classes but he looks right through me. Just another jock douchebag.”

  Karen smiles a thin-lipped smile and changes the subject. “Can you believe we have to read a whole book on the Reconstruction Era and do a paper on it by next Tuesday? I’m starting to remember why I blew off taking history last year.” She groans. “I can’t believe how much homework we already have and it’s only the first week.” She pushes a strand of red hair out of her face.

  “What’s the deal with the ‘Sir’? Is Professor Stewart an English Lord or something?”

  “He’s a knight,” Karen says pushing her glasses up her nose, “I’m not sure what he did, but he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth before he came to teach here. I heard it was for the Falklands War but that’s just a rumor I heard.”

  “Huh, really? Interesting. Anyway, do you want to study? I think Sally is out if you want to go to my room.”

  “Sure. I’m sure Melissa will be in our room.” She sighs, groaning, “She’s always there.” With a smile, she says, “Let me drop off my books. Do you have any munchies? I’m jonesing for some Ruffles.” Her hand covers her mouth as she giggles and her green eyes dance.

  “Yeah, Sally got a bunch of stuff last night. We’re fully stocked.” I assure her as we enter the elevator.

  “I meant to tell you, I like that outfit. I wish I had the guts to wear edgier stuff. “

  “Thanks. I got a few stares today but I’m getting used to it. I don’t exactly dress like everyone else.” I look down at my wardrobe choice for the day. “I think it’s the fishnets with the holes and the combat boots that caused all the drama.”

  “And, not the cutoff jeans with the midriff hoodie?’ She giggles, “But, hey, it’s cute. I like that you don’t try to look like everyone else.”

  “Hey – it’s a Texas College hoodie.” I sneer playfully. Changing the subject, I ask. “Are you going out with us tonight?”

  “I might. I’m not sure yet.” We stop in front of her room and she unlocks the door.

  As we walk in, Melissa gives us her standard greeting, “What up, bitches?”

  “Hey, Melissa.” We drone. Melissa is a couch potato, pure and simple. She never leaves the couch except to go to class. Definitely no ‘me’ time for Miss Karen, in any sense of the word. Melissa is always there.

  “Let me get my other history books,” Karen says as she crosses to her desk, lifting the laundry soap off her desk, and putting it back on the shelf above her. “Uh, Melissa, did you use my laundry soap again?”

  “Yeah, I needed to do a load.”

  “Buy your own. I don’t have the money to do your laundry as well as my own. My parents don’t send me money every month like yours do. I’m on scholarship. Stop mooching off me because you don’t want to venture down to the campus store.” She stands in front of Melissa with her hand out. “I told you last time, you’d owe me ten dollars if I caught you using my soap again. Come on, cough it up.”

  “Fine. I don’t know what the big deal is.”

  “That’s rich coming from you.” She rolls her eyes and picks up her books.

  Gliding her eyes up and down, Melissa sneers, “Nice outfit, Amber.”

  “Fuck off, Melissa.” I never go to Karen’s room for this very reason. Her roommate is a total tool. She’s an IT major and all she does is go to class, watch TV and play on her computer. Even though she is a total dweeb, she still thinks she can bag on me. I don’t think so, Chica.

  “Melissa, be nice.” Karen rolls her eyes in frustration. She walks to the door saying, “See ya.”

  We walk the short distance to my room. Shouting at the door stops us from going in.

  “Are you sleeping with her?”

  We lean in, listening at the door.

  “What if I am, Lily?”

  “You are going to hell in a hand basket, Sally Westin, if you don’t make yourself right with the Lord.”

  “Are you kidding me? Leave the Lord out of it. You don’t want me sleeping with anyone but you. As long as my lips are somewhere on your body, you’re fine with who I am. The only time I hear about the Lord is when you’re coming, or giving me crap about whom I sleep with.”

  Shuffling.

  “I love you. You are everything to me. Everything. Why do you treat me this way? All I want to do is to make you happy. I don’t know why you need all those other girls. What is it about her?” Sobbing.

  “She doesn’t constantly try to shove me back in the closet with her, Lily.”

  “But, don’t I make you feel good? Don’t we have fun together?”

  “It’s not just about sex. Listen, you have to stop this. We have to stop this…it’s not healthy.”

  “But, I don’t want to stop. You can’t leave me. No.”

  “I’m serious, Lily. We’re done.”

  “We could be so happy.” Sobbing. “Why can’t you love me?”

  Karen and I jump back when the door swings open. A chill runs up my spine when I stare into Lily’s tearstained face. Her quiet fury scares the fuck out of me as she shoves past us.

  Chapter 10

  Sally’s eyes dart to the door as we walk through it. Wiping her eyes and obviously embarrassed, she asks, “How much did you hear?”

  Knowing how much I hate it when people lie right to my face, I square my shoulders saying, “From ‘are you sleeping with her?’.”

  “Oh.” Her pained face touches my heart. “She thinks we’re sleeping together.” She gives me a sad smirk and adds, “I’m sorry.”

  I close my arms around her in a big hug saying, “Don’t worry about it. If you want her gone and that’s a way to get her out, let her think that. I could care less what she thinks. If it gets her out of your life, use me.” I pull away and grip her arms. “It’s going to be ok. You need to stand firm. If it’s time to move on, then do it. Don’t worry about her. We have your back.” I rub my hands up and down her arms, smiling.

  “So ladies, what are we doing tonight? It’s Friday and I, for one, need to kick it.” I smile, my eyes bounce from Karen to Sally. “It’s been a while since I’ve actually studied and I am out of practice. This week has been a rude awakening and I need to blow off some steam.”

  “Yeah, I can’t spend another night in my room with…Melissa.” Karen makes a gagging noise.

  “I thought you were seeing Tommy sometime this weekend,” Sally says.

  “Yeah, well, it’s been crickets…What can I say?” I say, shrugging my shoulders, “Fuck it. I need an ego boost. Let’s get all dressed up and go to that club you like.” Glancing at Sally, I try to remember the name. “What’s it called? The Flame? That’s it. The one on Sixth Street you like so much. Just us girls.
Who knows? Maybe Karen can get her little freak flag on.”

  “You want to go to a gay club?” Karen asks, pushing her glasses up her nose. Her eyes bug like a deer in the headlights.

  “It’ll be fun. Angela and I used to go clubbing all the time.”

  “But, I’m straight,” says Karen. Her face befuddled.

  “So?” Sally counters.

  “Come out with us. If you hate it, we’ll go two doors down to any of the other hundred bars that cater to straight people,” I say, putting my arm around Karen’s shoulder. “Ok, let’s start getting ready. Sally, we need some shots. Karen, go get glammed up and meet back here around nine. Ok?”

  “Shots first.” Sally lines up shot glasses and quickly mixes her yummy vodka lemon shot. I swear that girl could make bank as a bartender. She knows every drink under the sun.

  “To fucked up bitches!” Sally toasts.

  I yell, “I hear that!” We clink our glasses, slam the shots, and scatter to get ready.

  “I call the bathroom!” I yell, rushing for the door.

  “Really?” Sally pauses. “Really, Amber?” Sally laughs as I run for the door, “You do realize I’m going to come in anyway?”

  I run to the door and reach for the knob, shouting. “Not if I lock the door.” I scoot in, shut the door, and turn the lock.

  “Whatever,” she says through the door. “Uh, Amber? Your clothes are out here.”

  “Damn it!” I mutter. At least I’ll get to shower in peace. I start the shower and step in. This is going to be a blast. We all need to let loose.

  I still can’t believe Tommy hasn’t called. Oh well, maybe I’ll meet someone new tonight.

  I wonder if I should text him. And, look like some pathetic loser? No way. Screw that. Stop thinking about him.

  My mind drifts to Karen at a gay bar. Huh. I wonder if some chick will hit on her. Some women find the brainiac type attractive. I wonder if she’s a natural redhead. I giggle.

  A soft chuckle lilts off the walls and Sally says, “You come in here just to giggle to yourself, don’t you?”

  “How the fuck did you get in here?” I screech in frustration.

  “Those old turn-style locks are child’s play. So, what are you going to wear?”

  “You picked the lock?” I groan with a scoff. “Of course, you did.” I fling my hands up in mock defeat. “Can’t I have a moment of peace? Some me time?”

  “Oh Darlin’, if you need some ‘me’ time as you put it, we simply don’t have the time. Or, do you have it down to a science?”

  “That’s not what I meant,” I say dryly. Well, not really. “Black turtleneck sleeveless crop top with black skirt and leopard stilettos. You?”

  “You’ll see.”

  “Ok, that’s cryptic.” Grabbing a towel, I step out of the shower and Sally is standing at the sink completely nude. “Uh, Sally? Where are your clothes?” I look into her eyes fighting to keep them on her face and completely expressionless. Don’t encourage her. She’ll never put any clothes on.

  “What you’ve never seen…wait….I know you have.” She snickers with a wicked grin. “Jesus, Amber. We’re both girls. Now, are you done?” she asks, motioning to the shower.

  Trying to look anywhere but at her, I mumble, “uh, yeah.” Once she steps in, I quip, grabbing the hair dryer on the way out so I can at least do my hair. “I’ll give you some privacy.”

  Sally’s tinkling laughter follows me out the door. Before I reach my bed, my phone pings:

  We still on for tomorrow?

  I reply:

  Sure. I’ve been wondering if you were still alive.

  My phone pings before I can turn the hairdryer on:

  Calving season is almost here. It’s been interesting to say the least.

  I text him back:

  What’s that? Never mind, tell me tomorrow.

  Ping!

  So, did my plan work? Did you feel me all week?

  Laughing I text him:

  Yes! ;)

  I was worried you had forgotten about me.

  I wait for a few minutes but nothing. Disappointed, I turn the hair dryer on and blow my hair into a cute Mohawk. I can’t help it, I have to look. I pick up my phone and nothing. Shit!

  Ping!

  Darlin’, there ain’t no way I could forget about our night.

  Shit, I’ve been thinkin’ about you all week.

  Had wood every day since.

  Haven’t been hard this long since the seventh grade.

  I smile and reply:

  Good to know. ;) What time tomorrow?

  A reply comes faster this time:

  I’ll see you at 4. Have a good night.

  As Sally comes out of the bathroom, I look up. Yup, she’s still naked. Sighing, I text him back:

  You, too.

  “Do you plan to get dressed, or are you going like that?” My eyes narrow…but I’m careful to focus above her head so I don’t look down. Don’t look down….that will only encourage her…don’t look down. She’ll never put clothes on if she sees me look. Don’t look down.

  “I have to do my hair and you have the hairdryer,” she says, coming closer, gesturing for me to hand it to her. From on top of the bed, it is increasingly difficult to avert my eyes as she stops to stand in front of me. The heat radiates off my face and I roll my eyes. “Damn it, Sally, quit fucking around.”

  “Why, Amber, I don’t know what you mean.” She giggles. Walking back into the bathroom, she calls, “Lovely shade of red, hon.”

  “Ain’t gonna happen, Westin.” I smile. She is kinda funny. “Guess who sent me a text?”

  “Did he?” she shouts. “That’s great.”

  I need to do my makeup, but half of it’s in the bathroom. I guess I’ll wait. No need to encourage her. “Hey Sally, you want another shot?” I call.

  “Yeah, do you need me to make it?” Her muffled voice carries through the room.

  “No, I got this.”

  I pour two more shots of Vodka and attempt to replicate Sally’s mastery. Carrying the glasses, I nudge the door open. Sally has finished her hair and makeup. Her eyes pool with tears. “What’s wrong?” I ask.

  “Just thinking about Lily. I don’t like hurting anyone.” Turning to me, she says, “I was always up front with her. I’m not going to settle down with anyone. I like playing the field. I wish she would move on.”

  I stroke her arm. “Listen, we’ll think of something. I got mad skills when it comes to manipulative bitches. Lily ain’t got nothing on my mom. She’s a second rate! Strictly bush-league, baby.” Pulling her forward, I look into her teary eyes saying, “Twelve years of boarding school. Twelve. I’ve seen every trick a girl can throw at you. We’ll figure out either how to derail her crazy train or come up with a brilliant counter move. Trust me. I got this.” I smile. “Now, splash some cold water on your face and have a shot. I need to get in here and finish getting ready, too.”

  “Ok.” She sniffs. Taking the shot and throwing it back, she grimaces. “Uh, Amber, what exactly did you put in this? It tastes like pure lemon. My mouth is puckering. Ugh.” Her face distorts, like she is tasting something truly disgusting.

  Taking my shot, I lean over the sink, spitting it out. “Fuck,” I rub my tongue furiously to scrape the offending taste off. It doesn’t work. “Shit, I made it like yours…I thought. Geez, that tastes like shit.” I take my towel and furiously rub my tongue in a hopeless attempt to get the rancid taste out of my mouth.

  “Here, give me your glass. You do your makeup and I’ll make us some decent shots. I have to get some ice for my eyes or they’ll be puffy all night.” She smiles, the sadness still brushing her lips.

  Closing the door behind her, she walks out into the room, still naked as a jaybird. I laugh, “Girl, put some damn clothes on!”

  “You know you like lookin’ at my ass, darlin’,” she calls.

  Walking out to slip my turtleneck on, I venture over to the table to watch again, how she makes thos
e damn delectable shots. Stopping for a minute, I ask, “What if you told her you were sleeping with me?”

  “I don’t know. She can be really nasty. I don’t know if you want Lily coming for you.”

  “She doesn’t scare me.” I snicker. “She’s a lightweight compared to some of the girls I’ve gone up against. “

  “Are you sure?” Sally says pensively.

  “Yeah, I would love to fuck with her.” I shrug with a little wink. “I have Tommy. It’s not like I’m trying to date anyone on campus so why would I care about anything she says. Go for it.”

  “Hmmm, that might work. If she knows I have someone else, not just a one night stand, she might move on.”

  “You should text her tonight. I bet knowing I’m proud to go out with you, in public, would drive her insane. Say you’re out at the Flame. She knows that it’s a gay club, right?

  “Hey, nothing to lose, right?” She shrugs, a tad too hopeless for my taste.

  There’s a soft knock and Sally starts for the door. “Clothes, Westin. Clothes would be nice.”

  “Prude,” she says, changing direction to grab her outfit out of the closet and slipping into the bathroom.

  Opening the door, I walk away saying, “Come on in, Karen.” Raising my voice in the direction of the bathroom, I yell, “I’m running behind because someone keeps hogging the bathroom!” Winking at Karen, I walk to the kitchenette. “I’d make you a drink but I can still taste the rancid swill I concocted on my tongue. We need to wait for Sally. Do you want something else?” I ask, finally looking up. “Wow…uh, wow.” I shake my head.

  Karen’s hair is done up all 1940s style like Emma Stone from that Gangster movie. Her fire red dress is a classic A-line and stops only a smidge lower than her ass. Her bright red heels are modest, not like the backbreakers most girls wear, but tall enough to make her legs look long, really long. Wow, she has great legs. I don’t think I have ever seen her legs, come to think of it.