Her Striker by Charlene Raquel

Chapter Nine

 

 

Sam fell back onto Gwen’s bed with a dramatic flair. “I can’t believe classes start in two days.”

“I know. Our last year here. It’s gone by so quickly.” Gwen dumped her backpack out on her desk. A large amount of sand came out with the contents. “Whoops.”

Sam shook her head. “You’ve got sand everywhere.”

Gwen grinned. “The beach was awesome. I’m so glad we met your family on Long Beach Island.”

Sam rolled her eyes. “It’s called the ‘shore’ in New Jersey, not the beach.” Sam’s parents owned a beach house in Surf City on Long Beach Island in New Jersey. It was a quieter beach that was more family-friendly, without a boardwalk or a large bar scene.

“It’s got sand, an ocean, way too many tourists, and smokin’ hot lifeguards. That’s a beach.” Gwen walked into her bathroom and dumped the rest of the sand into the tub. “I’m going to need to wash this or the rest of the semester my books will be gritty.”

Sam twisted her new shell bracelet she had gotten at one of the beach stores. “Are you going to practice today?”

Gwen flopped down on the bed next to Sam. “Yeah. I have to leave in about fifteen minutes.”

“You’re going to be late.”

Gwen sighed. She wasn’t in the mood to play tennis today. Sometimes she loved it and other times, it was a chore. “Nah. I’ll be fine. I don’t have to coach anyone today or tomorrow though.”

“That’s cool. I don’t go back to the diner until next week.” Sam sat up and hopped off the bed. “Let’s do something fun tonight.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

 

~*~*~

 

Two and a half hours later, Gwen contemplated using Clarissa’s head as a ball to wipe the condescending smirk off her face. She couldn’t imagine how anyone could possibly go through life as nasty as Clarissa.

She shoved everything in her duffle bag, glanced around to make sure none of the coaches needed her for anything and made a beeline to the gate. She needed a dose of fun to shake off her frustrated mood.

Shouldering the bag and carrying her now empty water bottle, she slipped out of the courts and onto the sidewalk. Head down, she hurried away before anyone noticed, only to run directly into a strong, muscular chest.

Gwen nearly bounced off the hard body, causing her to take an embarrassed step backward. “Oh! I’m so sorry.”

Strong hands gripped her upper arms and didn’t seem to want to let go. “You can run into me anytime.”

Cloying cologne wafted from the man who held her. Gwen recognized the man but had never spoken to him. She gave a weak smile and tried to step back.

He held on tight. “I didn’t realize how good you were. We watched your last set.”

“Oh, thanks, uh...” Gwen stepped back, and he released her. She noticed he was standing next to another man, who shoved him out of the way so he could stand before her.

“Don’t mind him. He gets mesmerized by beautiful women.” He winked at her and held out his hand. “I’m Parker. Adrian caught you but held on a bit too long.” He looked at her expectantly.

Adrian chuckled. “I can’t help if damsels in distress throw themselves into my arms.”

Gwen held in her sigh. Adrian reminded her of the men that her father surrounded himself with. She channeled all of the manners that had been drilled into her over the years. “Nice to meet you.”

Parker angled himself in front of his friend. “Don’t listen to him. He thinks he’s hilarious. We were watching your practice, and he was right even though he told you with a backhanded compliment. You are very good.”

“She ought to be. Her scholarship requires her to maintain one of the top spots on the team,” Ted Hall, the Athletic Director announced as he walked up and joined them. “It also requires her to attend certain events.”

Gwen couldn’t stomach the short, balding, weasel-like man who demanded that everyone call him coach even though he had not coached a team in years. His sweat-stained shirt barely covered his potbelly and frequently went untucked. Gwen gave him a forced half-smile.

Ted stared at her, trying to intimidate her. He turned to the two men with her. “Adrian, Parker.”

“Coach.” Both men murmured flatly.

Gwen scanned the area, looking for a way to escape. She didn’t want to be anywhere near Ted or Adrian. Parker seemed okay so far, but she knew that could change in an instant.

Parker moved closer to Gwen, partially blocking her from Ted. “Coach, don’t you have a lot to do to get ready for tonight?”

Ted frowned at Parker. “Yes, yes. Last-minute donors’ party at the Athletic Club.”

Adrian slapped Ted on the back. “Don’t want to disappoint your benefactors.”

Gwen could feel the tension building. The Athletic Club was a private and exclusive clubhouse on the top floor of the fieldhouse that overlooked the football and soccer fields. It had an incredible view of the campus. She had never been there and as far as she could tell, only those with old money and connections attended, not lowly scholarship students.

Ted shifted from foot to foot. “I assume you told her?”

Adrian glared and clipped. “Not yet.”

Ted visibly swallowed and started to drip sweat from his forehead.

Parker turned his back on Ted. “Gwen, I was just going to ask you if you wanted to attend the donors’ event tonight with me. Some of the top athletes will be there along with the student government members, and club and Greek leaders.”

Gwen’s eyes grew large. The last thing she wanted to do was attend anything with donors. “Oh, uh.”

Ted hurried around Parker. “You have no choice but to be there. Your scholarship depends on it.”

Gwen hated feeling forced to do anything. Ted’s arrogance and manipulation soured the area. “I didn’t know anything about an event tonight.”

Ted’s face turned red. “You do what you’re told, girl.”

Her eyes darted around the three men, each wearing varying expressions of distaste. Adrian looked like he could commit murder. Parker took a menacing step toward Ted but stopped at the slight shake of Adrian’s head. Ted continued to glare at Gwen. She had no idea what was going on.

Parker put his arm around Gwen and turned her toward the parking lot, steering her around Ted. He leaned close to her ear. “Don’t say anything, and keep walking. I’ll get us out of here.”

She wanted to get away from Ted, so she allowed him to lead her. “Thanks.” Gwen glanced back and saw a heated discussion between Coach Ted and Adrian.

Parker pulled her behind a large van and out of sight of the tennis courts. “Coach has always been a jerk.”

Gwen gave another half-smile. No way was she saying anything about the athletic director. She didn’t know Parker and didn’t trust him.

“I’m sorry you felt uncomfortable back there. Adrian always comes on strong and conceited. He’s harmless.”

Gwen arced a brow. “What about you?”

Parker grinned at her. “I’m the charming one who is hoping to escort you to the event we must attend tonight.”

She took a step back and blurted, “Why?”

Parker chuckled. “Because we are both stuck going, and I would like to get to know you.”

Gwen took the time to really look at him for the first time. Parker had the whole sexy, preppy thing going. Sandy brown hair that had natural golden highlights from being out in the sun. He was lean and muscular with a swimmer’s body, although his arms were a little thicker than most swimmers had. Brown eyes sparkled at her as she continued her assessment.

“Like what you see?” Parker smirked at her discomfort. He didn’t wait for an answer. “In that case, you’ll agree to go with me.”

Gwen’s cheeks reddened. She was totally checking him out in front of him. What was wrong with her? She finally found her voice. “Why are you going?”

Parker reached out and brushed a wisp of hair off her face, pretending not to notice when she leaned away from him. “Adrian and I are on the rowing team. We have to go, too. Come on, we can suffer through it together.”

“I don’t know.” He was handsome and polished. Too polished. Warning lights were flashing in her head.

“Give me a chance to prove to you that I’m a good guy. It’s a public place, and tons of people will be there. You’ll be completely safe, and we can get to know each other.” Sparkling white straight teeth grinned at her.

“Uhhh. Okay.”

Parker gave her a huge smile. “Excellent. Can I pick you up?”

Gwen shook her head and crossed her arms. “No. That’s okay. I’ll meet you there.” There was no way she would get into a vehicle with someone she didn’t know.

Parker ran a hand through his hair.  “You win. I’ll meet you there.”

Gwen hurried to her car and drove away.

Parker was watching her pull away from the parking lot when Adrian approached.

“Did she agree to go with you?”

Parker glanced at his friend. “Yeah, but she’s meeting me there.”

“That wasn’t the plan.” Adrian leaned toward him.

Parker blew out a breath. “She was freaked out. I couldn’t push her anymore.”

“Don’t blow this. You better turn on the charm tonight.”

 

~*~*~

 

“Ugh! I have nothing to wear.” Gwen’s closet floor was filling up with discarded clothes she pulled from the hangers. “I would much rather hang out with you than go to this stupid thing.”

“We can hang out tomorrow night. I’m going to work a shift tonight at the diner since you have the party.” Sam rolled her eyes. “You have a dress right there that you refuse to wear. It’s perfect.”

“I do not.” Gwen stubbornly passed the deep purple halter dress as she moved hangers from one side of the closet to the next.

Sam put her hands on Gwen’s shoulders and moved her out of the way. She reached up and pulled the eggplant dress off the rack and held it up. “Try it on.”

Gwen groaned. “I never should have let you talk me into getting it. It’s short.”

Sam handed her the dress. “You have incredible legs. Show them off. You’ll give the lecherous old men something to stare at.”

“Oh yeah, when you put it that way, I really want to wear it.” She started to trudge toward her bathroom.

“Parker will like it.”

Gwen stopped and turned around. “You don’t even know him.”

“I know who he is. Everyone does. That guy is hot and one of the best on crew. I can’t believe you didn’t know who he was. You’re probably the only female on campus who doesn’t. The rowing crew men are always hot.”

“I don’t pay attention to stuff like that.”

“I know, you have no idea what is going on around you. Girl, your head is always in the clouds.” Sam gave her a small push. “Go try it on. I have high heel sandals that will go with that dress perfectly.”