Upon arrival, I immediately scanned for Carter and spotted him on the sideline, observing the boys' warm-up alongside another guy. His demeanor exuded ease and confidence, clad in cargo shorts, Nikes, a red team shirt, and sunglasses. Leon joined him, and I followed Roxanna to our seats, opting for a spot behind Shana.
"Hello, you two," greeted Shana cheerily. "Dave, you know Racqelle. This is her friend Katy."
"Nice to meet you," he politely acknowledged, his arm draped around Shana's waist. I reciprocated the greeting with a smile, and as the game was about to begin, my focus returned to the field. Carter and Leon remained stationed, observing the match alongside other parents.
"Men," Shana sighed, playfully shaking her head. She grinned while watching Carter guide CJ from the sideline. I found it endearing, even if the coaching seemed somewhat ineffective. The kids needed constant reminders to hold their positions and avoid chasing after the ball.
Less charming, however, was the woman standing beside Carter, enthusiastically cheering on her son. She sported jean shorts and the team shirt, a look that would have been inappropriate on me but appeared chic and casual on her petite frame. She bounced up and down, frequently clutching Carter's arm at every turn—an exasperating sight. During the break, Shana and Dave headed to the concession stand for water.
"Is that her boyfriend?" I inquired about Roxanna as soon as they left.
"Yep. They've been on and off for a while. It seems pretty serious now," Roxanna informed me.
"I see," I responded simply. "Did you find it odd how she introduced me as your friend?"
Roxanna gave me a pointed look before replying. "How else should she introduce you? As CJ's babysitter during her affair, or as Carter's rebound from her? Think about it."
I was taken aback by her frankness and shifted slightly away. Her words were starkly honest, even for her. "I don't know, maybe as Carter's friend, given the circumstances. Do you think he's aware of…"
"It doesn't matter," Roxanna scolded, interrupting me. "The past is the past. It doesn't affect their relationship now, so why should it matter to him? Don't dwell on it; it'll just make you seem petty."
I chose not to respond. I understood not to bring it up. Feeling criticized and irked, I pulled out my phone and texted Josiah.
Me: What are you up to? Can you come to rescue me?
I pretended to be engrossed in my phone until the break ended. I silently hoped for a text from Josiah, with no intention of enduring more of Roxanna's condescension. Leon, Shana, and Dave rejoined us in the stands, and as the game resumed, my phone beeped, indicating a new message.
Josiah: I can't resist helping a damsel in distress. What's the mission today? Evil witch? Dragon? Ferocious beast?
Me: All of the above - Roxanna.
Josiah: Haha, alright. Let's skip the heroic imagery. Send me the address, and I'll sneak you out.
I grinned and sent him the details. After the game concluded (with CJ's team winning 2-1), Shana mingled with other parents by the field's end. Once it was over, refreshments were distributed to the kids. I joined in to congratulate CJ.
"Great game, CJ!" I exclaimed, bending down to give him a hug. He beamed before grabbing a juice box and running off with a teammate. Roxanna conversed with Shana, and I glanced over at Carter.
"So, you're one of those parents, huh?" I teased.
"I'm not sure what you mean," he replied, curiosity evident in his gaze.
"Oh, come on. Sideline coaching, shouting, post-game skirmishes," I playfully accused.
"It's never escalated that far, though I can understand the temptation," he retorted, smirking. I chuckled, tucking a loose strand of hair from my limp bun behind my ear. Despite feeling sticky and sweaty, his focus on my ear and neck made me acutely aware and slightly aroused.
My musings were interrupted by the woman who had been vying for Carter's attention earlier. She distributed treat bags to the players' siblings, then turned to Carter. "Anyone wants one?"
"No, thanks, Karen," Carter declined. I shook my head, and Carter turned to me. "Are you sure? They have fruit snacks in them."
His consideration of my fondness for gummy candies brought a smile to my face, reigniting the slight arousal I felt. Memories of a shared late-night rendezvous involving gummy candies danced through my mind.
***Flashback***
April 2012
"Are you alright?" I inquired of Carter, our bodies resting on my bed while we indulged in an episode of Family Guy. This had become our customary routine. His late-night calls were unmistakable as anything but a rendezvous, typically after I finished work. However, despite our arrangement, I was still navigating the nuances of our newfound intimacy. The initial time he visited post-agreement, I found myself suggesting we watch television in my room, my usual way of unwinding after a night at the bar. While animated adult cartoons weren't exactly to his taste, he found amusement in my knowledge of the lines, often leading to fits of laughter that left me in tears – or even snorting. It was a comforting moment that relaxed both of us, paving the way for our passionate encounters.
But tonight was different. Carter had fallen unusually quiet. He stared fixedly at the TV, even during a commercial break. Normally, by the first break, his arms would have encircled me, and our lips would have met until the show resumed. By the second interval, we'd be entwined, our hands exploring each other beneath our clothing. The desire to switch off the television would mount, though we never did; we maintained our restraint until the show's conclusion. The anticipation itself became an intoxicating aphrodisiac.
"Could we skip TV tonight?" he asked, sidestepping my initial question as he finally turned his gaze toward me. His expression was inscrutable, but the intensity of his eyes was palpable – a look I'd never seen before. I swallowed hard, offering a nod in response. He wasted no time, swiftly removing my t-shirt to reveal a simple black bra. As his fingers moved to unclasp it, I reached for the remote. The room was always dimly lit.
Yet, before I could locate the remote, Carter discarded my bra and pushed me onto the bed. I felt the remote press into my back, my hand instinctively reaching for it. However, before I could turn off the television, Carter stripped himself of his shirt and pants. His silhouette in the TV's glow was enough to make me abandon my desire for darkness. He slipped off my shorts, positioning himself over me. His touch teased me through my panties, which he yanked away impatiently. Though our encounters were typically enthusiastic, his current demeanor was an unprecedented mix of urgency and roughness. Strangely, it ignited unexpected arousal within me, leaving me eager for him.
"Where's the condom I left?" He inquired gruffly, clearly as ready as I was.
"Nightstand," I gasped out, nodding toward the bedside table beside us.
Reaching over, he pulled open the drawer, retrieving a package. He paused, a flicker of confusion on his face. My eyes followed his, and my embarrassment soared as I saw a Scooby-Doo fruit snack package instead of a condom. I attempted to snatch it from his grasp, but he was quicker.
"CJ picked them out!" I blurted out, throwing CJ under the bus, feeling my cheeks heat up.
He burst into laughter. "That doesn't explain why they're in here," he finally managed through his mirth.
"I… um, I like gummy bears. They're my favorite candy. It's nostalgic for me," I stammered, my defense feeling feeble. I had a serious weakness for any kind of gummy candy.
"I get gummy bears, baby, but these aren't gummy bears," he chuckled, sitting up on his knees.
My blush deepened, and my face likely resembled a tomato. His dismantling of my flimsy argument wasn't the only cause; his use of the word "baby" was a first. "Well, whatever. They're similar. They're gummy, and they taste better," I huffed, hoping my complexion would cool down.
With a mischievous glint in his eyes, he tore open the package. My gaze locked on him, half-expecting him to pop one into his mouth for a taste comparison. However, he did something entirely unexpected: he placed a fruit snack on my nipple. It was only then that I realized I was completely naked. Carter, however, was acutely aware. Another fruit snack landed on my other nipple, then on my stomach, followed by two on my navel. My mind whirred, attempting to process his actions as he placed one between my legs. Before I could fully comprehend, his mouth enveloped my candy-covered nipple, swirling his tongue around it before biting it gently, grazing my nipple with his teeth. A gasp escaped me, a wave of heat spreading through my body, intensifying the throb between my legs to an almost frantic pulse.
I observed as he chewed and swallowed the fruit snack. "You're right. They do taste better," he proclaimed, before shifting his attention to my other nipple.
My responses became a tangled mix of agreement and encouragement as he sucked on the candy and my nipple in tandem. I lost my ability to speak as he traversed my body, consuming each fruit snack with the same captivating technique. By the time he reached the last piece, positioning himself between my thighs, I was aflame with desire, yearning for release. A mixture of surprise and pleasure erupted from me as he licked his way upward, culminating with him taking the last candy into his mouth. My hips bucked against him, a rhythm I couldn't suppress, gyrating towards his touch.