Summertime Loving

As their banter flowed effortlessly, Ronda felt a flutter of excitement in her chest. She hadn't anticipated enjoying her time with Travis so much. He had a natural charm that made conversation feel effortless, and his humor put her completely at ease, drawing her in further with each laugh they shared.

Hours melted away as their laughter harmonized with the sounds of splashing water and distant chatter. They were so engrossed in their exchange that they didn't notice the sun beginning to dip below the horizon, casting vibrant hues of orange and pink across the sky, painting a picturesque backdrop to their unfolding connection.

"Wow, has it really been two hours?" Ronda said, glancing at her watch in disbelief. "We should probably check on that training you mentioned earlier."

Travis nodded, a hint of regret in his voice as he looked around, suddenly aware of the time slipping away. "Yeah, it's been fun just hanging out. But I'm definitely down for some practice if you are."

"Let's do it," Ronda replied, determination sparking in her eyes. "We'll make the most of what's left of the day."

With that, they rose from their comfortable spot on the poolside, both energized by the anticipation of what was to come next. Their initial hesitations faded into the background, replaced by a growing camaraderie that hinted at an exciting new chapter in their relationship.

But just as they were about to take a dip, the lifeguard blew his whistle sharply, cutting through their moment. "Alright, everyone out of the pool! The pool is now closed!"

"Damn. And I'm dry as hell," Travis thought, feeling a mix of disappointment and frustration wash over him.

He turned to Ronda, who wore an awkward smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "That's sad. Well, we should be leaving now," she said, her disappointment evident as she made her way toward the changing room.

Travis noted her downcast demeanor. Unlike him, who didn't need to do much to maintain his physique, Ronda had to work out regularly to keep up her impressive fitness.

'I'll have to fix that tonight,' he thought, determined to lift her spirits.

After changing, he walked out to find Ronda waiting, her expression still lingering between disappointment and resignation.

"Hey, how about we grab something to drink? Since nothing went as planned," he suggested, hoping to lighten the mood.

"Sounds good," she replied, her smile returning as they stepped out together, the warmth of the evening air enveloping them. They strolled side by side, laughter and shared stories flowing between them, a bond deepening with each passing moment.

After grabbing a drink together, Travis walked Ronda to her door, watching as she disappeared inside with a final wave. He lingered a moment, hands in his pockets, letting out a deep sigh.

'That's a wrap for today. Finally done,' he thought with a sense of relief, only for another realization to hit him. 'Oh, wait—I still need to catch the lifeguard. Damn.'

He shook his head with a half-smirk, turning back the way he'd come, mentally preparing himself for one last errand before calling it a night.

As he walked down the quiet street, Travis heard the unmistakable roar of an engine speeding toward him. He spun around just in time to see a black van screech to a halt, tires kicking up a cloud of dust. The doors swung open, and four men stepped out, each gripping metal poles in their hands and wearing grim expressions.

'So he sent some thugs to jump me. That's sad—for them, of course,' Travis thought, a smirk playing on his lips as he calmly slipped his bag off his shoulder, placing it on the ground. He knew this street well; he and Erik often played football here precisely because it was usually empty.

One of the thugs sneered, his voice filled with mockery. "Hey, kid, our boss said we should pay you a visit."

Travis didn't bother with a response. Instead, he raised his hands, body tensing as he prepared himself for a fight. His stance alone made them hesitate, but their leader only laughed, his face twisted with amusement.

"Hey, Bill, let's kill this motherf—!"

Travis's thoughts turned dryly amused. 'I haven't even fucked her yet. Is this guy some kind of fortune teller?'

They surrounded him, four against one, their eyes blazing with intent. The glint of metal poles in their hands was anything but subtle, promising a brutal fight. Travis studied each of them briefly, calculating his moves, knowing he'd have to be quick and precise if he wanted to walk away unscathed.

Without hesitation, one of the men lunged at Travis, swinging his pole from left to right. Travis evaded the blow by swiftly stepping to the side, causing his opponent to strike nothing but air. In that momentary distraction, Travis saw an opportunity. He lunged forward, slamming his fist into the man's abdomen with a fierce determination. The man gasped for air, momentarily incapacitated.

Two of the remaining men rushed towards Travis simultaneously, their poles aimed to strike him from both sides. Travis skillfully ducked under the first pole, narrowly avoiding the blow. As he rose to his feet, he swiftly blocked the second man's attack with his forearms, feeling the reverberation of the impact through his body. Using his agility to his advantage, Travis took a quick step back, watching as the two men stumbled into each other.

Realizing they were at a disadvantage, the final remaining assailant decided to attack with sheer force. He charged towards Travis, swinging his pole with relentless fury. Travis knew he had to act quickly. As the man's pole descended upon him, Travis dodged to the side, letting the pole miss its intended target. Seizing the moment, he delivered a powerful roundhouse kick, connecting with the man's midsection. The assailant stumbled backward, dropping his weapon as he struggled to regain his composure.

With three of the men now incapacitated, Travis turned his attention to the injured man, who was slowly recovering. Picking up one of the abandoned poles, Travis held it firmly, his eyes locked on the man. Sensing Travis's determination and resilience, the final assailant chose to retreat, his bravado extinguished.

Travis watched as the four men retreated into the darkness, their arrogance replaced with fear. He had triumphed against a fierce opposition, relying on his quick reflexes and strategic movements. Breathing heavily, Travis tossed aside the pole and slowly made his way home, aware that his battle had turned out in his favor, but knowing that he had just averted a much more dangerous situation.

' Wait they left their car, well I don't care' he thought.

He stood by the corner, and thought about what he should do now.

'Let me get this done. '

TO BE CONTINUED