A/N – Go to www(dot)thewriterscoffeeshop(dot)com so you can follow the contest. This is a great place to read new stories from newbies like myself and also our favorite stories by seasoned writers we've all been following.
I want to thank all the gals at thewriterscoffeeshop(dot)com for encouraging me to write, even when I'd rather crawl under the covers and hide.
Special thanks to thespoiltone and footroza for their continuous support in getting me to finally put into words what floats around in my mind and not letting me give up in anything. You both are the best!
Lyrical Melodrama Story Contest
Name of story: Face Down
Pen name: loloskinn
Song story is inspired by: "Face Down"
Artist: Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
Category: Newbie
Main Pairing: James/Bella
POV: Bella
Face Down
Chapter 1
"Hurry up Bella! I don't want to miss Ben's game." Angela yells at me from downstairs.
"I'm almost ready. I just need to get my cleats." I spot them under the bed. I grab them and run downstairs. This is why I need a ball bag for all this stuff. Why don't I have one yet? Oh yeah, because I hate shopping.
Angela and I play on our office softball team. One of those things work sets up to instill a "teamwork" atmosphere and physical fitness. We're nowhere near professional, but we all enjoy playing and we have a good time.
Every Friday night Angela and I leave work together and I drive her home to get her uniform and gear, then we head to my house so I can do the same. Ben, Angela's boyfriend plays on the men's league, and tonight, his game is before ours so she's actually going to be able to watch him play, that is, if I can get us there on time.
This is what my weekends consist of. Playing a game of softball with friends and co-workers, and watching my friends significant others play while I cheer them on pretending not to be the odd man, or woman rather, out.
It's not that I haven't had dates before, but they all seem to end in disaster. This resulting in leaving me feeling as though I was just not that interesting for anyone to be interested in, at least any one that I was interested in, or I was destined to be alone and lonely.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy my quiet and books, but I have to admit that reading about love and destiny is starting to get the better of me. I'm a plain person. I don't wear makeup other than mascara and occasionally lip gloss, I dress casually whenever I can get away with it, and I believe that I shouldn't have to pretend to be someone I'm not to find someone to spend time with.
So, I settle for my Friday night games out with my friend and enjoy my weeknights at home with a good book in my lap, and the occasional night out when Angela can persuade me.
We jump in my truck and head for the ball park. Before I can turn the engine off Angela has jumped out of the truck and is headed to the field. I can see that the game has already started.
As I walk toward the stands I notice Ben's team is on the field. That's when I see him. Tall, blond, and muscles flexing through his jersey as he practice swings the bat. How have I not seen him before?
I make it to where Angela is sitting in the stands and sit down to cheer on Ben with her. I can't stop myself from glancing at the man who's up next. His shirt is stretched showing off his chest and arms. When I finally get my eyes to move up to his face I see that he is watching me. He smiles when our eyes meet and I blush from embarrassment at being caught ogling him so obviously. He chuckles as he winks at me and steps up to bat.
I kept glancing at him throughout the game and every time he looked my way I'd blush and look away.
"That's James. Be careful with that one, he's a dog." Angela said when she noticed the innocent interaction.
"Bow wow." I said and we both giggled. "Don't worry. Someone like him would never be interested in someone like me. Besides, I'm just looking." He was good looking, athletic, and I, well, I wasn't.
"Mmhm. Bella, You're a beautiful woman. You are too good for him." I rolled my eyes at her. Yeah right? That's why I stay home every Saturday night with Stephen King and John Saul.
After the game we walked down to congratulate Ben and his team mates on their win. We don't have much time to talk with Ben as our game was about to begin. One of our coaches didn't show up, so Ben offered to help us out. I noticed a few times that Ben would be talking to James. They must be friends. When it was my turn to bat I noticed James was still standing with Ben watching me. Oh please let me hit the ball. Please don't let me strike out. Please! Please! Please!
I swung at the first pitch with my eyes closed and was stunned when I felt the bat make contact with the ball. It went straight up the middle over second base. I made my way to first base thanking god for not letting me make a fool out of myself in front of James. What is wrong with me? Let it go Bella, he's just a guy.
As I ready myself on first waiting for the next batter to hit the ball getting me to second I hear an unfamiliar voice behind me. "That was a good hit, imagine what you could do if you keep your eyes open." I turned to see James standing there smiling at me. My cheeks flushed instantly as I turn back around and give my full attention to the batter. I can feel his eyes on me as I'm bent over ready to bolt as soon as the ball is hit. I'm too embarrassed to look at him again.
The rest of the game went without incident. We lost but it was a close game. I start getting my stuff together and as I turned to leave, I ran right into something hard, knocking me flat on my ass. What the hell? I look up to see that what I had run into was none other than James. He was chuckling as he held out a hand to help me up.
"Thanks" I said once I remembered how to use my brain.
"You're welcome. I'm James"
"Yes, I know." I answered as I started toward the parking lot.
"Hey, wait a minute. Aren't you going to introduce yourself?" he asks as he starts chasing after me.
"Bella. My name is Bella" I said as I continued walking to my truck.
"Well, Bella, it's nice to meet you. I've seen you out here a few times and I was wondering if I can call you sometime?"
With that I stop dead in my tracks. Did he seriously just ask me for my phone number? Me? Was he serious?
"What makes you think I don't have a boyfriend?" I say to him trying to figure out why he would be interested in me.
"I've asked around, and I've seen you staring at me, just as much as I've been staring at you." He smiles brightly as he looks me up and down. "So, can I get your number?"
As he says this Ben and Angela walk by and must have heard him ask because Ben claps him on the shoulder while looking at me. "Go for it Bella! I'll vouch for him, he's a good guy."
I looked over and Angela. She shrugged and smiled before they continued to walk together to their car.
I turn to look at James as he smiles down at me and hands me his phone. I take a deep breath and program my number into his phone and hand it back to him.
"Thanks. I'll call you." He says before turning away and walks towards his team mates. I doubt I'll even hear from him. Angela did say he was a dog. Maybe he just wanted to see if he could get me to give him my number. Oh well, no hard done.
I climb in my truck and head home. As I pull into my driveway, I notice Mike Newton standing in his yard, great. Mike lives next door and I had gone on a date with him once, if you can even call it that. That was the worst date I had ever been on, and now he won't leave me alone.
When I first moved in Mike watched from his front yard. I found it odd that he just sat there and watched and never offered to help. Not that I wanted the help, but strange that he just watched. That should have been my first clue. A few days later I was out watering the lawn and he was outside in his yard again. I waved being neighborly and he took it as an invitation to come over. He was nice enough, not bad looking, blond, blue eyes, and a slight frame, but solid.
He tells me a bit about the neighborhood like how Mr. Banner across the street is a teacher, and Rosalie on the other side of me is a mechanic. We chat for a little while more before he asks if he can cook me dinner, part of the welcome to the neighborhood thing and all. I accept as I have yet to go shopping and he seems friendly enough.
Later that night I walk over to Mike's with an apple pie in hand. I may have been invited over for dinner, but I was taught to never show up empty handed. I balance the pie in one hand and knock on the door. When he opens the door to allow me entry, I immediately get a strong whiff of what can only be cat. Oh no, I'm allergic to cats. I didn't know he had a cat. By the smell of this place he must have a dozen cats somewhere around here. I notice there are mirrors on every wall. Ok? Strange.
Mike noticed the pie in my hand. "You didn't have to bring that. I invited you. Besides, I won't eat that. I don't eat anything with sugar in it." As he walks me to the kitchen I notice he's looking at himself in every mirror we pass and either flexing or puffing out his chest in some weird body builder wannabe pose. Would it be rude to tell him I left the stove on at home and never return?
When we get to the kitchen I am completely disgusted with how filthy it is in there, and is that a cat sleeping on the counter? Oh my god. I am not going to eat anything he serves. This is just gross. I'm seriously considering telling him the stove excuse again. He had made boiled chicken and brown rice, which I find quite odd that this is what he would serve when I can plainly see half empty take out cartons from the Chinese restaurant down the street. Is that an empty box of twinkies? No sugar my ass.
We sit down at the kitchen table, the only clean thing in the house, you can tell this doesn't get used. I pick at my plate, just moving the food around trying to make it look like I'm eating something when I start sneezing. I was afraid this would happen when I smelled the cats. I've got one rubbing on my leg and I have the urge to kick my feet, as another jumps up on the table. Mike just pets it and leaves it there. Seriously? You want me to eat with a cat on the table? How much longer do I have to sit here?
I continue sneezing and now my nose is running. I can feel my eyes start to swell. This is just getting better and better. I notice Mike is watching himself eat in the mirror that's on the wall across from him on the wall. Not just watching himself, but still doing those weird poses like he's Arnold Schwarzennegger in the making. He sees me looking at him and asks "I look good don't I?" I almost choke on my water. All I can do is smile. He takes that as confirmation and smiles while continuing to look at himself in the mirror.
By this time my eyes are watering and swollen and I still can't stop sneezing. I've never been so happy to be allergic to cats. I've got to get out of this crazy cat house of mirrors.
"Mike, thanks for dinner, but I've got to get out of here. I'm allergic to your cats and I must look a mess."
"Yeah, you kind of do. Maybe next time you can cook me dinner." Not if you were the last man on earth, but instead of telling him what I'm thinking I just smile and practically run for the door. Never again will I set foot in that place. As soon as I get home I take a hot shower trying to rid myself of the cat stench and the skin crawling feeling that I was left with from the entire experience.
I get out of my truck and try to get inside without having to deal with him, but he has other plans.
"Hi Bella."
"Hi Mike." Hopefully, that will be the end of the conversation. Not likely.
"So, did you have a date" Seriously?
"Uh, no, I was playing softball tonight." As I'm unlocking the front door I can hear my phone ringing. Thank god! Saved by the bell, literally. "Excuse me Mike, my phones ringing." I get inside and race to the phone.
"Hello."
"Hello? Is this Bella?"
"Yes."
"It's me, James. I thought maybe you'd given me a fake number."
"Is that why you're calling so soon?" I can hear him chuckle on the other end.
"No, I just wanted to hear your voice again. So, would you like to have a drink with me sometime?"
"Sure." I can't believe he called to ask me out for a drink. It's only been less than an hour since I even gave him my number. Isn't there some unwritten three day waiting period rule?
"Great! So, tell me where you live, and I'll bring it with me. What do you drink?"
"What?" Is he serious? He wants to come over? Tonight?
"Tell me where you live and what you drink and I'll bring it with me. Come on Bella, I'm a nice guy. Ben said so himself. I'll be a complete gentleman."
Do I really want to have him over tonight? I haven't cleaned the house this week. I'm not dressed for company, but then again, he's already seen me in what I'm wearing. I don't really drink though, what do I tell him I drink?
"Alright, just bring whatever you drink." I gave him my address and attempted to pick up around the house before he gets here. I wish I had time to take a shower and change. Before I knew it there's a light knock on the door.
I open the door to see James standing there with a six pack of beer. "Hi" he says as he walks through the front door. "Who's your neighbor?"
I peek out the front door to see Mike still standing in his front yard. The look on his face is a cross between hurt and pissed. I roll my eyes and shut the door.
"Oh, that's Mike." I tell him.
"Is he your boyfriend or something?"
"What? No! We went on one date months ago, and he can't seem to get it through his head that I'm not interested."
"Do you want me to go over there and tell him that?" He says to me, looking rather annoyed.
"Uh, no, that's not necessary." Oh my god! Is he jealous of Mike? Mike who looks at himself in the mirror more than I do? I must be reading more into his comment than there is, because before I can say anything else, he smiles and hands me a beer.
We sit down on the couch as he hands me a beer. I smile in thanks and take a sip a little unsure as to what to talk about. I am so out of my element. I just met this guy and here he is sitting on my couch so comfortably like we've known each other for years. I've never done something like this before. I hope he doesn't think I do this often.
"I hope you don't think that I do this kind of thing often. I don't usually have guys over that I've just met" This was true, and after the Mike incident, I didn't even talk to guys I didn't know that well. I learned that the hard way. "Really, I trust Ben, and he says you're a good guy, so…."
He smiles at that and takes a drink of his beer. "Relax Bella. I'm just here to talk, to get to know you and you get to know me, ok." That does make me relax a bit.
"So, how long have you known Ben?" I ask him, trying to start up a conversation.
"I met Ben a few years ago through my business partner Laurent. We own a Butcher shop and Ben helped us get started." That makes sense. Ben is an investor and has helped quite a few businesses get up and running.
"Have you played ball long" I ask still struggling trying to start a conversation. I'm still a bit nervous being in my house with this guy. He's so good looking and not like the usual guys I've dated, as if I date that much. I think I've had two serious boyfriends and one was in high school.
"Actually, I haven't played since high school, but a friend was in need of a player tonight, so I helped out. What about you? Have you played long?"
"Not really, just the last couple of years. I didn't play in school or anything, but I do like to play."
"You can use some work, but I don't mind giving you some pointers if you want." He tells me with a smile. Is that a putdown, or his way of saying he wants to spend some time with me?
"Yeah? We practice on Sundays and Wednesdays, you should come out sometime, we could use the help." I'm still not sure if he's asking to spend time with me or not, so I keep it neutral by letting him know about team practices.
"I may do that." He says as he runs a hand through his hair causing a curl to fall over one eye. I have the strangest urge to reach out and move it from blocking my view of his beautiful blue eyes. I shake my head to clear that thought to see he's looking at me with such intensity, like he's studying my reactions to him. "You're beautiful." He whispers almost to himself.
I roll my eyes. "Yeah right. I must look a mess all sweaty and dirty from just playing ball. You really didn't give me a chance to take a shower."
"No, you really are. You look good with no makeup and your hair in a pony tail. Natural, you don't even have to try." He raises his hand to gently stick a loose strand of hair behind my ear and I can't help but lean into his touch.
He asks me about my family and I tell him my dad, Charlie, was a cop and was killed in the line of duty two years ago. My mom, Renee, is a free spirit and never stays in one place too long. We're close and talk often. She's actually not too far and visits often. I have no siblings, so there's not much to tell.
He starts telling me about his family. He's an only child and he lost both his parents in a car accident when he was eighteen, which was ten years ago. I didn't realize he was so much older than me. I'm only 22, but it doesn't bother me as I tend to act a bit older than I am and guys my age are immature. I can't take my eyes off his arms while he's talking. Watching the muscles move under his shirt has me captivated.
"Bella, did you hear me?" He smiles as he tilts his head down to look me in the eye.
"I'm sorry, what did you say?" Oh god, I've been caught ogling again. I can feel my cheeks getting hot again. Damn instant blush.
"I asked if I could give you a shoulder rub." He smiles once again, giving me an innocent look to convey that's all he wants.
"Oh, uh. Sure I guess." He's going to have his hands on me. He's going to be touching me with those hands. Get it together Bella! Thank god I'll be facing away from him. I turn my body on the couch so my back is to him and I have one leg under me and the other on the floor.
I fell his hands lightly rub my shoulders before he grabs a little harder kneading them in such a way that I can't help but moan in pleasure.
He leans his head to my ear and I can feel his breath "I've been wanting an excuse to touch you all night."
I must have fallen asleep because I woke up still on the couch with him asleep on the other end.
I can't believe we fell asleep sitting on the couch. Oh my god, I hope he doesn't think I'm rude or wasn't interested in what we were talking about. I was just so comfortable when he started giving me that shoulder rub. I got up, stretched and walked into the kitchen to start some coffee.
When I make my way back to the living room with two cups of coffee, he is already awake. He smiles at me while I hand him a cup of coffee. "Good morning. I'm so sorry I fell asleep." I tell him as I sit back on the couch and sip my coffee.
He chuckles "I'm pretty sure I fell asleep too, but I do need to get going. I've got plans to meet up with some friends today." He sits his coffee cup down and the coffee table and stands to leave.
"Oh, ok. Well, I had a nice time last night. Thanks for the beer." I sit my coffee cup down too and follow him towards the door.
He chuckles lightly and pulls me into a hug and kisses my neck. "I'll call you later." He releases me from the hug and walks out the door. As I watch him walk away I wonder if I will hear from him again. Will he actually call? I close the door and head for the shower. I'm going to need a cold one this morning.
I spent the rest of the morning cleaning house and doing laundry. As I was folding the last load the phone rang.
"Hello"
"What happened last night? James told Ben he stayed the night" Angela's voice was full of concern, but I can't help but giggle lightly at that.
"Relax Ang. He did stay the night, but it's not what you're thinking. He came over and we stayed up all night talking until I fell asleep when he started rubbing my shoulders. I really had a nice time."
"Well, he certainly gave Ben the impression it was more than that. Just be careful Bella. I don't want you to get hurt." I know she's just worried about me, but if he's giving off the impression that it was more than an innocent night, I'm not sure how to feel about that. Before I can comment any further, my other line starts ringing.
"Ang, can I call you back, my other line is ringing."
"Sure Bella. I'll talk to you later. Are you sure you're ok?" Wow, she really is worried.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I'll talk to you soon." I'm actually starting to feel a little sick thinking that James would make it sound like more than it was. Why would he say that?
I switch to the other line and say hello, still distracted by my conversation with Angela.
"Hey, Bella it's James. Why don't I pick you up and take you to dinner. Be ready at six."
"James? What exactly did you tell Ben about last night?" I can hear the irritation in my voice.
"What are you talking about?" He asks a bit amused. "I told him I had a nice time and we slept together…on the couch." He laughs. "Seriously, Bella, I'm a guy. I couldn't resist, but I did tell him it was because you fell asleep during my awesome rub down. So, I'll pick you up at six ok?"
"James, I don't want people getting the wrong impression of what happened last night. I hope you didn't intentionally say something that would make them think something like that." I'm still a bit irritated by how casual he is being about this.
"Bella, I like you, and I wouldn't let someone think something that is not true about you. I really want to get to know you better. I want to spend some time with you tonight, so please don't be angry about this, it's nothing to worry about."
I sigh loudly. Maybe I am blowing this out of proportion. He doesn't seem to think it's a big deal, but Angela was so concerned. Was what he said really that bad? Sure the implications were there, but really he didn't say anything that didn't happen.
"Alright." I concede. "I'll be ready."
"Great! I'll see you then." he hangs up with that and I'm left looking at the phone. What am I getting myself into? Take a chance Bella, nothing ventured, nothing gained.
I have no idea where he's planning on taking me for dinner, so I opt to stay casual, like most of my wardrobe. I put on a pair of dark jeans and a teal button up blouse with some black boots. That'll do.
I'm ready with fifteen minutes to spare. I'm getting a bit nervous now, so I decide to call Angela back before I go out. I should have called her sooner, but I was too worried about dinner with James to think about calling her.
"Ang, it's me." I try to sound calm, but I know I don't fool her.
"Bella, what took you so long to call back?" She doesn't sound as worried as before, but I can still tell that something is bothering her.
"Sorry, I got sidetracked. James called and explained what happened. It was just a misunderstanding. He said he told the guys that we slept together on the couch after I fell asleep. He's picking me up in a little while to take me to dinner."
"Really? Wow, I guess I can see the misunderstanding. Where is he taking you?"