Capable of Love

Chapter 1

   ALEX'S POV:

  I can't believe I have to do this.

I can't believe I let that dumbass Jackson convince me this would be better than jail.

I walked across the parking lot, the dirt from the unfinished pavement scraping against my old sneakers. The sun was relentless, my skin already burning under the harsh rays.

"Alexis! Thanks for coming out bright and early," Jackson said, sarcasm lacing his words. Was it really necessary to come out the front door to berate me in public? I mean I think I was suppose to be here to help him get everything set up an hour ago. Oh well. I rolled my eyes and peered at him under my visor, walking to the steps in front of him.

"First of all, you know not to call me that. Second, I over slept okay? You're lucky I showed up," I said as I brushed past him into the building.

"Look I get this isn't ideal okay? I'm not exactly ecstatic you're here either but you know it was either this or jail," he said bluntly.

Sighing, I let the conversation drop and watched as a group of girls came from the shower room. The team, I'm assuming. I discreetly eyed all of them up and down. They were attractive enough, I guess, nothing really to make me feel anything. Not that anyone ever did.

"Girls! It's nice to have you all back in the water again. This is Alex Lynn, she'll be helping with coaching this year," Jackson explained to the girls. I waved and gave them a closed mouth smile. Jackson asked me to go get the equipment from the small shed against the wall. I walked away, just close enough to be in earshot. I heard one of the girls start talking and I eavesdropped as I unlocked the rickety shed.

"So coach, why is she helping us? Not that I have a problem with it," she started, 'Who would?'', I thought, "but to be honest she doesn't look very happy to be here," she finished.

Wow, good observation.

I heard Jackson explain that I, "volunteered to help out of the goodness of my heart" and I heard some of the young girls giggle at his sarcasm, not pushing him to actually answer the question. Hey, as long as he didn't tell them the truth he could say whatever he wanted. I don't need some teeny boppers getting me arrested.

As I pushed on my toes to reach the top shelf, I heard Jackson speak again.

"Lilian! What do you think you're doing showing up here fifteen minuets after practice has started? And the first practice nonetheless? I expected better of you," he finished. Damn, he really lays into these girls.

I turned around and looked at who he was lecturing and I'd be lying if I said I didn't stop in my tracks for a moment. Just a bit in front of me stood one of the most beautiful girls I've ever laid eyes on.

She had dirty blonde hair that she was frantically pulling a brush through, light blue eyes that sparkled in the sunlight, and a body I found myself staring at just a moment too long. She also seemed to stand at about 5'3, just a couple inches shorter than me. Not that I made a mental note about it.

"I'm sorry! There was a lot of traffic between the dorms and here and my roommate kept me up last night because her boyfriend was over and I slept through my alarm," she explained with a tired tone.

"Ah it's alright Lilian, you've always been a good kid," he said gently, putting his hand on her shoulder. Those words sent my head swirling, my mind unwillingly bringing back bad thoughts.

"Oh come on Alexis, you're a good kid. A very good girl. You don't want to upset me, do you?"

I shifted uncomfortably, looking at my aunts new husband, as I tried to push myself further in the corner. If I pushed any harder I would probably fall into the brick wall behind me. I didn't answer him, my eyes focusing on anything else in the room but his. His black eyes, with the intimidating dark circles to match.