“Who the hell tells someone they are going on a date?” Keeley cried out in aggravation. She looked over at Nicky who was sprawled out on the floor next to her. As soon as she got home from the park, her best friend had come over on the pretense of doing homework. In actuality, she was there so they could discuss Talon.  

“The same person who manages to apologize and not apologize all in the same breath,” Nicky replied with a touch of admiration.

Keeley narrowed her eyes. “Stop sounding so impressed.” 

Nicky ignored her. “Do you think he would agree to give me lessons? I could really use that Jedi mind trick when my mom finds out I’ve eaten gluten.”

“I think she’s fully aware,” Keeley informed her. Nicky wasn’t exactly inconspicuous about her eating habits. She constantly had muffin wrappers and cookie crumbs in her backpack. It amazed her that no matter how much Nicky ate she didn’t seem to gain weight. Then again, Nicky went to the gym four times a week.

“I could be the Luke Skywalker to his Obi-Wan Kenobi.” Nicky’s eyes grew distant as she became lost in her fantasy. “He could teach me how to use the Force.”

“He is not a Jedi master.”

“Or so he wants you to believe,” Nicky countered in a knowing tone.

Keeley rolled her eyes. Someone had been spending too much time on Wookieepedia. “He can’t just order me to go on a date with him. I’m not a dog who obeys its master’s every command.” She hadn’t even forgiven him yet and he was already inserting himself into her life. She was beginning to realize that Talon didn’t understand the concept of boundaries. If she gave him an inch, he would take a mile. 

“So what are you going to do?”

Keeley’s expression turned smug. “I’m going to show him what it’s like to be controlled.” She needed to regain some control in the relationship, or whatever it was they had. Right now, he was the one making all the decisions. If she wanted to be on an even footing with him, she would need to show him that her bark was just as real as her bite.

Nicky raised an eyebrow. “How are you going to do that?”

Keeley chuckled. She had been wondering the same thing as she walked home from the park. The answer had come to her in the form of a trashcan overflowing with garbage. Peeking out from the top of it had been the personals section of a local newspaper. One ad in particular had caught her attention and a rough plan started to form in her mind.

“By giving him a taste of his own medicine,” Keeley answered. As she grabbed her laptop, she outlined her plan to Nicky. It wasn’t complicated, but it would hopefully get the message across.  

Nicky tapped a finger against her chin, watching her friend with thoughtful eyes. “I thought you were against revenge. Isn’t that what you told Zach?”

“It’s not revenge,” she replied as she logged onto Craigslist. “It’s teaching a very important lesson to an extremely arrogant boy.”

“My, my,” Nicky drawled, “interesting how people rationalize their actions.”

Her fingers stilled over the keyboard. “I’m not rationalizing,” she rebuffed hotly. The situations were clearly different. Zach had interfered in something that wasn’t his business. He had no right to play that hoax on Talon, especially given their background. She, however, had every right to. Besides, she wasn’t doing this out of revenge. It was more of a way to shake Talon up and make him realize that she wasn’t a puppy he could jerk around.

Nicky turned her head and cupped her ear. “What was that? I think I hear denial knocking on your door.”

Keeley threw a pillow at her. “So, you don’t think I should do this?” she asked, motioning to the laptop.

“I didn’t say that. The boy deserves a good kick in the rear.” She leaned back against Keeley’s bed taking the pillow with her. “I just don’t think you should be angry with Zach for saran wrapping Talon’s truck.”

Keeley frowned at Nicky’s defense of her brother. “Do you like him or something?” she asked, the only explanation coming to mind.  

Nicky’s face twisted, looking repulsed by the idea. “It’s a little hard to develop a crush on a guy you’ve seen running around, buck naked, screeching about a spider in the bathtub.”

She let out a chuckle. “I remember that. We were six.”

“Trust me, no matter how old we were, that image is burned in my brain,” Nicky said dryly. “My point is that while Zach probably shouldn’t have pulled that prank, I think he did it with the right intentions.”

“Please,” Keeley huffed. “He used me as an excuse to get back at Talon. You know how biased he is. He has complete tunnel vision when it comes to him.”

Nicky bit the inside of her cheek. She was silent for a couple of seconds as if debating something. Finally, she said, “Do you remember when Dillon sported that black eye a few weeks after he dumped you?”

Keeley nodded. It had been a big mystery. Dillon refused to say where he got it, but the rumor around campus was that he got into a fight with a local gang when he accidentally wore their colors. She had called him, wanting to know if he was okay but he never answered. In fact, now that she thought about it, he had avoided her ever since. “Wait a second,” she said, the pieces clicking into place. “Are you telling me it was Zach?”

Nicky gave her a firm nod. “He wanted to make sure Dillon kept his mouth shut. He didn’t want him spreading nasty rumors because you wouldn’t have sex with him.”

“B-but how did he know?” She hadn’t mentioned the reasons behind their break-up to anyone and as far as she knew, neither had Dillon. Honestly, it had surprised her that he had kept it quiet, but she appreciated his silence. Not that she was ashamed of her decision, but she had no desire to be the afternoon gossip in the boys’ locker room.   

She looked over at Nicky who was staring at the carpet with a fixed expression. Her shoulders were slightly hunched as she fidgeted with the ends of the pillow. Instantly, Keeley knew. “You told him?”

Her best friend lifted her head, guilt radiating off of her. “I overheard Dillon talking smack about you in the lunch line one day. He was telling his friends that you were a sloppy kisser and he couldn’t…well….” Nicky looked at her lap and then back at Keeley, “you know.”

Keeley’s spine stiffened. She was not a bad kisser! And he most certainly could get it up! He had on many occasions. She had been the one to stop the make out sessions once his hands started to wander. 

Nicky scowled. “I would have punched him myself if I thought it would create any damage,” instinctively her arm flexed, “but I don’t exactly have the muscle for it. So, I went to someone who did.”

Keeley’s mouth thinned. So that’s why Dillon never told anyone. Not out of kindness, but out of fear of her brother. “Why didn’t you tell me?” she wondered.

“You were already upset about the breakup. I didn’t want to hurt you more.” Nicky was right. She had been a mess when they first broke up. She spent the entire weekend locked in her room with a box of tissues and a tube of cookie dough. She hadn’t even showered till Monday morning when she had to go to school.

“I’m surprised Zach kept it a secret,” Keeley commented. Usually her brother would have mentioned if someone had been bad-mouthing her.

“He didn’t want to hurt you either. So, don’t be too harsh on him with the whole Talon thing.” One side of Nicky’s mouth lifted in a rueful smile. “At least he didn’t punch him like he did with Dillon.”

Keeley let out a short bark of laughter. “I guess I can be grateful for that.” She hesitated before saying, “Do you think I should just cut Talon out of my life permanently? If I keep talking to him it’ll create a lot of problems with Zach.”

Nicky shrugged a shoulder. “I don’t know. I guess it depends on whether or not you think Talon is worth it.” She cocked her head to the side. “Is he?”

Well, that was the million-dollar question wasn’t it? Was Talon worth all the conflict it would create with her brother? “I’m still mad at him,” Keeley pointed out.

“Mad enough to stop talking to him?”

Keeley sighed. “No. Not mad enough to stop talking to him.” She just wanted to prove a point, not end all communication.

Nicky grinned. “Well, I think you have your answer.”

“Damn. You’re good,” she muttered as she turned her attention back to the laptop. She clicked on the personals section and wrote:

 Title: Male in desperate need of company Friday night.  

 Description: Seeking a woman with a strong personality. Must like being in control in all aspects of the relationship. An affinity for collars and leashes is a plus. If interested, please call the number below.

After Keeley posted the ad, the girls settled down and focused on their homework. They had almost gotten through all of it when Keeley’s phone rang. Both of them looked at each other, excitement mounting in their eyes.

“It’s him,” she announced before accepting the call.  

“Keeley,” he muttered. Her name sounded more like a curse word than a greeting.

“Hello Talon,” she chirped happily.

“Have you lost your mind?” he asked through gritted teeth, sounding like he was trying to keep his anger under control.  

“No, but it sounds like you’ve lost yours. Want me to help you look for it?” she asked, winking at Nicky who was listening in on the conversation.

He growled, clearly not appreciating her jest.

“Guess not. Sounds like someone is in a bad mood.” Keeley was surprised he hadn’t cracked a molar by the sounds he was making.

“You wouldn’t be in a good mood either if your phone was being flooded with calls from dominatrixes,” he snapped, his rage barely simmering under the surface.

Keeley choked on her own laughter. “D-dominatrixes?”

“Yes, baby doll. Dominatrixes,” he confirmed with a slight growl in his voice. “As in the women who dress in leather and wield whips and canes. They have been calling me nonstop wanting to know if I have my own collar or if they should they bring their own.”

Keeley laughed and high-fived Nicky. This was going better than she thought it would. “Sounds terrible,” she commiserated with mock sincerity.

“Damn it Keeley!” he yelled, his control evaporating. “This isn’t funny!”

“Really? Because from where I’m sitting it’s pretty hilarious.”

“Oh yah, it’s just a pile of laughs,” Talon said darkly. “I love being ordered to be quiet because I haven’t been given permission to talk.”

Keeley’s eyes widened. Holy crap. “Must feel terrible being told what to do,” she said, choosing her words wisely. “I know I certainly don’t like it.”

It was silent for a couple seconds as he processed her meaning. “Seriously?” he cried out in disbelief. “That’s what this is about?”

“I told you I hadn’t forgiven you and five minutes later you tell,” she paused and amended, “no ordered me to go on a date with you. So, yes, that’s what this is about.”

“Unbelievable,” he muttered under his breath. He let out an aggravated sigh. “What the hell do you want from me?”

“I want you to treat me with respect! And that means listening to what I have to say.” Nicky nodded in agreement and gave her the thumbs-up sign. 

“Are we living in the same universe?” Talon uttered in exasperation. “Did I or did I not just drive fifteen minutes to a park to listen to you.”

“Apparently listening doesn’t mean comprehending,” Keeley shot back. “You may be used to getting your way with that cocky attitude, but it won’t work with me. You can’t force me to forgive you.”

“I didn’t do that,” he refuted.

“Yes, you did! You skimmed over my feelings and pushed your own agenda. But my feelings are real, Talon,” she said poignantly, “and I deserve more than a ten second acknowledgement that you hurt me.”  

The silence after her statement was deafening. The only indication he gave that he was still on the line was the faint sound of his breathing.

Nicky looked at her and held up her hands in question. “What’s he saying?” she mouthed.

Keeley shook her head and waited for him to respond.

“Fine,” he conceded at last, “maybe I did blow off your feelings. It wasn’t intentional though.” He coughed and cleared his throat. Evidently he had a hard time acknowledging his mistakes. “I’m sorry you felt that way, baby doll.”

It wasn’t exactly the apology she was looking for, but it was better than nothing. At least he was admitting that he hadn’t listened to her.

“You can do what my mom does and chalk it up to male stupidity,” Talon offered lightly.

Keeley fought against the smile that was tugging at her lips. “So you’ve suffered from male stupidity often?”

“If I say yes, will you go on the date with me?” he asked impishly.

Keeley sighed and hung her head. Apparently she had her answer. “I am not going on that date with you Talon.” Why didn’t he understand that he couldn’t just charm his way out of a problem? 

He let out a string of curse words. “You are the most impossible female I have ever met!” he exclaimed in irritation. “So, what’s the problem now? Why won’t you go out with me?”

Keeley banged her head against her bed.

“Well?” he demanded, his tone full of impatience.

Something in her snapped. “Because you hurt me! Because you told me to go on a date with you! Because you push and push and don’t ever think about how it affects the other person!”

“So basically you’d rather go out with some pansy loser than me?” he asked in disbelief, his temper rising.

“At least the pansy loser would have behaved like a gentleman,” she countered in a scathing voice. 

“Gentleman?” Talon scoffed in ridicule. “Next you’ll be telling me you want someone to court you!” 

“And what if I do?” she retorted angrily. 

“Fine!” he snapped. “You want someone to court you? Well consider yourself officially getting wooed Keeley Anne Brewer!”

“Fine!” she yelled, but he had already hung up on her. Bewildered, Keeley looked down at her phone and then to her best friend. How had the conversation gone from yelling to wooing in five seconds?

“What did he say?” Nicky asked eagerly.

“Apparently, I am being wooed,” Keeley replied, feeling a little dizzy from the whole exchange.

Her best friend chuckled. “Think he can do it and change your mind? He only has two days.”

“I would say no, but…” Keeley trailed off and shook her head. This was Talon they were talking about. Who knew what he would do.  

 ***

“Do you want to stay for dinner?” her mother asked as she walked Nicky to the door. They had finally finished their homework although it had been a struggle for her. Her mind had kept wandering to Talon’s declaration. How was he going to woo her? And when would he woo her? So far, he had yet to make any attempts.

Nicky shifted her backpack to the other shoulder. “No, thank you Mrs. Brewer. Maybe some other night.”

“I was thinking this Friday we could have our family game night. Are you free Nicky? Do you want to join us?”

Keeley’s body jerked in response. Friday night?

Nicky sent her a sideways glance and discreetly lifted an eyebrow, asking if she should accept the invitation or not. 

Keeley’s heart pounded. Should she give the go-ahead? It wasn’t like she was planning on going on the date with Talon. Keeley bit her lip. But a small part of her didn’t want to completely shut the door on the possibility. If Nicky said yes, it would seem so…so final. It was stupid to hold on to the idea, but she couldn’t help it.

“Uh Mom, Zach is probably busy that night,” Keeley told her, praying it was true. Maybe she could get out of game night that way.

“I’m free,” her brother piped in from across the room. He was sprawled out on the couch watching television with their dad.

Damn.

The one night she actually wanted Zach to go to a party, he didn’t. Figures he would get in the way where Talon was concerned, even if he wasn’t aware of it. Now what did she do?

 “So Nicky, can you make it? I’ll even make you some homemade pie,” her mom promised.

Nicky sent Keeley a pleading look, begging for her to step in and answer the question. 

“Mom…” Keeley trailed off trying to buy time. She had to make the decision right now. Yes or no? She opened her mouth to tell her that Nicky could make it, but instead, “I have plans Friday night,” came out.

Keeley slapped a hand over her mouth. Oh crap. Did she really just say that? She looked over at Nicky for confirmation.

Nicky nodded her head.

Her mom looked up at her in surprise. “Oh. Are you and Nicky going to the movies?”

“Um…well, y-you see…” she stammered, the words getting caught in her throat. She was sorely tempted to lie and say yes. It would be a hell of a lot easier than telling the truth, but she couldn’t lie straight to her parent’s face.  

“What is it, honey?” her mom prompted.

Her outburst caught the attention of her father and brother, so now four pairs of eyes were staring at her intently, waiting for an answer. She took a deep breath and braced herself for the reaction this would cause. “I am going out, but not with Nicky.” She watched as her brother’s eyes narrowed into small slits.

“Who are you going with?” her father asked suspiciously. “A boy?”  

Keeley felt her cheeks flush.   

“A date?” her mother asked brightly.

“Not a date,” Keeley rushed, wanting to make that distinction clear.

Nicky coughed loudly trying to hide the snicker that escaped her lips.

Keeley sent her a glare before turning back to her mother. “Actually, I’m not even really sure I’m going out Friday night. It’s just a possibility.” Did that even make sense? Probably not with the confused looks her mother was giving her. She understood the feeling well.

“Who is he? What’s his name?” her dad demanded to know, his voice booming over the living room. “How come we’ve never heard about him before?”

“Calm down, dear,” her mom said. “Give her a chance to speak. I’m sure there is a good explanation.”

Keeley forced herself to meet Zach’s gaze. If she were going to continue her relationship with Talon, whether it be a friendship or more, she would need to be able to handle her brother. “His name is Talon.”

Zach fell off the couch with a loud thud. It would have almost comical if the situation had been different.  “You’re going on a date with that bastard?” he yelled as he scrambled to his feet.

“Not a date,” she protested though it fell on deaf ears.

“Zach!” her mother reprimanded. “Language!”

He glared at Keeley, his face red from all the blood pumping through his veins. “And his name isn’t Talon, it’s JT.”

“JT?” her father repeated. “Crosswell’s quarterback? Number twelve?”

Zach’s top lip curled up into a snarl. “The very same.”

“Good player,” her father acknowledged. “Strong arm. Quick release. Nice spiral on his throws.”  

“Dad!” Zach protested. He obviously had not been expecting him to list Talon’s attributes.  

“Sit down son,” he commanded. The authority in his voice left little for discussion. He waited till Zach followed his orders before continuing. “Now, let’s talk about this date.”

“I’m just going to go,” Nicky interjected, looking antsy. She started backing up towards the front door. “See you tomorrow at school.”

“Don’t leave me!” Keeley hissed.

Nicky reached for the door and pulled it open. “May the Force be with you,” she whispered before quickly departing.

With a sense of dread, Keeley turned her attention back to the living room. Her father and mother were quietly sitting in their respective chairs, while Zach was hunched over in the couch sulking. This was not good. Not good at all.

“So kiddo,” her father started, “how did you meet this young man?”

Keeley cautiously told them what happened, leaving out all the inappropriate things that were said and done. Her parents asked questions here and there, but her brother remained silent, a stony expression plastered on his face. “So, that’s how we met,” she finished.

“I expect him to come to the door and pick you up so I can meet him,” her father told her.

Keeley opened her mouth to tell him she wasn’t even sure she was going to see him, but then thought better of it. No need to confuse and worry them further.

“You can’t be serious Dad!” Zach exploded, not being able to contain his anger anymore. “He’s obviously just using her to get to me.”

“Excuse me?” Keeley snapped, offended by his words. “The world doesn’t revolve around you, you know.”

“Children,” her mother warned, sensing an impending fight. “Both of you need to calm down.”

Zach lowered his voice, trying to appease their mother. “He’s trying to psych me out before the big game. He wants to make sure Crosswell will win.”

“Paranoid much?” Keeley muttered under her breath.

Zach whirled around to face her. “You know it’s true!”

“Wow,” she said, amazed by his words. “Is it that hard to believe that he could actually like me? That this has absolutely nothing to do with you?”

“You don’t know him like I do, Keeley.”

“Oh that’s right, because you guys have so much time to talk during the game, in between huddles and plays,” she retorted sarcastically. She hit her forehead with the palm of her hand. “How stupid of me to not notice. My bad.”

Zach’s expression turned thunderous. “You’re so naïve-”

“Enough!” their father rebuked, cutting him off. “Zach, who your sister dates is up to her.”

“But Dad-”

He sent him a hard look, quelling any protest. “And Keeley, if I don’t approve of this boy, you will not be leaving with him Friday night. Is that understood?”

Keeley gave him a swift nod.

“Good. I don’t want to hear another word about this.” His eyes narrowed on Zach. “Now let's sit down and eat dinner like a family,” he stressed.  

It didn’t go as smoothly as her father would have liked. While her parents chatted about their day, Zach sulked in his seat and barely touched the food. He refused to talk or even glance at her. Five minutes into the dinner, he claimed a stomachache and went to his room. Her parents exchanged troubled looks as he left but didn’t comment.

Zach’s reaction to the news hadn’t surprised her. She knew he would be upset. She had braced herself for it as soon as the words, “I have plans Friday night” left her lips. What she hadn’t expected was the show of support from her father.  She had assumed he would naturally be against the idea. It delighted her to know that he trusted her intuition enough to let her date someone her brother was opposed to.

As Keeley got ready for bed that night, her phone beeped with a text. It was a picture message from Talon. Her eyes widened a fraction when she saw what it was. There was a blue marshmallow peep sitting on top of a pillow. Next to the peep, lay an index card with the words “Sweet dreams” scrawled across it.

Stunned, she ran a finger over the picture, almost as if she was reassuring herself it was real. When Talon had said he would be wooing her, she had no idea what to expect. Knowing him, she thought he would send pictures of himself highlighting his best physical attributes. But this? This was more than she ever thought possible.  

Am I dreaming? Or are you actually being sweet? –Keeley

Its been known to happen occasionally. –T

I didn’t think your ego could handle it. –Keeley

Baby doll, everyone has an ego. Mine is just bigger…and better ;) –T

Keeley chuckled. Typical Talon.

Good to know “wooing” doesn’t diminish your self-confidence. –Keeley

Just my reputation…but you’re worth it ;) –T

*Rolls eyes* Cheesy doesn’t suit you. –Keeley

Oh baby doll, you haven’t even seen cheesy yet. I can cheese with the best of them. –T

Haha. I bet you can. I look forward to it. -Keeley

Goodnight, Keeley. Dream of me ;) –T

Talon, she soon realized, was incredibly good at wooing. The next morning on her way to school, he sent her another picture. She was hesitant to open it with Zach in the car, but he had been giving her the silent treatment anyway, so it didn’t really matter.

As soon as she opened it, a bright smile graced her face. The picture had a blue peep sitting next to a tall cup of coffee. The index card read, “Do you come with coffee and cream? Because you’re my suga’.” It was extremely corny, but it lifted her spirits. She exited the car with a bounce in her step that wasn’t there when she had entered.

Keeley continued getting the picture messages throughout the day. All of them consisted of a blue peep and an index card. In her first period class, she got a picture of peep next to a pencil broken in two. He had written, “Life without you is like a broken pencil…pointless” on the card.

During lunch, she received a picture of the blue peep sitting in the passenger seat of his truck with “Are you a parking ticket? Because you have fine written all over you.”

Her personal favorite had been the picture of just an index card he had sent her during sixth period. It said, “Sorry, got hungry.” She had laughed loudly at that one, earning herself a sharp reprimand from the teacher.

The anger and hurt that had manifested from his lies and words were slowly being chipped away. Each picture was a testament to how much he cared about her. It forced her to view Talon in a different light. Yes, he was impossibly arrogant, but he was also incredibly sweet. She had a feeling most people never got to see that side of him. He kept it tightly under wraps, using his sarcasm and ego to deflect suspicion.

Friday came quickly and the picture messages didn’t stop. Corny line after corny line appeared with a blue peep beside it till Keeley started to wonder how on earth he still had any lines left. It wasn’t until the last class of the day when it all changed.

“I am so jealous,” Nicky whispered to her when Mrs. Wilson turned her back. “I can’t believe he sent you all those messages.”

“Honestly? Me either,” Keeley confided.

“So are you going to go out with him tonight?” her best friend asked.

Before she could answer, Keeley’s phone vibrated. With one eye on Mrs. Wilson, she pulled it out of her pocket and into her lap. The picture message had a blue and a pink peep sitting next to each other on top of a chemistry book. In big, bold letters, he had written, “Tonight? 8pm?”

Keeley bit her lip. This was it. Time to decide. Was she going to go on a date with him? Before she could over analyze it, she wrote:  

Do you know where my house is? –Keeley

Her heart pounded loudly in her chest as she waited for him to respond. A few seconds later, a new text popped up.

Yes. Pick you up at 8 baby doll ;) –T

P.S. Wear comfortable shoes. –T

Keeley read his text and wondered where he could be taking her. Well, one thing was for certain, a date with Talon would undoubtedly prove to be memorable.

****

A/N Their date will be in the next chapter, I promise! Anyone have any ideas where he is taking her? Or what they will be doing? I can promise you it will extremely unique. That's all I'm willing to indulge ;) Thank you for reading this chapter and please don't forget to vote and comment!