No Mercy by Shannon Dermott Page A

to admit that I might just like this girl on principle alone.  She seemed uncomplicated and not needy.  But I’d thought that before and had been totally wrong. 
     
    Despite the music, nothing could keep my mind quiet.  The look on Shelli’s face, her heartbreak, her begging, then her curses, haunted me. Being with her hadn’t been the complete enjoyment it should have been. I should have listened to my gut and left her alone.
     
    The ride was brief and all too soon we pulled into Dewey Park.  The place was empty, so at least something good was going my way today.  Putting the car in park, I cut the engine but left the juice going so that the hard core guitar solo filled the airspace between us.  I didn’t bother looking at her.  Having no idea what her plan was, I left it up to her to make the first move.
     
    It didn’t take long. I should have been a betting man when it came to her.  Movement caught the corner of my eye.  I was sure the noise was her undoing her seat belt. Continuing to watch the water ripple, I waited.  Next thing I knew, she leaned towards me with her head tilted slightly. I finally looked at her.  She wasn’t looking at me though.  Rather, she was pulling her long blond hair up and knotting it, I thought, at the base of her neck.  Now wasn’t that interesting.  If what I assumed was going to happen next was correct, she was certainly efficient.
     
    And I was. Amanda was nothing short of proficient and practiced.  The rush of life force I’d received from her made my head tip back digging into the headrest.  I hadn’t realized just how low on power reserve I was until then.  No words were really exchanged except for a few mumbled curses that I couldn’t hold back.  When the deed was done, she smoothed her hair and clothes and gave me a smile.  Score another one for me, the girl was one for small talk.
     
    Pulling in front of her house, not wanting to be rude, I killed the engine.  I wasn’t the bastard Shelli claimed me to be.  What I did was for her.  Too bad, I couldn’t tell her so.  Then maybe she wouldn’t harbor heartache and hatred for me and maybe she might even be a little grateful. Hell, who was I kidding?  I shouldn’t have gotten in so deep with her.    
     
    “So,” Amanda said.  I had to wonder if that was her favorite word.  But I kept that question to myself. “We’re exclusive right?” she asked.
     
    Oh hell, so that is what I’d agreed to earlier.  Just breaking up with one girl this morning, I wasn’t really ready to jump into another relationship.  How could I back down now?  I’d be a bastard for what just happened or I really would be a bastard on Monday when Shelli found out.  “Yeah,” I muttered, thinking there could be worse things than dating her or the evil eye from Shelli and her friends.  They’d get over it.
     
    “Fine,” she said, her eyes cast low and sexy. “I’ll call you later.” She leaned over and kissed me quickly on the lips and was out of the car before I could say another word.  She sauntered to her front door and I appreciated the view.  It certainly was going to get more interesting soon enough. 
     
    Amanda was a junior, but she wouldn’t be the only upper classman girl I’d messed around with at school.  Some girls just made it their mission to “teach me the ropes.”  And yeah, I’d let them teach me too.
     
     Her movements were somehow graceful yet there was a bounce in her step.  It must be all that cheering she did on the sidelines showing through.  Her skirt flitted in the breeze drawing my eyes down to her legs.  And all I wanted was to get my hands on them.  Yes, maybe she was just what the doctor ordered.  I waited to fire up the car until she got inside. I didn’t want her to think I couldn’t wait to leave even if it was the truth. However, I noted that she didn’t bother to turn around and wave goodbye.  Excellent.  Somehow, I doubted when the time came she