Page 34 of Now and Forever

Like a fool, I nod, and my friend just laughs and laughs.

“C’mon ... let’s go up to the bleachers to cheer for our guys. And, by the way, I love your boots. They’re beautiful and sexy punishment wear.”

Lost in my thoughts, I follow Frida. We open a door and find the basketball court. There’s Flyn, seated on the yellow bleachers, playing with his PSP. When he sees us, he doesn’t greet us but goes straight to Glen. He likes the baby and asks Frida if he can hold him. She hands him over, and I watch Flyn make faces to get Glen to laugh. As the bleachers fill up, Flyn suddenly hands the baby back to his mother and goes to sit a few rows below us.

“How is it going with Flyn?” asks Frida.

I shrug. “Honestly, I don’t think he likes me. He didn’t want to play with me, and he barely talks to me. Is he always like that, or is that just with me?”

Frida laughs.

“He’s a good kid, but not very communicative. I’ve known him his whole life, and I don’t think he’s ever said more than ten words to me. He’s crazy about technology and gaming, and when he sees Glen, he’s all smiles.” Suddenly, she’s quiet for an instant. “Uff, that stinks! I’m going to the restroom to change this little skunk’s diaper, or we’ll all die.”

“Do you want me to go with you?”

“No. I’ll be right back.”

When she leaves, I smile and gesture for Flyn to come sit with me, but he refuses. Five minutes later, I see a group of women my age come in, all looking really good and perfumed to the max. They sit directly in front of me. They’re very animated while they talk about some hairstylist until the players come out to warm up. I’m absolutely flabbergasted when I realize one of Eric and Andrés’s teammates is Björn!

On the court just a few feet from me is the man I adore with all my heart. Two other men with whom I’ve shared my bed are also there. Uff, how hot and how embarrassing! I fan myself with my hand; I don’t know where to look.

When I manage to get my heart to stop racing two thousand miles an hour, I look back at the court and turn bright red when I see all three looking up at me and waving. Shyly, I wave back. The women in front of me think they’re waving at them, and they cackle like a bunch of excited hens.

I’m all flushed, but I can’t take my eyes off my Iceman. He looks up at me and throws the ball. God, he looks so good.

Flyn steps onto the court, and Eric throws him the ball. The boy laughs. Björn picks him up and swings him upside down. For a few minutes, Flyn is the center of attention, and he’s happy. For the first time, I see him laughing like a kid his age.

When Flyn sits back down on the bleachers, I watch with pride at how Eric moves on the court. I’d never imagined him as an athlete, and I love it! I’ve been enjoying watching him for a few minutes, when I overhear one of the women seated in front of me.

“My, oh my! The man I want most in my bed is playing today.”

“Mine too,” says another.

They all laugh, and I kind of laugh along. It’s all in good fun, and I’m having a fine time until another one speaks up.

“Holy God! Eric just gets better every day. Just look at his legs.”

They all laugh anew. “I still remember the night I spent with him,” says the stupid blonde. “It was extraordinary.” My blood begins to boil.

To think Eric spent the night and had sex with that woman doesn’t amuse me at all. I wonder if this happened recently.

“Lora, that was more than a year ago.”

I practically clap when I hear this.

Eric was involved with her before he met me. I can’t hold that against him. I was also involved with other men before I met him.

“Gina, all I can say is that Eric is a man who leaves his mark,” responds this Lora girl, and everyone laughs, myself included.

For a little while, I listen to the women as they reveal what they think of each and every one of the men warming up on the court. Each plays stupendously, including Gina’s husband. When this Lora person mentions Andrés and Björn, I realize she could care less which one she might get to be with.

“Lora,” says Gina, laughing, “if you want to sleep with Eric again, you just have to win over the boy. Everyone knows that little monster is his weakness.”

Lora wrinkles her nose when she looks at Flyn. She tosses back her long blonde hair.

“I don’t need to win anybody over to get what I want from Eric.”

Now I’m indignant. Frida and Glen return and sit by my side.

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