The Player - A Short Story
Linda Johnson
Copyright 2013 Linda Johnson
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The Player is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
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Jacob Flynn sat poolside, dangled his long legs into the tepid water. He straightened his knees and observed his muscular calves, smiled with pride. He pulled his shoulders back, sucked in his stomach like a proud rooster. He touched his slicked back hair, black as coal thanks to his hairdresser, pulled into a tight pony tail. His all-over spray-on tan ensured no white lines. He had to look his best to get laid tonight. And that was his plan---the only reason to be at this dump.
His ears rang from the kids’ incessant screaming; his nose burned from the stench of chlorine and summer sweat. But if he could hook up with one of the little brat’s mothers, it would be worth the irritation. His gaze wandered around the chaise lounges, checking ring fingers. A single mom the perfect target---desperate for a man to save her from her pathetic existence.
Jacob zeroed in on his mark. She had long, red hair, milky white skin, and her voluptuous body filled out her bikini like a Sports Illustrated swimsuit model. Jacob pushed himself up from the concrete, his well-oiled biceps bulged.
As he sauntered toward his mark, the locker room door burst open and two boys spilled out, braying like donkeys. Their laughter made Jacob want to reach down the boys’ throats and yank out their vocal chords.
“Peter’s got a big butt. Peter’s got a big butt,” one of the boys cried, holding a photocopy of said butt over his head.
Jacob’s mark stood from her chaise. “Peter, you get over here right now.”
Peter slouched toward his mother. “We were just goofing around, Mom. Found a copy machine in one of the offices, and---”
“That’s enough. Get back in the locker room and change your clothes. We’re going home.”
“But, Mom---”
“Now, Peter.” She watched her son turn around, then began to pack up her pool items.
As Jacob passed her, he flashed a sympathetic smile. “Kids. What can you do?”
She responded with a tight-lipped smile and Jacob could see the anger in her eyes. No way he’d get lucky with this bitch. Not wanting it to be obvious that he’d planned to chat her up, Jacob kept walking past. The locker room straight ahead. Might as well use the can, he thought.
He pushed through the swinging door and stopped, caught off guard by a woman in the men’s locker room. He watched her slip a note into one of the lockers.
Jacob cleared his throat and the woman’s hand flew to her mouth.
“Oh God. I’m so embarrassed. I know I’m not supposed to be in here.”
“Don’t sweat it. You just surprised me. That’s all.”
“No, really. I’m so sorry. I’ll get out of your way.”
Jacob watched the woman leave. Not his usual type. Kind of mousy looking with dishwater blond hair and a plain face. But she had a decent body even though she hid it with her one-piece bathing suit and towel around her waist. Definitely not as primo as his first mark, but he could roll with it.
Jacob took his time in the locker room to let the mouse get settled in poolside. When he stepped through the door, he spotted her on a chaise lounge with empty chairs on both sides. A good sign: it looked like she was alone.
He detoured to the snack bar and bought two Diet Cokes, ready to make his move. He approached the mouse with a smile, his arm extended with the drink. “You looked a little warm. I thought you might like a soda.”
She jumped, startled, but recovered quickly. “Thanks. That’s really nice of you.”
As she reached for the cup, Jacob let his fingers graze hers before releasing the drink. He gestured to the empty chair. “Mind if I join you?”
“Not at all.” She paused. “About before...you know, in the locker room. I’m really embarrassed.”
Jacob held up his hand. “You don’t owe me an explanation. It’s no big deal. It’s not like you caught me naked or anything.”
“No, but I want to explain anyway. I’m a home ec teacher and there was a little incident at school today with one of my students. When I got to the pool this afternoon, I saw him here. I didn’t want to confront him in person, so I went in the locker room, found the locker with his clothes, and dropped off a note for him.”
Afraid to confront her own students? Jacob thought. Total mouse. This could be easier than I expected.
Jacob spent the next half hour chatting up the mouse whose name turned out to be Melanie. He did his best to feign interest in her boring job. He couldn’t imagine spending a whole day with a bunch of high school students, much less teaching them how to cook, clean and sew. His eyes ready to glaze over, he told her he had an appointment and needed to leave.
“I hope I’m not out of line here,” he said, “but I’d really like to see you again.”
“I’d like that, too.” She looked like an eager puppy getting released from her crate.
“Want to grab a drink this evening? Or dinner if you’re free?”
“That sounds great. I’d love to have dinner with you.”
Jacob suggested meeting at a French bistro in the area. He would have offered to pick her up, but he knew women liked to have their own wheels on a first date. It gave them a feeling of security to be able to escape a bad situation. But Jacob wasn’t going to do anything to scare off the mouse. If he played it right, she’d think it was her idea to follow him back to his place after dinner.