Brandon

I'm in a shitty mood. I didn't expect Lizzie to be such a bitch when we were at the ball game. I have no idea what has got into her lately, but she's just acting weird around me. We need to talk; there's clearly something going on with her.

Fuck, there's something going on with me too, especially the way I'm thinking about her constantly. Elkie is waiting for me to pick her up. I organized for us to go to Dannie's Diner, then on to the Maple Bar for some drinks and to watch the live band. To be honest, I just want to get laid. This is the worst part, having to take the girl out, schmooze with her, watch her fawn all over me, and all just to get it on. That's why I kind of like Debs, she didn't want much, she was straight up. No strings attached, but Elkie is a different girl.

Turns out she is one of the cheerleaders, funny I never really paid much attention to them. They all come across as bunnies, all talk about nails, hair and that kind of shit. Unlike Lizzie, who would rather talk about books, music and her studies. I like that side of her; she's so fiercely intelligent. It's kind of a turn on. There I go again, thinking about her in a way that I shouldn't. I groan.

I'm happy Dad has extended my curfew, though it makes me feel even more grown-up. I won't abuse it, I know that my dad is trusting me, and I don't want to break his trust in any way, and I certainly don't want him blabbing to the coach and having me miss out on some of the games. Next weekend, we've got a home game coming up against another school that is flying in. It should be good, but they've had a winning streak lately, so we guys are all under huge pressure. I know Denver is feeling it.

I won't be drinking tonight, and I'm driving. When I'm in college, I want to play football, not fuck it up by going over the limit and wrecking my car. There was a kid in our school when I was only fifteen. He was a senior. He totalled his car and is now unable to walk. He's stuck in a wheelchair. Let that be a lesson; it's not how I want to end up.

Satisfied with how I look, I grab my truck keys from my nightstand, along with my wallet and my mobile. There's no message from Lizzie. It deflates me. What is going on with her? I message her, I miss her. It's only been a few hours. This whole situation going on with me is worrying, to say the least.

Hey, are you having a good evening? Sorry about the whole movie night thing

There's no reply. Usually, Lizzie will message me back straight away. I'll be late for Elkie if I don't get my ass into gear.

"Have a good night, Son," Dad says as I pass him in the downstairs entrance area. It's a massive round space, our staircase is one of those sweeping curved ones, Lizzie loves it. She says when she gets her own place, it's the look she wants. A feature she calls it. Damn, I hang off every word she says. I can't let on how I feel. That girl is likely off to Paris and will meet a Frenchman who will sweep her off her feet.

That makes me feel something; my stomach knots, and I curl and uncurl my hands. Am I actually jealous of her finding someone? Fuck's sake, she hasn't even left yet. I know she'll get her own way and get out of studying business in Texas. Her daddy won't be able to resist his little princess anything.

"Thanks, Dad. I'll be in before curfew." Dad just nods and heads into our main living area, where he's watching an action movie by the sounds of guns going off coming from the fifty-inch screen we have on the wall. We do have a cinema room downstairs in the basement, but we rarely use it now.

Ten minutes later, and I'm outside Elkie's house. Her parents have a three-floor brick house that looks Georgian, with large sash windows. All the lights are on. She must have been looking out the window for me to arrive because she came dashing out.

I can tell her hair has been done since it's all wavy and bouncy, unlike at the ball game, where it was poker straight. She's got a great figure, there's no denying that, and I'm wondering, since her tits look so big, if they're for real, fake, or if she's just wearing a padded bra. I'll soon find out.

"Hey, thanks for coming to get me." She says her voice is soft.

"No problem. So do you want to go to the diner first or straight over to the bar and listen to the live music?" She cocks her head to the side.

"Live music sounds like a blast."

"Great. By the way, I'm not drinking tonight, so you've got the floor." I say to her as I start driving in the direction of the bar. It's about a twenty-minute drive. During which time neither of us really says much. This part sucks. At least with Debs, my go-to fuck-buddy, we don't give a shit about talking, but with Elkie, it's almost an uncomfortable silence.

"How's school?" I finally ask. Lame. Of course.

"Yeah, it's okay. I can't wait to finish for the summer." She says. I watch her as she talks. Her lips are full, and I wonder how they're going to feel against mine, and then, randomly, I wonder how different they are from Lizzie's. Fucking stop it right now, man. That's sick, comparing her to your bestie. She's saying something, but I didn't hear a word. I was too busy thinking about Lizzie.

"And what about you? I hear you're going to Cali Uni and playing for them. That's so exciting. NFL, here you come." She giggles.

"That's the plan for sure. I've wanted it as far back as I can remember."

"You're going to have the girls after you all the time. Everyone wants an NFL man." She says. I shrug my shoulders. Well, I won't be giving myself up that easily when I make it. My dedication, focus and passion will be on my career and sport, not on women. I don't want any distractions. No fucking way.

Elkie's hand moves on to my leg. "Say, we don't have to go to the bar. We could, you know, park up somewhere." Normally, this would get a rise out of me, but tonight it doesn't. I'm actually wondering if I even want to fuck her. I can't seem to get Lizzie off my mind. I'm wondering what she's doing alone in her room without me there to watch movies. At least that's what I'm assuming since she hasn't messaged me back.

I feel knotted up inside.

"We'll go to the bar first," I tell her, wanting to move her hand off my leg. I'm thinking that getting laid isn't what I really want after all. I made a mistake, I just want to be snuggled on the bed, chilling with Lizzie, watching movies we've seen a dozen times before, eating popcorn, chatting about her latest book. She gets so into her characters, it's cute. Like she's actually met these people she's reading about. It takes a lot of resolve for me not to turn my truck around. This was a big mistake. Huge mistake. I'm not interested in fucking Elkie. I was just so turned on by Lizzie earlier and thinking of her in that red dress, but now I'm just crushing inside at the thought of her sitting at home on her own.

Lilly was going over there for a few hours, maybe she stayed. I'm itching to message her again or to call her.

"Sure, it's up to you," Elkie says, now running her right hand up and down my thigh. Man, it's not doing anything for me. What the fuck is going on with my dick? Why isn't it responding? Shit, this is a crap show. There's not even a twinge.

Damn Lizzie.

I pull up outside the two-floor brick building with a porch out the front, it reminds me of one of those homestead places you'd see in Virginia or somewhere. There's an illuminated boot light hanging in the window and one that says Maple Bar on the other window. The music is already floating out from the pushed-open door.

"You sure you don't want to go somewhere more private?" Elkie asks as she flicks her hair and pushes her tits out.

"Nah, I'm sure," I say, and did she just huff a little? Pretty sure she did.

I wait for her to walk in front of me, yeah, that's right, because I am a gentleman deep down, and it gives me a chance to check my mobile quickly without her seeing.

She turns back. "Who are you texting?" She asks, like it's her business. Jeez-us, I hope she isn't one of those bunny boiler girls. Her hips sashay as she walks in front of me.

"Just checking if I got a message from someone," I reply and follow her in.

"Hey, Brandon." I see Andrew, one of the guys from my math class, by the door. He's with his girl, Leanne. We, men, hug and slap each other on the back.

"They've got Busted playing tonight. Can you friggin' believe it?"

"That's pretty cool." I love the band; they play mostly country-rock, and I like the sound. I'm also into blues, jazz and down and out country. Yeah, for someone who is as cool as I am, I love it. Lizzie loves it, and I grew up listening to it with her. That perhaps explains it.

"Let's go to the bar." I push Elkie forward and rest my hand on the small of her back. She moves forward, and because of her arresting beauty, the one that isn't getting me hard, however. Guys are moving out of her way and staring. She is lapping it up as she pushes her chest out more, straightens her shoulders and keeps flicking her damn hair around. Seriously?

"What do you want to drink?" I ask her as she leans with her elbows on the bar slightly forward, allowing her already low-cut green blouse to open further, exposing mounds of pure, ripe tit. Nope, still doing nothing for me. Now I'm concerned. This is unlike me; usually, I'm ram-rod erect and straining in my jeans. But not tonight, and there was no message from Lizzie. She sure is mad at me.

"I'll have a tequila," she says, licking her lips suggestively.

"Brandon, how are you doing?" Jediah, Jed for short, greets me at the bar. He owns the bar and is in his thirties. His father owned it before him, he's a cool guy and a good-looking one too, with his long, dark hair up in a man-bun, his tattoos on display with his cut-off tee.

"Yeah, great, thanks, Jed. We'll have one tequila, and I'll have a soda and lime."

"Not drinking tonight?" His voice is deep and masculine. Elkie is running her eyes up and down his arms. Maybe she'll latch on to him if she doesn't think she's going to get any from me later.

"No, man. I'm driving. We've got a game next week, and I want to stay in shape. That shit just knocks me off my feet for a couple of days." He nods, pours the tequila, and places it in front of Elkie. She knocks it back like water, shakes her head, and scrunches her face. "Another." She passes the empty shot glass back to Jed.

I take my lime and soda and stand there wondering what the fuck am I doing?

My phone vibrates in my pocket.

I take it out and read the message. It's from Lizzie.

Hey, sorry I was mad earlier. Don't know what came over me. Hope you're out having fun.

No problem. I'm at the Maple bar, it's okay. Rather be watching a movie with you.

Aww. Lilly has just left. I'm going to read for a couple of hours and get some sleep in. I'm free all day tomorrow if you want to do something.

Sure, I'll come over around ten. I'm not planning on a late one.

Okay, see you tomorrow xxx

I feel better now she's messaged me and isn't so damn mad at me.

Elkie turns and plants a kiss on my lips. Instinctively, I place my hands around her waist and kiss her back. I feel her moist tongue slide into my mouth and all the while, I'm thinking about Lizzie.