by E. L. Todd
I nodded.
“Well, enjoy your date.”
“Thanks.”
I turned away.
“Hey, you think it’d be weird if we came back for basketball?”
I faced him again. “I don’t have a problem with that.”
“Cool. We’ll see you then.” He raised his glass to me before I walked away.
I did the same to him before I returned to my friends.
Four
Carson
“He seemed totally fine with it.” Charlie twisted off the cap to his beer and drank it.
“That’s good.” I was at the dining table with my laptop open, working on all my projects at once.
“Are you okay with that?” He eyed me from the kitchen, his eyebrow raised.
“Yeah. Why wouldn’t I be?”
He studied me before he turned to the fridge and peeked inside, looking for something to make for dinner. “I’m going to play basketball with him on Wednesday. You want to join?”
I said we would stay friends, and while it would be weird for a while, it would get better. My friends were dating his friends, so I’d probably see him pretty often. And I was still writing that editorial piece and I never actually interviewed him, so I’d have to go back. “Sure. It gets me to exercise.”
“Which you need since you eat like a horse.” He pulled out a couple things and set them on the counter.
I stuck out my tongue at him. “What’s for dinner?”
“Just proved my point.”
“Oh, shut up.” I grabbed my beer and took a drink.
“I was thinking shrimp tacos, since the shrimp is gonna go bad tomorrow.”
“Good idea.”
A knock sounded on the door.
“I’m not expecting anyone,” he said. “You?”
“Nope.” I walked to the front door and saw my sister on the other side. “Hey, girl. What’s up?”
“Thought I’d swing by and see what you’re up to.” Her hair was curled, and she was in a sundress with heels.
“You look way too hot to just randomly stop by.”
“I had a date.”
“And I’m guessing it didn’t go well?”
She shrugged. “It was fine…”
“Well, we were just about to eat. Hungry?”
“I already ate, but I’ll take a beer.”
Charlie was already halfway there, the cap gone. “Hey, Denise.”
“Hey.” She smiled at him.
He stared for a bit then turned back to the kitchen.
I stopped myself from rolling my eyes. Charlie was a ladies’ man, but when it came to Denise, he was a schoolboy who had no game. It was the weirdest thing. “Let’s sit.” We moved to the table.
“So, Dax is really gone?” Denise asked.
“Yep. We’re just friends.”
“Man…” She shook her head. “You sure you know what you’re doing? Because he was sooooo hot.”
“Yes, I know.” My girl downstairs would probably get mad at me pretty soon. “It wasn’t right. I’m not angry at him anymore, but I just can’t look past it.”
“Yeah, I get it,” she said. “There are other fish in the sea.”
There were no fish like Dax, so I would probably be disappointed for a long time. “Yeah.” We kept talking while Charlie cooked in the kitchen, and once he was done, he brought the plates to the table.
“You sure you don’t want some, Denise?” Charlie asked.
“That’s so sweet, but no thank you.”
He sat down then ate, purposely not looking at her.
“How’s work been?” I asked.
“It’s alright,” she answered. “Really hectic. My shifts go by so quickly because I’m hustling the entire time. I’m supposed to get a thirty-minute lunch, but I just eat quickly and get right back to it.”
“That’s terrible.”
She shrugged. “I would just scroll through my newsfeed and waste time, so I’d rather be working since I’m there anyway. But when I get home, I sleep so hard.” She shook her head. “Twelve hours sometimes.”
“Understandable.” I ate my tacos.
Charlie was already finished because he ate so quickly, scarfing down his food. “Nursing is a tough job. You’ve got to be resilient in a lot of ways to do it.”
“Yeah.” She shook her head slowly. “I’ve been doing it for years, but it still knocks the wind out of me.”
“Working in the ER in a hospital in Manhattan is probably a totally different experience from working in Connecticut or something,” Charlie said. “So you’re in a fast-paced environment, with lots of different kinds of patients, working in a trauma center… It’s gotta kick your ass most days.”
“Oh, it does,” she said with a laugh. “I’m off for the next four days…thank god.”
“Want to come to our game tomorrow night?” Charlie asked. “We usually get dinner afterward.”
“Yeah, that sounds like fun.” Denise turned to me. “I only saw one of Carson’s games in college, so it’ll be nice to watch her kick some ass.”
“I’m the only chick on the team, so I don’t kick much ass,” I said with a laugh. “I make a lot of shots, though.”
“I’m in,” Denise said. “Matt will be there?”
“Yeah.” Charlie looked at his plate, as if he were forcing himself so he wouldn’t look at her too much.
I was surprised he’d spoken to her as much as he did. That was new.
“What are you working on, Charlie?” Denise asked.
“A few things, actually. There’s this historic building in Brooklyn they’re trying to tear down. I’m covering that. There’re a few other things here and there…” He drank his beer then cleared his throat. “My biggest article is about this new bar in Manhattan. Instead of throwing darts, they want to throw axes. It’s supposed to be a lumberjack theme, but the city is trying to shut it down for safety reasons. But the bar says they have all the insurance for it, so it shouldn’t matter.”
“Wow,” Denise said. “That sounds like a fun bar. Dangerous, but fun.”
I watched them talk back and forth. I purposely withdrew from the conversation to see what would happen. Charlie made her laugh more than once, and he slowly became more confident.
It was like I wasn’t there at all.
When Denise left, Charlie carried the dishes to the sink and started to wash them, along with the pots and pans.
I walked into the kitchen and crossed my arms over my chest. “Okay, what the hell was that?”
“What?” He scrubbed the dish then set it on the counter.
I placed it in the dishwasher and waited for the next dish to be put away. “Don’t what me.”
“I was just talking to her.”
“Yeah, but you were interesting and charming.”
He scrubbed the next dish before handing it to me. “I’m always interesting and charming.”
“Yeah, but never around her. You were finally yourself. What’s up with that?”
He worked on the next dish and didn’t say anything.
“Charlie?”
“Kat is still dating Nathan, so I thought…I don’t know.”
“You’re gonna go for her?” I asked in surprise.
He turned off the faucet, dried his hands, and then turned to me, leaning against the counter. “Sometimes I think she could be into me.”
“Because?”
“We ran into each other a while ago, and…I don’t know. I can feel it.”
I didn’t tease him because this was important to him, but I didn’t believe that. “Are you sure you’re not projecting your feelings onto her?”
“Maybe. But you saw us at dinner. We click.”
“Charlie, you just had a conversation. That’s it.”
“But we have chemistry. Just ask her—”
“I told you I’m staying out of this.” I raised both hands. “Switzerland, alright?”
He crossed his arms over his chest.
“I waited six months after our breakup to do anything, and Kat’s seeing someone, so I think I’m going to go for it. I’m tired of waiting. I’m tired of going on dates just to get laid. I actually like Denise, so I should do something about it instead of doing nothing like a pussy.” He got riled up quickly, like this had been bothering him for a bit.
“For the record, I never told you not to do anything. You made that decision entirely on your own.”
“But I know the predicament it will put you in.”
“Well…it’s shitty. But if you feel this strongly, you can’t just turn that off. You can’t not do what you want to keep someone else happy. I mean, that’s no way to live. And you have waited long enough, Charlie. I don’t think it matters how long you do wait. It will hurt Kat either way.”
He closed his eyes and sighed. “Does she still have feelings for me?”
I couldn’t betray her confidence. “Even if she did, I would never tell you. If you’re going to do this, you just need to figure out the best way to go about it.”
“Which is?”
I shrugged. “I haven’t got a damn clue, Charlie. There’s really no answer here.”
“Yeah…” He straightened and ran his fingers through his short hair.
“Denise may not even feel the same way, Charlie. So, I would figure that out before you do anything.”
“Then ask her.”
“How many times have I said I can’t do that? I’m loyal to her, I’m loyal to you, I’m loyal to Kat… You’re gonna have to do this on your own.”
“What if I’m wrong, and she’s not into me?”
“Then we pretend it never happened. And maybe it’ll give you the closure you need to move on.”
He took a deep breath. “I hope I don’t need to move on…”
Selfishly, I wanted Charlie to drop his feelings because it was going to make my world extremely complicated if he didn’t. I was going to lose someone at some point, and I couldn’t cut out my sister or my roommate, so it would probably be Kat. But I didn’t want to lose my best girlfriend. I didn’t want her to be so hurt that she could never be around us again. I didn’t want her to hate my sister or my best friend. I didn’t want her to hate me for not telling her the truth. The odds of this going over well were slim, and I was really dreading that moment.
We walked into the room with the court, all four of us.
Denise looked at the guys on the court, who were already doing their warm-up by taking shots and passing the ball. Most of them were shirtless, including Dax.
Oh geez…I forgot how hot he was.
Denise looked at me and then the court. “You’re going to play against those giants?”
“Hey, I can hold my own pretty well,” I argued.
“It’s true,” Charlie said. “She’s quick on her feet.”
Matt averted his eyes. “It’s so hard not to stare…”
“Then don’t not stare,” Charlie countered.
“But I’ve got a man now,” Matt said. “Seems wrong.”
“Aww, that’s cute,” Denise said.
We moved to the bleachers and took a seat, putting down our water bottles and towels.
Denise sat beside me. “Is Dax here yet?”
“Over there on the court with the eight-pack, massive shoulders, and built chest.” I said.
“And you’re just going to play with him?” she asked incredulously.
“That’s the plan.”
She shook her head. “Good luck, girl.”
Charlie stood up and took off his shirt—even though he’d never done that for a game before. He jogged onto the court.
Denise’s eyes immediately went to his frame, watching him as he ran off.
Maybe Charlie was right.
Matt left his shirt on and moved onto the court.
“Are you going to take off your shirt too?” she teased.
“Nah. I’ve got class.” I took a drink from my water bottle and made my way onto the court.
Dax had just finished greeting Charlie and Matt when he noticed me. Over six feet of sweaty muscles, he was perfect. His biceps and triceps were slick and shiny, and his carved stomach was like a washboard. He was easier to tolerate fully clothed. But this…this was rough.
His eyes lightened noticeably as he looked at me, and a slight smile moved onto his lips. He approached me, hands on his hips. “I’m glad you’re playing with us. My team won the game last week.”
“Because I wasn’t here?” I asked playfully.
He shrugged. “It’s an odd coincidence, huh?”
“Or maybe no coincidence at all.” I nudged him in the side with a smile and got ready to play. “Let’s do this.”
We started the game, and Dax wasn’t on me all the time. Sometimes other guys covered me, and they were definitely more aggressive, treating me like another guy instead of the five-foot-five woman that I was.
Charlie was on my team, so we always worked to get open for each other, to get the ball and send it into the hoop. Matt was on the opposite team, so whenever he was on top of me, he kept a respectful distance.
When I made a three-pointer, Denise stood up and screamed. “That’s my girl!”
Charlie played harder than he ever had, dominating the court like it was life-and-death. He broke out in a heavy sweat, his skin shiny and slippery. His fit physique stole the show, his shorts low on his hips.
He was such a show-off right now.
When I got the ball again, Dax covered me.
I almost dropped the ball because the whiff of his cologne was too much, mixed with the scent of his sex. It gave me a sudden flashback of the last time we were together, and I broke concentration just for a second. It was enough to make me lose control of the ball.
But Dax didn’t react right away, like he didn’t want to steal it from me.
I got the ball again and dribbled away.
“I’m open!” Charlie ran back, ready to make a three-pointer.
I passed it.
He jumped in the air and made it. “Yes!”
Dax turned to me, his hands on his hips. “Your plan is working.”
“Sorry?”
He nodded to Denise. “She’s definitely paying attention to him.”
When the game was over, we were all exhausted. Everything was sore, including my ass. My calves burned, and my lungs ached for air.
But Charlie walked it off like nothing happened. He strolled to the bench, dried off with a towel, acting nonchalant even though it was obvious to me he was still showing off. His abs were constantly flexed because he wouldn’t relax whatsoever.
“I didn’t know you were such a good player.” Denise grabbed his water bottle and handed it to him.
“Thanks.” He took it and sat down, keeping space between them, either because he was nervous or because he smelled like he’d just worked out.
“What about me?” I walked slowly, practically limping, and then dropped onto the bleachers, sighing because my entire body was sore. “Oh god, I’m gonna die.” I grabbed the bottle and sucked on it like a baby on a nipple.
She chuckled. “You kicked ass too. But Charlie really stole the show.”
He wiped his face with his towel. “I like to play hard.”
Denise wasn’t looking at me, so I rolled my eyes.
“Should we get something to eat?” Matt asked. “If I don’t eat soon—”
“You’ll die,” Charlie said. “Yeah, we’re aware of your strange condition.”
Dax walked up to me after exchanging a few handshakes with his guys. “You okay?” He had a slight smile on his face, amused at my discomfort.
“My ass hurts.” I set the bottle beside me and patted my face with a towel.
“Maybe it’s because you’re sitting on a steel bleacher.”
“Nope,” I said. “It’s because Charlie made me hustle like it was the NBA Finals.”
Dax grabbed his towel and patted his face dry before he rubbed it across his chest and shou
lders, collecting all the sweat that dripped down that beautiful tanned skin.
I kept my eyes straight ahead and refused to let myself stare.
“We’re gonna get pizza,” Dax said. “You guys want to come along?”
Matt answered for all of us. “Yes. Please.”
Dax chuckled. “Hungry?”
“He has a condition,” Charlie said. “If he doesn’t eat the second he’s hungry, he dies.”
Dax turned to me, still amused. “I’m pretty hungry too, so maybe I have that condition as well.”
“Dude, let’s go.” Matt got up. “I need pizza in my stomach. Pronto.”
Everyone stood up—but me.
With his arms over his chest and the towel over his shoulder, Dax looked down at me, the blood making his skin flush a slightly red color, the same way he looked when we’d been screwing for a long time. “You aren’t coming?”
“I think my ass is broken.”
He grinned then extended a hand. “Come on.”
I grabbed him, immediately felt his pulse, immediately felt that surge of excitement when I came into contact with him. But I didn’t respond to it, buried that reaction deep down inside. I got to my feet then cringed.
“If it hurts now, it’s really going to hurt tomorrow.”
“Oh, I know.” I grabbed my bottle and walked beside him.
Denise was up ahead with Charlie and Matt on either side of her.
“You need me to carry you?”
“I’d rather die.”
He chuckled. “Proud woman.”
“Damn right.”
We headed outside then walked to the pizza place. His guys were farther ahead, while my friends walked behind. I was a little slow at the moment, so Dax decreased his pace to match mine.
“What’s happening with Charlie and Denise?”
“He’s going for it.”
“Yeah?” he asked in surprise. “How do you feel about that?”
“If she’s into him too, it’s going to cause a lot of problems for me. So I’m not super excited about it.”
“Did you tell him that?”
I shook my head. “I know how Charlie feels about her. I would never stand in his way.”
“So, you think Kat won’t be happy? Even though she’s seeing Nathan?”