Chapter 7

A/N Both Teddy and Alex are totally made up characters. I realize that the timing of the wheels/contests/pools is a little skewed but hey- it's called fan fiction. Hope you enjoy.

"Shotgun" yelled Alex as she, Jay and Stacy headed towards his car. "I heard that in the movies and I've always wanted to say that! In Manhattan that just makes deli clerks duck behind their counters, ya know." Gotta embrace the left coast lifestyle she thought with growing happiness.

"OK, you're a strange one, Alex B." laughed Stacy opening the passenger side door for her with a flourish; your limousine awaits."

"Yeah, and I'll just make myself comfortable here in the cheap seats – No, no, don't bother to get my door, Stacy," Jay laughed in spite of himself while settling into the back seat.

While driving the few blocks to Zephyr Stacy quizzed Alex about the urethane wheels she was trying to sell to Skip. "I haven't seen anything about them really in like SkateBoarder magazine or anything, are they getting popular on the East Coast? Do you skate them all the time?"

"Actually, I don't think I could even stand up on a skateboard, though who knows, I never tried." Alex said honestly. "I met Teddy- he's like the self-proclaimed president of Cadillac Wheels- in a pub near New York University. A lot of the college guys skate in Washington Square Park, that's right in the neighborhood of NYU, this pub and my house- umm, my old house. Turns out that Teddy and I had a class together, and he's a skater and like some kind of genius with plastics/urethane...whatever. So long story short, he had developed these new wheels and thought they would sell in California cause he saw lots of skateboarding articles about Dogtown and whatnot."

"Yep, Skip just started the Zephyr Competition Team for skateboarding", Jay chimed in, "we haven't even entered our first contest yet, though Stacy's not on it cause he's been working. He's on the Zephyr Surf Team though."

"Well, I was never that interested in watching the guys in Washington Square skate up and down and do handstands around the fountains in the park, but it was amazing watching both you guys skate my pool this morning," offered Alex looking sideways encouragingly at Stacy.

"Here we are-team members and nonmembers off here for the Zephyr Shop" Stacy said pulling up in front of the shop.

"Hey Skip, look who I brought you- Miss Urethane Wheels 1976 just like I promised." announced Jay.

"Thanks, Stacy, for the ride" Alex glared at Jay. It seemed more important now to acknowledge Stacy after Jay's revelation about the team roster. "It was incredible watching what you did what those new wheels this morning." What the hell might as well plug the product and Stacy while I'm at it.

"Well hello again, Alex Wheel man, Alex Wheel boy, Alex Wheel Boylan, Alexandra Boylan of the Wheels, step into my office, I'm ready to negotiate," Skip drawled in his usual stoner tone. "How about a drink?" he said grabbing his blender full of fruity whatever and leading her towards his back office.

"Drinks? It's still before noon, what is it with you Cali guys? Time zone differences or a divergent opinion on breakfast beverages? Let's finish off some business first hmm?" Alex opined.

Half hour later

Alex emerged from the back office into a now empty surf shop. She finally had a chance to look around unmolested and was knocked out by the astoundingly original handcrafted surf and skate boards. Not the usual California rainbows and lotus flowers but portraits and graffiti inspired designs lined the walls. For all their social retardation, these Z-boys really put out something special. She walked out into the sunshine and looked around. Oddly, no cluster of skaterboyz nearby. She tucked the signed contract and check from Skip into her purse with great satisfaction. Jeez, she really was 'Alex Boylan – Saleswoman' now. Cool, she smiled to herself. She was just turning to walk towards home when Stacy emerged from his car parked nearby.

"Alex Boylan, Businesswoman, I presume? Stacy teased.

Something inside her told her she could be comfortable with this guy, she wasn't sure whether it was just lack of anyone else around to turn to, or increasingly, the feeling Stacy was a trustworthy guy, but she giggled; "You know it, sir, Urethane Wheel Distribution Rep for the entire freaking continental United States, bi-coastal, baby!" she sashayed towards him, grabbing his shoulders and dancing towards him in her version of a victory dance.

Stacy happily caught her up in an embrace of shared exuberance. "Welcome to the wonderful world of skateboarding!" he laughed his face inches from hers.

She slid her hands in from his shoulders to cross her forearms behind his neck. "Well thank you kind sir! Happy to have you as my guide!" Alex impulsively stood on her tiptoes and planted a quick kiss on his lips.

Stacy, surprised but not a fool, gave her waist a squeeze and kissed back.

As quickly as she had popped up towards him, Alex stood back down but only managed to move back imperceptibly. That felt right she thought – no mashing of noses, or crashing of teeth. And she was very aware of his arms still around her. Yeah-this is good she thought happily.

Stacy was caught in his own version of the same thoughts. He felt his eyelids flutter open and realized she wasn't squirming to get out of his grip. Yeah-this feels good he thought happily.

"So Alex" Stacy blurted out in a voice a little squeakier than usual, "I heard the Allmans are playing this Saturday nearby and I thought you might want to check it out-with me." See, I can pull off my own surprises, he thought, dropping his hands unconsciously from around her waist, retreating just in case of rejection.

"That sounds great!" Alex enthused, already missing the warmth of his touch as he stepped back.