Mr. Basketball Ch. 10

"I'm always going to be there for you Taylor. I promised Teagan I would look after you and I fully intend to do just that. But I have to do something for myself. I've got to get out of this funk I'm in and try to get my life back on track. Texas would be the best thing for me."

"Do whatever makes you happy," she said as she got out.

"Taylor," I called as the door slammed.

I watched her quickly head into the house as I shook my head and sighed. I backed out and went the short distance home. I debated on calling Jenny again but I decided a shower would be a better start for the moment.

I was cleaned but still tired as I drove to the office to do some paperwork. The office would be closed for a week while the holidays would have everything shut down. I was leaving on Monday to head to Texas for a few days.

It was late in the evening and I was drifting off in bed again watching some college ball. I was tired from the long day but I couldn't find sleep. The fight I had with Taylor still played in my head. Maybe it was selfish for me to want to go home. Maybe it was just her being immature.

My phone chirped on the nightstand where the lamp once sat. I glanced in the corner and saw it still smashed against the wall and broken. Maybe I ought to clean that up I thought as I picked my phone up and looked at the unfamiliar number on the screen.

I unlocked it and read the message. Jake, I'm scared and I need help. I'm at 6575 Walnut Street. Please come get me, Taylor.

What's going on I texted back?

I waited a few minutes but I didn't get anything back. I quickly threw on some clothes and headed out to the address.

The street was lined with cars as I approached the house. I parked the car right out front and opened the door. Music met my ears as I started up the walkway towards the house. I went right inside since I didn't think knocking was necessary at this point. The music jumped up a couple of levels as I opened the door and went inside. It was the typical high school party. Kids were all over the place drinking from Dixie cups. The smell of pot hung in the air as I noticed the source in the corner as a group of kids passed it around.

I saw a girl I vaguely remembered and pulled her close to me.

"Kim, where is Taylor?"

"I don't know," she said.

"Kim, don't give me any bullshit. Where is Taylor?"

"I think she's upstairs."

"Thanks," I said.

I headed straight for the stairs and climbed to the top. I called for her but I didn't get an answer. I opened the first door and looked inside. A group of kids were smoking as they looked at me and questioned why I was there. I shut the door and moved on to the next one.

"Jake," I heard her faintly.

"Taylor," I called again.

She came out from the bathroom and quickly ran to me.

"What the hell is going on?" I asked.

"Jeremy is being a jerk," she said. "He tried to kiss me but I pushed him away. Then he got mad and got in my face so I slapped him. Then he... touched me."

"Where?" I asked.

"My butt," she said scared.

"And here," she said, pointing to her boob.

"Are you ok?" I asked. Anger coursed through my veins as she spoke.

"I'm just scared. He took my phone and blocked the door. I ran up here and locked myself in the bathroom. I had to beg Carrie to text you. She didn't want Jeremy mad at her too."

"Why didn't you just get in your car and leave?"

"I got a ride from Shannon. She said it would be fun. I didn't know she was taking me here and that Jeremy would be here."

"Some friend," I quipped. "Come on, let's get you out of here before we get into any more trouble."

"Thank you Jake," she said hugging me quickly before I turned to get us out of here.

We reached the very last step before we were stopped.

"Well look who it is," a drunk Jeremy called.

"Shut the fuck up," I seethed.

"Oh, what a tough guy," he continued. "Hey, don't crash the car on the way home fuck face."

"Don't go there," I quipped.

"You're such an asshole Jeremy," Taylor cried.

"Fuck you, you stuck up little bitch." He stood right in front of me now as he bowed up and tried to look tough for everybody who was watching.

"Moved," I barked.

"Or what?" he asked smugly. He gave me a little push to my chest as he spoke.

"Better watch yourself," I warned.

"You watch yourself," he said poking my chest again.

"Jeremy, stop," one of the girls spoke.

"Fuck this guy," he yelled. "He thinks he's better than everyone else. Him and little miss bitch over here."

"You're such a jerk Jeremy," another girl spoke. "Why are you even here? Nobody likes you."

"You got something to say to me too?" He turned and yelled at her now.

I took the chance to step down the last step so I could be even with him. I had a bad feeling about this. He was way too drunk to reason with now so I wanted to be ready for anything. She backed away and hid behind a guy I assume was her boyfriend.

"You sure do have a way with the ladies," I said as he turned back my way.

"So do you there big shot." His hand poked my chest again.

"Come on Jeremy," I said calmly. "Get out of the way so we can leave."

"Come on Jeremy," he mocked me in a baby voice.

Something about that pissed me off. The situation was going to go from bad to worse and quickly. I knew I wasn't going to get out of here without some kind of a fight.

"Fine," I snapped. "I'll move you myself."

I gave him a firm shove that moved him back a foot or so.

"You're not going anywhere," he fired right back.

He came forward and shoved me. I brushed his arms off of me before the full force of his intention could hit me. I didn't move as I pushed him back again and watched him back up a foot again. He turned and the rage in his eyes met mine. He threw a looping punch that I saw coming. It glanced off my chest as I leaned away from it. I just reacted at this point and let a straight right fly. It hit him square in the face right under his eye. The pop was so loud that it covered the music for a second.

There were a few loud gasps and some uneasy chatter as he stumbled backwards. His feet went out from under him as he slipped to the ground and covered his face quickly. The music stopped booming in the background and the place fell eerily quiet as they waited for his next more. My fist was throbbing right now but I'm sure it didn't hurt as much as his face did at the moment.

"Ow fuck," he yelped.

"Stay on the ground or I'm going to hit you again," I warned.

"Fuck you," he barked. "You just fucking punched me, I'm calling the cops."

"Brilliant idea there genius," I laughed a little. "Here, let me call them for you. While they are here you can explain all the beer and pot you have too. "

He got to his feet and stood. He squared up again as he looked me over. "Fuck it, let's settle it like men then."

He came forward fast and threw another looping punch. I dodged it easily and caught his arm as he flew by. I wrapped it up and caught him hard in the stomach with my next punch. He doubled over and slumped to the floor sucking for air as I let him fall.

"I can do this all night if you want to," I said.

"No, fuck," he gasped. "Get the fuck out of here."

"I thought so," I laughed.

I leaned close to him as he still sucked air hard and looked like he might throw up. "You have a lot to learn about being a man. It takes more than just acting tough and running your fucking mouth all the time. Acting like an asshole isn't going to get you very far either. Trust me, I know firsthand."

He grunted again as he tried to get his breath. I turned my body a little and pushed his forehead up and looked him square in the face as I spoke again.

"If you ever fucking touch Taylor again, I won't stop next time. I've got nothing to lose at this point and I would be more than happy to knock your dick into the dirt. You get what I'm saying?"

"Yeah, fuck you," he gasped as he dry heaved.

I backed up. "Stand the fuck up then and try me again. It's worked out well for you so far."

He braced himself and started to puke right there on the floor.

"Not so much of a bad ass anymore now are you," I said. I patted his back hard before passing by him.

"Y'all have a good night."

Everyone was silent as I walked out the door. Taylor was quickly on my tail as we reached the car and got on the road again.

"What the hell were you thinking?" I scolded Taylor.

"Shannon said it would be fun," she answered.

"Taylor, you're smart than this. Don't do something stupid to mess up college. There are thousands of kids out there wanting the same thing you have. Don't give them a reason to pass you by."

"I know, I'm stupid."

"You're not stupid," I said softening. "You just have to think."

"I'm sorry."

I glanced over at her sitting there as she looked out the window. I couldn't help but notice how good she looked in the dim light of the car. Her long hair was pulled off to the side showing off her neck. Her face had a soft smile on it as she moved her hand down her leg and tucked it under. Her shirt hugged her chest as the swell of her breasts pushed it off her chest. I gave myself a soft shake as I turned back to the road again. It wasn't the first time I had noticed her, it was happening more and more these days.

The first time I really noticed her was during our third away game of the season. I made them dress professionally for all games. We were sitting on the bleachers watching the JV game. I wasn't really interested in it as I had zoned out. I glanced over and noticed her sitting there talking to a couple of the girls. She was wearing a form fitting top and a little, loose skirt. She was showing a lot of skin the way that she was sitting there. I couldn't help but notice and I had to shake myself again to turn away before she noticed. Her body spoke to me though, much like Teagan's did when I first noticed her.

I kept turning back to look at her. I kept stealing little looks at her and of her toned legs. The skirt was so high up on them it barely covered her butt as she sat. She laughed hard and turned her body towards me. I caught the little flash of her white panties between her legs as she laughed and turned in her seat. I had to snap out of it as she opened them a little and tucked her skirt between to hide them. I don't think she noticed me watching but I still felt guilty for seeing her.

Teagan had taken my heart and my eyes too. I hadn't really looked at other girls with a sexual hunger since she and I had been together. I felt bad for having these thoughts but I couldn't help what my body was feeling. I dismissed the thoughts and tried to focus on the game instead.

I glanced back over at her as I drove us home. I took in the swell of her chest again. I continued down to her legs before returning back to the road again. They were covered by her jeans but I knew what was under them. I had seen her plenty of times in shorts during practice. The panty shot flashed in my head again as I looked back at the road.

"Thank you for saving me," she offered breaking me from my thoughts. I made the turn into the subdivision.

"I told you I would always be there for you."

"Can I go home with you? I was supposed to be staying with Shannon so my dad will be pissed off at me if he finds out I'm not there."

"Fine," I sighed. "I hope you like running."

She groaned but didn't argue with me.

I parked the car and took her inside. We both sat on the couch as I clicked the TV on to drown out the silence.

"That was awesome to see him get punched," she smiled.

"It felt pretty good to punch him too," I said holding a bag of ice on my hand.

"You sure about that?"

"Yeah," I smiled. "Just a small price to pay to keep you safe."

"Jake, I'm sorry about earlier, you know, at breakfast."

"It's ok honey," I said. "It's been hard on us all."

"Well, I'm sorry anyway."

"Don't worry about it," I said.

I yawned and looked over at her sitting there. I shook my head softly at how much she had grown up over the last few years. She went from this baby faced freshman to a young women set to graduate high school and head off to college in a couple of months.

"What?" she smiled as she caught me looking at her.

"Nothing," I smiled. "I just noticed how much you've grown up that's all. You've turned into a beautiful young lady."

"Thanks," she said. "I don't think I'm that pretty though."

"Sure you are. You've got everything a guy looks for in a girl. Smarts, beauty, personality, and you can play."

She giggled.

"Ok, so the last one was more for me."

"You're not so bad looking yourself," she giggled again.

"I'm an old man Taylor."

"You still look hot," she said shyly.

"Thanks I guess."

"Do you think I will ever find a guy?" she questioned.

"Why wouldn't you?" I asked.

"I don't know."

"The right guy is out there for you somewhere."

"I hope I find him," she sighed.

"You've got plenty of time," I laughed. "Don't be in a rush."

I glanced back at the TV as Sports Center started talking about Duke.

"Jake, I've had a crush on you since you first started dating my sister," she said softly and suddenly.

"I already knew that," I smiled softly at her.

"You did?" she asked surprised.

"Pretty obvious so yeah."

"Oh," she said. "So what do you think?"

"Think about what?" I asked turning back to look at her again.

"What do you think about me?"

"I just told you," I smiled.

"Do you think I'm attractive?"

"Of course," I said getting a little annoyed by her now.

"Do you find me attractive?"

"You're more than attractive to me," I said. I glanced back at the TV again.

"Do you think that maybe you and I might... I don't know?"

"We might what?" I asked. I thought I knew where this was going but I wanted to make dead sure what she was asking.

"That we might... You know...be more than just what we are right now?"

"The thought has crossed my mind," I said honestly. "If you are saying what I think you are saying."

"I am," she said softly.

I glanced over at her as she said that. She was already moving forward by this point. I could have stopped it but for some reason I froze right where I was. Her lips met mine in a very soft and uncertain kiss. I let her kiss me not moving an inch. I responded just slightly and let my mouth kiss her back. The kiss was soft and only lasted a few seconds before she pulled back to judge my reaction to it.

"Whoa," I said shocked. "Where did that come from?"

"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I just thought...I don't know what I was thinking. I just screwed up didn't I?"

"No, no, no," I said quickly. "It's just...I wasn't expecting that."

"I'm sorry," she said again. "I just thought... I don't know. I'm sorry."

The way she sat there now. She looked so hurt, confused, vulnerable, a thousand emotions covered her face as she sat there still close to my face. She was about to retreat further when I went on raw emotion and closed the distance again. I found her lips in a very soft kiss again. I let my tongue trace her lips as we kissed. She took the hint and opened her mouth just the slightest bit. My tongue traced her softly as I felt a wave of emotion flood my mind.

It was the first time I had felt anything since Teagan had passed. I felt desire as I traced her tongue softly. I had felt nothing since that night of the accident. With every girl I had been with there was nothing. It scared me now. Plus the fact that this was Taylor, my wife's sister and my sister for that matter. I broke the kiss and moved back just an inch to figure out what the hell I was doing.

"Did I screw up?" she whispered.

"Even I don't know the answer to that one Taylor," I said softly.

She showed courage now as she moved back forward and kissed me again. I let her tongue trace mine. Her hand softly felt my face as she pulled me into her kiss. My hands wanted to touch her and pull her into me. They got right up to her face before I stopped. I felt guilty now and let them slowly fall to her lap and rest at her knee as we kissed softly. I finally pulled away and looked at her face. She was still unsure about the situation. She wanted to know if she had made the right move.

"It's not you Taylor," I sighed. "You haven't done anything wrong. I just don't know if this is what I want. I don't know if I'm ready yet."

"It's ok," she whispered. "I know what you mean. I'm sorry if I've made you uncomfortable."

"I don't want to lead you on," I said softly. "I don't want you hurt you. You mean a lot to me and I don't want to hurt you."

"You won't hurt me Jake," she softly replied. "I started this. I kissed you first."

"I know," I sighed. "It feels strange to kiss you. You are you and you mean so much to me. I don't want to mess that up."

"I know," she smiled lightly. "You won't hurt me though. I know what I mean to you. We are so close to each other. I feel safe with you."

"I know you do," I smiled back. "I don't know why you want to get involved with me though."

"Because you are the perfect guy Jake," she offered. "So kind and caring and loving."

"I'm not the same guy I was five months ago," I said softly. "I'm broken and still hurt from everything. I've done a lot of things I'm not proud of these past few months."

"Like what?" she questioned.

"You really don't want to know Taylor," I sighed. "It's not a bright spot in my life that's for sure."

"We have all had a hard time with everything," she offered. "I know the man that you are on the inside. That's what I'm looking at. That's what I want."

If she only knew who I had become she might be thinking something different. I wouldn't dare tell her anything. I didn't want to ruin the image of me that she had in her head. I just smiled at her. I sat there as she leaned forward again and kissed me once more. I let her tongue trace over mine before she broke the kiss and studied my face again.

"What are people going to think if we get involved with each other?" I asked.

"I hadn't thought about that," she answered honestly. "Not that I really care what they think. You can't remain single forever. You said today that you would have to move on at some point."

"I know I did," I smiled at her point. "I just didn't think that I would be moving forward with my wife's sister."

"I'm willing to try it if you are," she said.

"I don't want you to think that I'm not interested in you Taylor," I said carefully. "But I really want to think about it. I don't know if I'm ready to move on just quite yet."

"I understand," she said softly. "I want you to take your time then and think about it."

"I do like you Taylor. I have feelings for you. I just don't know if I want to change us and the way we are. I don't want to hurt you and lose you."

"Think about it then," she sighed. "If you want things to remain the way they are then I will understand. If you want to maybe date for a while and try it out I'm more than willing. I want to do whatever makes you happy."

"Thank you for being so understanding," I smiled. "I'm going to call it a night. Get some rest."

I leaned forward and gave her one last soft kiss on her lips before I climbed from the couch and headed up the stairs. She sat there smiling at me as I left her there sitting on the couch. My head was spinning as I lay there in bed and thought about everything. I know I had been out on my own for the past couple of months now and I had been with a bunch of different women. Taylor was very different though. I truly cared about her. I could see us starting something but I didn't want to screw anything up and make things more difficult for all of us.

*

I looked down at my feet as I sat on the bench and saw the hardwood floor below. Slowly the crowd started to become more audible as I started to look up and around at them. I knew right where I was instantly as I looked around at the arena. It was the Alamo Dome where we had played the past two nights of basketball. This was the state championship game now. I glanced to my right and saw Randy sitting right next to me. He had a towel around his neck and used it to wipe off his face.