Love On The Rebound: A Basketball Romance Page 7

  “Whoa,” says Ben as he actually takes a physical step backwards.

  Mr. Rose then looks at me with a murderous intensity that is extremely unsettling. Then, just as my brain is about to explode due to its inability to process what is happening, Mr. Rose smiles.

  “Gotcha, didn’t I?” he laughs. Both Ben and I let out a sigh of relief as we realize we’ve been had. April is a little annoyed though and gives her dad a slap on the arm.

  “That wasn’t funny, Dad,” she says. Mr. Rose doesn’t seem to care; he is apparently very pleased with himself.

  “I always used to threaten her dates in high school with all kinds of threats of gruesome death. It was so much fun,” he manages to say while half laughing. April suddenly hits him again in mock anger.

  “It wasn’t funny, it was horrible!” she says. Mr. Rose can only shrug his shoulders as he wipes the tears from his eyes.

  “I was only doing my job as a dad,” he says by way of explanation. “You should have seen the look on your faces. I still got it, don’t I?”

  Both Ben and I nod our heads in agreement. Yes, the old man can still strike fear in men half his age. Mr. Rose is someone you wouldn’t want to cross.

  “You definitely do, Sir” replies Ben. “You weren’t even talking to me, and I had the overwhelming desire to leave the room.”

  “Wait a second,” I complain, “you would have abandoned me to this maniac?”

  Ben smiles.

  “In a hot second,” he replies. Judging from his reaction, this answer makes Mr. Rose even more pleased with himself.

  “Well, boys and baby girl,” says Mr. Rose, “I think it’s time I head off.”

  “Are you sure, Sir? I was planning on taking all of you out for dinner. Ben’s coming too. Are you sure?”

  “I’ve had enough excitement for one evening. You guys go out and have fun, just take good care of my little girl. I trust that between you two you can get her home safely?”

  Both Ben and I nod affirmatively.

  “Excellent,” says Mr. Rose before turning his attention to April. “Always remember, little girl, your daddy loves you.” Mr. Rose then gives April a big hug, which April happily returns.

  “I know, Dad. Love you too,” replies April.

  Mr. Rose then starts to leave. However, as he passes us he leans into Ben and me and whispers menacingly, “Just so you know, I do own several guns.”

  Ben and I exchange wide-eyed looks as Mr. Rose retreats into the crowd. I think he’s laughing, but I’m not entirely sure. Maybe that was the point.

  With the protective father gone I’m finally able to give April a proper hug and kiss.

  “Your father is something else,” I say to April.

  “I know, that’s why I have so much trouble with men. I have to find someone who can compare to that. Think you’re up for a challenge?” asks April.

  “I’m definitely willing to try,” I reply as I kiss April again. This kiss is longer than the last one, as suddenly I’m aware of how hungry I am for her. She fits so well into my arms and part of me wants to take her right there. However, I’m interrupted by someone loudly clearing their throat. I look up and realize that Ben is staring at us.

  “Uh, you know that I’m still here, right? Can we at least get something to eat before you guys get a room?”

  “You bet, big brother, let’s get something to eat.”

  ◆◆◆

  “Wow, April’s father is something else, isn’t he?” remarks Ben. We’re both sitting in a booth at the back of a Mexican restaurant. April has gone to the ladies’ room to freshen up, allowing Ben and I to talk for a bit brother-to-brother.

  “He is indeed,” I agree.

  “Of course, if I had a daughter like April, I’d act the same way. I’m sure you understand that.”

  “What do you mean?” I ask him.

  “I mean, obviously, that you’re a father of a daughter too. I can totally see you acting the same way when Rose starts dating.”

  “Rose is seven years old,” I remind him.

  Ben takes a sip of his margarita before answering.

  “Rose isn’t going to be seven forever you know.”

  “That’s where you’re wrong,” I reply forcibly. My response, understandably, seems to confuse my big brother.

  “What are you talking about?” he asks in a confused voice.

  “She’s going to be my little girl forever. She’s not going to age. I’m not going to let her.”

  My brother smiles and shakes his head.

  “That’s not how it works, Little Bro.”

  Now it’s my turn to take a sip of my drink. However, I don’t so much sip as take a big gulp.

  “I know you’re right. Believe me, I know what’s coming.”

  “April is a special girl, though. I got a chance to talk to her and her father before you showed up. How are things going with her?”

  My mood immediately brightens when I change my focus from how my daughter is getting older to April.

  “She is pretty great, isn’t she? I haven’t felt this way about a girl since I don’t know…”

  “Since Gabby?”

  I nod my head. It’s amazing that even hearing her name still affects me after all of these years.

  “Yeah, that’s probably true,” I say as I stare at my drink. “I mean, when I’m around her, I feel absolutely alive. I swear that girl can just bat an eyelash and it’s like the entire world spins around.”

  I can’t help but notice that my brother is really eyeing me carefully. What’s he looking for? What’s he thinking?

  “That sounds like a good thing. Why am I not feeling that from you?” he asks.

  “I think you know why. I’m not some naïve little kid. There’s more to a relationship than just the feels. I’m a father. I have to think about the bigger picture.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Before I bring another woman into Rose’s life I have to be sure she’s the right one. Not just for me, but for her as well. When Gabby walked out on us, it hurt me, but it was devastating to her. I won’t put her through that. No way, no how.”

  I look at Ben for a response, but he just continues to eye me over the top of his crazy Mexican margarita. I can’t help but notice the contrast between the fun drink he’s drinking and his serious face. What is he considering? I’m finding my brother’s stare to be slightly unnerving. It’s like he’s making time slow down or something. Mercifully, he finally puts his drink down and says something.

  “Well, Little Bro, I think you have a good thing going there. Just take my advice and take it one step at a time and you’ll be fine. Here she comes.”

  We both turn to watch April as she approaches the table and sits down.

  “You guys got me a margarita! Perfect!” April gives me a delighted kiss on the cheek.

  “It was actually my idea,” says Ben, “but feel free to kiss my little bro.”

  “I will and did. So, were you boys talking about me when I was gone?” April asks.

  Both Ben and I shake our heads.

  “No, not at all,” says Ben.

  “We were talking about the game and just how awesome I am,” I offer. April gaze switches between myself and my brother for a moment before she makes up her mind.

  “That’s good to know,” she says mischievously. This causes Ben and I to exchange what-does-she-mean looks.

  “What’s good to know?” Ben finally asks.

  “It’s good to know what lousy liars the Cunningham men are. It should serve me well in the future.”

  Both Ben and I laugh out loud. I guess we are terrible liars. She totally nailed us.

  April coolly takes a sip from her drink before eyeing us again.

  “So, what were you two saying about me?” she asks brightly.

  “It was all good things, I assure you,” offers Ben. “Personally, I think you’re too good for my brother.”

  “Well, that’s obvious,” laughs April. “Ah
, brotherly love, it’s a beautiful thing.”

  “Don’t pay any attention to my brother, he’s a dork,” I reply as I give Ben a dirty look.

  “A dork?” April replies in a faux-shocked kind of voice. “Are you going to take that from your little brother Big Ben?”

  Ben shakes his head.

  “My little brother is not so little anymore if you haven’t noticed,” explains Ben. This comment makes me laugh a little. I decide to flex my arm muscles to demonstrate this.

  “You can say that again, Big Bro,” I remark. Ben looks at me and shakes his head. Once, a long time ago, he could lay down a beating on me. Those days are long since past. Not that I’d ever want to fight my brother. I love him, and we’re adults now; there’s no sibling rivalry here. Still, part of me is happy that I’m the strong one now and that he knows it too.

  “I don’t want you to fight your brother, Ben, that would be silly and stupid,” remarks April. “However, there are other ways you can get back at him. Tell me an embarrassing story from his childhood!”

  Ben immediately lights up at this idea while I groan.

  “Why do you want to hear that? They’re the worst.” I say to April.

  “That’s why they’re the best, actually,” she replies. “Ben, don’t hold back now.”

  I look over at Ben, who is practically licking his lips while he rubs his hands together in glee at the prospect. Oh, man, what is he thinking about?

  “Growing up with a little brother, there are so many stories to share April,” smiles Ben. “How about the time I convinced my brother that I was a Satan worshipper?”

  “What?” exclaims April, who is obviously interested. I, on the other hand, can only roll my eyes. Ben chuckles as he recalls the story.

  “Well, this is a short story, but it’s a good one. For whatever reason, I had totally gotten into martial arts movies. I think I was twelve years old? Anyway, I saw this movie where the ninjas would sit perfectly still and meditate. Well, monkey see, monkey do, so I decided to do this too. I got every candle I could find and put them in my room. Then, I lit them and sat in the middle of them in the lotus position while wearing this ninja outfit I had. Just then, Little Bro burst into my room completely unannounced …”

  “As little brothers are known to do,” April remarks while she smiles at me.

  “…exactly…well, he bursts into my room and kind of freaks out.”

  “I thought you were a Satan worshipper!” I exclaim.

  Ben starts laughing.

  “He just stood there, eyes as wide as can be, petrified. It was almost like I put some kind of hex on him,” says Ben shaking his head at the memory.

  “In my defense, I had just seen some news show on satanic cults,” I point out. Ben completely ignores my valid point and keeps talking.

  “Anyway, he suddenly snaps out of it and runs as fast as he can from my room, screaming the whole way. It took our parents an hour to calm him down.”

  “That’s hilarious,” laughs April.

  “But wait, that’s not the best part,” says Ben. “It took me a while to figure out why my little brother had acted like that. Once I did, it was full on psychological warfare.”

  “What do you mean,” asks April, leaning forward.

  “Well, if your little brother thinks you are a Satan worshipper, why not encourage him? I did all kinds of things. When our parents weren’t looking, I’d flash him little Satan hand signals…”

  “There are Satan hand signals?” asks April.

  “No, but my brother told me there were and I believed him,” I say, embarrassed at the memory.

  “Yeah, I did all kinds of subtle things,’ recalls Ben. “I remember once I even got a hold of a satanic bible. That really freaked him out.”

  “Of course it freaked me out. You said you were reading it to learn how to make a devil possess me!” I say, slightly angry at the memory.

  “Ben, that is terrible,” says April. She’s laughing though, so I don’t think she really means it.

  “There was a method to my Satan worshipping madness, I made him a deal, actually. I told him that I wouldn’t sick a minion from hell on him…so long as he stayed out of my room.”

  April’s eyes grow wide at hearing that.

  “OMG, that’s brilliant. Did it work?”

  “I avoided his room like it was the plague,” I confirm. Ben smiles at the memory.

  “It’s kind of funny. My little brother was worried about an untold number of demons from hell getting him, but I was only concerned with one, and its name was Timothy James Cunningham.”

  “Wow,” laughs April. “I think that story deserves a toast!”

  “What are we toasting?” I ask as I raise my glass.

  “To siblings and demons, even though they are often the same thing,” exclaims April.

  All three of us laugh as we cling our margarita glasses together. We wind up spending the next couple of hours at the restaurant, eating, laughing, and exchanging stories.

  At one point in the evening, something strange happens though. It’s almost like I have an out of body experience. I feel like I’m watching all three of us have dinner. I love how well April and Ben are getting along, that’s a good sign. I also have to admit that a woman hasn’t made me feel this way in a long time. April is beautiful with a body to die for, but it’s so much more than that. She’s kind and exudes such a positive energy. People leave after talking with her happier than they were before. But, no matter all of the positives I can list about her, I can’t shake this feeling that something is off. I look at April laughing with Ben and part of me thinks I must be insane. And yet, I can’t deny that this little demon of doubt exists and it doesn’t seem to be going away. What am I going to do?

  As my out of body experience comes to an end, I decide that I’m going to follow my big brother’s advice. I’m going to take it one day at a time and let the chips fall where they may.

  Chapter Seven

  TJ

  “I really liked your brother,” remarks April. “He sure is proud of you.”

  “Really?” I answer as I pull my car into April’s apartment complex.

  “Honestly, he couldn’t stop talking about you and your basketball exploits before you came up. My dad, who is also a charter member of the TJ Cunningham fan club, couldn’t get enough of it.”

  I park the car and turn towards her so that my arm is resting on the steering wheel.

  “So, both my brother and your dad are fans of mine. How about you?”

  April doesn’t answer. Instead, she reaches over, grabs my shirt, and pulls me close to her. Our lips meet, and once again, I can feel my entire body come alive. Just as quickly as it happens, however, she pulls away and gives me a mischievous grin.

  “Does that answer your question?”

  Gulp. Yes, it does. I can only stare at her for a moment as doubts once again flood my mind. Is this the woman for me? Is this the woman for Rose? Everything feels so right, but I’ve been wrong before. I can’t be wrong again.

  “Are you going to open my door for me, or do you just want to stare?”

  April’s comment breaks me out of my spell, and I proceed to get out of the car. I can’t help but notice the look on April’s face though. She knows the effect she has on me, and she’s enjoying it. What can I do though? I can’t hide it. She pushes all of my buttons, and I do want more.

  I open the passenger side door and take April’s extended hand.

  “This is part of the reason I joined the TJ Cunningham fan club, btw. I like what a gentleman you are.”

  “It’s actually kind of hard to be a gentleman around you,” I find myself saying. I’m not entirely sure where that comment came from, but it’s true. This woman seems to have me under a spell that is forcing my mouth to function independently of my brain.

  “Is that so? April says in a teasing manner. “Should I be careful?”

  Should she be careful? I think to myself. Around this woman, I t
hink I need to be careful.

  Hand in hand we reach her apartment door, and I prepare myself to say goodnight. However, it’s apparent that April has other plans. She unlocks her door with one hand while still keeping a firm grip on mine. She then gently pulls me into her lair. What can you do when a siren sings you her song? The only thing any man can do. You have to heed it because it’s just so beautiful.

  April turns on the light, and I’m able to see her apartment for the first time. It’s precisely what I would expect it to be; clean, orderly, and attractive. I always love visiting potential lovers’ apartments as I’ve come to believe that how a person lives reveals a lot about them as a person. That’s why I’m so pleased that the most noticeable feature of her living room is a large bookcase filled with books of all kinds. April is no dummy, that’s for sure.

  April waves to a large couch in the middle of the room.

  “Make yourself at home. I just want to slip into something more comfortable.”

  April leaves the room, and I decide to take a seat on what looks like a very comfortable couch. I have to admit I’m a little bit nervous. Typically I’d be as cool as ice, but this girl was different. This girl could potentially really mean something to me. It’s then that I can hear my brother’s advice in my ear. Don’t overthink it; just take things one step at a time. That’s actually great advice, and what am I worried about anyway? I’m TJ Cunningham, soon to be signed with the Portland Pumas of the NBA. I’m ready for anything.

  And then, like some kind of goddess, April enters the room wearing only tiny sleep shorts and matching tank top. I have to suppress a groan as she stands before me, allowing my eyes to soak her in. The first thing I notice is that her erect nipples are poking through the light blue material of her top. Her hair is tousled like she just woke up. Once again, it’s like my body starts to act independently of my brain, and I find myself standing up to face her. There’s nothing but desire in her eyes. She wants me as badly as I want her. Game on.

  “Do you still feel like a gentleman?” she asks me.

  “Not anymore,” I reply, and I mean it.

  “Show me.”