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  His lady? I haven’t felt this unsure in such a long time. I didn’t know whether to punch his face or leave them alone. If she was his lady, then I had better leave them alone. I respected other men’s girlfriends, wives, or whatever they may be. I had no right to feel this unnatural possessiveness towards her.

  Sedona’s voice came out with a tinge of annoyance, her eyes fiery.“Everything’s cool here, Zander.”

  She said it. She was fine. Why was I still standing here like a fool then? I should leave them alone. I nodded my head.

  Brennan snickered, his voice challenging, “Go on your merry way, Zander boy. We’re cool here.”

  The next time this guy was on the football field against us, I was going to send defensive end Dorian Gables to his ass and sack the fuck out of him. I gritted my teeth. He was trying my patience. I was usually calm; this guy just rubbed me the wrong way.

  Before I could retort, Sedona stepped towards me. Brennan was holding her arm but she reached out to me, “I’m really ok here, Zander. Thanks for your concern.”

  Her soft hand on my arm made my thoughts go away. Her voice was sending me to overdrive. Here she was, a girl I’ve met a couple of hours ago, messing with my head and emotions. I had no right to be territorial of her but I could not help myself. Adding insult to my messed-up possessive instincts towards her, she belonged to Mr. All American Boy who looked like he was ready to pounce on me. Probably the same degree I wanted to pound on his ass.

  “Come on, babe. We can talk outside,” Brennan urged her.

  She nodded her head, but before she stepped away from me, she said, “I’m not his lady, girlfriend, whatever. Not anymore.”

  I knew Brennan heard what she said because his face changed from smirking to angry. That was the last of my concern. When I heard her say that, my body felt the beat of the music rocking the club. I wanted to pump my fists to my chest and scream, “Yeehaw.” My status would go to total doofus in my friends’ eyes. She might have said she wasn’t ready for anything right now. But she was giving me an ‘in’. Maybe, she was also feeling something between us.

  Sedona

  Why did I say that to Zander?

  I could have just left with Brennan, but I felt a pull towards Zander. His voice was deceptively calm; yet, he radiated with anger. I saw the glare in his eyes switched to almost-fury when Brennan called me his lady. There was no use denying the attraction between us. I felt all sorts of emotions when the woman in the red mini-dress hugged and talked to Zander.

  Trying to deflect the tension between tall, huge guys was difficult. Somehow, I managed to avoid a commotion. I did not want to have this conversation with Brennan, especially in this environment, but the situation called for it.

  For some unknown reason, I did not want Zander to think I was Brennan’s lady so I said it. His blue-green gaze smoldered and he tipped his chin. My hand was still on his arm, but I let go because Brennan was already pulling me towards the club’s back exit.

  Once outside, I waited for Brennan to say something.

  Before I knew it, he hugged me and softly said, "I'm so sorry, Sedona."

  I sensed his remorse. I heard it in his voice. I let him hug me. When I peered at him, I saw the pained look in his eyes, under the dimly lit alley.

  He repeated himself, "I'm so, so sorry," without releasing me from his hug.

  My back stiffened, my voice was numb from any emotions. I asked, "Why?"

  He was not dumb. He had a 3.8 GPA in high school. I helped him with his college applications. He knew I was referring to her, the bimbo in his bed.

  He swallowed, "She was nothing, and it was just that one time. I don’t know why I did it. I guess because you've had me waiting for a while and she was available. It just happened."

  I had no energy and no drive to be mad or angry at him. I only felt a sense of loss - a loss of friendship. I thought that all this time, he understood why I wanted us to wait before we had sex. From the beginning of our relationship, I made it clear to him that I wanted it to be the right time and I honestly thought he felt the same way.

  "It's ok." I said, pulling away from him.

  "We're ok?" He asked, his eyes coming to life.

  "Yeah, we're ok." I nodded and continued, “I’m not going to be telling anyone about why we broke up because that is none of their business. But, Brennan, please accept that fact.”

  "Broke up?" His voice unbelieving.

  "Yes, Brennan."

  "I thought you said we're ok?"

  "Yes, we're ok, as in, broken up. It has been a month, Brennan."

  "I really like you, Sed. I don't want us breaking up."

  "Well, you should've thought of that before you dropped your underwear.” On the day I made a surprise visit to Brennan’s apartment, I was the one who was caught in a shocking surprise. I made the 2 hour trip back to my place right after seeing the reed thin brunette in a nearly naked state, in bed, with my boyfriend.

  "How many times do I have to say I'm sorry before you take me back?" his eyes pleaded.

  "Sorry, I can't Brennan. I don’t know, I just don't feel the same way about you anymore." I said, with firm resolve. I have been waiting for this, to finally tell him in person that we were over. I didn’t feel sad. It made me feel sad that I didn’t feel sad.

  "What?! It was one time, Sedona! One fuckin' time!" His eyes and his voice glittered with scorn.

  "I just can't." I said, stepping farther away from him and closer to the door of the club’s side entrance.

  "You think you're so high and mighty! You don't even put out, Sedona! Maybe that's why I fuckin' slept with her!" He was getting louder and we were starting to attract the attention of a few club goers who were out for a smoke.

  I couldn't bear to listen to his ranting anymore. Plus, I did not want to lose any ounce of the remaining good will that I had towards him so I rushed back inside the club.

  I looked for Nalee and Tanya. I spotted them having fun on the dance floor. I didn't want to ruin their night just because mine was ruined. I searched through my purse, looking for my cell phone.

  "I was just about to go outside to make sure you're ok," it was Zander.

  "I'm ok. I just have to go," I quickly replied. Without sparing him a glance, I made my way to the dance floor to tell Tanya and Nalee that I was leaving.

  Tanya and Nalee didn't want me to go and they tried to convince me to stay for at least another hour. I pleaded that my head was pounding. I announced to both of them that I had already called a cab and the driver was on his way to pick me up. They both wanted to leave with me, but I reassured them that I was fine and hugged them goodbye.

  I made my way to the front of the club. Zander’s silhouette followed my steps.

  "Are you leaving?" his hooded eyes inquired.

  "Yeah." I scrolled through my phone for the cab's number.

  "I'm leaving too. I can give you a ride," he offered.

  "No, it’s ok, I'm calling a cab."

  "At this time, the cab is probably not going to be here for half an hour or more. The clubs are open, meaning the cabs are in demand, so they’d take longer to get here. I told the guys I’m on my way out so it’s really no biggie if you ride with me.”

  "Thank you Zander, it’s really nice of you to offer. I can just wait here for the cab," I graciously declined his offer.

  I walked towards the sidewalk. I was in the process of dialing the cab company when I glanced around and across from where I was standing, was a red Infiniti G37 Sports Car with the plates ‘COOLSTFF’. It was Brennan’s car which could only mean that he was still inside. He was probably going to look for me again. I wanted to avoid more drama so I looked over at Zander, "Ok, if it's really no bother, I'd like to accept your offer."

  Zander's hands went up in a flash. He called up the valet and within minutes, we were inside a black Porsche SUV, driving on the freeway.

  The day's events were replaying in my head when his voice broke my concentration.


  "I'd be content to drive all night, Sedona. I’m just a bit worried that we'll end up in L.A. if I kept driving."

  "Oh, I’m so sorry. Just keep going on the 805 and exit Marmion Way. It should be in about 4 exits."

  I gave the rest of the directions to my place while he drove. He didn't ask about Brennan during the drive. He asked me where I'm from, what I liked about San Francisco, and the places I haven't been to and would like to see in San Francisco. I didn’t see the purpose of his questions but I did not want to be rude, especially since he was driving me to my apartment, so I answered “Santa Monica; the climate and diversity; and the Japanese Gardens, Museums, and maybe some tourist spots.”

  I talked while he listened. While he drove, I discovered some things about him - his hands were twice as big as mine (I checked them out while they were on the steering wheel), he liked Hip Hop and Club music (types of music playing inside his car), he liked vanilla (his car smelled like vanilla), and the corners of his mouth turned up in a very sexy way when he was amused.

  I didn't even realize we were in front of my place until he parked his car. He had both of his hands on the steering wheel, turned his head towards me, and was looking at me strangely, "So Brennan Townsend is not your boyfriend, right?"

  "How did you know his name?" I asked bewildered.

  "Sedona, I play football. He plays for San Francisco Rivers, our division rival, so we meet for a couple of games each year."

  "Oh."

  “I think we belong in the same fraternity.”

  “Oh.”

  "So, he’s not, right?” he repeated, “Your boyfriend?"

  "Like I said earlier, he used to be. Not anymore," I simply replied.

  "Good. I just want to get it straight," he said.

  He leaned across from the driver seat and kissed me.

  Chapter Four

  “Life is a collection of experiences – the good, the bad, the ugly, and the wonderful.”

  Sedona

  The text messages started coming in around 10:15 AM, followed by voicemails, then more text messages.

  I was snuggled under my bed covers, ready to switch my body position from left to right. I wanted to wake up; my body loudly rebelled. I was so not on schedule. I would have to rearrange my day planner for today. Ugh.

  My phone vibrated on my nightstand. I ignored it. It would stop after three buzzes.

  Well, it didn’t.

  Aargh.

  I let it continue for 5 more buzzes then I grabbed it with my right hand.

  My phone lit up when I pushed on a key.

  I scrolled down.

  Nalee: Call me. Spill!

  Tanya: He is HOT! For once, you got it right, girlfriend!

  Nalee (again): CALL me!!!!

  Kieran: WTH, I go on a swim meet and ur in the headlines?!! Call me, Ace.

  505-670-8088: Hey! You’re in the news! (I had no idea who this number belonged to.)

  Tanya (again): Call me. NOW!

  I also saw 5 missed calls, 2 from Tanya, 1 from Nalee, 1 from Kieran, and 1 from Brennan.

  What was happening?

  I tried calling Tanya but my call went straight to voicemail. She was probably in some exercise class. I called Nalee but she didn’t pick up either. Kieran was probably in practice so his cell phone would be off.

  I was about to check my voicemails when Tanya called back.

  “HEY!” She screamed on the phone. My ears were going to explode.

  “Dial down, sister. I’m half awake,” groggily, I said.

  “You’re still in bed?!” I put my phone away from my ear. Why did she have to scream so much?

  “Yes, Ms. Perky. I’m still in bed.”

  “You’re so lazy during break,” she mumbled. Thank goodness, her voice was a couple of notches down.

  I was not lazy. I was drained from last night. No wonder I stuck to my routine of sleeping before midnight. With no energy to explain my actions, I said, “I seldom get to sleep in for clinicals.” It was true. During the semester, when I had clinical rotations, I was awake up by 5:00 in the morning so I could get to the hospital by 6:15. At this time, however, on a Saturday, I should have completed at least 2 laps in the pool already. It was starting to bother me how off schedule I was.

  “So this means you haven’t checked Chatty Pepper!” Her voice was increasing in decibels again.

  “Chatty WHO?” I had no clue on whom she was referring to.

  “Chatty Pepper! THE biggest college website!”

  “Tanya, I have no idea who this Chatty Person is. And why should I care?” I asked in an exasperated voice. It was really too early to be woken up to insignificant matters.

  “Sedona, Chatty Pepper is the # 1 College Website! And, you should care because you’re on it!!!” Her voice was getting loud again.

  “Huh? Why would I be on it?”

  “I gotta go. Pilates instructor’s back. Check the link I’m sending you right now,” she said in a rush and hung up.

  Still laying on my pillow, I clicked on the link that Tanya sent me: www.chattypepper.com. The yellow, blue, and green background of the website’s page was blinding. I didn’t know what I was looking for so I scrolled through the site.

  The site boasted that it was the # 1 Source for College Gossip. Beneath that claim was the Tagline “From Hookups to Breakups to Makeups and More, Chatty Pepper’s Got It All!”

  Man, this was so cheesy. Who would actually waste time to look at a site like this? Apparently, Chatty Pepper’s 128,000 fans and counting, as the ticker on the top right flashed.

  I kept scrolling, not knowing what I was really looking for.

  I browsed through items tagged baseball hotties at Tennessee College, steroid controversy at an unnamed popular university in the East Coast, and multiple pictures of what appeared to be the latest college gadgets and craze. College athletes must be the equivalent of Hollywood celebrities. The site had numerous pictures of attractive males and females who excelled in collegiate sports.

  I was halfway through the page when this one-liner caught my eye: Who is this CSUF hunk’s latest mystery date?

  Below the tagline was a picture of Zander in last night’s clothes and wait….was that ME?

  My facial profile was outlined in the photo. Whoever took the picture had taken it when Zander and I were driving away in his SUV. The camera caught Zander with a big smile on his face. Our eyes were red. The photographer didn’t even bother to turn on the red eye camera function.

  I sat up. I didn’t know what the implications were of this photo. It was not like we were caught in flagrant delicto.

  I continued reading the gossip item-”The last time this hottie was seen with a member of the female gender - (a link was attached to this)”

  The link, dated two weeks ago, showed Zander walking with a tall, beautiful blonde, from Spitzers, a ritzy restaurant in Downtown San Francisco. They made an attractive pair.

  I clicked on a few more links. The stories were pretty much the same. Zander appeared with tall, willowy, attractive females. It seemed like he dated a lot. Each date was somehow caught by the camera.

  I was just about to press the “X” on the Chatty Pepper tab, when this grabbed my attention. This particular link brought me to an image of Zander that took up ¾ of my phone screen. It was taken on College Signing Day 2008. On his right side was with a dark-haired, older female. Her face looked familiar.

  The caption below the photo read: Football wunderkid Zander Zobowski, with his mother, Dr. Haven Zobowski, commits to CSUF, his home-state school, boosting the Mariners’ incoming class. His father, Sev, was unable to make it to signing day due to out-of-country commitments.

  Sev. Why did that name that ring a bell? Sev Zobowski?

  Ohmigod! Zander was the son of Sev Zobowski – the brilliant pioneer of Systix Technologies. I was not a tech geek or anything. Neither was I a hermit. I read the news and I watched TV on a regular basis. Systix Technologies powered up the laptop sitting on my desk
. Sev Zobowski’s net worth had to be equivalent to a small nation’s capita/year. Oh, Zander’s mother was a doctor? And, Zander was a football wunderkid?

  I stood up in bed feeling like I just got shot with caffeine in my system and my body had an instantaneous reaction.

  My mind grappled with the facts being presented to me by this stupid website.

  Zander, the guy who kissed me passionately last night, who didn’t even want to let me go, as he said goodbye in front of my apartment door. The guy who made my body run a fever every time he was near, on top of the prickling awareness when his eyes honed in on me. He was not just any football player. He was a star player. He was not just the son of regular parents. He was the son of a multimillionaire, software genius, and a doctor. To top it all, he had the face of a model, the body of a sinner, and the manners of a gentleman. And, he had paparazzi and tons of women attached to his name.