Never Too Late (Open)

I took off my reading glasses and rubbed my eyes. The glare from the computer was doing a number on my vision and I sighed as I got up and went into the kitchen from my small study to get a glass of iced tea and take a break.

I yawned and stretched on the way in, my T-shirt lifting to show my belly but that wasn't important. Because there was no one around to see it.

Pouring a glass of cool liquid, I leaned against the counter and thought about everything that had gone on in my past to bring me to this point in my life.

Pregnant before I was 20, marriage to a man who didn't really love me, divorce before our baby was 3 years old and then a life of hard work as a single mom while he was taken care of by babysitters and relatives who didn't usually have the time to do all the things I wanted to do with him but didn't have the time for because all my ex sent was excuses and threats from his lawyer.

Not that I minded working hard. Brian was worth it. God, was he ever. He had grown into a handsome, wonderful nineteen year old in spite of all my goofs and gaffs and I loved him dearly.

He was going off to his first year of college this year. On a basketball scholorship no less. Every time I thought of it, my heart burst with pride. Yeah, he had done real good.

And me? Well, I had finally done what I always wanted to do. I became a published author. What kind of books? Well, what kind of books does an almost 40 year old woman with a grown son and no husband or lover usually write? Yup, I was a romance novelist. Donna Cantrell...Dime Store Romance. *sighs*

Don't laugh. It pays the bills. And it gives me the freedom I've always wanted. Too bad I couldn't have done it when Bri was little and in his growing years. We could have spent some quality time together. I know he says that all the time we spent together was quality time but I would have like a little quantity in there too.

As I went back to my desk, I passed by the hall mirror and took a look at myself. Not bad, really. My body was fit and motherhood hadn't robbed me of my figure. My breast were still full and firmer than a woman my age usually has...and without surgery, thank you very much.

My long brown/blonde hair fell down to my waist. I had always loved my hair long. It made my face look at little less round. Oh, my face wasn't pudgy, just that round kind of face that makes you wish you could do something to make some cheekbones appear.

It did have one advantage though. I didn't look anywhere close to my age. When I told people how old I was they always had to check my ID. It was kind of fun, really. I looked like I was in my late 20s instead of my late 30s and approaching the big four-oh.

It was also my face that had people giving 'compliments' like "Isn't she cute?" Bleah. Yeah. Cute, sweet, precious...all those things that makes the recipient want to scream but instead they smile and say thank you and go home...alone. Because it's the women who get the compliments like "Damn! She is sooo hot!" that go home with the guy.

With a sigh, I left off my inner reflection. Too much of this and I would realize how lonely I was. I never let on to my son but I could kill for some male companionship. Not literally. That only happened in books. And not my books. In my books the woman always melts at the man's feet and he reaches down and picks her up and they...nevermind. Like I said, loneliness can drive you insane.

As I sat down at my computer, the phone began to ring. Glad for the interruption of my writer's block, I picked it up and answered it.

"Hello?" I said and the voice on the end of the phone line made me smile.

"Bri! Oh, Sweetie, it's good to hear from you. Did you get settled in? You did? That's good."

"You know, you could have stayed home and gone to college. It would save you money and it's not that long of a drive...okay, okay, I'll quit harping. I know you need your independance. Yes, hon, I'm fine....really! I'm fine. Just working on the next book is all."

"A game? Well, when is it? Yes, of course I'll make it! Wouldn't miss it for the world. I'll be there and maybe we can go out for pizza or something. How's you're coach? Ahh the tough but fair type, huh? Well that's good. He sounds like a real winner. Oh, yes! I do remember meeting him when you were recruited. Of course I remember meeting alot of coaches who wanted to recruit you at the time. At my age I can't try and remember them all."

"Hows your roommate? Do you like him? Great! Yeah, I know. You have to go. Busy now with all the grown up things you need to do."

"I am serious! No, I'm not teasing or making fun of you!" Laughing now. "I think it's wonderful. I've told you before...yes, yes, I know. You have to go. Okay, hon, I love you. Call me often!"

And then the phone clicked on the other end and I hung up with a smile. I'd take any excuse to see Bri again.

As I tried to go back to my writing I furrowed my brow and tried to remember Brian's coach. The image was fuzzy. As I said, he had had alot of calls from coaches from alot of colleges. He was that good.

With a sigh, I shrugged. Well, Bri liked him and I probably wouldn't have a chance to meet him face to face again so there was no sense in trying to remember a man I would only hear about over the phone. As long as my son was happy so was I.



OOC: Would like to try and get this one going again. I will need someone to play the coach. Allonblack will be playing the part of Brian. And AmandaAce has agreed to play the part of the coaches daughter.

However, please, I would like this to be a kind of romantic thread with a plot other than total sex. Not ruling out sex, in fact looking forward to it being included. lol. But I would like the part of the coach to be played by another strong writer with an eye to the plot...instead of the bed...thanks all and hope we get some good people to join.

OOC: I'll play Brian

IC: Brian 6 foot 3 inch, all-state point guard, on a scholarship

I was exhausted after the first day of practice. I kept thinking this was all worth it and that me being a jock would impress some girl enough to give me a full time relationship. I know this isn't high school anymore but geez I'm the star of the team. Most people will say it's the center but I make him look good because he throws all over the place and it's my job to get the ball to him to make the big play.

Coach was a pretty standard coach. I mean he didn't yell and scream all the time but he had the tendency to blow up over tiny little things. He had recruited me out of high school and I chose to play for him since he wins games. He's a lot younger than most college coaches, I'd guess he's about 38 or so. I think he had spent some time in the pros but I was warned not to ask him about it.

The coach's daughter was at practice. She looked about my age so now I guessed the coach at about 45 or so. His daughter was cute but obviously not interested in basketball players. I'm sure she had her share of them hit on her over the years and she got tired of it.

It was about 10 so I decided I better call my mom before it gets too late. She writes romance novels, she's good at it, well in my biased opinion of course she is. I read her books once in awhile just to try and get ideas for what girls might consider romantic. Although mom's audience seemed a little older than the girls I'd be interested in dating. But I figured it was worth a try, maybe the coach's daughter was interested in my mom's books.

Coach had invited my mom and me to a dinner, I guess he does it with all the scholarship players. I was hoping his daughter would attend too. I called mom and told her where to meet us.

OOC: I'm playing the coach's daughter, Alissa.

IC: Alissa Fox, 19, college sophomore
Tall, black hair, brown eyes

Alissa grabbed her jeans from her bed and pulled them on. Her dad would give her hall for wearing jeans to one of his scholarship dinners, but what the hell. She was wearing heels.
She was so utterly sick of having to make nice to her father's meatheads. She would have to go to dinner, be charming and polite to the parents, and spend the rest of the night fending of advances from clumsy high school boys.
She left the bedroom, grabbing her purse on the way, and went downstairs. Her father still wasn't even home from school. She was going to be there so much earlier than him. Oh, well. The sooner she got there, the sooner it would be over.
Getting in her car, she turned the CD player up and got on her cell phone. Maybe there'd be some party to go to later on.

Brian

The next day was filled with me trying to relieve the aching in my muscles. Before practice I soaked in the hot tub, after practice I sat in the bathtub for about an hour. The phone rang while I was there. "Yes, Mom, that's right, so you'll meet us there? Ok I'll leave my cell phone on if you need to call, uh huh, ok, love ya, bye bye" I said hanging and sinking back in the water.

This was dubbed "Hell Week" because of the physical and mental strain us players would be going through. At practice Coach told me he would be bringing his daughter to the dinner so I would have someone to talk to and my mom would have a female to chat with while Coach and I talked basketball.

It was good to know that, I wanted a girl in my life but I wanted to find her myself. I barely knew Alissa. She was cute and I knew mom would have a million questions about her after the dinner or even during the dinner if Alissa left the table for even a microsecond.

My mom meant well but she was out of touch with my generation. Dating nowadays was much more complicated than it was when she was my age. Her characters in her books had it easy. They'd meet someone and sixteen chapters later they'd be in bed together. Real life didn't work like that. I know she wanted to see me with a girl. I guess she thought a relationship meant happiness. How hypocritical of her, this from a divorcee who hasn't been with a man since her ex-husband. Really I didn't want to think of her with another man but I was a big boy now and didn't feel threatened if she wanted a man. But I think mostly she wanted me to date because she wanted grandkids.

I splashed on some aftershave and headed to the restaurant. I arrived a little early and didn't see mom's car in the parking lot. Coach was talking to a waiter, he looked like a former player.

Alissa motioned for me to come to the table where she was sitting. I sat across from her and scooted my chair close to her. A sharp toe of her heel kicked me in the shin. I grimaced and massaged the ache until it faded. She seemed bored out of her mind, I didn't know what to say to her. She looked nice, but I found it odd she was wearing jeans with heels. But she obviously didn't want to be here so I bit my tongue and held my smartass comments to myself.

Alissa watched as her father's new protege made his way to the table. She'd give him this, he was cute. Really adorable. She smiled at him as he sat down. He was sort of dressed up, and she saw him throw a puzzled glance as her jeans. She didn't care. If $150 jeans weren't dress clothes, she didn't know what was.
"Hi," Alissa said, racking her brain for his name, "Brian, how are you?"
She hated this awkward small talk. She wished her dad had a girlfriend he could bring along on these things.
It was getting hot. She took off her jacket and laid it on the back of the chair. Underneath she wore a very lowcut pink top, one that her father would undoubtedly berate her for wearing later.
Looking back at Brian, she was struck again by how good-looking he was.
"So," she said, "have you met anyone at school yet?"

Donna Cantrell

I pulled up outside of the building where the dinner was being held and groaned to myself. I was late. My tire would pick this night to have a flat! Luckily, having lived on my own so long I had managed to pick up some survival instincts like how to fix a flat. Unfortunatly fixing the flat had caused me to have to stop off at a rest stop to clean the grease from my hands and face and changed into something from my travel bag since my slacks and white blouse were now a complete loss.

So, here I was, at Brain's dinner dressed in a light summer dress and sandals and looking flustered instead of looking my best in the new outfit I had bought for just this occasion. Fortunately, I wasn't dressing up for anyone and I didn't think Brian would much care about how I looked.

With a sigh of resignation, I got out of the car and locked it, heading inside to look for my son and let him know that I hadn't fallen off the face of the earth.

When I got inside, I looked around for Brian and spied him talking to a pretty girl. I smiled and held back for a moment. I had a feeling that now wasn't the time to interrupt.

Brian

I took my seat across from Alissa. She removed her jacket and I couldn't help but catch of glance of cleavage. She shot me one of those "my eyes are up here" looks and made smalltalk. I was glad she did too since I was awkward in these situations. Hormones would often get the best of me and I would forget that I was with a 19 year old female not male so she probably didn't want to talk about sports or the last time she got laid.

"Hi Alissa," I said "No, I haven't really met anyone at school so far, I guess some girls are biased against ballplayers." I said glaring teasingly at her, I didn't want to seem too obvious that I was talking about her. She grinned half-heartedly and started looking around for her dad. "Besides this is hell week, I'd be too tired to give a girl the proper attention she deserves anyways."

"So, how about you? Met anyone here yet? I don't want to get you in trouble if anyone happens to see us talking." I told her. I waited for her answer and did some room searching myself. "Hey, there's my mom," I said pointing to the entrance. Alissa seemed to recognize her and dug in her purse for a paperback that mom had written a few months ago to compare the picture in the back of the book to the fleshy figure now standing in the doorway.

Ray Fox

OOC: Raymond(Red)Fox
Brian's Coach/Alissa's Father

IC: I wasn't looking forward to this dinner anymore than the other dozen or so I had to attend as coach. Getting dressed up in this monkey suit complete with a tie it took me twenty minutes to tie and still looked like crap didin't improve my disposition. To say the least it had me a bit hot under the collar so I decided to make a quick trip to the rest room and splash some water on my face before joining my daughter Alissa and Brian the best point guard I had ever coached at our table. Noticing how Alissa was dressed made me envious although I wouldn't for one scecond admit it to her.

But I had other feelings to deal with that were more urgent, like how was I going to keep these two hormone driven kids apart. I swore ever since I started coaching and Alissa had turned into a very sexy young lady that I wouldn't let her date a Jock. I knew all about how they opperated. especially since I had been one myself
The thought of her being alone with someone like Brian really got me uptight. Enen though she was over eighteen now I still felt responsible for her welfare and hoped she would respect my wishes, even if they seemed a bit oldfashioned. It wasn't that Brian was a bad guy... he was a jock...hell if he moved as fast in the back seat of a car as he did on the court Alissa would be in big trouble. Lucky for me (and her too ) she didn't seem all that interested in sports, And I didn't do anything to encourage it for reasons of my own.

The next issue I was dealing with was Brians mom. I had met her when I recruited him but didn't pay too much attention except I noticed that she wasn't like a lot of other baby boomer moms that I had met, bleach blondes and silicone bodies. (at least as near as I could tell). But I pushed her image from my mind almost immediatly . I knew better than to mix emotions with sports. It only made for complications that eventually mucked things up. I had my own reasons for believing that too.

So tonight was going to be a real challenge. I ran a comb through my red hair thinking. "You old fox you." At forty six I was still in good shape, my blue eyes still had a youthfull sparkle and a splash of freckles gave me a certain innocence. "Red Fox, Thats what they used to call me in my younger days. Well it ain't too late." I told myself, "Now if I wasn't Brians coach and if Alissa wasn't here to set an example for, I might just... well maybe I bettter not even think about what if's."

What was her name now? Donna, thats it. Donna Cantrel.

She was there when I came from the restroom, and I knew it was Brians mom as she was smiling and heading for our table. I imediatly did a double take. Dressed in a simple cotton summer dress and sandals, she was a welcome relief from the usual uptight stuffed into too tight a dress, madeup and adorned with gaudy jewerery look that I was used to. I wanted to pull my tie off then and there and stuff it in my pocket but one look at Brian and Alissa looking much too cozy at the table and I knew I had to set some kind of example.

I took a deep breath and moved up along side of her Sticking out my hand. Hi I said You must be Brians mom, Im Red...er Raymond Fox, Brians coach. Thanks for joining us. Have you met my daughter, Alissa?

Donna

I was making my way to the table when someone intercepted me. I looked up at a slightly familiar face and very handsome face and puzzled a bit at where I had seen him before.

Then he introduced himself and I blushed, realizing I should have known who he was and took his offered hand in a warm handshake, trying not to smile at the cockeyed way his tie hung. For the short time that I had been married I had always straightened my husband's tie, it seemed like most men needed that and I had to keep my hand in his not to automatically reach over to do something about it.

"Yes, yes, I'm Brian's mother and, no, I just got here. Flat tire." I looked over at Brian and the girl he was with and smiled,"It seems like Brian's doing well though. The girl he's with seem very nice. And very pretty too. Do you know who she is?"

Okay, I was letting my maternal instinct kick in but I was curious...and nosy...and it was my son, after all.

Red

I had to smile and my chest must have puffed out as I had that proud feeling I always felt whenever anyone made complimentary remarks about Alissa.

It had been hard raising her alone and there were times when I had said. "Why me." but there had been good times too and all in all I felt like I had done a good job of bringing her up. My wife died when she was only two and I never remarried. For a while I tried dating but having a young child to take care of and a budding carrer as a coach I found little time for relationships and always seemed to loose interest after a few dates, either that or the women lost interest when they found out a child came with the deal.

So after a while I lost interest and put my time and energy into basketball and raising Alissa.
Yes I was proud, proud of my accomplishments and my daughters too.

"That's my daughter, Alissa, they expect us to bring our families along for these dinners and she's my family." I took her arm politely and walked with her to our table.

Donna

I could see the pride in his face and I matched his smile. I knew the feeling, it was the same one I had whenever I talked about Brian.

"Well, she is a beautiful girl," I said as I took his offered arm and we approached the table and I waved to get Brian's attention.

"Well, I made it," I said with a breathless laugh, squelching the impulse to hug him in front of everyone. "Sorry I'm late but a flat tire held me up."

Nodding to Alissa I said,"I'm Donna Cantrell. And I am told you are Alissa. Good to meet you."

"Hi, Mrs. Cantrell," she said. "It's nice to meet you. Hey, Dad." No one had mentioned that she was the Donna Cantrell. Her books were Alissa's secret guilty pleasure. She tried not to seem starstruck. She was obviously just a regular mom, with a very handsome son.
Smiling, Alissa looked back at Brian.
"You didn't tell me your mom was a celebrity." She tossed her hair and immediately felt foolish. She was not by nature a flirt, but here she was all but fluttering her eyelashes at this guy in front of her mom and his dad.
She turned to her dad and said, "I was just telling Brian about this party that's going on over in Denbrough tonight. I don't suppose you'd look the other way if he wanted to go?" She knew her father didn't allow and fraternizing during hell week. So what. She wasn't daddy's little girl for nothing.

Donna

I laughed at Alissa's statement. "Well, I wouldn't call myself a celebrity, more a working mother trying to put a son through college any way she can."

It was nice to know my books were read by more than older ladies who had no life though and I made a mental note to send Alissa a copy of my newest book which had just been sent to me by my publishers and wouldn't be out in the stores for another few weeks.

Giving Brian 'The Look' as I spoke of me sending him through college and I saw him sigh and roll his eyes. That lecture he had gotten so many times that he could tell it to me verbatum.

When she mentioned a party after the dinner, I hesitated and then had to bite my lower lip to keep from replying. I could see Bri's look and it was his 'Over Protective Mother' alert kind of look and I had to sigh and say nothing.

He was old enough to chose for himself. He was on his own and at college, for God's sake. It was time for me to untie the apron string and hope that I had instilled some common sense into him as well as some consideration for any lady he would be with.

Brian

Once again my mom had managed to steal the limelight. But I didn't blame her, she had an air about her that just demanded attention.

I was puzzled that Alissa had mentioned a party, I wondered if it was for real of she was just using the party for an excuse to ask me for autographed books when my mom wouldn't be within earshot.

In some ways I hated mom's books. I tried using them as dating guides but it's impossible to as romantic as the men in her books. I believe they create unrealistic expectations for the women that read them. But nevertheless it pays the bills.

I waited until Mom and Coach Fox headed to the buffet. I confronted Alissa "Hey, is the party for real?" She nodded. "So am I like your date then? Or are you just using me to get out of here?" She shot me a look and I swallowed hard, showing my fear of girls of my age.

Alissa laughed, throwing her head back. "Who takes dates to parties?" she asked. "I mean, I thought you'd like to get out and have a little fun, that's all. Meet some people who aren't on the basketball team."
She smiled at him. Incredibly he seemed to be blushing. Could he really be that cute and that shy? She guessed so. She changed tacks, trying to put him at ease.
"Maybe I just want to say I spent the evening with the cutest guy on the basketball team. Seriously, it'll be fun. You wanna go?"
Alissa turned the full force of her considerable charm on Brian. Hopefully he'd want to go.

Brian

"Oh sorry Alissa, you know how hotheaded us jocks can get sometimes." I said apologetically. "Of course I want to go but you know what kind of responsibility you're pinning on me?" I could feel myself blushing as I lectured her. "I mean you're the coaches daughter so if you even smell like beer or cigarettes it's gonna be my ass. But after all how can I say no to the prettiest watergirl on the team? And yes, I'm aware you're the only watergirl on the team so let me try that again." I said laughing.

I knelt beside her taking her hand in mine and saying in a thick horrible British accent "Yes Milady, I'd be honored to escort thee to thy formal ball tonight."

I brushed my pants off and returned my seat. My mom was staring at me with a proud smile. I blushed again, my cover was blown. I had borrowed the kneeling man from a character in one of mom's books. The man would kneel anytime he talked to a woman to show submission and respect.

Red

Donna and I headed for the buffet table. It was obvious that Alissa and Brian had to talk this party idea out among themselves. As much as I wanted to get my two cents worth in, I knew I had no business tellling either one of them when or where they could oe couldn't go. I could only hope that for their sake they would make choices that wouldn't hurt either one of them.

When we were far enough away from the two
plotters, I turned to Donna. "Maybe this was a mistake, I mean... bringing my daughter along, Sometimes she can be a real pain in the butt, Not that I don't love her and all that but ...Well, she likes to flirt and I didn't want to get the wrong impression like I didn't bring her up to be a lady...well you know... kids are these days...."

I shrugged my shoulders. I wasn't doing very well and so I concentrated on spearing a few wierd shapped crackers and pastries that usually are served at an occasion like this, my stomach looking for a thick juicy steak fresh off the grill and a cold beer, which obviously wasn't here. The punch bowl didn't inspire me either some oversweetened concoction of pink orange mixture of fruit juices. Coffee was out too I was already wired , so settled for a glass of ice water.

I noticed that Donna was glancing back at the table exchanging looks with Brian that could only mean that sshe was concerned too but that she was doing her best not to meddle.

"I like Brian too." I said and I can tell you did your part to make him the fine young man he's turning out to be."

I wanted to ask her about her husband or lack of one and also share with her why I was raising Alissa by myself but it was much to soon to get that personal when we hardly knew each other. Yet I knew that we would be seeing each other from time to time as Brians career continued and as I continued to coach him. There was no doubt in my mind that she would be there to do whatever she could to help him.

"Hey, do you mind if I lose this tie, I pointed to my neck where I'd allready yanked it loose and unbottoned the top button that was about to chock me. "And the coat too. I'll just disappear into a corner and do it descretely, ok?"

Donna

I smiled at his nervousness. I knew it well. Single parents had that kind of overprotectiveness that drove their kids bonkers. But, from what I could tell of his daughter he had done a fine job in raising her.

Turning from where I was watching the two, I shook my head. "I just keep telling myself that I did a good enough job, that he's old enough to know better and smart enough to realize that."

Laughing, I shook my head. "Of course not. Actually it will ease my mind a bit since I didn't exactly come dressed to kill myself. I had to change after fixing that flat and this was the faciest thing I had in my overnight bag."

I looked at the buffet table and grimaced. Finger food and I was starving.

With a sigh, I said,"Would it be terribly rude or hurt anyone's feelings if I said I would kill for a pizza right now?"

Red

The idea of a pizza made my stomach growl with anticipation, but I wasn't sure how the kids would react with us just ducking out and heading for Murphys just down the block. I noticed Brians antics over by the table and thought, what the heck. Maybe he wasn't as slick off the court as he was on,and besides Alissa knew how to take care of herself.

"Ok here's the deal I said I turned away from the tabl so there would be no reading of lips. Putting my head down and close to hers as if I was talking about the yucky looking desserts, I made my rorposition.

"If we play our cards right they'll think we're doing this for them, being nice and leting them escape the boredom of this stuffy banquet."

I could see she was grinning enjoying being part of the devious plot, so I went on.

"I'll tell Alissa that I need to go with you and help get your flat tire into a repair shop so that it's ready to go in the morning.I toss her the keys to my corvette convertable which she can't possibly turn down and tell them that they're on their own with one little detail. Full reports from both of them in the morning right. Every single detail."

"Then as soon as their out of sight we'll head for Murphys across the street. I'll make up some lame excuse to the Dean. He'll believe anything I tell him."

I thought maybe I was pushing a bit hard so I stopped talking for a moment to look in her eyes to let her know I wasn't playing some sort of mind game with her.

"Please don't take this wrong ...or like some wierd pickup line.... It's just that when two people are hungry they shoud eat REAL food....
Right?"

Donna

I grinned as he plotted and looked around at all the stuffy shirts at the banquet. It really wasn't my cup of tea and I was only here for Brian. And if Brian and Alissa were headed to a party....

"Coach Fox," I said, sliding my plate with it's unappetizing fare onto the table,"You have got yourself a deal. I like the way you think."

"Let me make an excuse to head to the lady's room and I'll meet you by the escape door...more formally known as the exit."

Turning, I headed back to where Brian and Alissa were seated and interrupted with a fake cough.

"Bri," I said, looking from one to the other,"I'm going to head for the lady's room and freshen up. If you two decide to go to this party...well, you know what I expect of you."

Giving him a motherly smile, I headed out to the powder room and freshened up the light make up I had applied before coming to the function and then, poking my head out of the door, I made sure the coast was clear and, feeling like a teenager sneaking out on a date, I headed to the exit, hoping that I didn't meet the kids on the way.

Alissa laughed out loud when Brian got down on one knee. He had to be joking. He was so...naive. It was kind of cute.
She knew that sometimes she could come on a little strong, and it drove her father crazy, but she kind of liked Brian. Also, her friends would die when she walked into the party with him.
"Great," she said. "Let's go right now." She grabbed the keys from the table.
Standing up, she grabbed Brian's hand and began to drag him towards the door.
"Come on," she said. "Before they come back."
As they made their way through all the other bored students and faculty, Alissa glanced back at Brian. He really was super-cute. She hoped he'd have a good time with her.

Kira Alissa's best friend

18, 5'10, 125 pounds. Long curly light brown hair, bright blue eyes, dancer

The party was hopping by the time I got to the front door. Parking was horrible and it took ten minutes to walk up to the place. I scoped the place and saw that Alissa was not there yet. Her father was the basketball coach and he had drug her out to another one of those parent/player meetings. I hoped that she would show up soon. I walked over the Keg and grabbed myself a red plastic cup and wrote my name on it with the black magic marker. I picked up the nozzle when I heard a deep voice next to me say "let me help you with that". The sexiest dark haired man I had ever seen was now pouring me a beer. He had dark brown hair, deep green eyes and very broad shoulders. He wore wire-rimmed glasses that made him appear to be more than a piece of meat. He had on a fitted pair of blue jeans and a white shirt advertising Corona on it. I thanked him and stuck out my hand. "My name is Kira".

"My name is Zane."
"Thanks for pouring my drink for me." I said as I batted my eyelashes a bit and linked my right foot behind my left ankle.
"So what year are you?" he asked
"Freshman. Majoring in behavioral sciences, you?"
"I'm a junior and am pre law. I am also on the lacrosse team, you into any sports?"
"No, but I am on the dance team."
"A dancer, very nice. What kinds of things do you do when you aren't dancing up a storm?" He winked.
"I am an avid reader when I am not too busy with homework. My best friend Alissa and I love the books by Donna Cantrell." I arched my back like I was stretching to show off the little butterfly stud I have in my navel.
"Cantrell" he pondered. "How do I know that name? Isn't there a guy Cantrell on the basketball team? I heard that guy is the best center we have ever had."
"I have no idea. I don't know, maybe it's like her son or something. I'll ask Alissa, her dad is the coach."

He showed me over to a plush red couch and I snuck a peek at his firm round butt before taking my seat and crossing my leg over so towards him. I felt a bit of pain in my right leg from practice earlier today and remembered the icy hot I had applied before the party. I hoped he couldn't smell it through the tight think black pants I was wearing.

He was so cute and I could not wait for Alissa to get here and help me rate him.

Where is she? It's getting a bit late. Her father better have allowed her to come to this party. There were hot guys everywhere.

Red

We made it! I exclaimed, as I took Donna’s arm and guided her across the street and down the block. You should've seen the look on their faces when I threw the keys on the table and mumbled See ya later. I don’t know if they seen us disappear together but we’ll give them the flat tire excuse if they catch on and give us a hard time in the morning.”

Murphy's was buzzing with activity when we walked in . I explained to Donna that it was the local hangout for the college crowd and I come here after a hard day of coaching and wet my whistle. and enjoy the best pizza in town. We found a booth in back.

Murphy did a double take when he seen Donna as I usually came here alone. He came over personally as if he wanted to check the situation out.

“Hey Red." he said jovially, "Thought you would be at that banquet hobnobbing with the rich and famous.

“Foods better here.” I quipped. “Get us one of your specialty pizzas and a couple of cold beers make it quick, we’re hungry and thirsty”

“First ya gotta introduce me to your friend.” He looked at Donna , and maybe I should ask her for her Id.”. He grinned and added. “Only kidding Miss, I like to have a little fun with the students, I know you're old enough. Are you a grad student here maybe.”

“Hang on Murph’ let me get a word in edgewise. My friend here is Donna Cantrell, Brian's mom, You know Brian my star point guard.”

Murphy did a double take. “Yer kidding me, Red.... Brian's mother.... cant’ be..... older sister maybe but...his Mom.....I don’t think so....

“Just get us a pizza Murph, ok..” Murphy hurried off shaking his head and Donna and I looked at each other and laughed..

“Seriously Donna you do look too young to be Brians mom. So tell me about yourself, besides the fact that you’re a writer, you adore your son and like pizza.”

__________________

Donna

I laughed and shook my head at Coach Fox. "Don't worry about it, it happens all the time."

Sitting across from him, sipping a beer, my stomach growling at the smell of the pizza in the parlor, I paused to think. Putting my life in a nut shell was harder than imagined.

"Let's see...married when I was nineteen, a mother when I was 22, single mother when I was 25...working single mother until about two years ago when my first book was published and now mother of a son who grew up under my nose and is now a man and I am asking myself where the time went."

Waving my hand to indicate that I was done, I said,"Okay, your turn. What's the story, Coach?"

I was surprised we were leaving so early. But I think my mom would thank me, after all she probably hadn't been on a date in...gosh I don't know how long. Alissa was dragging me towards the door as I quickly scribbled a note on the napkin to let mom and coach know we had left.

I held the car door open for her even though she was driving. The car ride was mostly quiet. I was exhausted from practice so I put my head on the headrest and just listened to the hum of the engine. She noticed I was starting to drift and blasted the radio to startle me awake. She was visibly amused.

We arrived at the party and I was taken aback by how much skin was showing. I realize we're college students but with every drink another article of clothing. Alissa walked in and started to mingle. I could myself starting to sweat because this was out of my league. I was used to being in small groups, I operated best in that situation. I could sweet talk the girl I was with and make my move. I didn't expect a lot to happen with Alissa tonight but I wanted to at least get to talk to her. I saw her talking to one of her girlfriends, periodically gesturing towards me. I noticed her friend was giggling and shaking her head in disbelief. Alissa approached me and pulled me into the middle of room, forcing me to mingle as well.