A Player's Date With Love

Chapter 2 - Next Day Snare

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I wake up the next morning, still thinking about the one that got away from me last night. It usually doesnt happen, and when it does, I never have this happen to me. I'm usually able to go on about my usual habits on those rare occasions. But, for some reason, she just wont leave my mind too easily. I look at my alarm clock. 7:15 A.M. I rember I have to meet up with the guys at the track around 12 for a race.

I hop out of bed and head into the bathroom, replaying last night in my head. As I strip down and get in the shower, I mull over how I'd been turned down by Denise just when things started to get good.

20 minutes later, two thoughts occur to me as I'm drying off and brushing my teeth: first, Nick left with Denise's blonde friend last night, and second, Denise left me her number last night before she left. My face lights up with a small sign of excitement and I curse myself for how stupid I've been the last 8 hours or so.

I walk back into my room and dial up Nick to see how his night went. Apparently, he ended up catching luck with that Jasmine chick and managed to get her number after their night before paying for her cab. Then I told him about my horrible luck with Denise last night.

"She WHAT.?!" Nick exclaims.

Just the response I expected.

"Thats not the worst part, either, man.... I don't know why, but this chick is just drilled into my mind, bro. Even without hitting that last night. And you know this shit never happens."

"Whipped much, bro?" he teases.

I chuckle feeling how close that seems to be to the truth.

"It's probably just the fact that I didn't do her last night. It'll probably go away after the club and a new girl tonight. Or maybe I can try my luck again with her tonight." I shrug, forgetting he can't see me through the phone.

"Do what you have to, bro. Good luck with whichever one you choose." he says before hanging up.

Another 20 minutes later, I'm arguing in my head whether or not I should make use of the fact that she left a card with her number. I finally decide that it's worth a shot, and once again have the thought that something's not right with me after meeting her. I dial her number, not exactly sure why I'm calling.

"Hello," she says when she picks up the phone. She sounds sleepy. Maybe she was sleeping in.? Crap.

"Hey, it's Josh, from Rex."

"Hey. You're up pretty early," she replies. I can hear the small smile in her voice. "How are you?"

"Pretty good. You?"

"The same. So, why are you up so early now?" she asks. "And calling me," she adds with a hint of joking curiosity.

"I have a race in a couple of hours. And I called you because I remembered you saying you'd like to see me race." Why am i feeling kinda nervous right now?

"Hmmm... I think I remember that..." she replied, with a small giggle . "Are you trying to invite me to come watch, Josh?"

"Well, yeah. If you want to."

"I'd love to. What time should I be there?"

"It starts at 12, so any time before then is okay. Are you driving down?"

"Nah, probably gonna get a taxi."

"Nonsense. I can drive you. No use in wasting cab fare."

"Are you sure? You don't have to go out of your way for me."

"Yeah. Where do you live?" I ask, then quickly re-think it, feeling like it may have been a kinda creepy question to ask. "Or is there somewhere you want me to pick you up from instead?"

"My place is good," she says. "I stay in the high rise apartments over on 28th Street and Douglas Avenue. Come by at, say, 9:30. I should be ready by then."

"Okay. See you then." I hang up, with a feeling that gets me worried again.

I pull up to Denise's place at 9:20, which is pretty early for me getting to anywhere for anyone.

She walks out of the entrance ten minutes later, quickly noticing my car and walking toward it. I take a second look and notice that she has on a black, grey, and white plaid shirt with ripped black skinny jeans and grey and white flats. I look at her face and see that she seems to have on very make-up, if any at all.

'God, she's beautiful,' I think just as she reaches the car. 'Something's really off with me right now...'

"Hey," she says after she's gotten into the passenger seat and leans over to kiss me on the cheek.

"Hey," I say after pulling myself together.

I pull off, heading toward the race track, only one question replaying itself over and over in my mind as I drive:

Am I hooked or is this all just a case of strong lust?

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Sorry for such a long wait, guys. Had a really horrible case of writer's block the past few months. I hope you like this chapter, though.