To Arlene's dismay and Denise's excitement and after confirmation by the referee, Nick had, in fact, won that race.
"Looks like they're finished. I'm glad! It's hot as hell out here," Cynthia said, trying to fan herself with her hand.
"Feels okay to me … ," Tara replied, digging in her handbag again and pulling out a bottle of spray-on sunblock. "You should take that hot cotton tee off like Annette and I. I have some sunblock if you want to you use it."
"I didn't wear a bikini top like you two under my shirt. No thanks," Cynthia said.
Tara shrugged and began spraying her shoulders and upper body with the sunblock.
"When you're done, Tara, I could use some, too," Annette said. Annette wasn't aware that it would be so damned hot and sunny out here. The cool breeze blowing every now and then was the only thing that kept Annette from sweating, thank God for that.
"Sure, will you rub some on my lower back, baby girl?"
As Annette sprayed the sunblock on Tara's back and rubbed it in, she couldn't help but think about Jordan. She mainly wondered what it was that Jordan had to tell her later on and why he felt that it should wait. She wanted to know what Jordan wanted from her and how he expected her to feel after learning of his situation. And more importantly, what he wanted her to do. Where was their relationship going?
"Hey, girls! Y'all hungry yet?" Alex called out, climbing the bleachers towards them. Another guy, who Annette didn't recognize as a member, was behind him.
"Yeah. Where are we going?" Tara asked.
"Don't know. Those guys are turning in the cars and stuff, they'll be up here in a minute and we can all decide," Alex said. He grabbed a bottle of water from the cooler beside them, handed it to his friend and then got another for himself. "Oh, yeah … this is Chris … for those of you who were in the other SUV."
All the girls greeted Chris almost in unison. Alex wasted no time leaving Chris's side to get closer to Denise. Despite the apparent "fling" between Denise and Nick, it didn't seem that Alex was the least bit intimidated. Annette just decided that it wasn't her business anymore. What Denise wanted to do, that's what Denise was going to do. They had already had the conversation about Nick earlier this week and Denise was confident that she could give him what he wanted … enough to make him give up his views about dating multiple girls at once. Annette was so deep in thought that she didn't notice that Alex's friend, Chris, had sat on the bench behind her and Tara.
"So, Chris … heard that you knew a lot about motorcycles," Tara said, politely.
"Yeah, my dad owned a chop shop back in Florida. That's all we worked on mostly … motorcycles," Chris said, crushing the empty plastic bottle in his hands and then tossing it about three feet into a metal trashcan.
"Uh-huh. So, how'd you meet up with Alex," Tara continued, bending slightly as Annette continued massaging the sunblock into her back.
"I-uh … I met Alex playing basketball," Chris said. Annette looked up and noticed that Chris was a little fascinated by seeing her rub Tara's back. She noticed that the features on his face were almost picture perfect. He had the perfect nose and good facial structure. His dark brown hair was spiked and cut short and his eyes were a striking shade of blue.
"You're gonna have to show Annette and I how to hoop sometime," Tara said.
"Yes, I could," Chris said.
"It could be just us three, you know. Two on one. Me and her on you," Tara said. From the sound of Tara's voice, Annette knew that Tara had realized that Chris was intrigued at the sight of them too.
"Oh?" Chris smiled.
"Don't mean to tell me that you haven't … uh … played … with two girls at the same time," Tara continued to tease.
"No."
"Well, it'll be lots of fun. Won't it, Annette? We promise that we'll be gentle with you the first round," Tara said.
Annette nodded, following along, "Uh-huh." Annette moved her hands lower to Tara's small waist and over her abdomens.
"You girls can't be serious. Stop playing with me," Chris said. Finally, he had caught on to them.
Annette and Tara giggled.
"We were serious about the basketball part," Tara said.
"And the other part?"
"What other part?" Tara teased, swinging around to face Annette, propping her legs up on the bench.
"The thing about the two girls at once," Chris said, winking.
"Yeah, two girls at once on the basketball court," Annette corrected. "What about your legs, Tara?"
"Oh … don't want to forget those," Tara said, holding out her legs for Annette.
They pretended to ignore Chris as Annette massaged the sunblock over Tara's legs.
"You girls are hot. Do you two ride with any of these guys, if you don't mind me asking?"
"We are members, baby. We don't have to ride with anyone," Tara said.
"Oh!" Chris's eyes widened in surprise. "So, that means that both of you can initiate me."
Annette laughed. "We can. However, your friend Alex is the one who brought you around us. It's his responsibility to help you."
"Yeah, I know. But, he told me how the thing goes here. Anyone can initiate me. I'd rather it be you than he," Chris said.
"You don't get to pick from amongst us who you want to initiate you."
"I see," Chris said. "Well, can I ask that you be the first to ride with me as a member?"
"What?" Annette giggled, handing Tara and spray bottle and holding out her legs.
"I guess because you think that I'm white that I can't handle a black girl. I prefer black women. And I assure you that once you get a piece of this … you'll not be disappointed." Chris spoke the words with sincerity.
"Oh. Really?" Annette was amused.
Chris was taking in her legs as Tara went to work.
"Really."
Yet, she wasn't the least bit excited about Chris's offer. "So, that means you like what you see?" But she liked to tease nonetheless.
"Oh, yes. Enough to want to test the goodies," Chris said.
"You're a bad boy, Chris." Annette nodded.
"And you're a bad girl, Annette," he replied, and then he reached out and touched the bare skin above the waist of her jeans shorts. "You know, you have nice abs, baby." His fingers lingered there.
"Thank you," Annette said. She caught his hands and placed them back on his own lap. "But, I just need to let you know that you're playing with fire."
"Fire, huh? That makes things worth my while. I know you're fire. I can tell by looking at you, beautiful," Chris said. His finger caught hold of a curl that had fallen into her face and he pushed it away, back in place.
"Thank you, but … " Annette started.
"But, what?"
"Chris, I don't think Annette meant fire like that. We all know Annette is fire, but she actually meant that you really are playing with fire," Tara said, looking up behind Annette.
Annette didn't have to turn around to realize that everyone else had just joined the group.
"What do you mean? I said I'd prove myself. What better way to be initiated than with your sexy ass."
"Don't get your hopes up, baby. You may want to ask Alex who you're dealing with because obviously he didn't tell you. I'm not up for grabs."
"Okay," Chris pretended to sigh in disappointment. "But, my offer still stands."
After setting up tent at a nearby park and picnic site, the guys fired up the grill and after about an hour, everyone was stuffing their face.
"Oh, my gosh … that was good. I wonder who's gonna drive the hour back because all that eating made me sleepy," Troy exclaimed, rubbing his belly.
"Baby, you ate so much food. I told you it would make you sleepy," Cynthia said.
"We all need to let our food settle before we get back on the road. Cards, anyone? I got a deck in my bag," Travis asked. A few of them confirmed that they were interested in playing.
"Arlene and I are gonna go for a little walk. We'll be back shortly," TJ said, grabbing Arlene's hand.
"Do you wanna play or not, Annette," Nick asked, shuffling the cards.
"Poker's not my thing," Annette said, shaking her hand.
"Oh, come on. I'll let you look on with me. I'll be your teacher. You can learn a lot from me, you know," Chris said, trying to encourage Annette. No one missed the suggestive undertone in his voice.
"No, that's okay. I'll pass."
"Well, sit next to me, baby girl, while I play. If you want to join in, let us know, or you can help me play my hand," Tara said.
Annette was just about to sit down next to Tara when Jordan threw his cards down on the table and got up.
"Annette, can I talk to you for a second?" he asked.
"Okay," Annette shrugged. Maybe he would finally tell her what he had to tell her and stop making her wait.