Promises, Promises (23 page)

“Yeah, I really loved college – just barely getting by, but having so much.” She said smiling.

“What do you mean that?” I was curious why she said that.

“All my friends, the bar. It was like I had my own little family and life going. I finally felt like I belonged.” Her eyes welled with tears, but quickly looked back at the table and seemed to shake off her feelings. “Corner left pocket,” she called out and took her shot. Of course it went in.

“And after graduation?” I knew what was coming, but wanted to hear it when Mel wasn’t around. Her eyes turned sad again, but she continued to look at the pool table searching for her next shot.

“Well, everyone got on with their life. I tried, but working 9-5 in a cubicle, never hearing from your close friends gets pretty lonely. Side left pocket.” She said with a slight pout. She lined up and began to take her shot.

“And that’s when you met him?” Her ball missed the pocket.

I watched her swallow. “Yep…that’s when I met HIM.” She said with a sad smile. “Beer me baby!” She said laughing, changing the subject. I took my cue to stop the conversation and turned to get us another round.

I walked up to the bar to order, thinking about Izzy. She had such a sad life, I can kind of understand why she went for such a controlling guy. I started to wonder if she really was ready to move on to another relationship. I hope she does, because right now I just feel the need to care for her, protect her and hold her the rest of her life. I can’t imagine what she went through as a child.

I grabbed my beers after paying and turned to walk back to the pool table. Looking up, I saw two guys talking to Izzy, smiling and flirting blatantly with her. She didn’t seem to return the flirting, but was talking and smiling. Jealousy tore through me yet again. Shit. Is this the crap I’m going to have to deal with? Flynn is at home fighting with Mel because he can’t deal with it. Was that what I was going to start doing? No, I couldn’t let that get the better of me. She’s hot and I just need to deal with guys wanting to talk to her. Unless she’s a fucking whore like Sheila and I didn’t realize that. I started to feel angry at that thought, as I stepped up handing Izzy her beer. She took it and smiled warmly at me and put her arm around my waist. I relaxed a little knowing she awaited my return.

“Babe, they want to play us. I told them one game and then we were heading out anyway. Right?”
Babe?
I quickly glanced at the two guys, trying to figure out why she called me that and quickly realized she might want to try to hustle them.

I smirked. “Yeah hon, that’s fine.” I wasn’t sure where she was going with this. They weren’t big dudes and I could take them if I needed to. I was more curious than anything and it was funny hearing her call me “babe” as if we’ve been together for a while.

“Great then. How about we make a friendly wager?” The smaller guy said as he eyed Izzy’s tits. I tried to contain my anger, knowing she wanted to see where this would go with them.

“Oh, well, I’m not sure that’s such a great idea. I mean, you just saw us play, but we’re not so sure of how well you guys play.” Izzy said twirling her hair trying to come off girly. I just smirked and leaned back. Fuck this was really turning into a fun night. Man, she’s turning me on even more. I looked over to the guys, she had them hook, line and sinker.

The taller one chuckled, “We saw you play. At least you know what you’re doing! Come on, it’ll be fun. Just a friendly bet.”

Izzy looked at me and bit her lip pretending to be nervous. Her eyes were shining and you could tell she really wanted to have some fun. “I don’t know. Honey, what do you think?” She asked me putting her hand on my chest. I resisted the urge to kiss her. She was turning me on with her little act.

“Well, it could be fun, sweetheart. I know how much you love to bet, although you do lose a lot when we go to Vegas all the time. On second thought, maybe we shouldn’t. We usually lose so much.” I tried to act resistant to her wanting to play. Her eyes were full of excitement now, which was only turning me on more.

“Aw, come on. Please? Just like Vegas, it’ll be fun!” She said bouncing up and down giving them a show. I had a hard time not laughing out loud. “All right baby. Just this one time, but then we need to get going. We need to get the babysitter home.” She almost burst out laughing on the last part, but held it back.

“Thank you, honey!!” she said clapping her hands and then turning to the guys said, “Okay, we’re in! How much are we talking? Like $10?” She added, sounding maybe a bit too dumb. She was really playing it up.

“Oh, well, we were thinking more like $100.” The taller one said.

“Oh,” Izzy frowned looking up at me. “I’ll use my own money this time.” She said to me pleading.

“Okay, but just this once, honey.” I replied, taking a sip from my beer before I burst out laughing.

We put our money on the table and started the game. The tall one broke and called stripes. Izzy was up and tried to look like she was concentrating on where to go. “Side left,” she called. Aced it. One after another she hit them all in. The guys just stood there with their jaws open. She finished, looked at them and shrugged. “Wow, I really played well tonight, huh, babe?”

They guys just shook their heads and the shorter one asked, “How the fuck did you do that? We watched you earlier missing several easy shots.” She glanced at me and swallowed. It wasn’t like I didn’t know she was missing shots on purpose to make me feel a bit better.

The taller one angrily shook his head. “That’s bullshit!” and started getting closer to Izzy. I stepped in front of her, blocking the guy and clenched my fists, ready to beat the piss out of both of them.

“Hey, you guys approached her and wanted to play. She played. Done. Now, move the fuck along.” They glanced at each other while I waited, looking at each one wondering who would try to take their first shot at me. The tall one glanced over at me and looked at me as if he was going to start. I smirked and shrugged my shoulders. “I’m ready when you are, asshole.” It’s been awhile since I’ve been in a brawl and I was looking forward to it. I was still pissed about missing the one with Mark, although, glad it turned out the way it did. They looked me over again, shook their heads and walked away, leaving the $100 on the table.

Izzy grabbed the money and tucked it in her bra, smiling brightly and then kissed me. “Thanks, Honey, for letting me play.” She purred continuing the charade.

“Fuck, you keep doing shit like that and I’ll be bending you over the table!” I whispered in her ear.

Her eyes lit up as she teased, “Promises, promises.” She winked at me and started walking towards the door. I took a deep breath watching her walk. Between the adrenaline pumping through me from almost getting into a fight and kissing her earlier, God, it’s going to be tough going slow with her.

We got to my bike and she was jumping up and down. “That was so much fun!! I haven’t done that since college!” She hugged me tight and kissed me. I grabbed her and kissed her back hard. Thoughts of taking her right here on my bike went through my mind. I deepened the kiss and realized if we didn’t head back, I really would take her now.

We hopped on my bike and headed back toward her place. I pulled up in front and she jumped off.

“Coming in to the battlefield with me?” She asked smirking and tilting her head towards the townhouse. I got off my bike and walked her to the door.

“Nah, I probably should say goodnight right now, although I don’t really want to.”

She swallowed, “I had a lot of fun with you today. I don’t really want to say goodnight either, but I probably should go in since we’re supposed to take it slow and all, right?” She was looking like she wanted confirmation. I wanted to just take her up to her room, but figured Mel or Clark would just interrupt us.

I shook my head trying to get grabbing her and throwing her down on the stairs out of my head. “Yeah, I should probably get going.” I bent down to give her a kiss and she opened her mouth. Like hell if I was going to turn that down. She had the most incredible lips ever. Soft and sweet. I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her close. She wrapped her arms around my neck and then thrust her hands through my hair, pulling me closer for a deeper kiss.

“No shit! Didn’t you guys fucking figure out yet to get a room with a door?” Clark snorted, shaking his head as he ran up the stairs and into the townhouse.

“I can’t believe he keeps doing that. Does he plan it or something?” She asked frowning and rolling her eyes.

I just laughed and kissed her again. “I’m thinking that was a sign that I should take off or we’ll be in your room soon.” She smiled and took a deep breath and sighed. She turned to go in the door.

“Hey,” I called to her and she turned back to me smiling. “Think I can get your number so maybe we can get together tomorrow before work?” She came back down the stairs and pulled out her phone, looking up her number and gave it to me. I called it so she would have my number too. I kissed her again and she went into the townhouse.

I drove off wondering if a couple days constitutes going slow because if we keep kissing like this, a couple days is all I’ll last.

Chapter 16

Izzy

I closed the door and leaned against it, sighing deeply. The house was quiet and I was left with my own thoughts. I really wanted to hop back on his bike and go back to his place. Why does it matter if we wait? He keeps saying I’m not a rebound from Sheila and I believe him. Why are we listening to Melanie? She can’t even figure it out with Flynn. And why the heck does Clark keep walking in when we’re making out? I tried to calm down and went up to my room and changed.

My phone chimed with a text from Z as I settled into bed.

Z:
How’s the battlefield?
I giggled.

Me:
Quiet. Do you think they killed each other and I don’t know it?

Z:
LOL. Could be. Maybe I should start calling hospitals to make sure.

Me:
At least that’s better than the morgues.

Z:
What are you doing tomorrow?

Me:
Probably go for a run. You?

Z:
Going to hit the gym. Clark makes me want to hit something. You wanna come? It’s boxing.

Me:
Nah. Thanks though.

Z:
Wanna meet after for lunch?

Me:
Yes. Where?

Z:
I’ll pick you up at 11?

Me:
On your bike?

Z:
Of course

Me:
Then yes.

Z:
Are you in bed?

Me:
Yes…you?
My heart started beating faster and I couldn’t stop smiling.

Z:
Yes. X

Me:
Too bad that’s not a real X.
 God, why didn’t I just make him come inside with me?

Z: 
Tomorrow I’ll double up to make up for it. X

Me:
Promises, promises.

Z: 
LOL. I’ll make good on it. X

Me:
K. I’ll hold you to that. X

Z:  
I’ll pick you up at 11. Night. X

Me:
K. Night. X

******

The next morning, I went downstairs to find Clark and Flynn drinking their coffee and talking quietly. I grabbed a mug and filled up.

“So, where’d you and Z go last night, Iz?” Flynn asked me.

I chuckled, “Umm, we headed out to some biker bar. We had fun. I hustled two guys. It was great!” I laughed again, thinking about how much fun the night was.

“You did what?” Clark asked, almost spitting out his coffee.

“No way!” Flynn said excitedly. So I told them both what happened and they got a kick out of it.

“So you made $100 last night!” Clark was shaking his head “That’s awesome!”

Melanie came downstairs. “What’s awesome?”

Flynn glanced at me and nodded his head toward me. “Iz, here, hustled a couple of guys last night when she went out with Z.”

“Aw and I missed it! I used to love watching you do that!” She shook her head as she grabbed a cup of coffee.  “So Clark. How is Tina?” Melanie asked smugly.

I hoped she wasn’t going in for another fight with Flynn. Flynn just shook his head and grabbed his keys. “See you guys later,” he muttered as he headed out the door.

“What was that all about?” Clark asked.

“They got into it about what would be the right thing to do after you left.” I replied.

Melanie huffed, “Yeah, he clearly thinks you’re in the right, Clark!”

“What is wrong with you two? Why does it matter what I do? You guys keep picking fights over the stupidest things. I don’t get it! Just fuck and be happy! What’s wrong with that?” Clark was shaking his head and grabbed his keys and left.

“They’re such jerks!” Melanie spat out. “It matters a lot what Flynn thinks about what Clark did. I mean what if he’s the type to just run off and screw a girl when she’s upset!”

I shook my head. “Melanie, you’re overreacting. I agree with Clark. You’re just trying to pick a fight. You guys have way too much tension. Either quit trying to pick fights with him and go for it or just resolve to not be together. Neither or you are making any sense.”

She rolled her eyes at me and took a drink from her coffee. She received a text and smiled bright. “I gotta get to work. I’ll talk to you soon.” She grabbed her keys and walked out. I really wondered if Flynn was right and maybe she was still doing something with that boss of hers. Hmm.

I finished my coffee and headed upstairs to change for my run. The more I thought about it, I really didn’t want to run into Mark so soon and what if he was on the trail today. I decided that maybe I would just go for a light jog today and run around town instead.

I left the townhouse and headed past Allure and down a couple streets. It was fun to run through the city and it gave me a change of scenery from my run on the trails. Since I wasn’t doing sprints today, I went for a longer jog than usual. I had the iPod that Melanie let me borrow a couple days ago and was listening to some great music and became lost in my thoughts. I realized I had run pretty far and should turn back, so I started down the opposite side of the street.