Going Hard (Football Romance) (3 page)

"Well, not unless we want to fail," Brian joked.

"Yeah, otherwise we'd end up right back here next semester," Maureen said.

"And I'd probably end up with a lousy lab partner," Brian replied.

"Worse than me even?  Come on, isn't that a little far-fetched?" Maureen joked.

"Come on, haven't I told you that you're the best lab partner I've ever had?" Brian asked.

"Oh, so I'm just a lab partner to you then huh?" Maureen replied, playfully.

"For now," Brian said.

"Is something going on later that I don't know about?" Maureen asked.

"I was thinking maybe we should take our chemistry out of the classroom," Brian suggested.

"Oh yeah?  How far out of the classroom?" Maureen wondered.

"I was thinking to a nice restaurant," Brian said.

"You know, lab experiments could get pretty dangerous if done in the middle of a crowded restaurant," Maureen joked.

"How about we just have dinner then?" Brian suggested.

"Are you asking me out on a date?" Maureen said.

"That depends.  Are you saying yes?" Brian replied.

"Are you kidding?" Maureen said.  "How could I possibly say no to you?"

Chapter Nine

It was amazing to think about how excited Maureen was.  It felt so good to be noticed by a man again.  To be the center of someone's attention.  And it didn't hurt that Brian was hunky beyond belief.  Still, it was odd having feelings for anyone but Tyler.  Maureen's heart had always belonged to her childhood crush and was having a hard time extinguishing such an old flame.

But although her heart was conflicted, Maureen's mind raced with possibilities.  Tyler was gone.  Maureen had no idea what he was doing or who he was doing it with.  Part of Maureen wanted to believe that Tyler had his chance.  That Maureen couldn't be expected to wait around forever.  That despite her obvious affection, she had been passed up for the great unknown.

Besides, Brian seemed to be plucked straight from paradise.  It wasn't often a man just showed up just when your heart needed it the most.  But like a great little surprise, there Brian was, refusing to leave Maureen's thoughts. 

***

"You know, I was worried that you weren't going to ask me out," Maureen admitted.

"So was I," Brian said.

"Oh really?  How so?' Maureen wondered.

"I wasn't sure I'd be able to work up the nerve to be able to do," Brian said.

"Come on.  You don't expect me to believe that, do you?" Maureen asked.

"Maureen, you're a beautiful woman.  That's a really intimidating thing to deal with," Brian admitted.

"Wait a minute, you think I'm beautiful?" Maureen replied.

"Yeah, you're totally stunning," Brian said.

Maureen then started to blush.  "Wow, you sure know how to come on strong."

"Well, I'm not sure I'll get another chance at this," Brian admitted.

"If you keep talking like that you sure will," Maureen said.

"I guess I'll just have to keep talking like that then," Brian replied.

"This should make for a fun date," Maureen said.

"That's what I'm hoping for," Brian replied.

"Still, I find it hard to believe that the quarterback of a football team could feel intimidated asking me out," Maureen said.

"Hey, football has nothing to do with asking a girl out," Brian reasoned.

"So you're really trying to tell me that you have no problem staring down a three hundred pound defensive lineman, but asking me out gave you pause?" Maureen asked.

"I don't know why you're so focused on this," Brian said.

"Because it's so unbelievably sweet," Maureen revealed.

"To be fair though, when I'm behind center, I have a three hundred pound of my own blocking for me.  But when I asked you out, it was just my heart out there on the line.  But look, I did it, and I'm just glad you said yes," Brian said.

Maureen smiled.  "So am I."

***

"So, how does it feel to be a quarterback?" Maureen asked.

"I'm actually more interested in hearing about you," Brian said.

"I'm sorry.  Are you avoiding the question?" Maureen wondered.

"No.  I just didn't think you really wanted to talk about football.  I figure you've probably heard enough about football for a whole lifetime," Brian said.

"Oh come on.  My dad's not the kind of guy to bring his work home," Maureen joked.  "When he gets home, all he talks about is gardening and baking cookies."

"That sure doesn't sound like the same man I know," Brian replied, playfully.

"To be fair though, you probably see a whole different side of my father than I see," Maureen pointed out.

"He's a damn good coach though," Brian said.

"Yeah.  He casts quite a big shadow," Maureen replied.

"Don't worry.  I'm sure you'll find your way out of it," Brian said.

"I'm not so sure about that.  But I'm also not so sure that's a bad thing.  I like where I am.  I'm not looking to outdo my dad.  I'm just looking to find happiness," Maureen explained.

"And what's happiness to you?" Brian wondered.

"Falling in love.  Working for the foundation to help those less fortunate, starting a family.  You know, the simple things," Maureen said.

"I've found that the simple things are quite often the most enjoyable," Brian replied.

"Let's hope so," Maureen said.  "So, how about you?  What are your big plans for the future?"

"Well, I was planning on being a backup quarterback my whole life," Brian joked.

"Lofty expectations, don't you think?" Maureen said, playfully.

"You're right.  Your dad could demote me to the practice squad at any time," Brian replied.

"But seriously, how do you see your future playing out?" Maureen wondered.

"Obviously I'd love to get into the pros.  But if that doesn't work out, I'd be happy with a career in broadcasting," Brian revealed.

"Don't you have to have a colorful personality to do color commentary?" Maureen teased.

"Ouch, that's a low blow," Brian said, playfully.

"You're right.  They have rules against going in low on a quarterback," Maureen remarked.

"Yeah, they really coddle us quarterbacks," Brian said, sarcastically.

"I might just have to toughen you up then," Maureen replied.

"I thought women like men that are in touch with their sensitive side," Brian suggested.

"Why would we want that when we could be with an emotional distant jerk?" Maureen joked.

"No wonder I've been having such trouble with women," Brian said, playfully.

"Well, I might just be going out on a limb here, but I think your problems with women might finally be over," Maureen replied, with a smile.

"Don't make promises you can't keep," Brian insisted.

"Trust me, after what I've been through, the last thing I want is problems," Maureen explained.

"Good.  Because you won't find any with me," Brian said.

Maureen then gazed into Brian's eyes.  "I like the sound of that."

***

"You know it's strange.  I feel this weird connection to you already," Maureen explained.

"Well, we have had chemistry for an entire semester," Brian pointed out.

"You're right.  Who knew class could make for such good foreplay?" Maureen asked.

"But still, I know what you mean.  I'm normally so shy.  So protective of my feelings and what could happen to them in the wrong hands.  But with you--"

"Everything is different," Maureen remarked, staring into Brian's deep eyes.  "I feel like a whole new woman around you.  Confident.  Adventurous.  And yet completely assured that everything will work out."

"Plus, you're just dead sexy," Brian said.

Maureen then gazed into Brian's eyes and he leaned in and gave Maureen a deep kiss.  Brian tasted so sweet.  Like a delicious dessert.  With just one kiss, Brian made Maureen feel a wild rush of emotions reverberate throughout her body.  It was sensational.  Maureen didn't want the kissing to stop, but they had to come up for air.

"Wow, this date suddenly got a lot more interesting," Brian replied.

"Are you kidding?  My whole life just got a lot more interesting," Maureen said.

Chapter Ten

Five Months Later

Tyler Webster never thought Los Angeles would lose its luster.  After all, he was dating a famous Hollywood actress.  But surprisingly enough it turned out that being with Natasha Simmons had its shortcomings as well.  At first Tyler had been too star struck to notice the problems in their relationship.   Over time though, the flaws became glaring.  Natasha had expensive tastes.  The kind that could make a man bankrupt.  She also had raging insecurities for someone that had been named one of the sexiest women in the world. 

The worst part for Tyler though was how fake things were in Hollywood.  It wasn't just the fact that actors played make believe for a living or how every movie location was faked in a studio.  What got to Tyler the most was how everyone in Hollywood including Natasha pretended to like one another and blew air kisses at each other because they didn't want to insult someone that could help their career.  Even so, Tyler could get over all that.

It was the visit to the set of Natasha's latest movie that did their relationship in.  Of all the days for Tyler to visit the set, he ended up showing up on a day when Natasha was filming a love scene with her co-star.  Natasha had warned Tyler before that the sex scenes in movies were all faked.  That it was just business.  Just acting.  That there was no real passion involved. 

That wasn't what Tyler saw though.  The kissing was sure real.  The actor was definitely rubbing Natasha's breasts in real life.  And although they put a pillow between Natasha and her co-star as he thrusted, the moans sounded more than just acting.  Even if it was all fake and just for a scene, it sure as hell wasn't ok for Tyler to watch some other guy feeling up his girlfriend. 

Even worse than seeing the scene being filmed was the revelation Tyler learned from the key grip.  Before the day started, Tyler didn't even know what a key grip was.  But if it wasn't for Joey the key grip, Tyler would maybe never have heard what had been happening in Natasha's trailer between scenes.  Apparently Natasha and her co-star were fucking in real life--and it wasn't just the key grip that knew it.  The gaffer and best boy knew it too, as well as the majority of the crew. 

Tyler absolutely lost it.  But if that wasn't bad enough, when he confronted Natasha, not only did she not deny it, but she acted like it wasn't even a big deal that she'd been cheating.  As if everyone in Hollywood did it.  That was one thing Tyler couldn't get over.  It was the final nail in the coffin.  Tyler wanted to crawl into a hole at that point.  Between the cheating and the general fakeness of Hollywood and all the gold diggers that Tyler had run across, the luster had totally come off of LA.  Suddenly Tyler longed for a simpler place.  A more normal place.  A place that felt like home.  And Tyler knew just the place. 

***

Meanwhile back in Juniper Flats, things were heating up between the sheets for Brian and Maureen.  Brian wasn't just skilled on the football field.  He also knew how to go long and deep in bed as well.  But as skilled as he was with his stick, the best part of being with Brian was how devoted he was to taking care of Maureen's sexual needs.  He always satisfied her first.  He made sure her desires were fulfilled.  But when they were, all bets were off.  Then Brian came on strong, letting his libido take over. 

Maureen couldn't get enough of Brian or his kisses.  She could stay in bed with him all night.  And sometimes it seemed like they did.  When the love making was finally over though, Maureen was never unsatisfied. 

***

"Damn, that was something," Maureen said, pulling back from a kiss.

"I'll say," Brian replied.  "You know, you are truly one of a kind."

Maureen then got out of bed and started to get dressed.  But she couldn't help but notice Brian gazing at her.

"If you keep staring at me like that, you'll make me self-conscious," Maureen said.

"Sorry.  You just seem to get more gorgeous every day," Brian replied.

"I can't let that comment go without another kiss," Maureen said, approaching Brian before leaning in to give him a soft kiss on the lips.  But Brian didn't want to stop there.  He wanted some heavy necking.

"Wow, you are a hard person to resist," Maureen said.

"I think that's one of my best qualities," Brian replied.

"Yeah, but I have to go to class," Maureen said.

"I'm not stopping you," Brian replied, as he kissed Maureen's neck.

"Very funny," Maureen said.  "But we'll just have to continue this later.  I can't be late to class."

"Alright.  Rain check then?" Brian asked.

Maureen then gave Brian one last soft kiss on the lips.  "You'd better believe it."

***

It was amazing how quickly love could blossom if given the chance.  But Brian and Maureen took to each other nicely.  And the world suddenly became a more blissful place.  Brian kissed like no one Maureen had ever met.  There was such heat between them.  Such chemistry.  They couldn't keep their hands off each other.  Their time together was a wild ride filled with heavy necking and wandering hands.  It was an amazing experience for Maureen.  Brian managed to obliterate Tyler completely from Maureen's memory.

At first Maureen was worried that things were going too fast.  That it was too much too soon.  But Maureen was tired of moping around.  Of living with a broken heart.  Maureen's mother had been right.  The world did have a plan for Maureen.  And more than ever, Maureen was convinced that plan was to be with Brian.

It was amazing what love could do.  Even though Maureen had spent her whole life in Juniper Flats, every sight seemed new to her all of a sudden.  She was getting a fresh perspective on life.  Looking at things at a new angle.  Seeing everything through the eyes of love.

Everything felt so right when she looked in Brian's eyes.  And Maureen never wanted her blissful feelings to go away.