CHAPTER 38

About five that evening, I knew I had to face the inevitable, so I got up, took a shower and dressed. Ashley was already in her room, showering and dressing. I was waiting in the family room when she came out. She looked amazing, but then again, she almost always did. But for some reason, tonight, she went way past just amazing. She was wearing a very tight pair of jeans, the legs tucked inside of almost knee high, suede black boots. She had on a black very tight tank top, her hair pulled back in a black satin ribbon. I am sure, every man at the lake tonight would be eyeing her up.

"I'm going to drive, is that ok with you ? That way, I can have a daquiri or two, if I need you to drive home you can.", she asked.

"Sure , no problem.", I answered.

We locked up, climbed into her SUV, which was new, this would be my first time to ride in it, and headed out to the lake. It was about a twenty minute ride, we talked mostly about my next year up at school and what my expectations were. By the time we arrived out at the lake, there was a large crowd already assembled, the parking areas were almost full. The police officer directed us to one of the back lots to park in, Ashely pulled in and found one of the last few spot. We got out, I unloaded the folding chairs and locked the car. We walked quite a way's before coming to the main area, near the north end of the lake. Tents and a stage had been set up, there were well over a thousand people there already. I followed Ashley as she made her way through the crowd, stopping and chatting with people here and there. She finally made her way to an open area near a large tree, she showed me where to open up and set the chairs. I did as she wanted me to, I sat down on ine of the chairs. Ashley was still talking to a few parents and students about school activities, something which seemed so far removed from just a few years ago. I was just sitting there, looking out over the lake, not paying much mind to anyone. I had been there a few minutes when Jasmin's dad walked up next to me.

"Hello Brian, how have you been ?", he said , extending his hand.

"I'm doing well Mr. Thomas, how about you sir ?", I answered.

"Fine, son, just fine. I watched you play a few times this year, you had a great season, I was impressed.", he stated.

"Thank you sir, we just fell a little short.", I answered.

"Maybe, but you gave a good account of yourself. Keep that kind of effort up and I might be watching you play on Sundays one day." he said.

"I hope so Mr. Thomas.", I replied.

We talked for a few more minutes, he excused himself and walked over to another group of people. Over the next few hours I talked with Jasmin, Kelly, Devon and a few other people that I had went to school, with that were either back in town for the summer, or were not going to college and had stayed home. It was getting close to ten o'clock, the fire works show would be starting shortly. I was once again seated in my chair, as Ashley was her's next to me. I had noticed she was drinking daquiri's most of the day, I could tell although, she was far from drunk, she was feeling quite well. I had also noticed this one guy, who had been hanging around her all night long. I didn't recognize him so I figured he had to be new to town, or perhaps Ashley had been seeing him for a while, I had no idea. Just before the fireworks began, I got up and walked to one of the booths to get a Coke. On the way over I noticed Courtney was with Darren over by the stage, he was surrounded by his "crew', as I called them. Theses were all guys who had played a little ball in high school but never moved on to college. They were trapped here, trying to relive their glory days, refusing to accept that they had become adults and it was time to grow up. I saw a few of them looking at me as I crossed in front of the stage wealking toward the refreshment booths. I just looked away, the last thing I needed was a confrontation with a pack of idiots tonight. I was standing in one of the two lines waiting to be served when I heard them walk up behind me and get into line. They were talking real loud, trying to get my attention, hoping I would react to what they were saying. I ignored them and continued to move forward in line, waiting on my turn. I was finally served, paid the lady and turned to walk back to Ashley when one of them spoke up.

"Well I'll be dammed, it's the superstar gracing us with his prescence tonight.", he said, in a loud voice.

The rest of his buddies, which I counted quickly numbered five, all roared in laughter. I knew who this guy was, we graduated together, but ran in different circles. Most of the group I knew from school, only one was a stranger.

"So Stevens, tell us how it feels to be a big football star.", he chanted.

I stopped briefly and looked in his direction, he immediately took a defensive posture.

"Let it go buddy. Trust me, it won't get you a thing, other than injured.", I said calmly.

"Ooh, now we are scared.", he said, mocking me.

"Of course you are, that's why you need five guys behind you to talk to me. That's obvious.", I answered.

By now the crowd that gathered around this encounter was growing. They whooped after my last comment, trying to egg him on.

"I don't need anyone to handle you boy.", he shot back, angry with my reply and the crowd's reaction.

"I'm right over there when you're ready.", I said, pointing to where Ashley and I were sitting.

By this time, someone must have gotten one of the police officers who were working the celebration to hustle over. One of them stepped inside of the crowd and made his way over to me quickly.

"Is there a problem here ?", he asked sternly.

"Not with me, check with him.", I said walking away.

I saw the police officer talking to several people in the group after I left, I guess he was trying to get a feel for what was going on. By now the fireworks had started, most of the crowd was surrounding the lake watching the show. It lasted about forty five minutes, it was close to eleven o'clock when everyone started picking up their things. I grabbed both chairs, Ashley and I headed back to her car. I loaded the chairs into the back of her SUV, then closed the window.

"You want me to drive Ashley ?", I asked.

She thought for a second, then reached into her pocket, tossing me the keys. We got in the vehicle, I backed out and waited in line to pull out of the loot. It took close to ten minutes before we were actually back on the road and headed home. I could tell that Ashley had enjoyed herself, she was all smiles.

"Who was that guy that you were talking to most of the night ?", I asked.

"Oh that's Bill. He works at the computer store in town. I met him a few months ago.", she answered.

"Well I think Bill likes you quite a bit, Ashley.", I laughed.

"Bill is engaged to be married, silly.", she chuckled back.

"Well you coulda fooled me.", I shot back.

She turned to me with a devilish grin, reached across and put her hand on my thigh and gently squeezed it.

"Hmmmmm, sounds like somebody's jealous to me.", she laughed.

I had no reply for that remark. I just grinned foolishly and turned my eyes back to the road. Was she right ? Was I actually jealous he was talking to her ? Did I really have those kinds of feelings for Ashley ? As quickly as those thoughts raced through my head, I was snapped back to the reality that Ashley's hand was still on my leg. A few moments later she pulled it back, but I was tingling from head to toe by then. As I turned on the main highway through town, we would be home in a just a few minutes.

"How about we get a cup of coffee before going home ?", Ashley asked.

"I guess so.", I answered.

We were only a block or so from the diner, so we arrived quickly. It was almost empty, everyone was still out at the lake or heading home. We walked and found a booth near the middle of the room, sliding in quickly. Ashley was seated across from me, she seemed like a school girl out on a date. She was all smiles, her face glowing, a sparkle in her eyes. We ordered two cups of coffee, which arrived quickly. I had just put crème and sugar in mine, when she spoke up.

"I had a nice time tonight, thank you Brian.", she said softly.

"You're welcome.", I answered.

"So did it really bother you watching me talk to Bill ?", she laughed.

"Oh Ashley, stop. I was just asking.", I said, annoyed.

"Maybe I was trying to make you jealous.", she said, as she laughed a bit louder than normal.

"And maybe, Ashley had one too many daquiri's tonight, as well.", I answered back, trying to end this conversation.

"Hmmmmmmm maybe Ashley did, but is that a bad thing ?", she inquired.

"Yes, that's a bad thing, now drink your coffee.", I replied.

She continued her relentless teasing of me for close to forty minutes as we were on our third cup of coffee. As we were finishing up, I noticed I could feel the toe of her boot, rubbing up and down gently on my ankle. As odd as it should have felt, it didn't, I was on fire from my head to my toe. I just had no idea if Ashley was serious about her intentions, or as was probably the case, just had a bit too much to drink. I got up and went and paid for the coffee, she got up and followed me out. I opened her door and she slid into the SUV's bucket seat easily, I closed the door behind her. As I walked around to the driver's door, I was trying desperately to sort this situation out. Was I really contemplating a sexual relationship with my father's widow ? Or was she even really seriously pursuing me ? I opened the driver's door and climbed in, starting the engine. As I buckled my seat belt, there was no doubt she was leaning my way in the seat. I pulled out of the parking lot and headed home, I decided to keep quiet for the rest of the drive.