Phew, okay first chapter survived!
I noticed a lot of comments around Gabriella's age but I wanted to make her life journey realistic- it might be 'more acceptable' to have her in her 30's but that's just not real…Hopefully all of you who have mentioned her age will see (along with the moral of the story) that age really shouldn't matter when it comes to love! I sort of based her on Vanessa when her hair was bobbed for a short while- that messy/sexy look in case anyone needed help picturing her :)
Hope you like the rest of the story! Props to Teddybear no1 for inspiring the cougar-ism!
CHAPTER 2
Two weeks later, Gabriella Montez was still thinking about that night of passion.
She and Troy had woken the next morning and without the excuse of alcohol; had shared each other again in a softer, more sensual way that left her wondering what she had ever married her husband for.
Troy might be a young lover; might be slightly new to it all, but he had satisfied her in ways she had only dreamed of in her second phase of life.
She was convinced she was doomed to be stuck on endless blind dates with grey-haired business men who were 'secure' but that night two weeks ago had proved to her she had a bit of life in her yet.
Unfortunately for her, her sensible side had gotten the better of her and she had left her hotel room on tiptoes whilst Troy was still sleeping from their second bout of love-making and she hadn't heard from him since.
Mostly because neither of them took the other's surname or swapped numbers or in fact; agreed to meet again.
That night was what it was and she was a little annoyed she found herself thinking about it again while she was trying to get housework done.
Her son, Jared was due home this afternoon and he would be staying at the house with her while he was in town, visiting during his spring break from University. He was the best thing to come out of her failed marriage, really. She cherished him and was proud of him just like a mother should be. But she knew the moment he settled back in his old room, the house would turn into his own personal hotel so she was cleaning up ready in preparation.
She headed for the shower once she was satisfied the place was spotless and she picked out an outfit for his arrival. Nothing fancy; but she wanted to show off her new wardrobe that came with the new-found confidence of being single.
She felt sexy, suddenly. Something she had never in her entire life felt before, despite being married for twenty odd years.
Her peach-print maxi dress was perfect. She checked her hair and moisturized her face just in time to hear the doorbell ring.
Jared was home! She flew down the stairs to open the door widely and instantly she grinned and threw her arms around his shoulders; so happy to see him she almost tumbled him backwards.
"Uhm…hi, mom," he teased, hugging her back.
She pulled away and tilted her head. "I see you four times a year. Humour me…"
"Ah...okay," he gave her a one armed-hug, an awkward grimace on his face.
"What is it?" She squinted, instantly suspicious.
He swallowed. "Well…there's something I have to ask you…"
She leaned out the door, seeing the rear end of a taxi up the drive.
"You need me to pay the taxi?" She guessed.
"No…well yes," he adjusted. "And-"
"There's an and?"
"Don't be mad," he began.
"Jared, have you brought a girl home with you?" She chided, putting her hands on her hips.
"No, actually it's a guy," he amended and she lifted her brows and gaped her mouth.
"You're gay?"
"No!" He shook his head and sighed. "He's my University friend. He had nowhere to go for spring break. I said maybe…because you have all these rooms empty…I said maybe he could stay with us…"
"Oh," she frowned for a moment, taking this in.
"Look, he's in the taxi, he said he can just go back to dorms if it's not okay…he wouldn't even get out until I had asked you…"
"Well, that's something I guess," Gabriella mused of this grenade of surprise.
When she thought about it, she couldn't really see that there was any problem with another boy staying over in the house, Jared was right from that point, the house she'd received in the divorce settlement had five rooms altogether. She just knew nothing about the boy and that made her uneasy.
"He's not a pot-smoker is he?" She checked.
Jared laughed. "No! He's studying to become a teacher, like me…"
She nodded. "Doesn't mean he doesn't smoke pot," she murmured under her breath as Jared looked at her and sucked his lower lip, his big brown eyes now in begging mode.
"So, can he stay?"
She tilted her head. "You best clean up after yourselves…"
His grin was instant and he hugged her, and then went over to open the taxi door.
Gabriella was surprised to see a tall, well-muscled youth fold out; turning to pin her with sky-blue eyes.
"Mom, this is Troy Bolton. Troy, meet my mom…"
/
She must have needed a lie down, that was the only reason Gabriella could fathom for her laying on her bed in mid afternoon, waking from sleep.
"Mom, are you okay?" Jared checked, pressing a cold flannel to her head. "You passed out; I almost called the doctor…"
"Why didn't you?" She wondered as she tried to get her bearings.
"Troy told me a cold flannel might help…" Jared explained of his friend.
Oh yes. Troy. The reason she had passed out at all! Where was he now, anyway?
"Where is Troy?" She asked suspiciously.
"He's sat in the living room. He helped me carry you up here and felt bad so he stayed downstairs." Jared shared.
"Felt bad?" She repeated confusedly.
"He thought maybe the news of having two guys to feed and clean up after might not have gone down so well…"
"Did you pay the taxi?" She asked always thinking practically first. Never mind Troy and why he felt bad, she knew exactly why he felt bad and it had nothing to do with her son's unexpected request.
More to do with who he was asking to stay.
"Yeah…look," Jared began. "Please don't ask me to send him back to dorm now after I told him it was okay to stay…"
Gabriella laughed manically inside her head. If only he knew! Her poor son! It would kill him. Not only that his old and divorced mother was having one-night stands; but also that those particular liaisons were going on with a 22-year old. And also, the cherry on the top being that it wasn't any old 22 year old, but that which was his best friend. Double whammy. She couldn't quite work out how he'd take that news.
By the way, son, I had amazing sex with your University buddy. Hope that's okay.
And good god, it was amazing; she closed her eyes and groaned in memory. Too good. And not to be repeated. She had to face facts. That was the best sex she was ever going to have over the age of forty and she ought to be grateful she'd had any at all. Things could be very different- and would be from now on. No more parties. No more young men…
Well, there were none anyway until Troy came along and did something to her insides that she still couldn't explain.
"Are you okay?" Her son asked. "Are you in pain?"
"Yes," she croaked, hoping he might leave. "I have a migraine and I need to be left alone in the dark…"
She heard him sigh. "Okay and what about Troy?"
What about him? Her mind answered but her mouth didn't so Jared spoke again.
"Is it ok for him to stay?"
"Why wouldn't it be?" Her mouth answered so that her brain wouldn't betray her by listing the several reasons it wouldn't be okay for the delectable Troy to stay, starting with the fact she found him delectable at all in the first place.
"I don't know, you were just being weird about it…" Jared mumbled as he stood.
"Are you sure you don't need a doctor?" He checked before he left.
"No, I'll be perfectly okay, thank you." She assured and waited for her son to leave before she rolled over and slid the cordless phone from the extension by her bed.
She dialed the familiar digits of her best friend and prayed for a miracle.
/
"You did what?" Taylor McKessie screeched, half impressed, half shocked at Gabriella's news.
"I slept with a guy who now turns out to be my son's University friend…"
"And he's at your house?"
"With my son," she confirmed.
"Well, what did you say?" She demanded.
"I didn't. I passed out. I rang you to ask you what the hell I'm supposed to do!" She exasperated.
"You passed out? Jesus, what did you two get up to?" Taylor mused.
"Can we skip the shameful cougar-sex part and get to the what I should do part please?" Gabriella prompted.
"Well, if he's staying there you need to speak to him about it, I suppose…"
"That could be dangerous," Gabriella countered.
"Just how good looking is he?" He friend remarked.
"Very." Gabriella conceded. "Plus I just don't want to go there…I was the one who snuck out you know…"
"Wait a minute…he actually likes you, doesn't he?" Taylor guessed.
Gabriella sighed. "No."
"He does! Why don't you…you know…pick up where you left off?" She suggested.
"Taylor, did you miss the part where I mentioned my son?" Gabriella reminded.
"So? Would Jared really mind?" Taylor challenged.
"Yes!" She argued. "Wouldn't you?"
"Just go down there, introduce yourself as Mrs. Montez-"
"Ms," Gabriella corrected her.
"Fine, Ms. Montez…and when you have a moment alone just re-iterate to him that you're cool with him staying because as far as you're concerned the one-night stand door is well and truly shut."
"Nice," Gabriella commended her friend.
"The fact you passed out is going to clue him off, though. Good luck convincing him you're not interested…" Taylor teased.
"Well, I'm not. He had on surf shorts and flip-flops for Christ's sake. The night we met he was in a black suit and looked a lot older…"
"Surf-boys are sexy…" Taylor inserted.
"Not 22 year old ones," Gabriella chided- herself as much as her friend.
"If you say so. I can't wait to meet him."
"I'm going to go and face the music," Gabriella sighed. "Wish me luck…"
"Well you'll need it so good luck my friend," Taylor rang off.
Good luck and Dutch courage, Gabriella decided as she headed for the study before she went to the living room. Scotch before dinner was nothing, she mused.
Nothing whatsoever.
/
"Mom, why are you up?" Jared rose as she came into the living room to face the two boys. She smiled up at her son and avoided looking at the other male in the room- perched on the sofa nervously it would seem.
"I came to say hello," she ventured as Jared assisted her to a seat.
Only then did she look at Troy.
Yes, his hair was the same-soft and messed. His body was just as she remembered- strong and muscled. And although he was wearing more casual clothing; it didn't slow the rate of her heart or dim the memories of their night together. As it was, she had trouble covering the suck of air she made into her lungs to stop herself from passing out again- more from an old fashioned swoon than shock this time.
"Mom, I'd like you to meet Troy Bolton, my University roomie," Jared introduced for the second time. "Troy, this is my mom…"
Troy rose and held his hand forth. "Nice to meet you…ah...Mrs. Montez?" He took a guess as to the title he should use for her, his expression giving away both his own surprise and his hidden amusement at this forced formal greeting.
"Ms," she corrected lightly. "I'm divorced now…"
"Well, I am sorry to hear that," he offered politely.
Gabriella nodded, rising too, to indicate he should drop her hand and he gave her an intense look before he did so.
"I'm going to leave you boys to get settled in," she excused her exit. "See you in the morning…"
"Rest up," Jared called after her and she turned and smiled wanly at him at the door.
Chance would be a fine thing…
/
Gabriella didn't get any such rest. Her mind went over and over the details of her night -and morning- with Troy just two short weeks ago until her body was tortured with longing want at being so close to him, being given this second opportunity but with such an evil twist.
It didn't seem fair that she couldn't have him; but she had already resigned herself to the fact she couldn't. Still, having him around was going to be hell and with a break from work to spend time with her son- which now included her son's friend- it was going to be even harder to avoid him.
She hoped in some way that Jared and Troy would be gallivanting off on their own adventures and not wanting to tag along with her on her planned outings. She could picture the handsome pair fluttering all kinds of female hearts across town- and maybe some male ones- and she didn't like the tightness in her chest as she imagined that.
Troy, with another girl. With a girl, at all. She had been his first, he had said it wasn't meaningless and now she had to imagine him doing all the things he had done to her; with someone else. It irked her somewhat. She'd been gifted a night with the beautiful young man and now this was her punishment- watching him move on to other girls. It was karma. It was the best thing all in all. Now she didn't have to worry about their own secret.
Jared must never find out.
She was his mother and a role-model besides. She had to pull it together for his sake if not her own. Yes, she would be the perfect mother for the next two weeks and that would diminish any thoughts or feelings she or Troy may have anyway. There was nothing sexy about a housewife, she mused.
She tossed in bed until her tiredness finally won out; allowing her to sleep a few short hours until morning came.
/
Troy crept down the wide stairs, following the smell of bacon wafting from the kitchen as he glanced behind him carefully for sign of his friend.
Jared wasn't up yet, that he could tell and he needed this chance to talk to Gabriella alone; their situation forcing some kind of conversation at least before this break could be truly started. The last thing he needed was awkwardness while staying in her house and if he'd had any clue that his room-mate's mother was the woman he'd lost his virginity to; he'd never have agreed to this plan in the beginning.
When she'd fainted on him rising from the taxi, he'd felt every cell in his body urge to protect her; to lift her into his arms and carry her to safety but he'd held back; letting Jared care for his mother in a far more appropriate manner.
Okay, this was an unusual situation, but there was no need for it to be awkward at all if they just talked about it…
He took a breath for courage and pushed the door that led through to the kitchen, finding Gabriella busy cooking breakfast for them, dressed in wide black pants and a shapeless beige top, an apron fixed around her in a matronly fashion.
He swallowed, still the sight of her setting his heartbeat tripping no matter how much she tried to disguise her figure. Her hair was still the same short; sexy bob; her eyes still as brown but this morning without make up.
She was pure and unmade; something that only made her look younger, he thought. Not that her age bothered him; or he wouldn't be in this predicament in the first place.
"Hi," he offered and cleared his throat to garner her attention.
Gabriella looked to the doorway. He noticed her tense slightly.
"Good morning, Troy…"
"Look, we should talk," he ventured, coming inside the room and closer to her and he noticed her heavy swallow as she took great interest in her frying pan.
"Really?" Her voice was tell-tale high. He pursed his lips, unsure how to continue.
"My being here is making things awkward," he observed. "The last thing I want to do is ruin your time with Jared…"
Gabriella gave up using the pan for distraction. She twisted and flicked her eyes up to meet his; a monumental mistake because she was only reminded how that blue darkened with his lust and how those lashes felt brushing her skin as his full lips kissed down it…
She fought for words, fought for air, even and definitely fought for clarity as she cleared her throat of any betraying husk. The young man couldn't know what he did to her; she couldn't give the game away. That night was one night, never to be repeated. She told herself all the reasons why; taking in his outfit this morning of jeans and a long sleeve blue striped top.
Yes, he did look adorable and yes, that was something that made her ache to kiss him again but it wasn't going to happen. Never again. Ever.
"Let's just move on, shall we?" She suggested. "We'll think of it as a simple mistake…one night of stupidity…"
Troy frowned, about to argue with her words, but the evident entrance of Jared to the kitchen halted his words.
"Hey man," his friend greeted as he passed him, then looked back at him with an amused squint. "What's up?"
"Nothing," Troy quickly smiled. "I was just offering to help out with breakfast…"
"No point," Jared went over to hug Gabriella. "Mom won't let anyone else in her kitchen."
Gabriella rolled her eyes.
"Sit down while I bring it over," she told them as she ferried over plates of bacon, eggs, sausage, hash browns, tomatoes, beans, fried bread and mushrooms.
"Wow, mom," Jared grinned happily, tucking in.
"I figured you boys might be hungry," she offered weakly. "I expect you have a big day planned…"
Jared talked through his mouthful. "We're spending the day with you," he stated. "Like we said…"
Gabriella gritted her teeth together and forced a smile.
"But honey, you have your friend here now, I'm sure he doesn't want to tag along on our silly mother-son day trips…"
"Troy doesn't mind," Jared assured, and then looked to his friend. "Do you?"
Troy, for his part, shifted uncomfortably. "Look, I can entertain myself if you want to spend some time together alone…"
"Dude, you're coming," Jared said, then looked to Gabriella. "Isn't he, mom?"
She met her son's gaze and envied his naivety.
"Yes, of course. You're welcome to come along with us, Troy," she added convincingly.
Troy swept his gaze over to her. "Thank you Ms. Montez…"
She smirked at his formality.
"If you're going to be staying, I'd rather you called me Gabi," she said and he nodded.
"So, where we off to today?" Jared piped up, oblivious to the undercurrent in the room.
Gabi sucked her lower lip.
"I had planned to take you to the fair at Ned's Beach," she shared.
"Oh man! Bumper cars! I am so going to beat you this time," Jared grinned at his mother and she giggled and smiled back, suddenly at ease.
"So you say, son of mine…so you say…"