Three of Spades by W. Ferraro Page A

need to justify or explain shit to you. So, just get out of my way,” Reggie said, angered that she would speak to him like that or question his intentions.
    Before Natalie could think of a retort, she heard, “Now is that anyway to talk to your sister Reggie?” Dylan spoke as he muscled his way into the tight doorway and stood next to Natalie.
    “Dylan Cross, what the hell do you want?” Reggie snarled.
    Dylan didn’t know why he didn’t put two and two together last night, he should have figured out that Natalie was the younger sister of the Parker boys. Reggie played football with Dylan and Seth back in their high school days. Dylan was the star quarterback and the talk of Vermont. He was assured spots on any college team of his choice along with receiving multiple NFL invitations. Until a freak tackle in senior year resulted in a torn right rotator cuff, quickly extinguishing his future football plans. The offers were withdrawn and the invitations stopped arriving. But not before he watched as bastards, like Reggie, got to ride the Cross coattails all through their high school football careers. When Dylan got injured Reggie, a mundane player, was more than happy to pick up the torch and become big man on campus. Dylan knew Reggie got a full football scholarship to Florida State, but was surprised when he came back to the area and chose to put down permanent roots. Especially since learning from Natalie, how uncivilized the Parker household was.
    “Reggie, Dylan is a . . .” Natalie started to explain before she was cut off by Dylan.
    “Natalie and I are seeing each other.”
    Reggie Parker was pissed that Dylan Cross was not only in his house, but still acting as if Reggie was scared of him. He could not help but find it hysterical that Dylan “Fuck Anything” Cross admitted to being in a relationship with plain, uninteresting Natalie. Reggie bellowed out a laugh causing his head to tip back in glee. When he finally stopped the remaining rumbles of hysteria and could catch his breath, he said, “That’s a good one. No seriously, what do you want Cross?”
    “You got a problem with me and Natalie dating, Reggie? Because, let’s face it, I’d be more than happy to knock some respect and manners into your still useless skull,” Dylan said, as he pushed Natalie’s slight frame behind him and crowded the shorter smaller man into the still open door.
    “Back off Cross and get out of my house. She’s all yours, but honestly, I thought you had better taste in women. But we are not sixteen and I’m not afraid of you. So unless you want me to call the cops, I suggest you get off my property now!” Reggie spoke, praying his voice would not quiver from the fear he was so intent on denying.
    Before Dylan could show Natalie’s brother what he thought of someone that speaks so maliciously toward family, Natalie interrupted with a stern voice.
    “Reggie, that’s enough. This is my home, not yours. You are the one that isn’t welcome, so please just leave,” Natalie said, as she tried to position herself between the two men, but Dylan just kept manually insisting she stand behind him.
    With a final huff and multiple slanderous comments in Natalie’s direction, Reggie stomped out the door and into his BMW.
    Embarrassed from the altercation, Natalie was sure Dylan would be in no mood to put up with her or her delusional imagery of companionship. Just as she was about to say her thoughts out loud, Dylan once again surprised her.
    “Well good morning, Natalie. All ready to go?” he asked, as he leaned in and without asking permission claimed her lips in a quick, yet promising, kiss.
    “You still want to spend the day with me?” Natalie asked, wondering if there may be something mentally unsound with Dylan.
    Dylan chuckled and said, “Why wouldn’t I?” After confirming she had everything she needed, Dylan took her house keys out of her hand, closed, and locked the door himself. Telling himself he would