Loyal

Chapter 12

Colin's POV

            Closing the door behind Vera, I feel a surge rush over me. I want to clear off the table right by the door, fuck her right here. I take in a deep breath, trying not to think about the ride here. Being in such a small space with her drove me crazy. Sleeping had helped to steer my thoughts away from sex. Have I ever gone this long talking to a girl without fucking her? What the fuck are you doing Colin?

            "Do you mind if I look around?" She asks. I shake my head no, watching her make her way into the living room.

            What the fuck am I doing? When was the last time I actually chased a girl like this? I've never even brought a girl around to the main house! I lean against the wall in the long hall, trying to get my shit together. This is bullshit, she has me fucked up. Sad part is, I'm aware of it. She has me switching up the game, doing things I'd never do. I think about the jealousy that erupted in my chest when I saw her laughing with Cameron. I'd have to take care of that fool Cameron sooner or later. I kick off my slides and leave them by the door, heading to the kitchen.

            I go into the fridge and take out some Italian sausage. Grabbing some packages of spaghetti I lay out an area to get dinner ready on the kitchen counter.

            "What are you making?" Vera asks, sidling up beside me in the kitchen.

                        "I guess I'm just making spaghetti. I could use the energy from the pasta tomorrow," I say.

            "Why are you doing all of this for me Colin?" I can tell she's been holding that question in for a while.

            "Doing what?"

 Vera waves her hands around the kitchen, as if grasping to find words.

            "This, all of this. Pursuing me, taking care of me when I was drunk, I just..." she holds her hand up to her forehead. I cut the sausages into bite-sized pieces and placed them into a pot on the stove to brown. I don't answer. Hell, I don't know how. That pisses me off. I always know what to say..how to say it.. Colin Kaepernick is always smooth...confident, and sure. Vera is flipping all of that, and it has me on edge. She sighs. "Let me help you," she grabs the knife lying out.

            "You cook?" I ask.

                        "Are you kidding? That's all I do, cook and eat," She laughs. She's the first girl I know of who cooks. All of the other girls I usually have around are good at...other things. She bends over to pick up a piece of onion that fell onto the kitchen floor. I watch the curve of her hips as she reaches down, the round contour to her backside. Fuck. She starts boiling the pot of water I had placed on the stove for the spaghetti. I close my eyes. If I don't stop, I'ma have an erection reaching to the other side of the kitchen.

            "So, tell me about yourself," she asks, placing the onions into the pot to brown with the sausage.

            "There's not much to tell..." I say quietly, leaning on the counter. She looks at me with a slight pout, she's so damn cute.

            "Of course there is. Everyone always has something to tell. Even you, Mr. Kaepernick," she says. I scratch my head. People only asked me about me in interviews, not over intimate dinner conversation.

            "Well, I grew up around here. Went to Nevada...then straight to the Niners. I've got no family, adopted parents died - Rest in Peace. I spend a lot of time volunteering at the Orphanage downtown, the one I spent time in as a kid....and I like Spaghetti..." I say. Vera smiles. She goes on to tell me about herself, about her life in Washington and her grandmother. We talk about everything, even random things as we cook side by side. She has a very soft demeanor, being around her makes me feel at ease. Time goes by and before I know it, dinner is ready.

            "Dinner for two," she exclaims. I set up our food on an opposite counter, which dually serves as an eating area. We sit across from each other and eat. She eats an entire plate of spaghetti. We both finish our first round at the same time. I laugh and watch her eat her second plate, as she sits looking up at me, spaghetti sauce on the side of her mouth.

 "What?" she asks. I laugh and shake my head. 

"I know, I know, I eat a lot," she says rolling her eyes.

            "What? Nah, I like a woman with a healthy appetite. A lotta the girls I seen won't even touch pasta. It's...refreshing," I say. She takes in another thoughtful fork of spaghetti.

            "My last boyfriend thought I was a fat ass. Ugh, I hate him," she says in a low tone. I feel an immediate hate for the dude and I don't even know him.

            "Your body is beautiful. I love every part of it," I say honestly. I can see her face reddening as I make some more spaghetti for myself.

            "You know Colin, you're a lot more than I thought you were," Vera says quietly.

            "What did you think I was?" My mind drifts back to her drawings of me. I have an idea, but I want to hear it from her.

            "I don't know. But....you're...there's more to you than meets the eye," she smiles. We finish our dinner over more conversation. I feel her relaxing with me, and I feel myself opening up to her. I haven't  opened up to anyone in a long time.

            "Well, I should probably head out soon," Vera looks to her phone, checking the time. "Crap! I had no idea it was so late," she says quickly. She begins picking up her plate and cleaning up her area.

            "Just leave that, I got it," I say. She shakes her head, and brings her dishes to the sink.

            "I'll help you clean," she says. We clear off the counter and she starts washing the dishes. As soon as she finishes, she turns, right into me, and we are caught between the island where the sink is, and the fridge. She is against me, her chest soft and full. I look down to her, and see that she's closing her eyes. In those few moments she lifts one of her hands to my chest. That touch is all it takes.