Chapter 9 – Beau
BEAU
I spend the weekend helping my dad with my mom’s she-shed and hitting up local parties. On Wednesday night, almost a week since I’ve been home, I find myself sitting at another house partying, killing an evening while Stella is busy.
“Congrats on the season, man.” Lonnie, a buddy and teammate from high school, lifts his beer. “I’m really happy for you. Things seem like they’re going well.”
“Yeah, they are. What’s new with you?” We’re sitting in his parents’ basement. A small party has formed, mostly old teammates that are home for the holidays from their respective colleges or jobs, a few other classmates, and some people I don’t recognize.
“Nothing, really. Aside from classes, I’m working a few hours on campus, and the rest of the time I’m chilling.
It’s amazing how much more free time I have without football.
” He chuckles and adds, “I miss it, though, running out onto the field, that rush of adrenaline, the girls. It’s a lot easier to pick up chicks in a jersey, I’ll tell you that. I bet you are cleaning up at college.”
“Eh.” I make a non-committal gesture. Before I met Stella? Absolutely.
He looks downright appalled.
“I’m talking to someone. A girl at another school.”
“That’s awesome. The mighty Beau Ricci has fallen. Now I understand why we had a record-breaking year for rainfall. Girls from Arizona to Colorado were crying tears of sadness.”
I nod, some unfamiliar emotion swirling in my stomach.
“Or not?”
“No, it is. It’s complicated. Do you remember Felix Walters?”
“Of course. QB at Newburg High.”
“It’s his sister, Stella.”
“No way.” His eyes widen. “That’s crazy. I hated Newburg.”
“We all did.”
He snorts. “I guess those rivalries were kind of dumb. What’s Walters like off the field? He cool?”
“I haven’t met him yet,” I admit, then proceed to tell Lonnie how I ran into Stella at the airport, not knowing who she was.
“Wow!” My old teammate runs a hand over his disheveled red hair. “Small world.”
I study him for a beat. “That’s all you have to say?”
He shrugs. “What else is there to say?”
“You don’t think he’ll want to punch my face in?”
“Maybe. I don’t know. What does your girl say?”
“She thinks it’ll be cool.”
“But you’re not so sure?”
“I wish I was.”
He leans closer and points across the room. “You see that guy in the white hat just walking in?”
I nod. “Yeah.”
“Toby Malcolm.”
“The kicker for Leewood.” Another high school team we battled against every year.
“Me and him got into a fist fight junior year because we both showed up at the same party.”
“I remember that. He kicked your ass.”
“I got a few good punches in.” He puffs out his chest, which makes me laugh.
“And now you’re friends? How’d that happen?”
“Yeah. We both go to ASU. We had a class together last semester and I got to know him. He’s cool.”
The story, however incomparable to things with me and Felix, gives me hope.
“I don’t think it’s going to be that easy for me.”
“Take it from someone who has been away from football for a couple of years, it’s not that serious, man.”
A laugh escapes my lips.
“Worst case, the guy pops you one and then you’re cool.”
“And best case?”
“You pop him first.” Lonnie winks. “I’m gonna grab another beer. Want anything?”
“No.” I shake my head.
My buddy gets up and crosses the room. I watch as he approaches Malcolm and the two slap hands and hug.
Standing, I pull my phone from my pocket and read the last text from Stella.
They’re going to some party at a ski resort up in Flagstaff tonight.
She sent me a photo of her dress options, laid out on a bed.
All different colors and styles. All satin and lacy.
All short. Damn, I wish I were going to see her all dolled up. I wish I could see her, period.
Me
Which dress did you decide on wearing?
Stella
Red, I think. I don’t know. I’ve changed like five times.
Me
Show me.
A minute later, she does. I rub at my chest. She’s gorgeous, of course, but it’s more than that.
We’ve talked a little less during break because we’re both busy hanging out with family, and I’ve missed her.
She’s become such a big part of my life in the past month and I want more. It’s an unfamiliar feeling.
Me
You look killer in red. Don’t change.
Stella
You don’t even want to see the other options?
“Do I want to see the other options?” I mutter under my breath with a rough chuckle.
Me
Is that really a question?
Me
Of course I want to see the other options, but this is the one.
What follows is a series of sexy selfies that has blood rushing south, which is probably the reason I start for the door.
“Hey, Ricci.” Lonnie drapes an arm around my shoulders as I get close. “Meet my new BFF, Toby Malcolm.”
I lift my chin. “Hey, man. I remember you.”
“Same. I hear you’re still playing. Colorado?” he asks.
“Yeah. And you’re going to ASU with this clown?” I tilt my head toward Lonnie.
“I’m too drunk to fight you right now, Ricci, but I’ll get you this weekend.”
“You’re going to Show Low, too?” Toby asks.
“Actually, I’m not sure.”
Lonnie drops his arm and stares at me, confusion marring his brow, but then a smile slowly lifts the corners of his mouth. “I feel you, Ricci. Hey, you call if you want some backup with Walters.”
I laugh. “I think I better do this one on my own, but I appreciate it.”
I hold out my hand and he takes it. “If you change your mind, you know where to find us.”
Outside in my car, I pull up the ski resort address on my phone. Three hours to get there. Maybe less, if I hurry.