Written by: TVM (mrtvm@mrtvm.com)

Archive: www.asstr.org/~TheVertManArchive/Stories/Scent/Index.html

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"I love this car," Holly cooed as we made the last turn and pulled into a parking place out front of her building. We were riding in her newly purchased 1984 Monte Carlo. "The guy really did a good job of keeping it up."

"Backseat is roomy too," Maxie said from the backseat.

"And the interior is gorgeous," I said as I rubbed the shiny leather.

"You guys can just hang out for a few minutes if you want and I'll run up and check my mail and then we can go riding for a while," Holly said. "OK?"

"I didn't wanna see your old apartment anyway," Maxie said as Holly laughed.

"Really isn't anything to see," Holly said with a shrug. "Unless you wanna see the TV I brought from home and the beat up sofa that the landlord gave me when she felt sorry for me."

"Who's that weirdo over there watching for?" I asked as I pointed to a pizza delivery guy standing by the sign for the place.

"Weird things like that happen around here all the time," Holly noted. "Keeps things interesting."

"It's a quiet part of town he shouldn't be acting weird," I said nervously.

"I wonder if he's a Republican?" Maxie asked as I turned to give her a look of confusion. "What? You don't think they've been acting weird lately?"

"Shut up," I said as Holly laughed and I know had to be a bit nervous when the pizza guy came over to the car and tapped on the drivers side window. Holly rolled it down as he asked, "Holly Harris?"

"Yes and no I didn't order a pizza," Holly said.

"I know that," he said as he pulled out a single piece of paper and said, "The name's Kenneth Staller and this is for you."

"What is it?" Holly asked as she took it.

"You've been served, have a nice day," he said as he turned to walk off rather abruptly. Holly shrugged as she opened the piece of paper and read it.

"I don't believe this crap," Holly said as she took a tired breath and then, to my surprise, started to softly cry into her hands.

"What it is?" I asked as I took the paper and found out it was a summons for her to appear in court on a matter of custody.

"He's suing you?" I asked as I read it.

"Who is?" Maxie asked.

"My worthless parasite of a father is suing me for custody of Molly," Holly said as she took back the paper.

"Why does he want her back so bad?" I asked.

"He thinks that if he can force Molly to move back home with him he can make her love him again," Holly said. "He's sadly mistaken cause as of now I'm her favorite family member and that's not saying much."

"It sure isn't," Maxie said with a huge grin as Holly and I started giggling.

"Well, if old Eugene wants a war then he's gonna fucking get one," Holly said defiantly. "I'm gonna go into court and tell so many lies about him he'll be lucky to leave a free man."

"Judging from what you've already told us you shouldn't need to lie to much," I said as Holly nodded her head in agreement. "You're also gonna need an attorney."

"I know and I can bet money Eugene already has one," Holly said as she started the car and pulled out, heading back towards Fast Eddie's. "Anybody know one?"

"Mine and Megan's landlord, Marc Summers," I said as she looked at me to see if I was serious. "He closed his practice to go into real estate."

"He won't come out of retirement to help me," Holly said.

"Can't hurt to ask," Maxie said.

"True and I've got a couple of weeks to get someone so hopefully we can dig someone up," Holly said.

"If we dig someone up I think he'll really stink," Maxie said as both of us laughed.

We got the news after school that we could paint Randi's room. Well not we as I should say they. But with Randi attaching herself to Laney from the moment they met she soon drafted Laney into it and, of course, I was next. So here we sat two hours later with a completely empty bucket of off-white paint and about half of the common room finished.

"Hey, I'm going to lunch with Cally and the team," Cindy said from the doorway to Randi's room. "Where's Chi?"

"She just got out of the shower," Chi said as she poked her head out of the bathroom. "Is Cally's Dad here in the frogmobile?"

"He called and said he'd be here in a few minutes," Cindy said. "So hurry."

"Who wanted the lemon-lime soda?" Laney asked as she came back into the room from the first floor soda machine.

"Me!" Randi said from the other side of the room, looking absolutely adorable with a smudge of white on her cheek. Laney took the soda over and personally placed it in her hand as the two lovebirds (maybe not yet but soon to be) smiled at each other.

"What about mine?" I asked as Laney, without looking my way, tossed it to me with her eyes never leaving Randi's.

"Thanks," I said sarcastically as I caught it. "Don't take the time to make sure I caught it now."

"Don't worry she won't," Chi said as she went back into the bathroom.

"Why don't you two just go ahead and hook up?" I asked Randi and Laney.

"Because I am just coming off of a bad break-up," Randi said as she looked over at me.

"And I have never been with a girl," Laney added.

"So we're taking everything slow," Randi said. "No matter how cute she is."

"She's talking about me," Laney said excitedly with a finger pointing to herself for added emphasis.

"No shit Sherlock," Cindy said as everyone laughed and I rose as she pulled me up and kissed me. "You coming to Fast Eddie's with us?"

"That's where you're going for dinner?" I asked in surprise.

"That's what Cally's Dad said."

"Nah, I think I'll hang out here with Laney and watch a movie or something," I said as I stood. Hana arrived back at the door to the room now dressed in a clean t-shirt and Mintzler uni skirt.

"So are we going or what?" Hana asked Cindy.

"We are but you're not," Cindy said to our roommate. "Coach Rock said you're off the team."

"Yeah right," Hana said. "Without me on the left side of the infield you'd be screwed."

"You're also the offense," Chi added as she put her hair into a ponytail.

"I agree," Hana said.

"And you're also really gullible," Chi replied as everyone laughed.

"We're leaving in a few minutes," Cindy said as she looked pointedly at Randi. "Are you coming Pocket Rocket?"

"I'm thinking about it," Randi giggled as she headed into the bathroom to wash up.

"Did you buy that movie we talked about?" Laney asked me as she laid down her now washed out paint brush.

"The one with Mila Kunis from That 70's Show?" I asked.

"After Sex," Laney said.

"Yeah I got the last copy," I said. "Are you sure you wanna watch it?"

"Yes and you should too," Laney said.

"And why?"

"It has Mila Kunis from That 70's Show as a lesbo," Laney said as I grinned and she laughed. She helped me up as she came over to join me.

"Thank... god you... haven't left yet," Anisha (Mac) panted as she arrived by Cindy out of breath. "Had a late meeting... and ran all the... way across campus to get here."

"We weren't leaving without you," Cindy said as Anisha smiled and walked inside to change her clothes quickly as Randi came out of the bathroom.

"Any idea on who your other three roommates will be?" I asked Chi as she walked with us into the hall.

"Nope," Chi said. "I hope we don't get any more cause it's fine with me the way it is, just the three of us."

"Me too," Randi said as she joined us. "Me and Nish get along great and we share a room..."

"... and I got my own room," Chi added.

"Nisha come on," Randi whined.

"You took forever getting ready so stop hurrying her along," Cindy said before Chi flipped her off and spun around and ran off down the hall. Cindy chased after her as I laughed.

"Where did they go?" Anisha asked as she came out a minute later.

"Chi made the mistake of flipping Cindy off," Laney giggled.

"Come on we'll meet them at the front door," Randi said as she and Anisha walked off. Laney then slid in beside me and said, in a no less than sultry voice, "Alone at last."

"MMMM wanna make out Eskimo style?" I asked as she giggled.

"I thought you'd never ask," Laney said as we went inside our own room finally and closed the door. "I guess it's just me and you tonight, huh?"

"Max will be back late and Dakota's, like always, with Mindy, so probably," I said as Laney turned on the TV that sat against the wall between the doors to the two bedrooms and put in the DVD. Then joining me on the sofa as we settled in for a night of home theater.

"Hey, I remember you," Megan said as I came in the front door of Fast Eddie's Eats, flanked by Alisha, and was greeted by her. "You never did come back in and tell me how that girlfriend thing worked out for you."

"She dumped her and I picked up the pieces," Alisha said as she wrapped her arms around me from behind. "She's doing much better now."

"Too bad," Megan said as I laughed. "You still make my tongue hard."

"You too," I said as we exchanged grins.

"You're gonna explain that one to me later," Alisha said before I nodded my head in agreement.

"Table for 10?" I asked Megan.

"Darlene can you do a table for 10?" Megan asked the nice lady who I remembered meeting also when I was in here before.

"Sure can," Darlene said. "Pull out those two back booth tables and just put them side by side."

"Help me?" Megan asked as I shrugged and followed after her with Alisha's hand in mine. Dad (David) and the rest of the gang (Randi, Anisha, Allison Lohman, Hana, Chi and Coach Rock) came in next and helped us set up the tables before all of us settled into our spots. "OK, what are we having today?"

"Veggie plates and large milks all around," Coach Newman said as everyone laughed. "I'm serious."

"I quit the team then," Allison said as everyone laughed. "Burgers and fries all around?"

"Be just a few minutes," Megan said as she walked off after everyone had agreed to the order.

"This place has great food," Hana offered. "I know; I worked here."

"And she's roommate's with the cook's daughter, Shelby," I inserted.

"Shelby's Dad works here?" Anisha asked.

"He sure does," Hana said. "I worked here over the summer and he's the best cook. Can make anything you want."

"Then why are we just having burgers and fries?" Dad asked pointedly.

"Blame our star first baseman," I said as I pointed to Allison. She grinned sheepishly.

"So where did your Dad move his store to Hana?" Chi asked as Megan came out of the kitchen with two arms full of food, followed by Shelby's Dad, Harold, as he too had two arms full.

"He moved it into the poor district to save on rent," Hana said.

"The poor district?" Anisha asked in confusion as Megan and Harold arrived and began handing out the food.

"Yeah across the street," Hana said as everyone giggled. "This looks great Mr. Parker."

"Thank you, enjoy," Harold said as he left with Megan.

"So has anyone given any more thoughts about my open invite at Francis Field?" Coach Rock asked as everyone was now busy munching.

"Laney and my girlfriend are coming," Cindy said with a mouthful of burger.

"I talked to Molly and Chloe, their friends of mine and Cindy's," I said.

"I'm coming too," Alisha said. "Even if no one invited me."

"Maybe you should take that as a hint," Cindy said as she beaned my girlfriend with a pickle.

"Knock it off," Coach Rock boomed. "Eat, not throw."

"Calista, I have a phone call," Dad said as he rose from the table. "Be right back."

"This lunch with Dad lasted a lot longer than I thought it would," I said as Alisha laughed and Dad made his way outside to take the call.

"You're father is a busy man Spanky," Coach Rock said directly to me, referring to my newly acquired nickname. "But he's trying to juggle his needs with yours."

"And he's been there a lot more recently than he was in the past," Alisha pointed out.

"Coach Newman?" Dad asked from the front doorway. "Meet me out front for a moment."

"Be right back and no food fights," Coach Rock added with a stern look.

"Yes, sir," I said seriously as he made his way to the front and exited through the door to meet Dad held it for a group of girls as they came in. Two of them being instantly recognizable, 'Shrek', Veronica Lake and Kelly Markee, both former teammates of mine, Cindy and Hana's. "I want you to look who wondered in from the wrong side of the tracks."

"Shrek," Cindy growled as I jumped up and got in front of her to stop her from going after the girl. Not sure she would but you can never tell. "Chill Icey."

"I'm just gonna go and say hi to the turncoats," Cindy said.

"This is a nice place and you are not gonna start a fight, Ice Princess," Hana said as she joined me. I thought we had the situation under control when I heard a vaguely familiar voice from behind me say, "Well, look at who wondered in here."

"What?" I asked as I turned and saw Wendy Traber, the former Bemidji pitcher, who was now wearing a Twilight Hills jacket as were Kelly and Veronica. "You're going to Twilight Hills?"

"Yes I am," Wendy said.

"Why?" I asked.

"Because I was recruited," she said. "Unlike your supposed team here, Twilight Hills wanted an actual pitcher."

"You were 3 and 8 last year," Cindy pointed out. "Are they desperate?"

"3 and 8 for a horrible team," Wendy said. Just then she saw Allison (her former teammate) stand up and join us. "Allison Lohman?"

"That'd be me and I can see that you haven't changed any," Allison said. "Still mouthy."

"Hey chill, no need for name calling," Veronica offered.

"You stay out of this Shrek," Cindy fired at her former teammate and arch enemy.

"What's your problem?" Veronica asked as Chi jumped up and immediately got between them.

"Cindy chill," Chi said to her teammate.

"My problem with you is you're a bully and a turncoat," Cindy said with a finger point.

"That was a long time ago, Cindy," Chi said as she got her attention. "I know you still don't like her but she's not a turncoat.

"My parents don't make a lot and THA was cheaper," Veronica said. "You think I wanted to leave Mintzler?"

"I would have," Wendy said. "They don't even have a pitcher."

"Yes we do," Randi said as she stood and pulled Anisha up with her. "She struck your ass out in the state tournament a few months ago."

"Oh yeah that concerns me," Wendy said before asking Anisha. "Can you lift your arm above your head now?"

"Shut up," I said to Wendy.

"I'm back throwing and my arm is getting better every day," Anisha said softly.

"Can you throw more than 20 pitches yet?" Wendy asked Anisha. It made me so damn mad to see the hurt in Anisha's eyes as she turned her back and walked off towards the bathroom.

"What? Did I hurt her feelings?" Wendy asked innocently.

"The 50 pitches she can throw now are popping the mitt like a smack upside your big ass head," Chi said as she got in Wendy's face. "And unlike you she was an All-star last year. You just better hope when we meet that she's not pitching cause I'm gonna make sure she's in top form to shut you up."

"Well I don't know why you're getting so upset," Wendy said, after having taken a step back.

"Keep running your mouth and you're gonna be fighting them all by yourself," Kelly finally said as Wendy looked back. "I came in to eat not fight. Now let's go."

"OK, OK, so touchy," Wendy said as she walked off with her teammates.

"She's awfully mouthy for a girl who sucks," Chi said.

"Problem is she's a whole lot better than her record shows," I said as Alisha got up to join me and kissed my lips.

"MMMM what was that for?" I asked.

"Just something I felt like doing," Alisha said. "Now come and eat."

"Hey can I play?" Mindy asked as she came to my door and saw me playing her XBOX 360, in her room.

"Want me to beat you again?" I asked with a smirk.

"You wish, Punky," she said as she sat down to join me and picked up her other controller and I restarted the game (Need for Speed: Shift). Mindy gave me a determined look and I know was dying to beat me. But I had other plans. We started and she shot out front on the first straight stretch as I laid back and let her build a decent lead. I glanced over just as she was ready to turn the first 90 degree corner and... paused the game as she snapped her head around to meet mine. "What happened?"

"Nothing," I said innocently as I unpaused it and laughed as I watched her car go out of control and smash into the building in front of her. I simply slowed my own car and turned the corner to take the race lead as she tried desperately to back her car out of the crash scene. "Hehe."

"You cheated," Mindy accused me after she given up on getting her car out of the mess I caused her to create.

"I can't help it if you can't control your own car," I said as I carefully turned another corner and got ready to complete the first lap on my way to an easy victory.

"You cheated," Mindy said as she grabbed at my controller and caused me to wreck in the process. giggling as she grinned proudly.

"You cheated," I accused her.

"Just like you," she said as she pushed me and turned to crawl away when I grabbed onto her foot and ended up pulling off her shoe. She squealed as she pulled away and I got a great view of her very tanned, thong clad, ass as her skirt flew up and she got to her feet and took off running with me giving chase. She stumbled right as she got to the central staircase and nearly went tumbling down as she tried to take off her other shoe. I caught up to her just as she lost her balance and nearly fell down the steps before I caught her arm and pulled her back into my arms. "You might have just saved my life."

"I shouldn't have after you accused me of cheating," I said.

"You did!" she declared as my hands slipped under her t-shirt and she grinned knowingly for a moment until my fingers dug into her tickle spots and she began squealing in laughter as I held on tightly. I only stopped when I saw Dakota and Chloe coming back from a late dinner. Mindy giving me a strange look as she slipped from my hands. "What happened?"

"Your girlfriend and mine are back," I said as I pointed down the steps.

"So we have to stop flirting, huh?" Mindy asked before taking off running down the steps laughing.

"Very childish," I said in protest as I came down to join her, Chloe and Dakota. Mindy was now in Dakota's arms.

"You two love birds done?" Dakota asked as we shared dirty looks and laughed. Chloe kissed me as a horn tooted out front of the building and I looked to see Holly leaning on the front of a shiny car.

"What the fuck?" I asked as Chloe looked back and saw it too. "When did she get a car?"

"When did who get a car?" Maggie asked as we passed by the office and she joined us for the walk outside. "WOW! Nice ride, Holly."

"Yeah sis, smokin' ride," I said as we joined Holly. She smiled as she leaned in and kissed a very willing Maggie.

"Thanks," Holly said. "I love it already."

"Perfect to teach your, soon-to-be, 16 year-old, and very loving, sister to drive?" I asked with a hopeful expression, never expecting her to say yes.

"Yes it is," Holly said. "But that means you listen to me and not give me a lot of lip. Deal?"

"Hell yes," I said as I hugged her impulsively. She hugged me back and for a long moment it seemed like a knew beginning for the always troublesome Harris sisters.

"Let's get a picture of this so I can prove it happened once upon a time," Chloe said as she snapped a pic with her cell phone. Holly and I mugged for the camera.

"But that may not happen," Holly said cryptically.

"Why?"

"Because our psychotic father is suing me for custody," Holly announced.

"He'll want me to move back home," I said as the first thought that came to mind.

"What?" Chloe asked in horror as she came over and hugged me.

"Don't be so over dramatic," Holly said. "You'll be here till the end of the year even if he does somehow lie his way back into full custody. Your tuition is paid till the end of Sophomore year. Even old Eugene can't be that stupid."

"You underestimate him," I said as everyone started laughing.

"So you're not leaving?" Chloe asked as she slipped into my arms. A look of fear in her eyes like I'd never seen before. I simply kissed her softly.

"I love you Chloe Morgan and the only way I'll leave is if they take me away after I murder my worthless father," I said as she laughed and hugged me.

"I've already hired an attorney to represent us," Holly said as I looked back at her. "Marc Summers, he's a friend of Sarah's, said he'd take the case for free. And he had a talk with the judge over the case and got us a hearing for early next week."

"How the hell did he do that?" Maggie asked in surprise.

"He's good," Holly said.

"Good in bed?" I asked Holly as I slipped from Chloe's arms and backed away as Holly stared me down. "Cause you had to have fucked him to get that much done."

"YOU'RE DEAD!" Holly declared as she took off after me with everyone else laughing as they watched.