Quick Flicks

Katie sat on the stairs of her front porch, scrolling through her phone as the hot sun beat down overhead. It was the middle of June in NJ, and she was waiting for someone to arrive.

A car horn honked in front of her, shaking her from her daze and causing her to look up. She grinned at the sight that stood in front of her.

"James!" She stood up and ran over to the tall man wearing a Toronto Maple Leafs shirt. He wrapped her in a hug, lifting her up off of her feet and swaying back and forth.

"Katie! I'm so happy to see you. It's been way too long, huh?" Katie nodded, pulling away from James and crossing her arms.

It had been quite some time. Katie was a recent college grad and had spent most of the past few years across the country in Arizona, pursuing a degree in Psychology. She'd come home in the for the holidays and for the summer, but usually only for a quick visit so that she could return to Arizona to hang out with friends and work. The few times she had been home she hadn't been able to see many of her friends, so it had been four years since she had seen James. She had to pay her way through college, so any hours she could get she gladly accepted at the retirement home near her school. Now, she was home for good, recently securing a job at the local high school, assisting the guidance counselor and hopefully, one day, becoming one herself.

Katie noticed someone else getting out of the car parked at the curb, sunglasses on and a face full of stubble. James turned around and reached his arm over Trevor's shoulders, pulling him in.

"There's the Stanley Cup champion."

Trevor pushed his sunglasses up onto his head, wiping his hand across his forehead and nodding. He raised his gaze to meet Katie, locking his eyes on hers and smiling.

"Hey Katie, how've you been?"

"Hey Trevor." Katie flashed a quick smile, before adding, "congrats on the cup, by the way. I watched the game with my dad."

"Thanks." He nodded, looking around. "I'm gonna, uh, head inside to take a shower. It was a long flight. See ya." He brushed by them and walked inside.

Katie had known both Trevor and James for almost eight years. She had moved to the neighborhood right before freshman year of high school, and the van Riemsdyks lived right next door. She had been walking outside one day, struggling to carry some groceries, when a young guy had run over to help her. It had been James, who Katie's dad had told her was a few years older than her and had just been drafted into the NHL. He helped her carry the groceries in and they talked for a while on her front porch. He obviously had to leave to go play hockey, but he had given her his number and told her to text him if she ever needed anything. He also came home for holidays and the summer, so she got a chance to hang out with him a lot and he became like the older brother she had always wanted.

Trevor had been in Katie's year at school, but they never really spoke. He always hung out with all the other hockey players and jocks, while Katie mainly kept to herself and her few close friends. He wasn't ever mean to her and would even say hi to her in the halls sometimes. But, he would pretty much ignore her besides that and never really made any huge effort to become friends. All of Katie's friends had crushes on him and his friends, and although Katie couldn't deny he was attractive, she was irritated by his lack of manners and spent most of her time just nodding as her friends fawned over him. Even when she was home for the summers in high school, they never really saw each other because he was usually of training for hockey.

James and Katie walked into the house after chatting a little bit more on the sidewalk, and he quickly ran to his room to drop off his bags. He had told her she could grab something to drink, so she went to the fridge to look for a bottle of water. She took a bottle, closed the door, and nearly dropped it on her feet.

"Oh, sorry, didn't realize you were still here." Trevor stood in the kitchen, a towel wrapped loosely around his waist. His hair was still wet as he dried it with a towel, leaning against the counter.

"No, um, I'm sorry. I can leave if you'd like." I walked around Trevor and went to sit on the couch, pretending to be looking intently at something on my phone while waiting for the burning in my cheeks to fade. Trevor ran back into his room and then came back out to the living room with a pair of athletic shorts on. It didn't really provide much more coverage, but I guess it was more appropriate. I could tell my cheeks were still red, and I think Trevor noticed, too. He tried to start a conversation out of the awkward silence that hung in the air.

"So, uh, how have you been? How's school?"

"Oh, I've been good. I just graduated, actually, and now I'll be living at home and working at the high school as an assistant guidance counselor." I paused. "How about you? Obviously your season went well."

Trevor laughed and nodded. "Yep, it definitely did." He was silent for a few more moments. "So, you're back here for good?"

"Oh, yeah, I am. I missed it a lot."

"Why didn't you visit more?"

"I dunno. I worked a lot and wanted to stay with friends and do fun stuff. I also wanted to see my boyfriend as much as possible, so..."

Trevor gave Katie a strange look. "Oh, you have a boyfriend? Where's he?"

"We broke up, actually. About three months ago."

"Oh, I'm sorry." Katie wasn't in the mood for a pity party, and certainly didn't think her ex-boyfriend was worth thinking much about.

"Please, don't be. He cheated on me and I dumped his sorry ass." Trevor laughed.

"Good, good." James walked into the room just then.

"Hey, sorry guys, I got a phone call. Have fun catching up?" Trevor was the first to answer.

"Yeah, definitely. I was actually just gonna invite Katie over to our "Welcome Home" barbecue tonight." Katie looked taken aback by the fact that Trevor had been the one to invite her, but did her best to hide it.

"Totally! Katie, please say you'll come. Tell your parents to come, too. It'll just be a few people but we're gonna hang out by the pool and just catch up with folks."

"I'd love to come over. My parents are actually out of town for the weekend, but I'll still come. for sure. I'm gonna head home and get some stuff done and then I'll come back in a few hours."

"Perfect! I'll walk you out." Katie stood and walked to the door, James close behind.

"Bye Katie!" Trevor yelled, waving. Katie was too caught off guard to respond as she walked onto the van Riemsdyk's porch. She gave James a strange look as they walked across the lawn to her place, but she looked away as soon as he caught her gaze.

"What's up? I can tell something's bothering you."

She stopped in her driveway, turning to face James.

"Why is your brother being nice to me?"

"What do you mean? Why wouldn't he be?"

"Well, we've never really been friends and he never put a huge effort forward to speak to me. So I'm kinda shocked as to why he is now."

James chuckled and shook his head.

"Trevor's a weirdo. I mean, especially in high school, so I'm sorry you had to deal with him then. But, I promise you that he never meant to be rude to you."

"Yeah, I guess that makes sense."

"I actually remember him getting a little jealous when we would talk sometimes. He never talked about it, but when he saw your name pop up on my phone he would storm off and go to his room or something. " Katie's head snapped up.

"Really?"

"Yeah, wait- you don't like him, do you?" Katie shook her head vigorously.

"No, no, of course not." James wasn't buying it.

"Ya sure, bud?" Katie took a deep breath, scratching her head.

"I- I don't think so. I mean, I don't know. I haven't seen him in years and feel like I don't even know him that well! But-"

"I saw you checking him out. Katie's got a cruuuushhh." Katie playfully slapped James' arm.

"No I don't! Shut up!"

"Hey, no need to get defensive. Why do you think he invited you over later? Who could resist a peek at Katie Smith in a bikini." He winked and Katie rolled her eyes.

"Ew, James, stop."

"I'm just messing with you. But, seriously, you've grown into a stunning young woman and I'm sure he's noticed. I'm gonna go ahead and head back now, but you can come over at 5:30."

Katie gave James a hug, muttering a thank you while thinking over her feelings. She waved as he headed back across the grass to his home.
--------------------------------
Katie looked in the mirror, moving around, adjusting her outfit. She had decided to wear a simple, black string bikini that looked great on her, along with a pair of denim shorts and a flowy, red tank-top. Her red hair hung in waves over one shoulder.

She grabbed her phone and ran out the door, walking across the lawn and around the back of the van Riemsdyk's house, where she could hear music playing. After giving Mr. & Mrs. Riemsdyk a hug, she headed over to the pool, where she could see Trevor and James talking with some of James' friends. They all looked up as she walked over.

"Hey, K! Take a seat. We were just debating whether or not Trev will have a chance at the cup again next year. I say he can't do it. Not two years in a row." Katie sat down next to James, across from Trevor.

"I dunno, it could happen. He probably has a better chance than you." Trev spit out the water he had been drinking and everyone started roaring laughing.

"Wow, sounds like someone wants to go for a swim." James stood up just as Katie jumped up and ran away. Trevor had gotten up, too, and continued laughing as Katie ran over to where he stood.

"Here, hide behind me. I'll fight him off," Trevor shouted to her as she ducked behind him, shrieking as James approached. She was shocked when Trevor bent down and grabbed her feet as James grabbed under her arms. She kicked and shrieked as she felt the cold water around her, soaking her instantly. When she emerged from under the surface, she saw James laying on the ground laughing as Trevor stood and laughed, as well. She narrowed her eyes and took a deep breath. Trevor walked over and extended his hand out to help her up, which she gladly accepted. But, he should've known that it was a trick as she tugged and pull him in, as well. James' laughter grew and she pushed herself out of the pool

"Hey, what was that for?!" Trevor shook his head, getting his hair out of his eyes. He hopped out of the pool as Katie stripped off her drenched shirt and shorts, revealing her very tiny and very sexy bikini. Trev stopped as soon as he got out of the pool, not-so-subtly looking her up and down as he gulped and removed his shirt, leaving him in a pair of red swim trunks.

"Sorry, you asked for it." She patted him on the shoulder, before walking over to James, who had taken his seat again on the chairs by the pool and his few friends. "I'll get you, later." James raised his hands in defense.

James stood up, as did his friends. "We're gonna go for a drive. We'll be back later." Katie waved as they walked away, leaving Trevor and Katie alone. Mr. & Mrs. van Riemsdyk had gone inside to talk with some of their friends. Trevor and Katie sat on opposite pool chairs, each on their phones, not saying a word to each other. Katie looked over at Trevor, who was still looking through his phone and decided she'd show off a bit. Why not, right?

She put down her phone, stood up, and walked over to the edge of the pool. Trevor had, at this point, put his phone down and was staring at Katie as she stood on the opposite edge of the pool. She had a smirk on her face as she took a step forward, diving forward gracefully through the surface of the water. When she emerged, she noticed that Trevor wasn't in his chair anymore, but he burst through the surface right in front of her a few seconds later. He must've dove in, as well, while she was under.

"Nice dive, K." Katie blushed as Trevor called her by the nickname James had for her. She paddled over to the edge of the pool, putting her arms up on either edge next to her, her back against the cool tile of the pool's edge.

"Thanks, Trev", Katie replied, also calling him by a nickname usually reserved for James' use. Trevor swam towards her, treading water a few inches away. Katie gulped, looking down and realizing just how close they were to each other. When she looked back up, Trevor had his eyes locked on hers and had rested his hands on the pool edge on either side of her.

He quickly closed the distance, pressing his lips to her's. The kiss was passionate, but hesitant, as Trevor still wasn't absolutely sure that Katie wanted this. When he pulled away, he could see that her cheeks were red and her eyebrows were raised. He gulped, awaiting a response, while removing his hands from the pool edge to give her some space. Trevor moved to rest against the pool wall, next to Katie, who still hadn't answered. She went to get out of the pool, still silent, walking over to the chair to get her phone and grab a towel. Trevor jumped out of the pool trying to catch up with her.

Opening the door, she walked through the back door, walking through the living room. Mr. & Mrs. van Riemsdyk had gone over to their neighbor's house, so the place was empty.

"Katie, wait, I'm sorry! I shouldn't ha-" Trevor was cut off as Katie whipped around, lacing her arms around his neck and pressing her lips to his. She stood on her toes to gain some height on him, as he placed his hands on her waist. She walked back, not breaking contact, and pulled Trevor onto the couch with her. He moved his lips to her neck as he ran his hand up and down her side, resting on her breast and squeezing. She moaned as he continued attacking her neck, arching her back slightly and running her nails up and down his back. He had just reached under her back to undo her top when he heard laughter and the door opening, whipping into a sitting position as Katie scooted upright, as well.

"Oh, hey guys! How's it going?" James walked into the room, looking at his brother and his good friend sitting strangely close to each other on the couch. They both looked flushed and neither of them had said anything yet. "We're just gonna head out back, if you guys wanna join us in a bit." They left through the back door, closing it tightly.

Trevor and Katie looked at each other, for the first time since being interrupted.

"Um-"

"So-"

They both awkwardly laughed as they spoke at the same time. Trevor tried again.

"I didn't really know how to tell you, and I was going to! But, after seeing you in that bathing suit, I couldn't wait." Katie blushed, moving a piece of her still-wet hair behind her ear.

"No, I- I'm glad you didn't."

"I know we haven't really ever been close at all, which is mostly my fault, but, I mean, since we'll both be home for a majority of the summer, maybe we could hang out? Make up for lost time?" Katie nodded, a shy smile breaking across her face.

"I'd like that. Maybe we could talk, too? I mean, not that I didn't like this, but, I did just get out of a relationship and-" Trevor held out his hand to stop her.

"Whatever you'd like. Just let me know." Katie nodded, leaning forward to press a quick kiss to Trevor's lips before standing up and grabbing his hand, leading the way back outside. She stopped short of the door.

"But, maybe we just keep this to ourselves for now? I don't want your brother to freak out or anything." Trevor nodded, moving his hand from Katie's and holding the door open for her.

Katie's phone buzzed and she looked at it, seeing that James had texted her.

*James: Don't wanna know what was going on when we walked in, but just know that I'm not ready to be an uncle.*

Katie made eye contact with James and rolled her eyes.

*Katie: Very funny. Don't worry about it.*

Trevor leaned into Katie's ear and whispered something, both giving James a suspicious look. Katie tossed her phone onto the beach chair and jogged over to the edge of the pool, tripping and falling on the way. James and his two friends stood up, and James ran over, bending down to see if she was okay.

"Oh my god, K. Are you hurt?" Katie looked up from the veil her hair had created and smirked, as Trevor ran up behind James and helped Katie push him into the pool. When he came up for air, everyone was laughing. Katie rolled over onto her stomach, leaning to look into the pool at the very wet, very surprised James.

"I am now!"

Notes

(Obviously not all details in the story are factual, but they were necessary to change for the sake of the story.)

By request from tvr57 :).