Disclaimer: I do not own Power Rangers. This story is for entertainment purposes only.
Chapter 5: Awkward Games
It was dark by the time Tori and Blake finally arrived at the motel, which was less than a mile from the racetrack. After his interview with Maxim magazine, Blake had to pose for pictures with more trophy girls and had to sit with Josie while he listened to more endorsement offers.
Inserting the key to her motel room, Tori was suddenly glad she and Blake had gotten separate rooms. "That we can avoid any awkward situations," thought Tori to herself as she stepped into the room. She skidded to a stop, and her bag thudded loudly to the floor.
"MICE!" screeched Tori at the sight of the rodent-infested room. Tori scooped up her bag and scurried over to Blake's room down the hall where she proceeded to pound incessantly on the window outside his room.
"Where's the fire?" she heard Blake ask from behind the closed door. "Tori? You looked like you've seen a spider," said Blake when he opened the door.
"Worse. Mice," replied a pale-faced Tori. Her white cheeks immediately turned red though when she realized Blake was wearing nothing but a towel around his waist having just gotten out of the shower. She bit bashfully her lip at the sight of his tan, cut chest and tight arms. "So much for avoiding awkward moments," thought Tori to herself amused.
"Sorry about this," apologized Blake laughing as he realized what he was wearing, or lack thereof.
"No need to apologize at all," thought Tori to herself coyly. "I'll go see about getting another room while you get dressed."
An hour later, the duo had ordered some drinks at a nearby billiards bar.
"I'm sorry about you not being able to get a new room," said Blake regretfully. "Motels get really booked up when the motocross tour comes to town. I hope us sharing a room won't make things awkward for you."
"It's too late for that!" said Tori disgusted.
"Huh?" responded Blake confused.
"This blueberry root beer you ordered us tastes rotten!" said Tori spitting out her drink.
"I guess not all things blue are good," laughed Blake at her sickened expression.
"You sure weren't when I first met you!" responded Tori cheekily, referring to Blake's evil ranger days working for Lothor. "But us two blue rangers turned out to make a pretty good team in the end."
"The best," said Blake smiling at Tori warmly, causing her cheeks to heat up.
"So are you disappointed about missing your motel party tonight?" asked Tori, changing the subject.
"Naw," said Blake, shaking his head. "They're like nightly happenings out here on the tour. They get old after awhile. What I want to hear about is what's new with our crew back in Blue Bay Harbor!"
Tori spent the next two hours catching Blake up on their students at the Wind Ninja Academy, Shane's string of bad blind dates, Cam and Kelly's feuding, Kapri's crush on Hunter, and Dustin and Marah's comical coupledom.
"It was always there between Dustin and Marah from the start," mused Blake.
"Are you kidding?" exclaimed Tori. "Marah was evil and wanted to destroy Dustin."
"Kinda like us at first?" grinned Blake playfully.
"I guess that's how all great romances start," joked Tori, causing Blake to duck his head bashfully.
"Yeah, but Dustin and Marah, those two airheads were destined for each other," smiled Blake. "People who are meant to be together always find a way to work it out." Tori looked up toward Blake, who was gazing at her affectionately. Tori felt her heart skip a beat.
"Marah's birthday is tomorrow, too," added Tori, trying to lighten the mood.
"Thanks for reminding me to call her," said Blake appreciatively. "So shall we see if you have any skills at pool?"
"Oh I always get the ball in hole!" chided Tori, turning red upon realizing the sexual suggestiveness at her statement. Blake put his arm around her and affectionately rubbed the top of her forehead as they made their way over to a free table. Tori liked watching Blake as the two engaged in their pool dual. The way he bent over the table, his face focused in concentration and his eyes shinning; Tori found it incredibly sexy.
"How about we heighten the stakes?" proposed Blake, giving Tori a sly look after he hit the four ball into the corner pocket. "If I miss this next shot, you get the bed tonight, and I'll sleep on the couch."
"Sleeping in separate beds?" thought Tori to herself disappointedly. Her rodent filled room had conveniently created an opening, and Tori was just about sick of playing cat and mouse with Blake. She decided it was time to make her move.
"And if you make this next shot, you get a kiss from me as a reward," said Tori suggestively. Blake's head shot up surprised from where he was leaned above the pool table preparing his shot. Was it Tori's imagination, or did Blake look disturbed at her proposal?
Blake's shot – not a difficult one at all for an experienced player like him – was far off from the pocket. "I purposely missed the shot," said Blake averting Tori's confused eyes. "I wanted you to have the bed so you'd be more comfortable."
"That's a plausible excuse," thought Tori to herself hopefully. "Maybe Blake's just being polite." Either way, Tori decided she needed to a sure-win scenario.
"Ok you gentleman," began Tori. "If I make this next shot, I get a kiss from you. But if I miss, you get a kiss from me." Blake coughed and looked away quickly from Tori, seeming unsure as he ran his hands agitatedly through his hair.
Tori, still bewildered by Blake's reaction, took her shot that ended up bouncing off the side wall. "Alright Mr. Bradley, time for you to get over here and get some love," said Tori perkily. Walking over to Blake, Tori placed her hands on his muscular shoulders. Yet when Tori leaned in toward his lips, she was met with Blake's turned cheek. Tori pulled back awkwardly in a state of disappointed shock.
"I guess I'm up," said Blake, moving away quickly to the other side of the pool table.
"Yeah your turn," responded Tori glumly even though she already knew Blake's move now. Tori realized it wasn't imagination this time: Blake Bradley was clearly not interested in her romantically anymore.