Blind Landing (Flipped #1) (11 page)

R
yan and Marissa
end their fight on my television screen just as Chris Brown’s “Forever” chirps from my cellphone. I reach for it, my stomach muscles stretching over the sheets and comforter on my bed.

Peyton’s picture and name flash across the screen and my heart makes a bittersweet thump, happy that she’s calling but sad about what this conversation will hold. I flop onto my back as I swipe the screen and pick up the call.

“It’s about time you answered one of my many attempts.” I grin into the phone as a sigh comes through the other end.

“You had to give me time to be a sulking bitch for a week or two. After all, my dreams were just crushed.” Peyton puts on a strong front, but I can hear the wobble in her voice.

I kick my leg up and stretch it to my shoulder, practically in a full split on my back. “How are you holding up?”

Another exhale right into my ear. “Not great, but better than I was. I just can’t believe it, Nat. I can’t believe I’m not there, that I won’t be competing in Rio. This was my dream, be a two-time Olympic champion. And now it’s gone. It’s like I’m missing a limb or something.”

My heart aches for her. “I know, this fucking sucks. And it’s really unfair. But you have to realize that you already achieved what so many gymnasts don’t even get to experience. You made it to the Olympics. You stood on that podium with a medal in your hand. No one can ever take that away from you. Yes, it sucks major balls that you won’t be up there again, but look at your life. You made it to the ultimate winner’s circle in the world of gymnastics. Not many people can say that.”

There is a pause, a silence, and I think she might be crying but I can’t tell. I wish I could hug her. “I know. You’re right. It’s just not fair. I tried so hard to get ready, to be prepared. And even killing myself in practice every day wasn’t enough. My body isn’t the same as it was four years ago. I don’t feel as strong or as flexible. And I guess, in the end, that was my downfall. Old age. What a crock of shit. You never think it’s going to happen to you until you’re sitting on a runway in New Jersey being flown home to a normal life. Whatever that is.”

I couldn’t imagine the emptiness, the hollow feeling she was experiencing. I still have a few good years of gymnastics left in me, and even I had nightmares about what life after this sport meant.

Peyton sniffles and clears her throat. “Enough about my pity party though. What’s up with you? How is everything there?”

My mind instantly flashes to the things Spencer and I have been doing. I shake my head, knowing that is not the kind of stuff she wants to know about. “It’s good. Chugging along until the last days of training. Ready to get to Trials and have the nonsense be over with.”

I made it short and sweet, I didn’t want to upset her with details about the things she wasn’t going to partake in.

“Sounds pleasantly boring, per usual. Tell me Novak is still wearing that totally inappropriate red shirt to practice?”

A giggle escapes my lips. “The one where you can practically see his beer gut hanging out the bottom? Yeah. And guess what I’m doing right now?”

“What’s that?”

“Hanging out in the OC with our old friends …”

I hear a shocked gasp. “You little brat, you’re binging without me?! Say hi to my boyfriend Seth.”

Her jokes about Seth Cohen still make me laugh. We’ve been binge-watching
The OC
since I got to Filipek’s.

“I couldn’t hold off! It was calling my name from the DVD player. Plus, you already watched the show once through! I have never seen all of the seasons. I’m like an addict.”

We chuckle together and talk about the episode I’m currently watching, before Peyton brings up the ugly elephant in my closet.

“And what about your beam dismount?”

I knew she’d known about my fear. Peyton had been around gymnastics too long not to notice. “It’s all solved. I can Arabian in my sleep now.”

She snorts. “How did you get over it?”

A flicker of doubt ran through me. I wanted so badly to talk to someone about Spencer. But on the other hand, it was nothing. We were just hooking up.

“Nat?”

Peyton’s annoyed voice had me speaking before I could think. “Spencer helped me actually.”

A pause. “Spencer Russell?”

“Yeah …”

“He helped you get over the fear of your beam dismount?” Peyton did not sound convinced.

I rubbed my thigh nervously as I spoke. “Yeah, he got up with me early almost every morning for weeks and worked through my mental block. He’s actually a really great coach when he cares to show up.”

“Nat, you’re not like … involved with him, are you?”

I pause.

“NATALIE! Oh please tell me you did not go there!” She’s caught me red-handed.

“Oh, stop, Peyton. It’s really not what you think. We’re just having fun.”

My friend makes a
pshh
noise through the phone. “Let me tell you a little secret. I once had a ‘little fun’ with another gymnast. It was sexy and hot, a lot of great nights and satisfaction. Until it was not so fun. Until feelings were involved and it was distracting and all consuming. And people got hurt.”

My stomach clenches with worry. Spencer and I had only been “having fun” for about three weeks now, although things were certainly building before this point. And I know that when I leave and he stays, I’ll be sad. That when Rio is over and we go back to our normal lives, a little piece of my heart will yearn for him. Slowly but surely, Spencer planted seeds in my heart that have now grown roots. And I didn’t even know it until right now.

But I could still deny it to her. “Peyton, nothing like that is going on. It’s just sex. Great sex.”

“Be careful, Nat. You’re playing with fire. If anyone were to find out, that would only be the tip of the iceberg. Men are a distraction, and male athletes are the worst of them all. I don’t want you to end up where I am today.”

I don’t know what ever happened with her and Jared, but now I knew it had hurt her deeply. I wasn’t going to let the same thing happen to me.

“Don’t worry, nothing is going to happen and no one is going to get hurt. It’s a no-strings-attached fling. Seriously, we are only having fun while we have the time.”

A sigh came through the speaker of my phone again. “That’s exactly what I said four years ago.”

“
Y
eah
, fuck you, too, asshole! Nice blinker!” I flip the guy in the Prius in front of me off, my middle finger making me feel all powerful.

Assholes on the bridge, always trying to cut everyone off. While the main bridge into Ocean City brought the salty smell of the bay and the warm sensations of relaxation flooding my bones, it also brings idiot drivers who can’t properly signal.

“Are you always like this when you drive?” From the passenger seat, Nat is eyeing me with a mix of caution and amusement.

My blood cools and I crack a smile. “Not my fault people don’t know how to drive.”

She puts a hand over her heart as genuine giggles pour from her lush lips. “Now I know where you get your anger out, Mr. Cool and Laid Back. You have a secret road rage side of you.”

I slide my black aviators down the bridge of my nose and flash her the sexiest face I can muster. “I’m from Jersey, babe. We’re the best drivers, and also the angriest. And we have the biggest muscles. And the biggest dicks.”

She tries to keep her sarcastic expression, but I can see the heat underneath. “Oh, yeah? That’s all proven?”

“Sure is.” We cross the last bit of the bridge and my Jeep wheels touch down on Ocean City streets, and all of my summer memories come rushing up at me.

“So this is Ocean City, huh?” Nat takes her big brown sunglasses off, her blond hair whipping around from the wind streaming through the open windows.

Over the last week, I've talked a lot about the place my parents and I used to spend long sunny days and warm boardwalk-filled nights. I told her about the world famous ice cream place down the street that serves piles of vanilla and chocolate on top of homemade, piping hot waffles. She listened while I droned on and on about the perfect technique to boogie boarding, the doughnut shop you had to race to at seven a.m. to even have a chance at getting a hot, sugary batch, and the swinging ship at the amusement park that turned my stomach.

I’m not sure what possessed me to ask her to come with me on this visit. Maybe it was because I’d told my mom about her already, or because we’d been hooking up for the last month or so. It was the longest I’d ever been with one girl continuously, and now that I thought about it, that was kind of sad.

But after telling Nat all about one of my most cherished places on earth, I realize I wanted to take her here. I wanted to show her why I loved this place, wanted to make new memories. See her smile as the slingshot catapulted her above the boardwalk; watch her eyes light up in wonder when we walked into the Christmas store, the thousands of twinkling ornaments seeming normal even in July.

That shit was mushy and kind of pussy-whipped to admit, but for the first time ... I didn’t really mind. Nat was different. She wasn’t pushing for anything. In fact I didn’t even know if she wanted anything more than what we had. But it was nice to have her here, to talk to a woman like any other of my guy friends. And also have the added benefits of burying myself balls deep inside of her while she whispers dirty shit in my ear.

“This is it. Our house is on 8th and Ocean, but want me to drive you along Atlantic Ave first so you can see the beach?” I maneuver the car through the crowded streets, the salty evening air settling in with the pink sunset.

“I know what the Jersey shore looks like, thank you very much. I didn’t live in an igloo before I met you, oh descendant of the great Bruce Springsteen.”

“Hey, don’t diss The Boss. And I know you know what the Jersey shore looks like. It knows what you look like very well, if I remember. It saw your ass and tits before even I did.”

Nat shoots me a look that has my balls shriveling just the tiniest bit.

I navigate us past the busy main center of town and into the quieter streets filled with sprawling modern beach mansions that sit next to old clapboard shore homes that have been passed down for generations. I spot my family’s home farther down the street and smile. It’s a mix between the two, a white shingled two-story that looks like it belongs on Nantucket, not in Jersey. It’s modest, not like one of these stucco monstrosities that developers build up to block other’s views of the beach, with a red front door and surfboard’s sitting against the garage. I can’t wait to walk inside, to smell the sandalwood my mother keeps tucked among the beachy decor.

“This is it.” I pull in, putting us in park and preparing myself mentally for my mother’s inevitable sixty-five question attack on Nat.

“Wow, this is so ... pretty. And ... modest.” She literally has the same thoughts in her brain. “I think I like your parents better than you already. Where did their cocky son come from?”

I wrap my arm around her neck, pulling her close and planting a noogie on her scalp. “Oh, admit it. You like me cocky.”

She sputters as she pushes at me, and I finally let her up. “But seriously Nat, thanks for coming with me. You didn’t have to, but I’m glad you’re here. And I’m sorry for any uncomfortable questions my mother is about to ask you.”

Something in my eyes must clue her in that I really mean it, and for a split-second our gazes lock and I feel something with this woman that I’ve never felt in my life. It shocks my chest, electrocuting my heart and the nerves around it like I’ve been shocked with paddles on a gurney. I lose my breath for a second, the oxygen I need to live trapped somewhere in those cerulean pools staring back at me.

"Hi you two!" Mom interrupts our moment, waving furiously on the front porch as Dad walks into the doorway, shaking his head.

"Guess it’s showtime. Let’s go show your parents how much better I am than you." Nat hops out of the car, putting on her best performance face.

She’s a damn good actress, being a natural born performer, a gymnast, she has to be. But I’ve learned to read her; working with someone on overcoming their fears will give you that ability. I can feel the nervous energy humming around her, she wants to make a good impression. And that only adds to my conclusion that what we’re doing is more than just having fun.

I climb out of the Jeep, not even trying to fight the silly grin pulling my cheeks tight. “Hi parentals. This is Natalia.”

Nat stands before them, reaching out a slim, delicate hand. A hand that I know is covered in calluses. “It’s so nice to meet you, Spence has said nothing but great things.”

My Mom forgoes her hand and sweeps her into a big hug, her violet gray hair falling all over Nat’s shoulders. “Oh, he better have or I would have had to smack him. We’re the best thing about that boy, didn’t you know?”

I roll my eyes and man hug Dad, who gives me a thumbs up for what I can only assume is how hot Nat is. It’s not in a creepy, older man way, but more of a, “I’m proud of you son and I’ve taught you well” way.

“I mean, I assumed. Have you seen the guy? There isn’t much special about him.” Nat makes a sarcastic noise in her throat, but her eyes are all playful.

Mom and Dad stop for a second, feigning horrified looks. I know they’re just messing with Nat, but she doesn’t break her goofy expression either.

Then, at the same time, my parents speak. “Oh, we like her, Spencer.”

And just like that, Natalia Grekov has my parent’s stamp of approval.

We hurry inside, me lugging our overnight bags to our separate rooms on the second floor of the house. Despite my age, and my financial freedom from my parents … they’ve insisted that overnight guests of the female orientation are not allowed to sleep in the same bed as I am. That’s fine … it will just be more of a turn on to have to sneak into Nat’s room when my parents fall asleep. My cock lengthens and swells at the idea.

After just twenty minutes of settling in and giving Nat a quick tour, Mom insists that we head to the boardwalk.

“We have to give Natalia the Ocean City experience!”

I’ve always admired my Mom’s spontaneous personality. I’ve inherited a lot of her traits, and I’m glad that is one of them. While she can relax and enjoy downtime, she thrives when she’s doing something new or exciting.

We head to our rooms to change, and I throw on khaki shorts and a maroon short-sleeved button up. One thing Mom doesn’t put up with is sloppy attire, and growing up, she was constantly yelling at me to put a shirt on or change out of my gym shorts.

I nearly swallow my tongue when I meet Nat at the top of the steps, her bare shoulders on full display in a strapless sundress in a red poppy print.

“You look hot.” I skim my hands over her bare arms, knowing I won’t be able to do much tonight but stare at her delicate collarbone.

She smiles up at me, toying with the long blond braid thrown over her shoulder. “You don’t look half bad yourself. I think this might be the first time I’ve ever seen you outside of chalky gym clothes.”

I hold up a finger. “Not true … you saw me in jeans at Jenkinson’s.”

She holds up her finger at me. “That’s not true either. I saw you
out
of your jeans at Jenkinson’s.”

An image of a naked Nat streaking down the moonlit beach pops into my head, and I almost pull her into my room to show her the growing hard-on in my shorts.

“You kids ready?” My Dad calls up, spoiling my opportunity.

I guess I was going to need to get used to adult supervision this weekend.

The four of us head to the boardwalk, strolling the lamp lit streets in silence, just basking in the warm air and beautiful summer night. Once there, we get slices of pizza from Manco & Manco’s, which we eat on a bench at the edge of the boardwalk, swatting away seagulls and people watching. Mom takes Nat into a couple of stores, buys her a bracelet with various shell and starfish charms. Dad and I get Kohr Bro’s ice cream, the orange and vanilla twists are sweet and the perfect treat to cap off the night. But Nat isn’t ready to go, instead dragging me onto the swinging ship as Mom and Dad look on in amusement. My stomach drops each time the ship does, but not because of the ride.

No, it’s because the intriguing woman next to me holds my hand the entire ride, her feminine shrieks making my heart flip over with each swing.

“All right, I need to get your father to bed … the old man is getting cranky.” Mom hugs me as Nat and I descend the steps from the ride.

Dad shakes his head, motioning behind her back that she’s the one who is tired.

“I’m not tired yet, you want to walk on the beach?” I turn to Nat, hoping she says yes. I want some alone time with her.

“Sure.” Her grin is shy, and it does something that makes all the blood in my body rush to my dick.

We say our goodbyes, hugging my parents and assuring them we’ll be home within an hour or so. And then we’re crossing the boardwalk, the crowd thinning out as the hour turns late. Nat scoops my hand up again, lacing her fingers in mine. Her palm is calloused, like always, but also soft and warm. My body hums with completion, just the simple act of holding her hand making me feel at peace.

Our feet hit the sand, cool and soft in the night air, and we walk to the water’s edge.

“Your parents are great.” Nat’s quiet tone cuts through the silence, the shouts and carnival music of the boardwalk a dull roar in the background.

“Yeah, they’re pretty fucking cool.” I nudge her shoulder with mine, admiring the way her long eyelashes cast shadows on her cheeks as the moonlight illuminates her face.

Our footsteps are silent, leaving wet marks in the sand behind us. The night is perfect, and thoughts of our first night at the beach surround me.

“Thanks for bringing me here, Spence. I needed a getaway.”

I turn to her. “Are you starting to get nervous?”

Nat shrugs. “Not nervous so much … I don’t really get nervous about competitions. More like … antsy, I guess? I’ve been working towards this for so long that I just want it to be here already, you know?”

I nod, knowing exactly what she’s saying. “Well, savor this. Before you know it, it will be over and you’ll be wishing you could come back to this exact moment.”

She stops our movement, taking both of my hands in hers. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to sound rushed about this. I know it’s a once and a lifetime thing, and that I should hold on to every single second, because … you know …”

I realize then that she feels shitty, feels like she’s called attention to my inability to have the same chances as her to go to the Olympics.

“Oh, fuck, no Nat. That’s not what I meant. I’m not projecting my bullshit on you or anything, I just want you to appreciate every moment. You deserve it. That’s all I meant.”

Her blue eyes blink up at me, and just like in the car earlier, I’m trapped. Mesmerized. The word vomit that has been plaguing me for the last week rears its head again.

“I like you, Nat. A lot.”

Shit, that sounds so weak. I could have told her in more eloquent terms how I felt about her. But now I’m frozen, waiting with the breath trapped in my lungs for her to respond.

“I like you, too.” An amused grin splits across her lips, my gaze falling to them. “But, we’re not going to do this thing where we get all mushy and start to define what we are, right? With all of the pressure, and the expectations?”

I shudder. “God, no. That sounds horrible. I just wanted to let you know that I like you, I like what we’re doing, and I’m only doing it with you. Fuck, I sound like a fifth-grader trying to ask a girl to go to the mall with me or something.”

Nat giggles, mocking me. “Aw, no you don’t. It’s sweet, in a pussy-whipped kind of way.”

I scoop her up, her squeal swallowed by the crashing of the waves on the sand. “And what if I am? Being whipped by your pussy would be an honor. A dream. I’d count my lucky stars.”

She rolls her eyes, squirming to be let down.

“But, seriously. I want you to know that this isn’t just some random fun, not for me. We don’t need to buy each other fucking promise rings or anything, but … let’s see where this goes. Okay?”

Nat’s eyes go skyward for a moment, her teeth sinking into her plump lip while she thinks. “All right, deal. But I don’t want flowers or love notes or any of that shit.”

“What do you want then?”

She ducks her head, her lips inches from mine. “Duh, Russell, I want your body. And a big fat gold medal.”