Reasons Why - 7

Chapter 7

"So you're seeing him later?"

Chloe was sat at the breakfast bar trying desperately trying to eat pancakes without conversing at great length with Didi. She'd hardly slept with frustration, and she rued the way the night had ended so abruptly. Phil had taken the boys to swimming lessons, and since he'd left Didi had been fishing for information.

"We're going to the game, I've said I'll hang around afterwards."

Didi handed her a mug of coffee, "you seem a little despondent."

Chloe groaned, dropping her knife and fork, "I'm here for a few weeks..." She shook her head.

"Hey, Anastasia married Christian Grey after about a month and that worked out!"

Staring at her sister-in-law for a moment she laughed, "Fifty Shades is a work of fiction, and it's about a naive virgin and an over possessive perverted sexual predator! This is hardly the same!"

Didi laughed, "I'm glad to hear Chris is none of those things!"

Grinning despite it all, Chloe replied, "I know you want me to be happy, but I don't know if a loose affair with a man like him is best for me."

Coming across to her, Didi placed an arm around her shoulder, "we're not trying to sell you off to some fit man, it's just..." she giggled, "if I were ten years younger and fifty pounds lighter I'd not be able to say no...if I was single of course."

Getting ready for the game was a confusing issue, after all, this was in effect a sporing event AND a second date. She was more annoyed that she wanted to look great for him. She wanted to badly to turn up in her scruffiest clothes, but she knew she couldn't. Saying that her travelling wardrobe was minuscule. So she had to settle for a denim miniskirt and a gypsy blouse in a floral pattern that sat off her shoulders and her flat sandals. It was a compromise.

The arena for the game was full to the brim a couple of thousand people all focused on the box in front of them. How much of a buzz must this be? She wondered as the teams emerged. Phil had explained on the way over that there were only a few games left before the end of the season, and at the moment playoffs were beckoning, and so the games were sell outs, and the atmosphere electric. He led her to a bleacher type seat at one end of the arena behind the goal, then proceeded to explain the nuances of the game as she was a complete novice. 

Then it started. And it was fast! She could hardly keep her eyes on the ball as they ran, threw, hurled into each other. It was very exciting. Phil gave a running commentary from her side, and she seemed to hold her breath every time Chris had the ball. 

They won, eight seven, and it was as close a game as the score indicated. Chloe had controlled her nerves and anxiety of the situation by joining Phil and Carter in hot dogs and popcorn. But the hot dog wasn't a patch on the one she'd eaten loaded with sauces and pickles walking home via the boardwalk as the sun started to rise. It was at that moment, and with that thought that she realised that she no longer had control over the situation. She WANTED to spend time with him, and she'd regret not doing that. Phil was right in one thing. She deserved some fun. 

Chloe didn't know when Chris found her in the crowd, but for the last half of the game his eyes did wander from game play to her far more often than was necessary. And the last time she'd silently scolded him, and that made him laugh. After the success, the team circled the box with a victory, and it was then that he sought her out. 

"Meet me outside?" he asked through the plexiglass. "You know my car!" 

Her nod of agreement made his eyes light up in a ridiculous fashion, and he rushed off to change.

Phil had been reluctant to leave Chloe in a car park, but she insisted he get Carter home. So she climbed into his car as the hood was down, and slipped the ear buds from her phone into her ears, she'd preloaded tons of music before her trip and rifling through her playlist, she selected a classic, James their greatest hits, and with eyes closed tapped her feet along to the tunes.

Less than half a dozen songs passed before one of her feet were lifted from their place draped over the door.

"A little over familiar Miss Palmer?" The glint in his eye told her he was joking, but the people stood with him looked a little more...angry? She recognised the blond guy from the previous day, Kaleb. But behind him were two girls who looked a more than a little pissed off with her. Chloe laughed inside, because at that moment Chris was staring at her with a mixture of pleasure and something definitely darker. If she didn't know better she'd swear this was the 'undressing you with his eyes' look that romantic novels talked about. Saying that she was draped over his car in a very uncaring way.

Removing her ear phones, she reached out a hand for assistance and he pulled her out of the vehicle easily and into his waiting arms. She deliberately wobbled, knowing that he'd catch her, then sliding her arms around his neck ignoring his look of surprise she planted her lips very suggestively on his. 

Chris' groan against her mouth was barely audible other than to her, and she took that little weak moment to slide her tongue into his mouth. Her adrenaline was pumping and she was loving the way that he responded to her.

As his hands slid around her, pulling her closer to him, Kaleb coughed, "get a room already!"

Chris pulled back for a moment looking at her knowing smug look, the witch had planned that. He needed a steadying breath as his mind anticipated what that might mean. "You enjoy the game?" His voice was a croak.

Chloe chuckled and it was a warming sound, but as she nodded that she had, the intimacy of the moment was disturbed by another cough from behind. Chris groaned, then spun around, "Chloe, this is my buddy and all around pain in the ass Kaleb, Kaleb, Chloe." 

The two shook hands and Chloe gave a very British "pleased to meet you!" which caused his eyes to widen.

He then introduced Kaleb's girlfriend Marie and his sister Shayla. Both girls scowled at her, but nodded their heads in acknowledgement.

"Pile in guys!" He offered to the backseat, ensuring Chloe sat up front with him. 

"Where are we going?" Chloe asked once they were driving.

He manoeuvred through the traffic with ease before replying. "Few drinks and some food downtown? One of our teammates has an apartment and we can leave the car there."

Smiling as he glanced over, they both turned their eyes back to the road. 

Leading her from the underground car park by the hand, the other three were a long way behind. 

"You're in a rush!" She gasped as she almost broke into a jog to keep up.

Chris turned and waggled his eyebrows at her, "I'm still trying to process the reception I got back at the car!"

Shrugging in a coy fashion, she let him lead her into the busy bar. 

And it was chaos. Chloe was glad that Chris held her hand tightly. It seemed the whole of the fan base had descended on the bar in the centre of the City, and everyone wanted to congratulate Chris on his performance. She followed behind him patiently and tolerated all the disruptions graciously. Once they reached the bar, Chris made for one end, near the wall and secured her safely on a bar stool. 

"You ok?" he asked as the barman took their order for beers. 

She smiled, "now I see why I was a novelty!"

Reaching out he cupped her cheek, "joking aside Chloe, you are anything but a novelty. So are you going to explain my welcome earlier?"

Chloe smiled, "what's the score with you and the girls?"

"Marie and Shayla? They're friends of my friend. That's all."

Nodding knowingly she finally answered, "well one or both think they're in with a chance, the looks they gave me...well let's just say, you benefited from them pissing me off!"

Craning his neck he started to look around, "where the hell are they? I'm wanting more of that sweet love!"

Chloe grinned, "it might not have been them, just maybe I've realised that you're fun to be around!"

His eyes were still widening as he interpreted that comment, when her lips met his.

It was the first time they'd kissed with the knowledge that they both found the other attractive, intriguing. And it was magical. The sounds of the busy room seemed to fade as they explored each other's lips, tongues tangling, each touch sending frissons of excitement through their bodies. 

"What's changed?" he asked as he pulled his lips free, their foreheads still touching. "You hated me yesterday."

"I don't hate you...I never did...you're just intimidating I suppose."

"And the fact that Marie and Shayla were there..."

She interrupted the direction of his comment, "if I didn't want to be there...with you, then I'd have gone home with Phil. I realised somewhere today that it was harder not to spend time and have fun with you!"

It was a real revelation, and Chris was surprised that someone so reticent to get involved with him was now almost declaring interest in him. He hated the games that an early relationship came with, Louise, his last girlfriend had been all about games. Playing hard to get, then seducing him, then trying to trap him into more. Here he had honest Chloe. And he was glad that his earlier judgement was proved right.

Smiling, almost basking in the warmth of her words, Chris watched her drinking her beer, trying not to let his imagination run away from him. This is what it is, a second date, and whilst he may only have a few weeks with her, he wasn't about to blow it by being too intense too soon. 

"Thank you..." he offered. When she looked at him quizzically, he smiled, "for giving me another chance!"

"Hey Guys!" the white blond head of Kaleb emerged beside them, "been looking for you all over. You ok?"

Chris nodded, "fine. Just desperate for a beer." 

"What are you doing to him Chloe?"

She immediately flushed red, but Chris wasn't paying attention, "Kale, back in the kennel you dog! I have my own mind you know?"

Kaleb flushed, "sorry, just never seen you so head over heels before."

It was Chris' turn to blush. "Not making things any better. Suggest you go find your good lady and your sister and tell them not to be hostile to Chloe again."

He scurried off tail between his leg and Chloe was amazed, "I thought he was your friend!"

"He is, but us guys do things differently to you gals! And i won't have those girls scaring you off!"

She was about to protest that that wouldn't happen, when he leaned in, "let's get out of here!"

As Chloe nodded, he led her to the back of the bar and out into the cooler street via a side door. When he turned to her he offered, "I'm not dragging you off into a compromising situation, but I fancy somewhere quieter where we can talk."

Chloe somehow struck mute nodded again half disappointed at his promise to be a gentleman, and half relieved. Damn Chris Petrakis for making her so indecisive and torn.