Courtney jumped up, grabbed me by the hand pulling me up. We walked into the formal living area and sat down next to each other. Courtney began asking questions about school as well, although I really think she had other things on her mind. She seemed extremely relieved when I told her just how hectic my days were, I barely had time for myself. She chimed in that she had been working in her Dad's office, she had been very busy trying to learn the business. She made sure to tell me she had not been out on a date since I had left town.
Just about that time her Mother called out that dinner was ready, everyone gathering in the large dining room. Courtney and I were seated at one end of the table together, across from her parents. Conversation was mostly adult oriented, business, family and friends dominated the conversation. Finally as I knew he would, Courtney's Dad interjected football into the night's conversation.
"So Brian, any idea if you will get to play next year ?", he asked.
"No sir, not really. I am rotating with the first unit in practice, I am getting a lot of reps, but the competition is unreal.", I answered.
"Oh come on Brian. You're telling me the defensive line is that good, to the point you can't start next year ?", he laughed.
"Yes sir, it's that good. In fact I have heard the coaches say a few times, we could be the best defense in the country next year.", I replied, "We should average 290 lbs. up front and our backers are all over 250 lbs and quite fast."
"That's unreal.", he said, shaking his head.
Courtney's Mom once again reeled her husband in, taking the topic away from football. We finished dinner, the ladies all helped clean up before rejoining us in the family room. Courtney and I had planned to go out the next evening alone, so I decided to call it a night early. I thanked her mom for a nice dinner and walked with Courtney out to my truck.
"I will see you tomorrow night.", Courtney said softly, wrapping her arms around me, kissing me softly on the lips.
I slept in late the next morning, getting up about nine o'clock. Ashley was in the kitchen, grading papers, drinking a cup of coffee. I poured a cup of coffee and joined her at the table. She asked how my evening had been, I recalled the details to her, although it was really bland to say the least. I picked Courtney up that evening and we went to the seven o'clock show at the local theater. She looked really good, she had on a short jean skirt, a white sweater and suede brown boots. I could see several guys eyeing her up as we walked into the theater, she knew it too. Don't let anyone fool you, beautiful girls know you're watching, whether they let on or not.
We sat in the last row, in the middle of the room, we were alone in the row. She held my hand throughout the entire show, almost as she was afraid I was going to run off somewhere. After the show we went to the local diner for a hamburger and fries, arriving just before ten. The place was packed, I saw a lot of familiar faces from school. We had to wait for a few minutes, but a booth in the back finally opened up. We ate rather quickly and made our way to the register to check out. I paid the waitress, handed her a tip and we walked out. It was getting close to eleven as we pulled out of the parking lot of the diner. As I was about to turn on the main highway into town, Courtney turned and touched my arm.
"Can we go down to the lake for a while, just the two of us ?", she asked softly, her fingers tracing up my arm.
"I guess we can for a while.", I answered, turning the truck in the other direction.
We made our way quickly to a secluded spot near a few large oak trees on the northeast corner of the lake. There were only two other cars there, both of them several hundred yards away from us. I turned off the engine, cut the lights and sat back in my seat.
"This is nice.", said Courtney, reaching out and grabbing my hand in hers.
She turned and placed her back against the truck door, swinging her legs somewhat up on the seat between us. She was wearing a very short jean skirt. I caught a glimpse of her red panties as she opened her legs. She began to ask about life at school again, I knew where the conversation was headed.
"So what do you do in your spare time at school ?", she asked, trying her best to seem interested.
"I don't have any spare time, Court.", I replied, "I go for about 14 hours a day. If I'm lucky, I have Sunday off, which I spend most of the day sleeping on."
"You don't go out…. Like, you know…with the guys ?", she inquired.
"Court, I haven't been off campus once since I got there.", I answered.
"Wow, that sounds boring to me...….. I would go insane.", she said.
"Sometimes, it gets to you, but I work through it.", I responded.
She got quiet and started looking out of the front windshield towards the lake. It was a clear night, the moon was shining off the water, it was a really peaceful night.After a brief moment, she turned back to me.
"So Brian, how do you feel about our situation ? Have you given it any thought ?", she asked.
"Actually yes I have, quite a bit. How about you ?", I inquired.
"Yea, me too.", she said.
"And ?", I asked.
"No, you first.", she stated nervously.
"Well, I am ok with us going back to where we were before I left, if that's ok with you. But if anything happens to change how you feel, just please call me and be honest, no sneaking around.", I stated.
"That sounds good.", she said, looking relieved, "But you do the same. If you meet someone up there and you're serious, please let me know."
Just that quickly the tension was lifted, it was like the clock had been turned back a full year. Courtney slid over very close to me and laid her head on my shoulder, her arm around my waist. I put my arm around her and pulled her close to me, that familiar scent once again stirring my senses. We sat there for close to ten minutes, holding each other close, enjoying the night. Finally Courtney lifted her head from my shoulder and looked up at me.
"Brian, it took losing you for a while to make me understand just how different you are than most guys.", she said softly.
"Deep down I'm not that different Court, I am just able to control myself. Every now and then, I would love to say, "Hell with it" and cut loose. But I always hear my Dad warning me of the consequences." I told her.
"Yes I know. My Dad always tells me you're the most grounded guy he has ever met for your age. I actually think he loves you as much as I do.", she laughed.
"Can I ask you one question though ?", she whispered softly, her hand touching mine again.
"Sure, you can.", I answered.
She hesitated for a few seconds, she appeared to be searching for the right words. It took a while but she finally spoke up.
"Um…. Why don't you ever….. I mean... Jeez… why don't you ever come on to me ? Why do you sit back and wait for me… to uh….. You know, make the first move ?", she stuttered.
"I guess because my Dad always told me to respect women at all times.", I answered.
"Brian, I am very aware of how much you respect me. But it's still nice to feel desired, to know that I make you kinda crazy.", she continued, "If I am not interested, I will let you know, trust me."
"Ok Court, I will try to remember that.", I responded.
Once again, she got quiet, several moments passed, before she chuckled quietly to herself. She once again looked up at me laughing quietly.
"Sooooooooooooooo ?", she grinned.
"Oh, you mean now ?", I asked.
"Who said football players were not brilliant ?", she laughed.