Strutter

Author's note: I was in a hotel bar one time talking to a guy that was in town to play darts. I thought it was interesting that people actually travel around doing this. I wanted to write a romantic piece and decided to use that as my background. Hope you enjoy.

Thank you for the feedback on my other stories. I'm reading them and trying to do better.

*********

My name is Jason Taylor. Everyone calls me Ace. Somehow I went from Jason to Jase to Ace. I guess I could have a worse nickname.

I'm your average American male. Probably a 7 out if 10 looks-wise, but I keep in good shape due to regular workouts, even when I'm on the road.

I'm on the road a couple times a month for 3 or 4 days each trip, traveling around the country playing darts tournaments. A guy needs a hobby right?

I know what you're thinking; "Darts tournaments? People do that?" Yep we do.

I've seen that there are Scrabble and Rock, Paper, Scissors tournaments on TV so don't laugh at me too hard. I make more than I spend doing it, so it isn't really that bad. I can't make a living doing it and I don't really want to either, but I enjoy the game.

I work for myself in a small landscaping company that I started. Most of my tournaments are in the winter which is my slow time with work, so I have plenty of time to travel.

It's a life of traveling to crappy hotels, eating at crappier restaurants, and drinking way too much, but there is a core group of people that does the same thing, so it isn't lonely out there.

There are plenty of attractive single (or not single) ladies to hook up with if one wants, but I'm not into slutting around. I'm still young at 30, but I'm a romantic at heart. I'd like to settle down and have a family soon, but I can't imagine I'll find my wife while on the road.

I was at a tournament and staying at a Holiday Inn somewhere in Iowa. The tournament is a couple of blocks away at a VFW hall banquet room. VFW's are nice because the drinks are usually cheaper than hotel banquet rooms. $3 for a bottle of Bud at a VFW compared to $4 for a shitty draft at the hotel. I'll take it. We also tailgate and have plenty of drinking options in the room for after parties or poker games, so I'm never dry.

**********

As I walked into the venue, I saw some of the regulars and we exchanged greetings. Some folks were playing money games, some folks were practicing and others were drinking and making conversation.

As I chatted with my friend and doubles partner Mike, Jenny walked in. She is a beautiful woman. 9 out of 10, tall, curvy and a very good up and coming player. I asked her to play an event with me a couple of times, but she has regular partners she sticks with and shot me down. We aren't close friends, but we're friendly. Rumor has it she gets around when she is on the road. I've never seen her hook up with anyone, but It's not my business so I stay out of it.

She walked by, smiled and said "Hey Ace, hey Mike" without breaking stride.

Mike followed her ass with his eyes as she walked by, and he was drooling like everyone else. I busted him out and said "Put your tongue away, man. Don't get caught staring."

Mike laughed and said "I was looking at her jacket. It's like those 70's jackets that roadies and DJ's used to wear, what is that shiny material, satin?"

"Right, her sweet ass in those tight jeans has nothing to do with it." was my snarky reply laughing.

********

I ended up taking 2nd in the singles event. I lost to a great player who played better than me, so I'm not that mad. I called in a pizza order and was going back to get some sleep before my early alarm went off when I saw her again.

She was in the lobby waiting for the elevator. I joined her in waiting and asked "Hello again, how did you end up finishing tonight?"

She gave me a snarly look and curtly said "Top 8. I choked and feel like choking someone over it."

I said "Don't worry that much about it. We can't win them all and there are more events tomorrow."

She said "I take it you lost too?"

"Yeah" I said. "2nd, but he played great so I'm happy overall."

Her face said she wasn't impressed so I took that as my cue to shut up and did. As the elevator doors opened my pizza came, so I excused myself and went to get it.

When I got back to the elevator she was still there. Being the king of the obvious I said "You didn't take the elevator?"

She put on a big smile and said "I held it for you."

I thought that was odd. Then it clicked. She wants some pizza.

I said "Thanks, but you didn't have to. I could've waited."

"And let your pizza get cold? No way!" She said. "Besides, you can't eat that all by yourself and the rooms don't have fridges."

I probably would've eaten it all. It was only a medium I thought, but said instead " How about joining me? I've got some booze in the room or pop if you'd prefer?"

She gave me a dick hardening smile and accepted my offer.

As we ate our pizza we chatted about the event and how she played. She is getting better every tournament and I told her that.

She said "Yeah, I feel and see the improvement. I just can't get over the hump and have a really great weekend. I may take a top 4 or 2nd, but can't break the seal to a win."

I said "Keep working hard and it will. You're too good for it not to happen."

She gave me a wry smile and said "Thanks for saying so, it means a lot."

She stood up, thanked me for the pizza and left. I couldn't help but think of her while I jerked off before going to sleep.

*******

The rest of the weekend was uneventful. I didn't win any events but placed in enough that I broke a little better than even. I didn't speak with Jenny again, but she smiled at me once or twice when we made eye contact.

As I was checking out I confirmed with my friend Mark that we were playing together in the doubles events at the next tournament in Wisconsin. He said "Yep, but do you think satin jacket will be there?"

I laughed and said "God, I hope so." Hey, I like eye candy too.

We parted ways and went on with regular life.

*******

I was warming up to play in the final of my Friday event in Madison, Wisconsin against a weaker player when I saw Jenny sit down to watch. It was unusual because it's after midnight and most people have gone back to the hotel, and she has never watched me before.

I said "Hi, what are you up to?"

She gave me that dick hardening smile and said "Hoping you wanted to share you're pizza again."

I laughed on the outside but couldn't believe she wanted to eat with me again. I said "Only if I win." Teasing her a bit to deflect my nerves.

"Awesome, you've got this guy" she said. "Good luck".

I thanked her and went back to the board to start the match.

I did win and she cheered me on the whole time. "She really wants that pizza" I thought.

We drove back to the hotel together after I got paid and ordered the food. She did OK in her event so she wasn't too upset and the conversation was quite pleasant.

We made it back a few minutes before the food and waited in the lobby for it. While we were there, Ryan Davis walked through with one of the pin cushions. I call them pin cushions because everyone gets to stick their needle in them. There's a few single and a few married ones, whose husbands don't travel, that get around. As I said rumor was that Jenny was that way, but I've never seen it.

Ryan is one of the better players that are regulars. He is also a pompous ass. He has some guys that think he's great and he calls them his 'fans'. It just makes me laugh.

He saw us and said "Hey Ace, congrats on the win."

"Thanks" I said. "See you in the morning."

He looked Jenny up and down and said "Yeah, good luck" and walked on.

Jenny wasn't thrilled with him apparently and said under her breath "Prick."

"Not a fan of his" I asked.

She said "It's a story for another time."

The pizza got there at that moment and I let the talk of Ryan drop.

We got up to my room and had our late dinner while talking about the tournament again. She was in a bad mood but not about darts. I tried to cheer her up a bit but she wasn't having it, so I treaded carefully. I really didn't want to piss her off because I was enjoying the company of her beauty, moody or not.

I was still trying to figure out her angle. Was she interested in me? She wasn't overtly flirting. Was I just someone that she could get some free food off of? More than likely. She knew I wasn't a jerk and was relatively safe, so that had to be it. I wasn't known as a man-whore so she must have felt that I wouldn't spend the time trying to get in her pants.

She was fine until we saw Ryan, so her history with him must have been the issue, I thought. Love affair gone bad I guess. Or maybe she was jealous of the pin cushion? Not my problem either way.

We finished eating, she thanked me for the dinner and she left.

In the morning, my room phone rang and it was Jenny calling. "Good morning Ace, can I buy you breakfast?"

"Sure" I said. "Let me shower up and I'll meet you in the lobby in 20."

She said "Just come to my room when you're ready. Room 220."

"OK" I answered. "See you shortly."

This was an interesting development. I couldn't help but wonder why she wanted to have breakfast with me. I figured probably as repayment for the pizzas and let it go.

I shit, showered and shaved and made my way down to her room. When she opened the door I was greeted by the smell of bacon. She invited me in and I saw a skillet set up on the desk with bacon frying. She asked "Are sunny side up eggs acceptable?" I said "Sure."

She removed the bacon and cracked some eggs into the bacon grease.

"My Nan made them this way" she said. "I hope it's OK?"

I said " Sure, it smells great in here."

She said "Yeah, in my room it's either perfume or bacon you smell."

She added "I leave the left overs for housekeeping so they don't get too mad. Let's dig in."

We had a few hours before we had to play the tournament, so we weren't rushed and we had a nice meal. She really cooks well, especially for only working with a portable skillet and a cooler of essentials.

We talked casually for a bit and after a while she asked me "Why haven't you hit on me, Ace? I feel like you are keeping a safe distance away. I know you like me, I can tell by the way you check me out."

I was kind of taken aback by her forwardness, and I said "I don't look for one night stands or weekend flings. They're just not my style."

She got mad and said "So you think that's how I am and what I'm looking for?"

I stuttered out a weak reply of "No, I...I..."

"Just get the fuck out jerk. You're as bad as the rest."

I couldn't wrap my head around how I screwed up as I was being pushed out the door.

As I was trying to plead a case to stay, Ryan walked by and laughed and said "Atta boy Ace."

Jenny said "Fuck you too!" and slammed the door.

I walked back to my room, taking the stairs to avoid Ryan at the elevator, still trying to figure out what happened. Did she like me or was she just trying to figure out my lack of interest in her when everyone else is interested in her?

I let it go and got ready to go play.

*******

The day went on and I had issues focusing. It didn't help that every time I saw Jenny, she either said out loud or if we were too far from each other mouthed "Fuck you" to me.

Whatever; I was there to win, not get laid. Although it had been a while since I'd dated anyone. It was a long dry spell, so maybe I would try to find some company that night.

At the end of the night I was in the final of the last event again. I looked for Jenny, though I don't know why. She was pissed at me still and had never watched me before last night anyway. I looked around and saw her leaving with a guy I didn't know. She saw me looking, smirked and flipped me off.

I played the final without worrying about her and kicked his ass.

When I got back to the hotel, my delivery guy was there and waiting. I paid him, apologized for making him wait and got on the elevator to go eat alone. I was actually sad about it. I enjoyed Jenny joining me the last couple of times and I missed it.

After a short time and a couple of beers I realized that I shouldn't miss her. The rumors must be true and I just missed my turn. Whomever she is with is enjoying himself, I'm sure. It's better that I didn't get attached to her. She's a walking heartbreak.

*******

Sunday finished out the weekend and I had one event before heading home. I saw Jenny walking to her car alone and this time she didn't say fuck you, but just gave me a sad look and shook her head. I just walked on to my car and didn't respond.

I finished the event early without interacting with her again and went on home.

********

Monday I had work to do and had one of my guys with me on the job. He asked me what was bothering me and I filled him in on what happened over the weekend.

He laughed and said "Boss, it sounds like you guys are into each other. Why not call her and set it straight before you both blow it?"

I said "Nah, she got pissed at me and fucked some random dude. I don't want a girl like that."

********

A few months went by and I didn't have any conversations with Jenny. She seemed to not hook up with anyone that was obvious, but I didn't approach her anyway. I did notice that I was watching for that and had to ask myself why I cared.

*******

I went to a tournament in Vegas next. I made a whole week out of it, planning to get some sun and blow some money in the casino.

The first few days were quiet. Gambling, tanning, smoking cigars and practicing for the tournament were going well. I have a dartboard on a portable stand that I sometimes travel with. I use it when on the road to warm up if the venue doesn't have a lot of dartboards or just practice when bored in the hotel room.

I was having dinner in the hotel buffet a couple days before the tournament when I saw Jenny. She was with Ryan and she looked amazing. Little black dress, CFM heels, and black stockings. I guess she was jealous of the pin cushion after all.

Kind of a cheap date I thought and couldn't resist a dig as I got up to leave and said as I walked by their table "Atta boy big spender, If they had a wine list I'd have sent you a bottle." Jenny looked sad and Ryan ignored me and my smirk as I walked away.

I went to the lounge where they had a band playing cover tunes and a dance floor. I wasn't in the mood for anything but drinking, so I sat in a corner booth ignoring the crowd.

I couldn't understand why I always had Jenny on my mind lately. Yes she is beautiful, but I don't want a hook up and I definitely couldn't have a long term relationship with someone who was like that. I guess it isn't anything that another glass of wine couldn't fix, so I had another.

A few minutes later, in walked Jenny and Ryan. I hoped they didn't see me and they didn't. The only problem was that they took the booth next to mine.

Those were the kind of booths that are half circles with the high backs, so we weren't in each others line of site. I was nosey and slid over to the side they were on so I could see if i heard their conversation.

The band ended up going on break and I was able to hear them talking about me. Ryan said "What the fuck was that crack about the wine. That's a great buffet. Why spend 200 bucks on dinner when 40 will be good enough?"

Jenny replied "Well when you asked me to dinner I thought you were taking me somewhere nicer than the buffet. Shit, I got dressed up for it."

Then the idiot said back "It doesn't matter what you wear baby, it's not your clothes I want to fuck."

I could feel it coming and sure enough I heard the slap.

He slid out of the booth and told her ""Fuck you, you prick tease. You wouldn't fuck me when we dated and now I let you tease me again. I won't make the same mistake a third time. Go find your boy Ace and tease him for a change. I'm done." With that he stormed off.

The waitress was at my table taking my order while I listened to her sobbing. I ordered a bottle of wine and asked her to bring a glass for the lady crying. She smiled and said "Alright, but be gentle." As she passed by Jenny she said "Don't worry sweetie, you don't need that prick" and walked away.

Jenny hadn't left when the waitress walked over with my bottle and two glasses. She stopped at Jenny first, gave her a glass and said "From the gentleman next door."

Jenny stood up, came around and was surprised to see me. She was puffy and red-eyed from crying and smiled softly. I said "Please join me."

She didn't say anything, but did sit down. I poured her a glass and said "I hope you like Cabernet, I wasn't sure what you liked other than Miller Lite, but it would be a shame to waste that dress on cheap beer."

She laughed and said "Yes I do like a good Cab. Thank you.". She took a sip and asked "How long have you been sitting here?"

I answered "Since before you came in."

She frowned and asked "How much did you hear?"

I gave her the answer she didn't want to hear "The whole thing."

She looked up and said "He is an asshole. It was a mistake to agree to go out with him again. I should have known it would end up in pain like the first time."

"Wanna tell me about it?" I asked.

She said "No, let's not spoil the rest of the night." She excused herself to use the ladies room.

Now that I had time to reflect on what happened, I remembered his comment about not fucking her while they dated. I thought that was strange. Was that before she slept around at tournaments or maybe she didn't sleep around at all?

I wish that I could find out without coming right out and asking her. I think that would be a bigger mistake than telling her I don't do hook ups back in Madison.

She came back and obviously had freshened up. She looked beautiful and I told her so.

"You really look amazing tonight. I've always thought you were beautiful, but tonight is extra something."

She smiled that dick hardening smile and said "Thank you. I get told how hot I am all of the time but no one really tells me I'm beautiful. I think it's different, you know. Telling me I'm hot is telling me you want to take me to bed, but telling me that I'm beautiful tells me it's more than sexual."

I agreed with her and said "It is more than sexual. When I fucked up in Madison and told you I don't do one night stands and flings, I meant it. I'm always looking for more in a woman. I was hurt when you took that guy back to the hotel in Madison. I wanted you to wait for me and give me a chance to smooth it over with some luke warm bread smothered in sauce, cheese, meat and mushrooms."

She gave me a sneer and said "That's more of what upset me. You assumed I hooked up with that guy, just like you assumed I wanted a fling with you. All he got was a passenger for the drive back and all you got was bad pizza and no one to share it with. I'm sorry I left with that guy. I was trying to hurt you doing it, but I was never gonna fuck him."

She continued "Look Ace, I know what people say and think about me. It's hard to avoid that when you're a good looking girl that goes to these tournaments alone, but I don't sleep around. No matter what shit Ryan and the others that I don't jump in bed with say."

She went on "I like you a lot and I was curious why you weren't interested in me. I thought I handled how I asked it the right way, but I can see now how it could be misread."

"Can we please start over, Ace?"

I was momentarily stunned. I guess I took too long to answer her and she started to slide out of the booth. I put my hand on hers and said "Please stay. I'd like very much to start over."

As we drank the last of the wine I realized it was still early. Well, still early for Vegas anyway. I asked her "We don't play tomorrow, do you feel up to going to a club? I would hate for you to look this good and stay in a hotel lounge."