Second Chances (2 page)

I had decided it would be better
if I got ready at Sophia house because we were going to the football game at
UCLA first. I had never been to a college football game it was definitely
different from a high school game. I was completely entertained there was just
something great about a guy in a football uniform that was fun to look at. As
the game went on Sophia had talked some more about Evan and his two best
friends. Blake and Luke both also play on the team with him and I now knew all
their numbers and playing positions. I couldn’t help my eyes from following
number seven all over looking for him while he was on the bench or out on the
field. I knew I shouldn’t be considering him after what Sophia had told me but
damn that guy could wear a tight uniform well. After the game we stood close by
the entrance to the field on the grassy area and waited for Evan. We needed to
follow him to the party apparently one of the guys on the team is throwing the
party at his parents beach house while they were gone on a cruise. “So this guy
Luke he’s pretty bad huh?” I kicked my foot in the grass not looking up at the
expression on her face. “Listen
Zoey
I know he is hot
and really fun to look at but he just can’t commit to anyone. He just makes
girls like him and then he breaks their heart every single time.” I was about
to respond to Sophia when I heard some guys yelling and laughing behind me I
could tell by Sophia’s expression that it was her man. I turned and was face to
chest with none other than Luke the womanizer. I was afraid to look up but when
I did my knees felt weak. OH MY GOODNESS! Wow I was scared that I may be
drooling. He was so much better looking up close his hair was just long enough
to run your fingers through with sideburns. His eyes were a grayish shade of
blue and those lips oh my. I played it cool or so I’d hoped and turned away
from him and back to Sophia who at that moment was wrapped around Evan I could
see she was not going to be any help at that moment. Then I saw the other guy
standing there he seemed safer and Sophia had described him as a big old teddy
bear. I took the step toward him “Hi I’m
Zoey
you
must be Blake”. I felt a hand rest on my lower back and I turned slowly when
Luke said “I don’t think we’ve really been introduced yet either.” Evan jumped
in before I could say anything “Okay horn dogs this is
Zoey
,
Soph’s
friend and neither one of you are going to
mess with her because Sophia said so got it!” Luke still hadn’t removed his
hand from my back but I stepped away toward Sophia and Evan. I then turned back
toward Luke who was still looking at me. I didn’t want to appear nervous so I
kept eye contact but asked Sophia “Are y’all ready to go this party now?” I
knew by the look on Luke’s face he thought I was going to be an easy target but
he
really had no idea that I already been warned about
him. He may have been extremely hot and have the sexiest lips I had ever seen
but there was absolutely no way in hell that I was going to be another notch on
his belt. “Y’all…” Evan laughed. Luke still staring directly at me licked his
lips leaving his tongue rest for a few seconds before saying “Evan don’t tease
Zoey
I think her accent is really sexy.” I turned away and
went walking ahead of the guys with Sophia trying desperately to slow my
breathing. I had to stay away from him completely away.

*Luke*

There she was again this girl
that I couldn’t seem to take my eyes off of. Sophia warned me earlier to stay
away from her friend but she is completely adorable in a very sexy appealing
way. She isn’t sleazy like pretty much all the girls I had been with. There was
this innocence about her but yet she was extremely attractive. I thought I was
getting to her maybe breaking her down but she held my gaze even when I said
her accent was sexy I got nothing not even a giggle or a smile. This girl just
snubbed me and I was definitely going to have to do something about that. I
really wasn’t sure yet what it was about her but she had held my interest and
girls I hang with usually don’t do that past the first night. Monday when Evan
and I picked up Sophia I hadn’t really paid much attention to
Zoey
when she walked out with Sophia. I was too busy
texting Whitney about hooking up later which we did often but that was all it
was just sex and then I was gone. When Evan pulled up to yell bye to
Zoey
and she was bent over putting her bag in her car well
that caught my attention. I leaned forward to get a better look and that’s when
I really saw her. She had blond wavy hair kind of wild and untamed perfect
sweet smile and those legs.
Zoey
really was a
beautiful girl. Sophia went off on me though when I’d asked about her. I can’t
say that I blame her she has seen firsthand the type of girls I usually go
after and how long they don’t stick around after. That’s all ‘the game’ though
the girls usually try to hold me down calling all the time wanting to hang out
but no way was I sticking with only one girl. I really couldn’t understand why
I found myself staring after her as she walked away with
Soph
considering the possibilities and I couldn’t shake it she was really holding my
interest. Maybe it was the fact that she acted completely uninterested in me,
normally it was just so easy.

If I find a girl that can hold my
interest
 
then
maybe the wild side of me would be easier to let go of but right now I was
enjoying the play. I couldn’t get past this feeling though. There was something
about this girl that I couldn’t just ignore. The way her lips puckered out when
she was thinking of something to say or how she looked at the ground kicking
her foot when she was obviously nervous. She had deliberately ignored me and
walked to Blake to introduce herself. I would have been all over that but that
dumbass just kept on shoveling the junk food in and nodding his head. I felt
her flinch when I placed my hand on her back though so I definitely make her
nervous but she plays it off well.

We reached the cars and the girls
were going to be following
 
Evan’s car to
the party so being the guy that I am well I volunteered to ride in Sophia’s car
with them “I don’t want you pretty ladies taking a wrong turn and getting lost
somewhere.” I could tell
Soph
was pissed she knew my
game and I was going to have to play it cool unless I wanted to get on her bad
side. “Don’t even think about hitting on my girl Luke I’m serious she don’t
need your shit” she said as she pointed her finger in my face before I climbed
in her Mustang into the back seat. After she started the car and pulled out to
follow Evan I leaned forward to get closer to the girls and I got a faint scent
of vanilla and cinnamon. I breathed it in once more before leaning in a little
closer to
Zoey
I whispered in her ear “You smell
awfully good Z”. She turned her head toward me but didn’t pull away her mouth
was just inches from mine and my heart felt like it skipped I thought oh yeah
here we go she is so mine even feeling a little confident and cocky. “Back off
Luke…you’re in my personal space and I don’t really remember extending an
invite” she was so serious and still didn’t move away but held eye contact. I
smiled and leaned back a bit before turning toward Sophia as she burst into
laughter. “Well Luke how does that feel? I know it’s not every day a girl shuts
you down.” Not once did
Zoey
smile she just stared
out the front window. “Well Sophia you can’t blame a guy for trying I mean your
friend here is definitely hot and her little cowgirl accent has
kinda
got me hooked”, she did not look amused when she
connected our gaze once more. “Listen Luke I don’t mean to be a bitch but I’m
not
gonna
sleep with you, hell I’m not even
gonna
kiss
ya
so just cut the
shit and stop trying to convince yourself that I’m
gonna
be your next victim. Sorry but I have more respect for myself then the girls I
guess you are used to. It just
ain’t
gonna
be happening so if you plan on having that kind of
fun tonight then don’t go wasting your night on me.” She really kind of stunned
me and I wasn’t sure how to respond to that.
Zoey
was
definitely headstrong and confident in herself. The way she put me in my place
well that just made her more attractive.

We arrived at the party and the
place was packed. The house was on the end of a lane right on the beach and the
nearest house was a distance down the road so we had privacy to cut loose. The
girls hung back as I walked ahead to find Blake and go get us a drink.
Zoey
was really getting under my skin and I needed to shake
this. Whitney was there so I knew that I had a for sure hookup if nothing else
fell into my lap. I glanced back at Evan and the girls trailing behind I wasn’t
sure but
Zoey
looked like she was trying to convince
Sophia of something but
Soph
grabbed her arm and
dragged her toward the house.

I needed to clear my head why was
I worried about a girl I barely knew that had shot me down and called me out on
my bullshit. It was time to move on…and that is exactly what I was going to do.

*
Zoey
*

Luke was really beginning to make
me nervous. He leaned forward so close and he smelled amazing ‘
Drakkar
’ Yum. Focus
Zoey
Focus he
is such a player and all he wants is to nail you and move on. Make yourself
clear from the beginning. I felt like such a bitch but I had to hold my ground.
My daddy would be proud I knew that. I was raised with more values then to just
sleep with a guy because he makes my heart race and my chest constrict every
time he comes near me. When we got to the party he took off pretty quickly I
was really second guessing my decision about coming to this party. “Sophia I
don’t know about this, really what was I thinking I don’t know anyone here and
now I pissed Luke off and I am sure he is running around talking shit about me.
I feel really out of place maybe I should just go home” Sophia grabbed my arm
and pulled me toward the house. “Listen girl you know me, Evan and Blake. Luke
isn’t like that believe me he is not really going to admit to anyone that you
rejected his advances. Come in for a while and if you don’t have fun then we
will leave, promise.” I was really feeling like the third wheel with her and
Evan. I didn’t want to ruin her time with him so I walked off with her to the
house. There were so many people dancing, drinking, laughing and yelling. I
hadn’t gone to many parties back home but they seemed similar. We found Evan
who was standing near the back doors which led out onto a large deck
overlooking the beach. He was cutting up with Blake and a few other people. A
couple girls said hi to Sophia it was obvious everyone knew that she was with
Evan. They were so cute and free with each other no games. He was so into her
it kind of made me jealous the way he watched her. She was a stubborn girl but
so kind. I am so glad I gave her a chance and got to know her it has been
easier with her around. “
Soph
hey girl, oh I love
those shoes” a tall girl with long brown hair yelled. “Thanks Whit” Sophia gave
the girl a quick one handed hug. She introduced me to her “Whitney this is my
friend
Zoey
she just moved here from Texas”. We
exchanged hellos and she reached out and took my necklace charm between her
fingertips “That is really beautiful”. She released it and smiled I explained
that it was a Christmas gift from my daddy. “Well your mother is very lucky
because he has amazing taste in jewelry”, she was still smiling and I thanked
her but didn’t feel the need to tell her any details regarding my daddy’s
death. Sophia handed me a glass with beer in it that Evan hand just gotten for
me and about that time I saw Luke coming up behind Whitney and wrapped his arms
around her waist dragging her back nuzzling her neck, then whispered in her
ear. “Luke stop I am talking to my new friend
Zoey
.”
The looked on Luke’s face when he looked from her to me and then Sophia was
picture worthy for sure. Sophia laughed out loud and said “Yeah Luke maybe Whit
here can fill
Zoey
in on what kind of guy you really
are and then she’ll know that shooting you down earlier was a really great
choice”. Whitney looked at me then turned to Luke and then back to me “Wait,
you two here together or something?” She didn’t have to wait for Luke to answer
or anyone else I took over, “Uh no, I am not here with Luke and we barely know
each other. I am here alone and I will be leaving alone well with the exception
of
Soph
here that is.” I turned toward the door and
saw Blake out on the deck leaning against the railing and that was my way out
of this uncomfortable situation. “Excuse me,” I turned and walked out leaving
Luke staring after me. I walked up to Blake and asked him if he was having fun
and he just shrugged with a grunt. Great a real talker, “So Blake what’s your
story anyway. Please don’t tell me you’re a whore like your friend over there”
I said pointing toward Luke in the house still standing with Whitney right
before she shrugged away from him and walked off. He didn’t follow instead
shrugged it off and got another beer looking out in my direction. Quickly I
turned back to Blake and he was smiling at me “He’s a good guy just not good
with relationships and being respectful of girls. He always has my back I just
don’t like how he is when it comes to the opposite sex.” We sat there and
talked for quite some time while I slowly nursed the beer I was originally
giving refusing any offers of a refill. I was definitely not getting drunk or
tipsy. I had to keep a clear head around Luke completely clear. Evan and Sophia
walked out and the four of us found ourselves wondering down to the beach where
there were groups scattered throughout and they found it funny to make fun of
my ongoing accent and slang. “Y’all are so cruel should I just waste my breath
saying long ending sentences like…Well all of you people here tonight are cruel
to make fun of me.” Rolling my eyes I walked away laughing and sat my drink down
in the sand then stood up looking out to the water I took my stance and did a
backflip. “Where the hell did that come from…Do it again” I turned to see
Sophia standing up now staring clapping and I looked a little further passed
her and see Luke approaching from behind Blake and Evan. I refused to do it
again saying I just got the urge and now it was gone. I walked out a way and
took off my flip flops sticking my toes in the water. I felt someone walk up
next to me and figured it was Luke coming to flirt some more but when I turned
it was Blake handing me my cup “Thanks” I said before turning back to look out
into the water once again. “So I have to ask how you pissed off Luke.” A little
thrown I turned and they were all a ways away sitting around a little fire pit
and Luke was staring with an unreadable expression on his face. It felt cold
looking at him I quickly turned back to Blake “I just made sure he knew that I
had no intentions of allowing him to add me to his long list of sex-
capades
candidates.” Blake just smiled and brought his beer
to his mouth to try and hide his smile. “You know that shit fuels him right? I
mean you just gave him a little edge to push harder.” Blake was a big teddy
bear he had so much facial hair it was hard to find him under it all with dark
hair and eyes. He was about six foot but probably close to three hundred
pounds. He wasn’t overweight he seemed really solid it was obvious why he was a
football player. I spent the rest of the evening talking to Blake he was really
a sweet guy it turned out he had a girlfriend but they had just broken up a
couple months ago and he was nursing a broken heart. He was still completely in
love with her and held on to the hope that one day they would find their way
back to each other and make it work. I thought that was so sweet. I could see
myself being friends with Blake he felt safe. I did tell him about my daddy
passing and he didn’t apologize for it or stumble through trying to make me
feel better about it. He just basically said “Well your dad raised a pretty
smart confident girl as far as I can tell and I am sure he was proud.” With the
exception of Luke the night turned out fun and I was glad that I stayed. Evan
was allowed to stay at Sophia’s house turns out her mother completely trusted
them and knew they were having sex but told them she did not agree with him
treating her daughter to dirty rooms at parties or the back seat of his car. So
we decided about eleven thirty it was time to call it a night and we would
follow Evan back this time. Luke decided to ride with Evan and Blake. I felt a
little bit disappointed because I felt like I may have been too much of a bitch
to him. I pushed it to the back of my mind though and climbed in Sophia car. We
ended up heading to Sophia’s and eventually Evan showed then we hung out
downstairs where the TV room was. Just out of the blue I heard Evan “Hey
Zoey
you really have Luke flipping out he didn’t even hook
up with anyone tonight hell he didn’t even get drunk. Usually that guy closes
down the party and never leaves alone”. I just kept staring at the Television
even though my lungs felt a little tighter. “Sorry I ruined his night” and I
could see him smile at Sophia out of the corner of my eye. I didn’t sleep well
that night I really felt like a bitch but I knew it was for the best I didn’t
want Luke to continue to pursue me when he really wasn’t going to get what he
was after.