The Neighbor #2 (The Neighbor Romance Series - Book #2) Read online

  “I am going to hit the showers Kelly. Today I will try not to spend the day regretting my attire.”

  The showers were prison-like. I had finally gotten around to watching Orange is the New Black. I had never been to prison but they were not much different from depicted. They smelled of antiseptic cleanser, which was better than Kelly’s breath. I thought that perhaps I could get her to gargle with the stuff. I washed and conditioned my hair. I was happy it was in my hands and not in the hands of Ryder the barber. Wrong Ryder.

  I thought college life was unpredictable until I realized there was more than showering happening in the next stall. I was in the single sex women’s shower room but there was definitely a male voice emanating from over the concrete divider. It was combined with a female voice. At first, I was alarmed but they were willing participants in their antics. It was just before 7 AM and the pair thought they had privacy. I planned to allow them go about their business. I would shower quietly and exit when I was done. Almost finished, I dropped my bar of soap. It slipped under the tiled concrete divider.

  “Did you drop this?” A male voice asked.

  A hairy arm reached under the divider. It was a male arm holding my bar of soap.

  “Yeah, thanks,” I said as I grabbed back the white bar.

  “This is awkward. I’m Eric. I live upstairs and I’m visiting Diane.”

  “I appreciate it Eric. I’m Jenna. I am sure to see you in the halls. I will recognize the arm, I guess. Hi Diane.”

  “Nice to meet you Jenna. I know your roommate Kelly…she’s from Kansas right?” Diane asked.

  “Yep. Well, have a nice day.” What else was I going to say?

  So went my introduction to the shower facilities at college. I thought of my life a month prior and I realized that there was little remaining that could surprise me. I was wrong. I grabbed my essentials and headed back to my room.

  I changed my clothes as Kelly began dragging herself out of bed. There was a knock at the door, which was a surprise, as I wasn’t expecting anyone.

  “Kelly, please check who that is. It must be someone for you but give me a sec to get dressed,” I said. I was going to run five miles after my first class so I had on my athletic gear with a t-shirt on top.

  “Yes, who’s there? This is Kelly and Jenna’s room.” Kelly had not opened the door yet.

  “I am here to see Jenna Walsh.” It was Ryder’s voice.

  The past few weeks flashed before my eyes. Kelly had not even opened the door yet. I was caught in an avalanche of memories when I heard Ryder’s voice. I stood still as Kelly opened the door to reveal Ryder dressed in Jeans, an oxford, a tie and a golf cap. Time seemed to stop as his gaze met mine in an instant. In unison, we both shook off the stare. Ryder turned his attention to Kelly who had not said a word.

  “Hey, I’m Ryder Curran. You seem familiar. Perhaps you are in one of my freshman lectures.” Ryder approached Kelly with an extended hand.

  “No, I am in the smaller class. They added an extra Sex Ed lecture to accommodate the unusually large freshman class. I would remember you Professor Curran.”

  Kelly looked at me after she spoke. She knew she had said too much. Now Ryder knew that she knew who he was and why he was at our door. She looked at me with a questioning glance.

  “Kelly, would you mind giving Jenna and I a few moments. If it is okay with you Jenna, I have to speak with you regarding class,” Ryder said.

  My heart thumped hard in my chest.

  “That’s fine. I will head to the showers and if you need more time I will go visit with Diane down the hall,” Kelly said.

  “Oh yeah. I met Diane in the bathrooms. Nice girl. I’m thinking maybe you should visit Diane another time. I believe she has a guest. We won’t be long.”

  “All righty then.” Kelly left the room tentatively as she looked at Ryder and me. She closed the door behind her.

  Ryder started to approach me. I was not sure if he anticipated a warm embrace.

  “Ryder. You cannot come to my room like this.” I stopped his advancement towards me with my palm as I threw out my arm. “There are rules. A professor – a Sex Ed professor who is involved with a student is highly inappropriate. I will be thrown out of this university, leaving me little chance of being accepted anywhere else. You will lose your job. You will be blackballed within academia. Are you willing to survive a life without golf? You won’t be able to afford a round of golf at the public course. I am not willing to go back home and live with my mom in my childhood bedroom.” I stopped.

  Ryder stood motionless and allowed me to rant. A grin started forming.

  “Really Jenna?”

  “Don’t really me. Didn’t you hear a word that I said? This whole relationship can have serious repercussions,” I stammered.

  “I don’t mean to discount what you are saying Jenna. I was just as shocked as you were when I saw you in my class. I should have known or at least suspected that you would be in my lecture.” Ryder paused to clear his throat. “I did not realize how much I missed you until I saw you. This relationship – as you called it – means something to me.”

  “Doesn’t everything I said mean anything to you?” I whispered.

  “You mean more Jenna. The money isn’t a problem and I’ll be able to afford golf still.”

  How would he still be able to afford it? I knew if I asked, he wouldn’t answer. He seemed to like having secrets.

  “Oh.” I sat down. With my bare foot, I kicked an empty frosting container under the bed.

  “Jenna you will not have to drop my Sex Ed. class. The last thing I want to do is have a negative effect on your future.”

  “Ryder do you think we can keep this thing quiet while I finish out the semester? Maybe until I’m at least a junior.”

  “I think we are worth a try. It is obvious Kelly from Kansas knows something. She seems like a nice girl. Do you think you can talk to her?”

  “I think she will be cool. Max knows the whole story. He knows everything Ryder. You don’t know Max, although you called him out for talking in class.”

  “Shit Jenna! You’re not fucking Max are you?”

  I liked the jealousy that was raging through him. It hinted that he was actually into me.

  “No…I knew him before you and we’re just friends. We go way back. I could have fallen into some sort of thing with Max but there was you. I will tell you all about Max later.”

  I wouldn’t ever tell him about having sex with Max though.

  “Good. The thought of you with that twerp makes me ill.” Ryder took a heavy breath.

  I was flattered and scared for Max if Ryder ever found out about us.

  “I can trust Max,” I said and hoped I was correct.

  “Then there are a couple of girls from class. I was concerned at first because they overheard Max and me talking. They are no threat. I saw them before I went to Ryder the barber. I don’t think they have the intelligence to figure us out. I told a lie that I will probably go to hell for and they fell for it.”

  “Who the hell is Ryder the barber?” Ryder asked.

  “It is a very long story. I am not having sex him in case you were wondering. It has been a very long couple of days. My encounter with you is only one morsel of the drama I have endured.”

  Ryder crossed the room. We smiled at each other and then he wrapped his arms around me.

  “We can work this out,” he said into my hair.

  “We can,” I said hopeful. “You must have some idea as to how we will tackle this situation.”

  He released me from his grip.

  “How is your golf game coming along? After all, I am your instructor.” Ryder smiled.

  “You have been thinking about this haven’t you? It is something you have planned…”

  “Yep. After my fingers started to bleed from continually texting you, I had plenty of time to think.” I giggled. “Seriously Jenna. You’re worth it. I don’t think there is anything I wouldn’t do to—”


  “To?”

  “See you again,” he said.

  Our conversation was exhilarating. I thought we were over after I gave him a blowjob. I thought that perhaps I gave away too much too soon. I knew second chances were rare and I had one with Ryder.

  “Jenna.”

  “Yes?” My heart sank. Could he have changed his mind so quickly? It had been too good to be true.

  “There is a bad odor in this place. Was it clean when you moved in? You had better have it checked out. I can’t put my finger on the scent. It smells a little like a dead animal.”

  I was relieved and I couldn’t stop laughing.

  “Like I said, we have a lot of catching up to do.”

  Ryder grabbed the back of my head and pulled me in for a kiss. “See you in class tomorrow. I don’t know how I am going to keep my eyes off of you,” he whispered against my lips.

  “Bye. Text me.”

  “I will. I expect a response this time. Don’t forget to get the stench taken care of.”

  Ryder left and I screamed with delight into my pillow.

  Chapter Four

  Ryder and I texted each other constantly from the moment he left my room. That was a few days ago. I felt like I had waked up from a nightmare. Everything was going to work out. I decided to be vague with Kelly. I trusted her but I could not risk my relationship with Ryder.

  My phone rang and it was Ryder. When I picked up my phone, the display was of a golf ball. It would fit well with our story that he was my golf instructor.

  “Hey, do you miss me?” I asked.

  He laughed. “Not really. I was going to send you a text. I thought I left a notebook at your place and I was going to see if you had it.”

  “Oh. I see.”

  “Of course I miss you.” Ryder laughed. “Are you wearing that cute athletic gear again? Your body is amazing and men will notice.”

  “Would you rather I dress as a Mormon or perhaps I will be a Muslim and throw on a burka.”

  “How about one of those cloistered nuns?” Ryder suggested.

  “I consider myself a deist.”

  “I thought your Mom was Catholic.”

  “Yeah. It doesn’t mean I am. I had history class and we talked about Thomas Jefferson. He was a deist and a very smart man. Good enough for him – good enough for me.”

  “Why are we discussing religion?”

  “Getting to know each other – I guess. What religion are you?”

  “Not sure yet. I will tell you when I figure it out. I can’t tell you how relieved I am.”

  “How so?”

  “They say to avoid talking about things like religion and politics. We got over the first one fast.”

  “I guess. Let’s discuss politics another time,” I said.

  “Yeah. I don’t envision you as a politician’s wife.”

  “Very funny.”

  “It was meant as a compliment. You are a strong and intelligent woman. I see you as a politician rather that a politician’s wife. I just don’t see you in a supporting role.”

  “I think of myself kind of like Hillary. Willing to stand by my man but smart enough to make a go of things myself,” I said.

  “So if you are a Clinton fan, you are a Democrat.”

  “You think you have me figured out. It will be fun playing question and answer with you someday.”

  “What are you doing this evening?” Ryder asked.

  “I have some reading to do and shit like that. I don’t want to get behind.”

  “The semester just begun. You have plenty of time to catch up. Don’t lose the momentum you built up with your golf game. As your golf instructor I am advising you to work-out.”

  “As your golf student I would have to agree. As a student, I have a variety of gyms from which to choose. Where do you suggest I go?”

  “There is a new facility on the west side of campus. It is neither, filled with faculty nor students. It is state-of-the-art and not many people know about it yet,” Ryder suggested.

  “I will be there at about 6 PM. There are plenty of exercises that will enhance my golf game I’m sure. Any chance you will be there?”

  “As a matter of fact, I think I will be,” Ryder said

  “I guess I will see you there. Thanks for the tip.”

  After hanging up, I ate a quick dinner and ignored my required history reading. Max attempted to contact me. He called and I never answered. He sent quite a few texts too.

  I finished my dinner in the dining common, which was passable. I ate the “heart healthy” option, which was a spinach salad and a side of quinoa. I was used to frozen meals from home so it was actually a step up. I sat alone because I knew I would be a poor dinner companion My mind was focused on Ryder. I did manage however, to do some people watching.

  Diane was sitting with a man that I assumed was Eric. His arms were extra hairy so I knew they were the ones from the shower. I was jealous that they were allowed to share their love in public. It was something Ryder and I didn’t have. The rouse was necessary if we stood a chance.

  I sighed and headed for the gym.

  ****

  I arrived early. Ryder was correct in that the place was nearly empty. There were some folks around so Ryder and I would have to be careful. There were free weights on one end of the gym and machines on the other. In the center of the room were treadmills, exercise bikes and elliptical machines. Mirrors covered the gym walls. I had been to many athletic facilities because I played soccer and I liked staying fit. The Gym looked like a lot of money had been put into it. As I wandered around, a staff member approached me. He was eager and he was brand new and shiny like the facility itself.

  “Hello, I’m Seth Martin. I have not seen you here before. Are you new here?” He asked. He was definitely a freshman. Seth was about 5’5” and fit, of course. He looked like a gymnast. He was built like a little tank.

  “I am new. Isn’t everyone? This place just opened. I’m Jenna Walsh. I am meeting my golf instructor here. I don’t see him yet so I think I will warm up on a bike.”

  I approached a bike.

  “Allow me to show you how this is done.” Seth mounted the bike next to mine.

  “I know how to ride a bike but thanks anyway Seth. I got it.”

  “Cool, I will let you work up a sweat. If I see your teacher roaming around, I will head him in your direction. What does he look like?” he asked.

  “He is about six feet tall, tan and short black hair. He has a big smile and green eyes. There are few people here though so I am sure he will find me. I appreciate your assistance,” I said.

  Seth was beginning to bother me.

  I could not help but look at myself in the mirror. They surrounded me. I was trying not to appear as if I was trying. I had tried on every piece of Spandex in my closet as I looked for something that accentuated my assets. I was wearing black pants and a neon pink tank with a built-in bra. My sneakers were fuchsia and grey. I loved pink because it was a hopeful color. I usually included something pink in my wardrobe and tried not to overdo it. I did not want to look like a bottle of Pepto Bismal.

  I looked up to see Seth coming at me with Ryder in tow.

  “Look who I found. He was walking around like a lost puppy,” Seth said. Ryder shot him a weird glance.

  Ryder looked amazing. He was wearing a loose pair of blue and white Tar Heel basketball shorts and a white Adidas t-shirt.

  “I recognized Professor Curran as soon as he walked in. You didn’t tell me that he was the freshman Sex Ed. teacher. I don’t know how you manage to teach a class and manage a side job as a golf instructor,” Seth said.

  He was not leaving.

  “I do not have many golf clients. Ms. Walsh is a holdover student from the summer. Thanks for hooking us up Seth. I’m sure you will be easy to find if we need your help.” Ryder was cordial but it was apparent he was anxious for Seth to move on.

  “I will check in with you in a few minutes. I would love to give you a
tour. We have a whirl-pool, sauna and a lap pool,” Seth said and finally walked away.

  Ryder and I were finally alone. He put his hand on my bicep. The gesture sent a shiver down my spine.

  “What are you doing? We don’t have complete privacy in this place.” As I spoke, Ryder started massaging my upper arm.

  “I am checking out your arm muscles. We will have to work on your upper-body strength.”

  Ryder’s fingers journeyed up my spine. They reached my neck and he gently squeezed.

  “You are tight. Loosening up will go a long way in helping your game. We will hit the mat and do some stretches. I will teach you some moves that you should do before putting your hands on the,” Ryder paused. “Sorry, I lost my thought. Before you put your hands on the club.”

  If this sexual tension were to continue, I would enjoy playing this game with Ryder. We headed to the mat. Because there were few people in The Gym we had the surface to ourselves.

  “What is with the North Carolina shorts? You seem to have your Carolina’s confused,” I commented on his attire.

  “I spend quite a bit of time up there. Coach Dean Williams said God made the sky Carolina Blue. I am a big fan of their sport’s programs. Before I ended up at Stanford, I had my sights set on UNC. They have epic golf courses in North Carolina. Pinehurst hole two is my favorite place to play a round of golf. I will take you up there some time,” Ryder said.

  “I am sure you taught Sammy these exercises?” I could not help bring up the name.

  “Something similar. Every person has a unique body type that requires specific stretches.”

  “How is my body type compared to that of Sammy’s?”

  “Your body type is my type. I think I have made it clear that I love your body. We just have to adapt it to golf. Your legs are toned to perfection from running and soccer. We need to improve your range and flexibility. Having a strong back is essential in the game of golf,” Ryder said. I was stuck on the words perfection and my type. Our young relationship was still hard to wrap my mind around.

  “You are taking this golf thing seriously,” I told him.

  “It may just be the way we are able to see each other in public but I always take the game seriously.”