Taking A Risk by Karen Monroe

Analise

“Ithought this guy was supposed to be a one-night stand. What are you doing hanging out with him?” Tildee asks.

I’d been asking myself that same question. William and I hadn’t even had sex in a month, which kind of defeated the purpose of our being friends with benefits.

What was even worse was even without the sex. I still didn’t mind him visiting me at the library. I looked forward to seeing him.

“I don’t know what the hell I’m doing,” I admit.

Tildee leans back against the couch, resting her shoeless feet on the worn coffee table. Faded circles covered the rustic wood surface. When my mother was alive she’d been fanatic about coasters. Now it was just a reminder she was no longer here.

“Do you like him?”

The question makes me blink and shake my head. “I… don’t know. Maybe.”

“Is that why you keep refusing to go to his house? Because you like him? I told you Shelby and Nate can stay with me whenever.”

I sigh as I kick off my shoes. We just got off shift, so we’ve been on our feet for hours. Leaning back, I prop my tired limbs on the coffee table.

“It’s just… I know me. If I keep having sex with him my feelings will get involved.” I shake my head. “I don’t want to get serious with him.”

“Why not? From what you’ve told me, he sounds like a catch. Muscles for days and a dick the size of a small baseball bat. Why not get serious?”

That wasn’t all there was. Will was also incredibly smart. He told me they had tested him in middle school and his I.Q. was high enough for him to advance immediately to high school. He’d refused because he wanted to play football with his peers.

I shake my head, reiterating why we can never be. “He wants to go pro. This is his last year. After the season, he’ll be gone.”

Tildee hums in commiseration. “I want to say that shouldn’t really matter, but self wisdom is the key to all knowledge. If you know you can’t keep it trill, then it’s best to leave him alone. Period.”

She had a point, but I enjoyed being with William. I didn’t want that to end.

Regardless of how it all started, I valued the time we’d spent together. William wasn’t just some giant Ubermensch. There were so much more depth, so many layers.

His family lived in a small town in Oregon. He didn’t have the best relationship with his parents. I gathered there were substance abuse issues. Declan, his older brother, was in prison for attempted murder over a drug deal gone wrong. William described him as some wanna be gangster. His younger sister, Rachel—who was the third oldest sibling—already had three kids, and she was only twenty years old.

William often said his greatest fear was ending up like them. He felt he’d been lucky to escape destiny via football. It’s why he wanted to make a lot of money, so he could take care of his younger brothers and sisters before they followed the same path.

We actually had a lot in common in that regard, but there could never be a relationship between us. Our paths are too different.

“You’re right,” I finally say. “I need to cut things off. No more library visits.”

Tildee bumps a foot against mine. “You like this guy, right? You like hanging with him? Let things run their course. He’ll be gone at the end of the season. There’s no need to rush it. Just let it be for now.”

I huff. “And if I get my heart broken?”

Tildee taps my foot with hers again. “Then I’ll help you pick up the pieces.”

Smiling, I wrap an arm around her shoulders and lean my head against hers.

My talkwith Tildee helped a lot. When I arrive for classes on Tuesday. I’m prepared to keep things cool with William. We had fun, but it was time to go back to casual. If he wanted to visit the library, there was nothing I could do to stop him. I just wouldn’t engage anymore. Our relationship was about sex. It was time to put a stop to… whatever else was going on.

William arrives at his usual time after practice. He’s freshly showered and smells like Zest soap. He grabs the same chair he always does and plops down next to me at the info desk. I try not to ogle his muscular body. It will make it harder to do what needs to be done.

“Hey!” He says in greeting. “You look like you had a bad day. What’s up?”

Turning toward him, I open my mouth, prepared to give him the speech I rehearsed while driving to campus, when my phone chimes. I open my mouth again, but I can’t get a word out before it chimes again and again.

My cell is strictly for family… and William, but he’s sitting right next to me. I don’t have any social media apps. I can’t be worried about likes and thumbs up. The only other people who would call or text are Tildee, Shelby, or Nathan. I have to answer. It’s probably an emergency.

Ignoring William, I pull my phone from my back pocket, then I scroll through the texts from Shelby.

Shelby: HELP!

Shelby: The dishwasher is overflowing. The kitchen is flooded.

Shelby: I don’t know what 2 do! Come home!

Christ!I grab my bag from under the counter and head for the stairs to find Marnie. I’m texting Shelby as I run.

Me: Turn off the water

William is beside me, his long legs easily keeping stride, but I can’t be bothered with him. This is one of the main reasons I don’t want a relationship. I have way too much shit on my plate.

Shelby: How?

Fuck!I knew I should have shown her how to turn the water off. The last time this happened it had been the washing machine, but I’d been home.

Me: Is Til there?

Shelby: At work

Goddammit! When the washing machine flooded, the wall had buckled. I had to pay to replace it. The cost had been astronomical.

Me: Google it! It’s right outside the house on the side near the living room. U need a wrench

Shelby is more creatively inclined. I doubt she will even look for it. I double time to the offices on the first floor in search of Marnie. Thankfully, I find her at the main reference desk, sitting next to Claire. I didn’t even know she was working today, but I don’t spare anytime time for hellos.

“Marnie, I have an emergency. I have to leave.”

The dark-skinned beauty looks over, then her gaze falls behind me. I look over my shoulder, surprised to see William. I had forgotten about him.

“What’s wrong?” She asks, her gaze back on me.

I huff because I don’t have time for this, but I need this job. “My sister just texted saying there is an emergency. I have to go home.”

“Go,” she says firmly. “Call me if you need anything.”

I’m not sure what she thinks she can do, but I’m grateful for not being raked over the coals. I dash for the doors when I notice William still on my heels.

“Look! I gotta go. I can’t play tonight,” I say, glaring up at him.

“Who said anything about playing?”

“I need to go,” I state, walking briskly ahead of him.

“I’m coming with you.”

We’ve reached the doors, and I’ve had about enough. “And what the fuck are you gonna do? I told you I don’t need or want a boyfriend! Go away!”

My voice is louder than intended, and I take a deep breath to calm my nerves. People are looking at us.

“I’m sorry. I… I have to go home. The dishwasher is flooding, and my sister doesn’t know how to turn the water off.”

William moves closer. “I can help.”

My eyes roll. “How?”

“Do you know anything about pumps or drainage?”

That sounds important. “No.”

“Then let me come with you. I do know about pumps and drainage.”

My head drops to my chest. I do need help, but things are already going too far.

“Fine, but you’ll have to find your own way home.”

He takes a deep breath, and his eyes seem to glow with inner intent. “Okay. I got it. Let’s go.”

I rush toward the parking structure nearest the Cooper building, where my shit heap of a car is parked. Shelby hasn’t texted since the last frantic message. Maybe she’s Googling right now. I don’t know. I just need to get home as soon as possible.

When I jump into the driver’s seat, William knocks on the passenger window. I sigh. I could drive off, but… I don’t want to, and I lean over to unlock the passenger door.

The electrics quit long ago. Shelby had super glued an Iron Man Pez head on the inside of the passenger door. It was a huge gag in the family. But now I’m embarrassed as William eases his long body into my crappy car.

I offer him another way out. “You really don’t have to come.”

“I want to,” he simply says.

Exhaling a loud breath, I turn the key in the ignition. “Well okay then, I guess we’re off.”

* * *

William

This wasn’thow the night was supposed to go. I’d hoped to spend time with Analise at the library, then coax her to a small diner near campus that stayed opened until midnight. Instead, we’re speeding down the highway toward her home.

The engine is whining, drowning out the slight music from the barely functioning radio. Her transmission sounds terrible. I guess within a month or two her car will be inoperable. At the speed she’s driving, probably sooner.

My brother drove like a crazy person when he could still drive. I’m used to speed, but Analise’s driving is on another level. I clench the arm rest, praying we make it in one piece. She swerving around cars, and I’m scared to death we’re going to crash.

After a hair-raising twenty minutes, we finally pull into the driveway of a ramshackle two-story ranch-style home.

Analise stops the car so suddenly we’re lurched forward with momentum. Taking a deep breath, I’m glad we’re alive. Before I know it, she’s out of the car, disappearing around the corner of the house. I run after her, but she returns seconds later with a wrench in her hand. I stand behind her as she crouches to turn off what I assume to be the main water valve. It’s stuck, and she’s cursing a blue streak.

“Let me help,” I say, kneeling next to her.

Her shoulders slump as she hands me the tool. “I can’t move it.”

The wheel handle must have broken, which explains why she has to use the wrench. I use the closed end to turn the nut clockwise. There’s a bit of corrosion from leakage. She’ll need to replace it sooner rather than later; though I’m able to loosen the nut, then gingerly rotate it to shut off the valve. After the first turn, the bolt moves easily for the second rotation.

Analise gasps, then yells, “Shel! Is the water off?”

“Yep,” a distant voice from inside the house answers.

“Get the rags and the bucket!” Analise shouts back, then she stares at me. “Thank you. I can drive you back to campus… if you want.”

“No, let me see your dishwasher.”

Analise looks off to the side, staring at something in the distance. Then she puffs a breath of air. “My house isn’t in the best of shape.”

Sniggering, I stare at her. “I grew up with ten people in two double wides. I’ll be okay.”

More than anything I want to forget the circumstances of my birth, but with Analise it’s the connection we share. I remind her often that we’re not so different.

“Fine,” she concedes. “But the house is a mess. No judgement.”

I stand to my feet. I’ve always had quick reflexes for my size. Offering her a hand, I help her stand.

She stares up at me, her eyes glistening. “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For… being here, I guess.”

Leaning down to kiss her, I’m stopped by a voice on our left. “Uh… Lise?”

A petite young girl with auburn hair and blue-gray eyes stares at us. Undoubtedly, she’s Analise’s sister, Shelby. I’ve heard a bit about her, but the resemblance is uncanny.

Analise steps back. “Yeah? What’s up?”

Shelby’s ambient eyes shift between us. “Never mind. Me and Nate will get the water cleaned up.”

Shelby turns suddenly, leaving us alone.

“I think she’s going to gossip about me,” Analise mutters.

“Really?”

“Trust me. She’s on the phone with Tildee right now. She’ll be making an appearance shortly.”

I laugh because she sounds worried. “Well, let’s give them something to talk about.”

Grabbing her hand, I follow in the direction her sister went until I find a small veranda leading to the front door. Like the rest of the house, it’s seen better days. I notice some buckling in the planks above and remnants of a hornet nest.

Opening the front door, I wait for Analise to enter. She steps in front of me over the threshold where two pairs of curious eyes wait for our arrival. I recognize Shelby from our previous encounter, and I gather the young pre-teen boy must be Nathan. He’s big for his age, standing a few inches taller than both of his sisters. He’d do well in sports

“Uh… this is William,” Analise says haltingly. She glances at me before saying, “William, this is my sister, Shelby, and my brother, Nate.”

Shelby smiles as she wriggles her fingers in a greeting. “Hey!”

Nate lifts his chin but stays silent.

“William’s going to look at the dishwasher,” Analise finishes.

Shelby wrings her hands. “I turned it on and went to my room. When I came back the entire kitchen was flooded.”

“It’s probably something simple, like the drainage gate,” I assure her.

Shelby is really a spitting image of Analise, though her tresses are a darker shade. Nate’s hair is jet black, though he still has the same blue-steel eyes as his sisters.

Those eyes are currently glaring in my direction.

“What’s he doing here?” He accusingly asks.

“I told you. He’s here to look at the dishwasher.”

“Why can’t you call a plumber?”

Analise sniffs in disdain. “Because plumbers cost money we don’t have.”

“Whatever. I’ll be in my room.” Then he stomps off, disappearing down a hallway.

Analise casts a sideward glance at me. “I’m giving you one last chance to leave.”

I laugh. It will take more than a twelve-year-old to stop me. “Lead the way.”

The kitchen is next to the living room. It’s a decent size, but like the rest of the house, it could use with some upgrades and a fresh coat of paint.

The flooding from the dishwasher must have been severe. A dark wet spot stains the gray carpet in front of the entrance. I have to step over a few puddles to get to the machine.

There’s a larger pool of water in front of the sink. “Do you have some tools and a flashlight?” I ask, looking over my shoulder at Analise.

She’s staring at me intensely, eyes wide. “Uh… yeah. Hold on.”

After she dashes off, I look over to where Shelby’s standing, leaning against the counter. She’s smiling at me like the Cheshire Cat.

This is… awkward.

“So, Shelby, what grade are you in?”

Analise had told me she was in eleventh grade, but I’m trying to make small talk until her sister returns.

“Eleventh,” she chirps, then she tilts her head to the side, appraising me from head to toe. “Do you play football?”

Football’s a suitable topic. “Yes.”

“What position?”

“Defensive End.”

Her head tilts to the other side. “You any good?”

I chuckle. “I think so.”

“Why haven’t you invited Analise to any of your games?”

Sensing I may have an ally, I quickly retort, “I’ve invited her many times. I told her she could even bring you and your brother if she wants.”

Shelby looks aghast, but before she can reply, Analise returns with a bunch of towels and a toolbox. She looks first at Shelby, then at me. “What?”

“I want to go to one of his games,” Shelby cries.

Analise looks at me sternly. “Thanks a lot.”

I shrug. “She asked. I answered.”

“Here,” she says, handing me the tool box. “There’s a flashlight inside. I’ll clean up the water.”

She throws down a couple of towels to sop up the puddle, and uses her feet to wipe away the larger spills. After she’s done, she lays down a dry linen blanket in front of the dishwasher.

I locate a flashlight in the toolbox and open the dishwasher gingerly to inspect inside. As expected, a gush of water rushes out and I quickly close it. The once dry towel is soaked.

“Where’s the switch for your garbage disposal?” I ask. If it’s a common blockage, that should help to drain the water inside.

Analise blushes and looks away. “It doesn’t work.”

Which likely explains the blockage. “Is there a Home Depot nearby? I can replace it with a new one.”

“Google says there’s one about 15 miles from here,” Shelby helpfully volunteers.

Analise’s right foot taps. “How much do they cost?”

I’ve already decided I’m going to buy it for her. The question is how I can get past her stubborn pride. “You can get a decent one for about $100.”

Just then a tall, lovely caramel beauty enters the kitchen in a rush, phone in hand. This must be Tildee—the sister from another mister. Analise has told me a lot about her.

Tildee has long, dark hair that hangs nearly to her waist, and her eyes are a fascinating shade of green and golden. She could be a model.

Her vibrant stare looks me up and down in an appraising manner and she says, “You must be William.”

“And you must be Tildee,” I answer.

Tildee glances at Analise, who shuffles beside me. “So nice to meet you, William.”

“Will. It seems only my grandmother and Analise like to call me William.”

“His friends call him Gilly,” Analise snorts.

“That’s a terrible nickname. I like Will. Unless you want to be called Willy, because I refuse to call you Gilly. That sounds like a girl’s nickname.”

I can’t help laughing. “Whatever suits you.”

“Will was just telling Lise that we need a garbage disposal,” Shelby offers.

“I’ve been telling her it needs to be replaced. It doesn’t work and every once in a while it kicks up a terrible odor.”

Again, likely why the dishwasher had flooded. The drainage pipe was probably filled with food. “Replacing the garbage disposal should help. I can’t guarantee anything, but it’s the likely culprit. She’ll need a new one.”

Three pairs of eyes stare at me. Analise looks wary, but Shelby and Tildee are smiling mischievously.

“Shel? I think you and Nate should sleep over at my house. Let your sister handle this without interruption.”

Shelby grins widely. “Yep. I’ll get Nate.”

I wanted to grunt and high-five both Tildee and Shelby. Clearly, they’re on my side.

“Are you sure?” Analise asks.

“Yes. You guys go to Home Depot. The kids can have movie night and a sleepover. I’ll order pizza. In the morning I’ll drop them off at school like regular.”

“Let me give you some money for the pizza,” Analise offers.

“Nope, I got it. You and Will get going. Text me if you need anything.”

Shelby and Tildee bare their teeth in enormous smiles. I resist joining them because I couldn’t have planned this any better.

Tonight, I will take Analise to a soft bed. I’m going to strip her bare and eat her pussy until I’ve had my fill. I’m going to do all the things I dreamed about.

I can’t wait!