Lust Next Door - S01 E51

4 months ago

Lust Next Door - S01 E51

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 51

The Big Dark Feeling

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Connor woke up Thursday morning more nervous than he expected. All of the pressure had snuck up on him throughout the week, during practices, and even while being with Serena. All of the new feelings that seemed to soar around him when she was near also stirred up those nerves. It brought up new questions for himself that he never thought he would ask.

Like, Do I want a serious relationship with this woman, does she even want one with me?

Not to mention Connor was sick with nerves over his game today. He wasn't usually a very superstitious person but he had this nagging feeling since he woke up that something was going to go horribly wrong.

He tried not to feel like his team and him were jinxing themselves by throwing a party over their win streak.

Connor walked into the bathroom and splashed a handful of water over his face. Looking up into the mirror at his reflection, the water droplets slowly dripped off his features and moisture made his face look slick. Staring back at him, however, was not the same man that moved into this house. He looked virtually the same, yes. But he felt fundamentally rebuilt entirely, that wasn't necessarily a bad thing either.

He pulled on some jeans and a flannel shirt, rolling up the sleeves to about elbows when his doorbell rang.

Connor jogged down his steps and got to the door, he knew exactly who was coming over because he invited her.

His smile enveloped his face when he swung open the door and Serena was standing there. She was dressed in a dark red sundress that flowed to her mid-thigh, and a pair of black stockings to go underneath.

"Hey, jock baby."

Connor smirked and slipped his around her waist, pulling her into him, "Hello shortcake." He pressed his smike into her neck, smelling her sweet perfume and listening to her giggles.

Connor had invited her over to go with him to pick up some stuff for the party, he figured that if she had some control over it that it might help her feel more comfortable. He wasn't super used to dealing with people with anxiety but he was trying.

"Ready to go?" Connor grabbed his keys from the hook beside the door, watching her closely.

Serena nodded and stepped back to allow him to exit, and together they walked to his car.

One inside Connor placed a hand on the steering wheel, starting and revving the engine with his other. Serena winced, "Does your car has to be this loud?"

He shrugged and laughed, "Maybe not, but I took the muffler off." He shot her a sideways smirk, "Does your car have to be missing nearly all of its door handles, or is it just a piece of shit?"

Serena whipped her face towards him and gasped, but didn't dare respond. Instead, she just shoved his shoulder as he pulled out of the driveway and drove off toward the liquor store.

•

They returned with three kegs (all of which Connor had to carry in) and cases upon cases of beer. Serena had made the comment several times with wide eyes that she had never seen so much alcohol in one place. He just laughed at her, he found everything she did so cute.

They spent the next three hours putting up tables, setting up cups, opening the pool (the weather was finally warm enough actually to get in), and getting ready.

Serena was humming to herself and sweeping dead leaves off the patio porch Connor walked over.

"Hey, Rena."

She perked up and tugged out an earbud, looking up at him.

"My game is soon, I've gotta head over to the stadium. But everything looks good here, thanks for your help. I'll see you tonight right?"

Serena nodded a bit hesitantly, but most of the nerves were gone from her face, "yeah I'll be there."

"What about the game, you coming?"

"I would love to but I've got...a lot of stuff to edit. I'll have you on in the background promise." She rested the broom against the house and shot him a small thumbs up.

Connor chuckled and clutched his jagged keys in his hands, his own nerves now tickling his body, reminding him of all that was on the line. That feeling he had before not shaking if anything coming back tenfold.

He pursed his lips together, wanting to say something, but the words weren't there. Instead, he shook his head and forced a smile, "That's okay, wish me luck."

Serena smiled and walked up to him, she wrapped her small arms around his waist and gave Connor a good squeeze, "You don't need it. You'll do great."

"Thanks, shortcake," He leaned down and kissed the top of her silk hair, "See you tonight."

•

They were playing against the maple leafs tonight.

Connor tried not to be too worried about this Canadian team but could feel his nerves twisting around his fingers, making them tremble where they curled around his hockey stick.

He looked down at the groves in the ice, his heavy breaths filling his ears and drowning out the cheers from the crowd and the voices of the sports entertainers. His rapid heartbeat deafened it all, the spot he was staring at in the ice tunneled his vision.

It was until Josh skated by and nudged him that he came to, "Dude, get into position." He mumbled to Connor before skating off to the center.

Josh was facing off first, and Connor moved into position on his right. He bent his knees, and getting into the stance he was used to felt good. He focused on his breath, channeling the cool air through every avenue of his lungs.

The ref dropped the puck and another breath later, they were fighting for it. Connor watched carefully as the puck shot out toward him.

Everything seemed to slow down and like a born reflex, Connor shot his stick up and caught it. He propelled down the ice, looking for his next opening as the Leafs barreled toward him.

Across the rink, Dean O'ryan tapped his stick on the ice a few times signaling for him to send it his way.

Without much thought, Connor snapped the puck towards him, just in time too because one of the opponents checked him right into the glass.

He stumbled down on the ground, not missing the way the man snickered and skated past him.

Josh extended his hand and helped Connor up wordlessly, then they were both back in it.

Dean sent the puck down to Liam, who skated around the goal, and when he rounded up the right side of the net he flicked it quickly past the goalie.

It was a good play but the Maple Leaf's goalie was one of the best in the league, he saw it coming from a mile away. He snapped his leg down and blocked the puck.

The refs called it, and the goalie took possession of the puck. Connor's team stood on defense as he surveyed the players. He nodded to someone down the ice and sent the puck flying his way.

Connor knew this game was gonna be a hard one.

In the second quarter, Connor managed to score the first goal of the game, finally catching the Maple Leafs goalie off guard.

After that first goal, Connor knew they were officially in their opponent's head.

Josh scored another goal after that and when Luca switched in for him in the third quarter, he scored again.

The final score was three-zero, and they won.

Connor didn't take a breath till the final buzzer rang. He let out a deep sigh as the lights in the stadium flashed red and blue, signaling their victory, and his team all surrounded each other.

But when Connor looked down to the ice again, his team smacking his helmet and everyone cheering, it all seemed to drown out again. His heart stayed thumping hard in his chest.

And that sinking feeling remained holding him hostage.

•

In the locker room, Connor's whole team was buzzing with excitement over their win and their party tonight at his place.

When he walked in from the showers everyone thanked and congratulated him, and while it was all nice Connor couldn't help but feel sick with nerves. He was double, triple checking his memory for anything that could go wrong tonight. Raking his brain for assurance that everything was gonna be okay.

But the more he searched, the worse he felt. He just wanted to shut his brain off.

"Hey, you okay?" Josh asked, pulling on a shirt.

Connor looked at his friend and sighed, just shaking his head.

He pat Connor on the back and smiled, "Take a breather dude, we won, and now we are about to party and have a good time. Nothing to worry about."

Suddenly, it hit Connor, the big dark thing that has been looming over him all day. It wasn't losing, it wasn't the party, and it wasn't some catastrophic event.

He looked up at Josh, and in the most even-clearheaded tone he could possibly muster, he said "I wanna make things official tonight, with Serena."

•