YGM The Adventure Continues Chapter 10

“Hi” Scott said, his dark eyes holding a glint of amusement from Jay's surprise. He then momentarily turned his attention to Stan. “Stan, here is the remote to the satellite and TV. I'm going to get a drink and I'm putting you in charge while I'm gone. It's working again, so don't let anyone else touch it, okay?”

“Good” Scott replied, raising a brow, giving Jay a cockeyed smile. He fought the urge to offer her his hand to take, as he didn't want to make Jay uncomfortable around the other police officers. The two silently walked over to the drink coolers and Scott lifted the lid containing the soft drinks. “It's too early for me to start drinking, tail gate or not” Scott smirked. “What can I get for you?”

“Thanks” she smiled, taking the bottle Scott offered. Her fingers brushed against his hand when she took the drink from him sending tiny shockwaves through her. She laughed nervously, amazed such an innocent touch affected her this way.

Scott felt it too. He had no idea what was happening. All he knew was he'd had Jay on his mind all week. Scott found himself looking forward to his nightly email chore which is something he'd never done. Even though he was a fountain of information when it came to computer hardware, he never fully appreciated using a computer. He owned several of them but they were used for work, rarely pleasure. Somehow his attitude was changing and he suspected it had a lot to do with a certain curly haired young woman who was smiling at him right now.

“I haven't missed this game since I joined the force out here” Jay smiled. “Lucky for me there are enough guys who are USC fans, so I can get the time off.” She paused for a moment and then added, “It's a pleasant surprise for me too, having you here.”

“I see you're the lucky guy who got to bring the TV this time. You'd better watch out. This is the first time these guys have had satellite. They're going to want you to come every year” Jay laughed.

Jay's heart skipped. She was pretty sure Scott wasn't referring to the guys, but to her. At least she hoped he was referring to her. “I'm sure there will be people around to keep you company” Jay grinned.

Jay nodded. Scott placed his arm lightly on Jay's shoulders guiding her in the right direction. Once again, Jay felt a warm sensation from his touch. She sighed contentedly and headed back towards the area where most of the gang was currently gathered with Scott right behind her.

Mrs. Crane asked me if I would stay late this afternoon and help serve the women from the ladies auxiliary, who are meeting around 4:00. I should be home before 7:00. Please get some sleep and I'll wake you for your midnight shift.

Luis grabbed a can of Coke from the fridge and headed to his room. He stripped his clothes off, clad only in his boxers and sat down to his computer, hoping to find an email from Sheridan. He hadn't had time in hours to get near a computer at work and felt like he was going through withdrawal… Sheridan withdrawal that is. A smile crept onto his face when he was rewarded with just such an email.

I can't believe how stupid I've been! I totally forgot about my friend Alexis, the dress designer in Indianapolis. She emailed me this morning, offering her congratulations and it dawned on me! She designs wedding dresses and is quite good at it, I might add.

Marianna and I are taking a 2:00 flight to Indianapolis and will be meeting with her. I have a good feeling about this Luis! I have a feeling I'll find exactly what I'm looking for at her shop. I'm not sure how long this will take, so I might be gone an extra day. We are leaving here pretty late in the afternoon, so I might not even see her today if we're delayed in any way.

I miss you Pezz! I know we thought emailing would be fun, just like it was when we first met over the computer. I'll admit, there is a certain charm to it, but it doesn't hold a candle to having you hold me in your arms… or feeling your soft lips on mine. Oh Pezz, what I wouldn't give to feel your arms around me at this very minute…

Ooh! Guess whom I just met? Talk about a small world! I just met Hank Bennett in a small café near our hotel. He was our waiter in the hotel dining room last night, of all places. I think he was trying to get me to go on a date with him, but when I told him I was an engaged woman and where I was from we got to talking… I think he was a little surprised that you are engaged to a Crane!

He says he's your best friend. He's the guy Buzzy told me about last summer, right? The one who dressed up as the native girl and reenacted the scene from South Pacific? I only talked to him for a few minutes, but somehow I can see him doing that :)

“I love you too, KC Girl” Luis smiled. “Hank tried to hit on you? Now why am I not surprised?” Luis chuckled at the thought. He could only imagine the fierce competition he would have had, had Hank been in town when he first met Sheridan. He was very grateful he'd not been there, but was looking forward to his friend's return. Luis had a fleeting notion when he thought about Hank, but shook his head and decided that it was crazy.

“I am impressed” Marianna said as she looked around taking in the not so small dress shop. “You might be right Sheridan. Your friend may just have what you are looking for.”

Sheridan was so excited she could barely contain herself. “I can't wait to meet Alexis,” she said. “And this shop is perfect. I know I'm going to find exactly what I'm looking for.”

Sheridan and Marianna didn't have to wait much longer before a tall very slender woman walked out to greet them. “Sheridan” Alexis called, knowing which one Sheridan was immediately. She smiled brightly noticing Alexis looked like she walked right off the cover of Vogue. She looked like she belonged in the fashion industry.

“Yes it is” Alexis smiled. She took Sheridan's left hand in hers and chuckled. “Wow, your engagement ring is absolutely gorgeous. It's perfect. The way the diamonds sparkle and the blue in the sapphire almost matches your own eyes.”

“Well now, Alexis said, rubbing her hands together. “I already have a selection of dresses picked out for you to look at. If you can't find what you are looking for in this group then we'll go on to another selection.”

A slow burning smile made its way across Beth Wallace's face as she looked out the window of the Greyhound bus and saw a sign that said Harmony 40 miles. `It won't be long now' she thought to herself. She glanced over at Hank who was asleep next to her on the bus and shook her head. She knew he was going to be of no help on this one, despite the fact that she knew he was attracted to Sheridan Crane.

Beth hoped that Hank would make a play for Sheridan and keep her occupied so she could work on getting Luis back, but it wasn't meant to be. Hank outright refuses, citing that if Luis were really engaged to a Crane then he had to be absolutely crazy about her since he hated the entire Crane family. There was no way he was going to interfere in his best friend's happiness.

It didn't matter that much to Beth. She knew she could do this on her own. Hank told her that Sheridan was going to Indianapolis, so that would give Beth plenty of time to talk to Luis and bring him to his senses. She'd already called the station and found out he was working the midnight shift, so she had plenty of time to put her plan into motion. In a little over 30 minutes, operation Get Luis would be underway.

The before game tail gate party had been loads of fun. The satellite dish Scott supplied allowed them to view more games than ever before, which they all loved. Stan made a mental note to invite Scott to every game they went to. Jay and Scott managed to stay pretty close to each other for most of the day so far and still avoid suspicion, which was perfect as far as both were concerned. Jay desperately wanted to sit next to Scott during the game, but didn't dare make it look obvious. It turned out that Scott was sitting a few seats away from her and she was disappointed, but didn't let on. About halfway through the pre-game festivities, the person sitting next to her got up, seemingly to get some refreshments, or go to the rest room. Jay didn't pay much attention as this sort of thing happens all the time. When the person came back, Jay casually glanced over and did a double take.

“It seems that those two want to sit next to each other” Scott grinned impishly, nodding to the young couple, who were now holding hands. “Who was I to deny them? I volunteered to switch seats so they could be together.” Scott chucked, thinking how little a sacrifice it really had been. He too wanted to sit next to Jay, but like her, didn't want to make it look obvious.

“That was really nice of you” Jay said quietly. She couldn't help but smile at him. His breath tickled her neck when he leaned in and spoke into her ear and her heart began pounding in her chest.

“I'll get it” Jay volunteered. She leaned down and found the purse. She saw Kim several seats away with a relieved look on her face. Jay smiled at her and got up walking towards Kim to give her her purse.

“Thank you” Kim smiled, meeting her half way. Jay started back towards her seat when a fight broke out in the row in front of them. Jay tried to hurry back to her seat, thus avoiding getting caught in the fallout of the fight, but tripped in the process. She was about to land smack on the cement ground, but felt someone catch her and instead of landing on the cold cement, she landed in Scott's lap.

Jay was stunned at first. She then realized what happened. “I'm fine. Thank you” she said. Jay could barely get the words out when she found she was staring directly into Scott's deep brown eyes. This was the closest she'd ever been to him and the feeling of being in his arms was absolutely wonderful.

Jay knew she should get up, but she was finding it difficult to move. Scott had his arms wrapped firmly around her and somehow it felt right, like she was meant to be here. She couldn't take her eyes off him and from what she could see, Scott was equally as mesmerized.

Security was there in a flash to break up the fight, too fast as far as Jay was concerned. She felt so warm and comfortable in Scott's arms, she never wanted to leave. “It looks like the fight is over” Jay finally announced, after security left with the culprits.

Marianna placed her hand over her mouth when she saw Sheridan turn towards her wearing the latest dress Alexis had her try. “Dios, mio! She exclaimed. Sheridan, you look absolutely breathtaking!”

Sheridan turned towards the mirror and smiled at her reflection. The dress was everything she wanted and then some. She wore a capped sleeved long dress with an Italian satin bodice and organza skirt. The bodice was highlighted with Venetian lace and accentuated her shapely figure. The dress and cathedral train were hand beaded with pearls and Castilian lace.

“Sheridan, wait” Marianna interrupted. “I have a mantilla I'd like you to look at before you make a decision. It was Luis' great grandmother's and has been in the family for years. I wore it at my own wedding and had Pilar or Maria been around, they would have worn it as well.”

“That would be wonderful” Sheridan said. She didn't know when her father was going to cut her off, but even if he did before the wedding, she was sure she could get to Boston.

“Fine” Sheridan replied, happily. “I'll meet you there when I'm finished here.” Sheridan knew the minute she thought of her friend Alexis that it would bring good luck and she'd been right. She now had the perfect dress to get married in to the perfect man, Luis Lopez Fitzgerald.

“Yes I'm going through with this” Beth said with irritation. “It was my fault Luis and I broke up and I'm going to make things right. He was so hurt after I left him, he let little Miss rich bitch get her claws into him. Well, I've change my mind and I'll be damned if Sheridan Crane is going to marry Luis.”

Hank was about to say something, but judging by the look on Beth's face at the moment, he thought better of it. Hank had a feeling that Beth was going to do nothing but make a fool of herself, but telling her would do no good. Unfortunately he decided that reality had to slap her in the face. It was the only way she'd get through this.

It was getting late in the game and UCLA was behind 27-21. Unfortunately, the opposition had the football and was showing no signs of being ready to relinquish it to the Bruins. The home crowd was getting restless. Jay heard Stan yelling for her. She turned around to see him as he was sitting in the row behind them and one seat over from Scott.

Jay looked at the field and watched the next play. Then she turned around to see Stan's face with a pleading look on it. Jay smiled at Stan and then the smile was gone. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

"The tailback is looking a little tired. I say they give it to the fullback on the next play. We strip it and recover the fumble." Jay turned her full attention to the playing field.

Jay stayed focused on the field but answered, "a few years ago I called what was going to happen before it did and now Stan thinks I can predict what is going to happen when UCLA needs a big play."

On the next play, just as Jay had predicted, the opposition fumbled and UCLA recovered. The crowd was cheering and everyone was on their feet watching the replay on the big screen TV. Jay knew Stan would be looking for her, so after the replay she turned around to find him waiting to give her a big "high five." As Jay reached up to slap hands with Stan, she was forced to lean her body into Scott's in order to reach over him to get to Stan. It was a case of full body contact and when her body came into contact with Scott's chest, Jay almost forgot to reach for Stan.

After the high five, Jay returned to her seat. She and Scott exchanged a brief yet heated look as everyone's attention was quickly focused onto the field since there wasn't much time left in the game and UCLA needed to mount a scoring drive to win the game.

Luis chuckled. “She has a friend who had a bridal shop there, she's a dress designer actually. Sheridan has complete faith that she will be able to find what she is looking for, so they left early this afternoon for Indianapolis.”

“No, thank God” Luis said. “That's the last thing I need. She ran into Hank. I guess he was waiting tables in the hotel Sheridan and Marianna stayed at and they saw him again the next morning in a small café.”

“The Beth that left here wasn't the Beth I once knew” Luis said. “She's changed a lot, Mama. Maybe it's my entire fault. I knew in my heart all along that Beth wasn't the right woman for me, but I never had the heart to break it off. For a long time we were friends, so I didn't mind so much, but towards the end, we weren't even that.”

“Do not blame yourself mijo,” Pilar stated. “Just be grateful you did not do what everyone expected you to do. Marriage is a life long commitment. When a person marries they should do so because they are madly in love, not because it is what others expect them to do. I have known many people who have married for the wrong reasons and it has only led to pain and heartache. The love you share with Sheridan, is the sort of love that comes along rarely. You knew you did not have that with Beth. Deep in her heart, Beth knows this as well.”

“She didn't seem like she knew it when I saw her last” Luis frowned. “She accused Sheridan of all sorts of awful things and at the time, we were barely friends, never mind in love.”

“I understand Luis” Pilar said. “But Beth knew something was going on with the two of you. She could sense it, even if you had not admitted your feelings, they were there and she knew it.”

Beth glanced at her watch and noted the time. “He'll be here any minute” she said, smiling to herself. She took a look at herself in the rear view mirror of the car and fixed her make up a little. “Tonight I'm going to make sure Luis knows who the right woman for him is and it certainly won't be that bitch Sheridan Crane. “

“Now all I have to do is wait for the off going shift to leave and I can make my move” she said. Beth packed her makeup away and watched Luis enter the Police Station. It was almost time for her to make Luis' hers again.

The game had come down to one final play. UCLA had the ball on the opponent's 8-yard line with only 5 seconds left to play. Everyone in the crowd was discussing the final play. Would they run? Would they pass? Would there be some kind of trick play?

During the time out before the last play, the UCLA cheerleaders led the crowd in several raucous 8-claps. Luckily for Scott, he had been thoroughly trained in how to do a proper 8-clap during the pre-game tailgate.

The Bruins ran the play ---- a faked handoff to the tailback and then the quarterback rolled out - the ball sailed toward the tight end that caught on the 2-yard line and bulled his way across the goal line. TOUCHDOWN!!!. The game was tied 27 -27.

High fives were suddenly being exchanged all around Jay and Scott. But when they went to join the others and slap hands, they discovered that they were holding hands. It hadn't even been a conscious choice for either or them. They looked at their joined hands and then at each other in surprise. With bashful grins they quickly let go and joined in the high five celebration all around them.

Suddenly a hush fell over the crowd as the kicker came onto the field for the extra point. All eyes went back down to the field. When the ball sailed through the goal posts and the officials raised their arms high over their heads to signal that the kick was good, the crowd erupted again in a joyous victory celebration. UCLA had won the game 28 - 27.

Then, in typical Los Angeles fashion, most of the crowd began the mad dash to their cars so they could beat each other to the Southland freeways. Scott, Jay and the officers remained in the stadium while the others rushed out. They felt so great that they wanted to stay and soak up the atmosphere. They stayed to stand and cheer for the team as they left the field. After singing the alma mater and the traditional "dead dog rover", the group began to slowly make their way out of the stadium and back to the parking area to begin the post-game tailgate party.

In no time at all, Sheridan and Marianna picked out the bridesmaids dresses. They were an elegant slim fitted dark green dress with a draped cow neck and narrow straps and a low cut back line in. Sheridan was overwhelmed by the selection Alexis had to choose from as well as the first rate service.

Since the bridesmaids were scattered all over the country, Alexis made arrangements for the dresses to be sent to local shops in the ladies hometowns for fittings. All they had to do was go to their local bridal shop for an initial fitting and the shop would send the measurements to Alexis. Alexis would take care of Marianna herself when Sheridan went for her fittings.

“Would you mind if we went back to Harmony?” Sheridan asked with a pleading look. “I would really love to see Luis. I know he's working tonight, but I thought I'd bring him something to eat and we could have a late dinner.”

“Thank you” Sheridan smiled, hugging her friend. Sheridan picked up her cell phone and called the airlines to get them on the next plane from Indianapolis to Harmony. If all went well, Sheridan would see Luis before midnight and surprise Luis with her early return.

The end of the game party was much livelier than the pre game party had been. UCLA won in the last five seconds with a final score of 28-27. Stan couldn't help but tell everyone there about Jay's prediction and she spent most of the evening explaining exactly why she made that prediction.

Try as she might, Jay couldn't seem to connect with Scott during the post game festivities. Scott was manning the satellite, which was showing ESPN's Sportscenter that was showing game highlights as well as the post game interviews. Jay on the other hand was led from group to group by Stan.

The party lasted longer than anyone had expected and before long, the crowd had dwindled considerably. Stan had to work the next day, so he asked Jay if she would mind staying with Scott and helping him pack up.

Jay told Stan she didn't mind staying to help Scott pack up, but she was going to need a ride to the station. Secretly Jay hoped Scott would be the person to give her a ride, but she didn't dare say anything to Stan about that.

“Great” Stan said, not paying any attention to the heated looks the two were giving each other. A horn was honking in the distance and Stan knew it was his ride. “I gotta run before they take off without me” Stan shouted as he began running. Thanks again Scott for everything. You too, Jay. Night!”

Jay and Scott bid Stan a good night as they watched him run towards the car that would be taking him home. “Well, it looks like everyone is packing up” Scott noted as he scanned the area. It was dark now and the parking lot had only scattered groups of people left.

“Well, since you asked.... here's the explanation... You heard me say the tailback looked tired, right? That was true he was looking tired. But, since the backup tailback is a freshman, I didn't think they would put him in the game to carry the ball in such an important situation. You know they want to keep the ball on the ground to keep time coming off the clock, so the next logical player to carry the ball would be the fullback. I noticed that on the previous play the fullback was shaking his hand like it had been hurt or maybe had been stepped on, so I thought he might have a little trouble holding onto the ball with a bad hand. Add to that the fact that every guy on the defense would be trying to strip the ball from whoever was carrying it, and I just made a logical guess.”

Sheridan leaned back in her seat and waited for the plane to take off. The last two days were the busiest in awhile for her and she was tired, but it was a good tired as she'd accomplished a lot. Once the plane was in the air, Sheridan opened her laptop and emailed her friends that she'd chosen both her wedding dress as well as dresses for the bridesmaids. Just as she was about to sign off, she saw she had a new incoming email and quickly clicked it on to see who it was from. She grinned when she saw it was Luis.

Well, I'm off to work shortly and I thought I'd send you a note just to tell you how much I love you. I really didn't want to get up tonight. I was having the most wonderful dream… The two of us on a deserted island…making love under the moonlit stars. I can't recall ever having such an erotic dream before. Wait, yes I can, ha ha! Okay, make this the second most erotic dream I ever had. And don't you worry Angel, the other one involved you as well.

You're right about it being a small world. Yes, the coconut queen you heard Buzzy talking about was definitely Hank. Only he could pull that one off, or even try to for that matter. By any chance was Hank with anyone? Nah, never mind. Forget I asked.

Sheridan sighed in contentment, but wondered what Luis meant by his remark about Hank being with anyone? She decided not to worry about it now. All she wanted to concentrate on was getting home so she could see the love of her life.

Scott and Jay were the only ones left from their tailgate party. The last car left a few minutes ago and there were only a handful of other parties still going on, their groups dwindling quickly in numbers as well.

“I'm going to take this last load of trash to the dumpster” Jay volunteered. She picked up the trash bag and headed across the parking lot. Scott's eyes followed her and watched as she threw the remaining bag over the edge and then turned around and walked back towards him. He watched as she smiled at several other tailgaters and they shared a thumbs up, signifying their victory tonight. Scott felt his heart pound louder and louder the closer she came. Breaking his stare, he picked up the remaining piece of equipment and placed it in the back of his van. Once he was sure everything was secure, he turned, only to find Jay standing there smiling at him.

“It's something I've been thinking about all day” Scott said, never breaking eye contact with her. He reached his hand to her face and gently caressed her soft skin. Jay thought her body was about to explode. She fought to maintain her composure, but the multitude of emotions she was feeling right now was totally overwhelming.

Scott leaned in and gently brushed his lips over Jay's. He pulled back for a moment and caught her smiling at him. He then leaned in again and captured her lips in another kiss, this one lasting longer than the first.

The minute Scott's lips touched hers, Jay's knees almost buckled. She couldn't help but smile when he pulled back and stared at her. The look in his eyes was one of pure passion. It was the sort of look every woman dreams of seeing in the eyes of the man of their dreams. When he leaned in to kiss her again, Jay slipped her arms around Scott's neck. Scott pulled her closer to him still, the passion in his kisses building, with Jay responding willingly.

They kissed for several minutes, being careful not to let things get out of control, yet enjoying the sensations they were feeling in each other's arms. Jay couldn't believe she could feel so much kissing a man, but Scott was no ordinary man and she'd dreamed of kissing him for weeks now. She was anything but disappointed.

As nervous as Scott was before he leaned in for the first kiss, he didn't show it. It had been a long while since Scott allowed himself the pleasure of kissing a woman and the way he felt right now, it had all been worth it. Getting involved with a woman was not in his plans right now, but meeting Jay changed all that for him. After tonight, he knew it was much more than a physical attraction. He felt something in that kiss, something he wanted to hold onto and cherish.

Scott felt himself being drawn more and more towards Jay and knew it was time to stop before things got totally out of control. He had a feeling that if they allowed it, things could really heat up, but the parking lot of the Rose Bowl was definitely not the place to allow that to happen. Not to mention, Scott wasn't sure he was ready for that. He still had some issues he needed to deal with, especially since a romance hadn't been part of his master plan.

Though neither one wanted to leave, it was time. Scott helped Jay into the car and since she walked to the police station from her condo, decided to take her home instead.This was going down in Jay's diary as a night she would remember for a very long time.

Luis sighed as he stared at the mound of paperwork in front of him. He was alone right now as the rest of the force was either home sleeping or out on patrol. He looked up when he heard the door open and his mouth dropped to the floor.

Beth continued to walk closer to Luis and Luis felt a feeling of dread come over him. The last think he wanted was to deal with Beth right now, but it looked like he might have to.

“Yes, and I'm home to stay” she responded with a seductive grin. Beth walked up to Luis and gently traced her fingertip along his broad shoulders as she circled behind him seductively.

“I don't need to know anything, lover boy” Beth said, her voice thick with seduction. Before Luis knew what hit him, Beth raked her hands through Luis' thick hair and pulled him close to her, crushing his lips against hers.

The door to the police station opened once again. Standing there with a look of shock and horror on her face was Sheridan Crane. She couldn't believe what she was seeing. Luis, sitting there with his ex-girlfriend in his lap, kissing her passionately.