15. The Non-Date

FIFTEEN

THE NON-DATE

BECCA

I lounge poolside on a white plastic chaise in a daze, replaying Cam's kiss for the millionth time when his text comes in a week later.

Cam: Any news about a job yet?

Hearing from him only sends me right back to our moment by the Zamboni. How far would we have gotten if someone hadn't interrupted? Would I have had the pleasure of feeling his—boner—dry humping behind the Zamboni? I laugh inside over that one, like he'd be that into me.

It was just the heat of the moment. End of story.

So why have I wasted precious brain space thinking about him all week?

At least Calista convinced me to come out this afternoon and get some sun with her. A good distraction. She's been chatting nonstop about her weekend away with Danny where he proposed to her. What a shocker.

Never in my life have I given marriage much of a thought. It's something I'd consider later, down the road, after I've shown the dance world what I can do. The way her huge rock shimmers in the sunlight though, I'm jealous, but happy for her.

Calista bought herself two bridal magazines, and pours through them now in the chaise on my right, looking chic in a black one-piece, dark shades and a hat, with a floral scarf tied around her waist as a cover up over her thighs. She always says she chose this place because of the pool, but this is the first time we've ever been out here since I've lived with her.

She dog-ears the corners of every other page on the gowns she likes. "I don't know why I bother looking at designer gowns. It's not like Danny and I have a ton of money for this wedding. Leave it to my heart to fall in love with someone like him instead of the sugar daddy my brain expected."

I laugh a little with her, but it's so true. The heart wants—even if it's not what we think we need. Like Cam. I don't need him, but holy hell do I daydream a little too much about giving him my virginity. My favorite vibrator has received quite the workout this week. As hot as he gets me, nothing will ever come of it. The kiss we shared meant everything, but nothing.

Cam: Hello?

Becca: Yes, some news.

"Do you think I should wear ivory or white? I mean I'm long from being a virgin, but there is something about tradition, you know?" Calista points out a lacy, low back, body hugging gown in a pretty ivory with a rose colored ribbon around the waist. "Love this one, but with my thunder thighs? No way."

My eyes dart between us and I envy her curves. She has plenty on top, a nice flat stomach, and a round bottom. With curves like that and personality plus, she always attracts men. Danny is lucky he put such a big rock on her finger to ward them off.

Then there's me, fighting to maintain my lean dancer's body. In the apartment daily I turn on the music and dance for an hour or more to keep up my skills, watching myself in a dollar store mirror hung over the bathroom door. The edge of the kitchen counter is my barre so I can practice on pointe. I move the coffee table enough so I can work on my kicks. If only my mindset were as good as my physical discipline.

Something has to give soon. I need to dance on a stage or I'll give up altogether.

Cam: You busy? Don't keep me waiting.

Becca: Yes, by the pool. Distracted.

Becca: I have a callback audition for the holiday show next week.

Becca: I also applied for a dance instructor position at a gymnastics and cheer school for kids.

I wait for his reply. An ‘atta girl' or something would be nice. But nothing comes, as Calista belabors whether to have her Uncle Eddy walk her down the aisle. She's already asked me to be her Maid of Honor, and of course, I said yes. I only hope I have time to save for the dress.

Next, she's talking about the venue for the wedding and I simply smile and nod at her blathering because really I'm back on that kiss with Cam and wondering why he hasn't responded yet.

"Hey, sexy baby," Danny says, suddenly appearing out of nowhere, with someone else walking in through the gate behind him as well.

Calista jumps up on her knees. "My sexy man!" With her arms outstretched, he walks into them and his hands land upon her ass, squeezing. Their mouths fuse together and their bodies gyrate against each other.

They've never had any problems with public displays of affection in front of me, to the point I'm embarrassed like I'm watching live porn. Although secretly, I'm jealous again. I'd love a man to publicly squeeze my ass, showing possession over me in front of anyone watching.

Despite all their ups and downs, Danny is a good guy. He works construction for a crew that travels around the nation building Chick In Bun franchise restaurants. Every weekend he can, he flies or drives back to see her.

I glance away only to land on Cam standing there. My mouth drops to the ground.

"Uh. What are you doing here?" I scramble to stand and grab my cover up, but it's fallen under the lounger and to retrieve it I'd need to bend over, with my ass in the air pointed in his line of sight. Of course this is the day I choose to wear a red thong bikini, held together by mere strings.

Forget it. I cover my middle with my arms.

Danny pulls away from Calista long enough to speak. "Oh yeah, Becca. This is that hockey player, Cam, that my sexy baby told me you're dating. He was standing outside the fence of the pool area and I recognized him from the sports news so I let him come in with me."

"I never said they were dating," she argues, slapping his arm playfully.

"You did so. Two nights ago you said it."

I tune them out, because this is how their arguments always start. Leading to a brief breakup, leading to makeup sex. Only now that she has a ring, it wouldn't surprise me if she'll throw it into the pool for added drama.

I roll my eyes, leave them be, and walk closer to Cam. "When you texted, why didn't you just say you were here?"

He shrugs, with the biggest smile I've seen yet to cross his face. "Just checking on you. That's great news about the jobs. I have my fingers crossed for you." The only thing better about his response would be if I could see his eyes, but they're hidden behind fancy designer shades. Despite them, I feel like he's checking me out, or it's wishful thinking.

"Thanks." I wish my eyes were hidden, as he stands before me in faded jeans and a white t-shirt with the arms rolled up, showing off his shoulders. And do I detect the edges of a tattoo there? I didn't know he had them. I'd love to rake up and down his body in secret.

"Did you catch any of my games this week on TV?" he asks. Before I can answer, with every intention of saying no, Calista does for me, parting from Danny's mouth.

"Every game. She wears your jersey on the couch and yells at you on TV when you do something stupid."

"Oh my God." My hands fly up to my face, the heat coming off of it burning my skin.

"And when you got a hat trick at the last game, her scream could be heard down the block."

"Shut up, Calista."

He laughs. "You haven't changed then. I recall your voice being the loudest at our games at Pembrook, always telling Hayes what to do."

I cross my arms again and show my face, rolling my eyes. "I can't help it. Unlike dance, hockey hits some other part of me and gets me riled up."

"A competitive side is nothing to be ashamed of, Princess, especially when you have a guy on the ice you care about." Only one corner of his mouth is curled up, teasing me. "The Gamblers could certainly use more passionate fans like you. The word among our teammates is the owners are disappointed in the low numbers of season ticket holders."

"The season just started. What do they expect? Besides, you guys keep winning and it shouldn't be a problem, right?"

"We'll see."

"Oh shit! You know what?" Calista yells. "We should go out tonight, the four of us. There's a new club Uncle Eddy's friend is opening. I'm sure if I call, he can get us passes into the VIP section."

I scoff and start. "I'm sure Cam's busy?—"

"Sounds like fun. I don't have plans tonight," he says. I almost swallow my tongue. "And you look like you could use a night out to let loose after the stress of job hunting."

Let loose. With Cam. On a—non-date—at a club? My legs are itching to dance, but my lady parts are crying, yearning. The more time I spend around him the worse it gets. While I'm stuck in my head about it, before I can think of any excuse to back out, Calista has the entire evening arranged. Cam will pick me up, and she and Danny will meet us there with the VIP passes.

"Sounds good. Be ready at nine, Princess." Cam backs away, winks at me, then leaves.

My nosy roommate tackles me with a hug from behind after he's gone. "Yay! It's been way too long since I've been able to get you out."

I turn on her, planting my hands on my hips."Quit it. I know what you're doing."

"What?" She blinks all innocently, as Danny puts an arm around her shoulder.

"Trying to force Cam and I together. It won't work," I accuse her.

"Really? Because from where I stood there were all kinds of fireworks flying between you too. Right, my sexy man?"

"Don't ask me. I thought they were already together. Hey, I'm going home to shower. Pick you up later." He pecks her cheek with a kiss and he leaves us.

Calista squints at me sideways. "Listen, if you don't want him, I'm sure some babe will snag him tonight."

That gets to me. My breath catches and I can't hide it.

She points in my face. "I knew it."

"Fine. I admit he does something to me. But he's not at all interested in me like that, though." I tell her all about the kiss and what he said to me afterward.

She hugs me. "Well then, screw Cam. Tonight we're having fun, so let's find you something to wear. I'm thinking a mini-dress that will show off those fabulous legs of yours. You'll catch the eye of every man there."