"Big D" Chapter 1

After the game, we went to the "W" for awhile, I remember that. I don't remember her. Did I go to a player's house after the game? Darius', maybe? Well, I can't remember where I find her but I did well for myself, she's beautiful. The tan burnette stirred a little and I froze hoping she wouldn't wake up. When she seemed to settle, I eased myself still partially lying down out on the cool hardwoods that came with my uptown purchase 3 years ago.

In the shower I try to clear up the fog in my head with Khiel's and water as hot as I can stand. I smell of scotch which is pretty standard for the morning after a home game. I start remembering that we won last night 108-105, a close but uneventful win. Darius got another double-double and Joey, the rookie with promise tweaked his knee and went out in the second. I should check on him as soon as I'm done here.

Just as I'm putting in conditoner, I hear my blackberry ringing in the other room with the woman I'm not ready to deal with yet. I jump out of the shower, grab a towel to put around my sopping wet body and try to quietly but quickly get to my phone before it wakes her. I'm almost close enough to pick it up when the lovely burnette reaches her arm out with eyes still closed and answers my phone with a sleepy and sexy hello. She opens her eyes after a few seconds, then covers the phone with her model hand.

"I'm sorry, I thought it was mine. It's um, your brother."
Great. The last person I want knowing I have an unindentified burnette in my bed on a sunday morning.
"Hello." I say flatly.
"She sounds pretty." my brother says.
"Thank you, she is." I say.
"Girlfriend?"
"Nope." I say.
"Do you even know her name, Danny?" my brother, Caleb says half joking.
"Yes." I say annoyed and lying.
"I'm just calling to remind you about today. It's mom's birthday lunch, remember? Are you going to make it to service or just meet us at the house?"
"Umm, yeah, I don't think I'm making it to service, Caleb."
"Alright, well, be at the house by 2pm, Dan. I'm serious! Mom will start worrying you aren't coming and you know mom won't let us eat until you get there." Caleb said annoyed at my probable tardiness.
"Okay, Caleb, I get it! I will be there at 2pm."
"Oh, and Dan? Don't forget that Mandy will be there with Travis."
I had forgotten.
"So, you know, try to be cool." Caleb said.
"I am cool, therefore I be."
"Right." Caleb said unconvinced.
I hang up dreading two o'clock when I will have to make nice-nice with my ex-wife and her boyfriend at my preacher brother's house that is less than fond of my lifestyle choices. And, I still don't know the girl's name that has just entered my bathroom and shut the door behind her.

About the time I realize I still have conditioner in my hair, the door opens again.
"You don't seem to be finished with your shower, would you like to join me?"
"Absolutely" I say with a winning smile.
"Absolutely, Cheslea" the burnette says with a knowing look.
"Absolutely, Chelsea." I say.

Turning point:
1. Who is Travis? a. The new associate pastor at Caleb's church.
b. The director of the latest play at the Dallas Theatre in which Dan's ex wife,Mandy is the leading lady.
c. Caleb and Dan's second cousin and the local high school football coach.

2. Who is Cheslea?
a. Dan's new boss.
b. Dan's boss's daughter.
c. Dallas' newest investigative reporter on the local news.