Page 14 of Trash Talk

Chapter 9

Knox- 22 years old

“Oh, no you don’t. I’m not falling for that shit again. You had me thinking you hadn’t played pool in years and the next thing I know; I’m standing in the middle of my favorite bar in my underwear and boots. So cruel.” Man, I love being able to talk to Ruby again. She unblocked my number four months, three weeks and two days ago, and we’ve been chatting ever since. Reunited. And it feels, so good. “Besides, it’s illegal to tease an invalid.”

“It’s not illegal. And you’re not an invalid. You sprained your ankle.”

“It’s a hairline fracture and a season-ender, thank you.” Regardless of how minor the injury looks; I’m still benched until it heals. I landed wrong after a jump shot about six weeks ago. If I’m lucky, the boot comes off in thirteen days, and if PT goes well, I’ll be able to play in the post season (if we have one). Not exactly how I wanted my last year playing ball to go. And sitting around, not being able to do anything is taking its toll on my sanity.

“Well, I’ll be there next weekend, so you better hope you’re up to doing something. Maybe we should play a game that doesn’t require you to stand, like…” I know she’s trying to think of a sport, but I can’t help the direction my mind wanders.

“I can think of a couple things we could do lying down.”

“Knox! We’re not going there. I told you. We need to work on our friendship first. Then maybe we can see if dating is something, we’re both interested in. In the future.”

“Our friendship is solid, and you know I’m interested. One date. That’s all I’m asking. You come down here next weekend and give me a chance. If you don’t have a good time or don’t feel for me what I feel for you, I’ll drop it. I won’t ask you out again. For the rest of the year.”

“Oh, well it’s good to see you’re not willing to give up on me entirely. You think you can just wait me out?”

“You know what a glutton for punishment I am.”

She laughs but agrees to my terms. This guy has a date with Ruby Kendall. She doesn’t know it yet, but I’m about to show her the one thing in this whole world I’m better at than she is. Romance.

Ruby stayed with Em last night, so Graham actually came home, and we stayed up ‘til one playing Call of Duty. I slept in this morning. When I woke, he was gone. I’m prepping for my date. There’s not a lot I can do with crutches and this boot on my foot. But a big production would likely scare Ruby off anyway. And then I’d have to wait ten more months before I could ask her out again (you know, ‘cause I’m a man of my word).

I’ve got a low-key evening planned. I picked up a bouquet of daisies (her favorite) and packed a picnic basket filled with her favorite things: black cherries, chocolate, Kalamata olives, pancetta, herbed goat cheese, pita chips and a bottle of wine. I’ve got several pillows and blankets for pallet-making in the bed of my truck. I’m picking her up at 6:00 so we have time to get there and eat before the main attraction starts. There’s a drive-in theater about half-an-hour south of town that’s playing old horror movies, Ruby’s favorite. I figured we’d eat, chat, snuggle and let Evil Dead scare the pants off of us. I’d like nothing more than to get Ruby’s pants off this evening. But I can wait. The most important thing is to earn her trust again. Without it, this won’t work.

Everything’s going to plan when I back into the theater lot, hobble into my truck bed and set up our seats. “Evil Dead might be my favorite movie ever,” Ruby sighs, digging into the picnic basket. I put my back against the pillows and finagle myself into a sitting position as she pulls everything out and sets it up for us. She sighs again, “apparently, this is Ruby’s favorites night. The flowers, the food, the movie.”

I look into her eyes, “if I'm only getting one shot to do this right, tonight needs to be perfect.” I pull her so she’s cuddled into my side. “I just wanted to hang out with you alone, do something I knew you’d love. Show you how good we are together.”

“Laying it on a little thick aren't you?" I just smile in response. "Seriously though, thank you, Knox. I’m starting to remember why you’re one of my favorite people.”

“Right back at you kid.” I say with a wink.

She giggles— it’s a sound I’ll never be able to get enough of. “This place is awesome; how did you find it?”

“On the way to a game last year. The main road was closed for construction and the bus took a detour. We ended up driving right by here. They only show old movies. But this month there running a horror special. I’ve been wanting to bring you for ages. I brought a ton of warm blankets, but if it gets too cold, we can always sit inside the cab. I just thought it’d be nice to eat out here.” It’s late-February and most of the winter weather is over, but there’s still a slight chill in the air. I figured mid-sixties is warm enough to be outside for a couple hours.

We’re some of the only people here, so I snagged a spot next to one of the facility’s outdoor heaters. I cranked that puppy before hopping back here. But nothing is as warm as her body nestled into mine.

We’ve eaten, her fingers are linked with mine and I’ve never been more content in my life. I just have this feeling of rightness. Like this is how things were always meant to be. I can’t tell her that though. She’ll freak out and this date will be over before I can snap my fingers. So, I sit quietly, slightly fidgety, watching the opening trailers. I’m about to ask her if she’s warm enough, but when I tilt my face toward her, she completely surprises me by pressing her lips to mine.

She’s shy at first, tentative. Her tongue explores, and the tart taste of cherries invading my mouth has my body exploding with heat. Not remotely cold anymore, I return the favor with my tongue and lips. Then my hands join the party. It seems like an eternity before we come up for air. I press my forehead to hers; afraid to say anything that will break the spell. That was even more amazing than I remembered. We’re going to need to do that again and often.

I’m still breathing heavy when she breaks the silence, “so good. I thought I’d remembered it wrong or built it up in my mind, but that was even better than my memories.” It’s like she’s in my head. She remembers us. I wonder what else she remembers. What else could be even better now than it was when we were teenagers? I mean, I’ve learned some new tricks since then. Things I know she’d enjoy if she would hand the reins over to me for a few hours. The movie won’t start until it’s completely dark, but my mind has already turned to nocturnal activities.

To be honest, I was already thinking about it when I first laid eyes on her tonight. I’d told her to dress warm and comfortable. My eyes roamed her tight little body in her black leggings and tight white long-sleeved tee. She’s tiny compared to me. But she’s so damned toned. And I want to run my hands (and my mouth) all over her perfect little curves. She threw on a beanie, a fleece pullover (almost the same icy blue as her eyes) and took my arm to lead me back to the truck. And all I could think about was whipping those things right back off of her.

Her words snap me back to the present. “Do you want to get in the cab?” It was super hard getting back here in the first place, but if it’s too cold, it’s too cold. I move to put the food back in the basket when she puts her hand on me.

I’m confused. “You want to leave the food out? Are you still hungry?” She shakes her head. “Not hungry?” I’m still confused.

“I’m starving,” the hunger in her eyes isn’t for tapas. Shit. It’s for me. I hop over the side and thankfully land on my good foot, opening the door for her to follow me in, but she just shakes her head at me again. “You get in first,’ she says. I climb into the driver’s side of the bench seat and she laughs. “Scoot over, to the middle. And take off your sweatshirt.”

I whip the offensive material over my head as she climbs in and straddles my lap, leaning in she kisses up my neck and sucks on my earlobe. God, that feels good. My hands itch to touch her, but she hasn’t given me the okay yet. I don’t want to go too fast and scare her off. My mind is racing to the finish line, but what if she only wants to make out? I’m surprised she’s being this aggressive. Scratch that. Ruby has always been a woman that knows exactly what she wants, and when she wants something; she goes after it. Hard. I’m just surprised she’s changed gears this quickly. A week ago, she just wanted to be friends, now she’s licking the outer shell of my ear, making my body involuntarily thrust into hers.

She giggles in my ear, “Oh, you still like that, huh?” She’s toying with me, but I let her. I’ll let her do anything, as long as she doesn’t stop grinding her pussy on my cock. Fuck, I want to slam inside of her so bad. “Knox?”

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