Kitabı oku: «The Wager», sayfa 4
Nick paused. “Thanks, but I have a board meeting across town, and I’m afraid it’s one that I have to attend personally.”
“So what do you say, Laura? I’d really like to see the rest of the hotel.”
“Well, if Nick is sure he doesn’t mind,” Laura began, confused by the undercurrents she was picking up in the room.
“It’s all right, Laura. You go ahead, show Josh around,” Nick finally said. He stood. “I’m afraid I need to get going if I’m going to make that board meeting on time.”
“Of course,” Laura replied as she rose. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Right,” Nick said, his face somber. “But if you need me for anything…anything at all, you call me. Okay?”
“Sure,” Laura said, puzzled by the remark.
“It was good seeing you again, Nick,” Josh said, extending his hand. “And thanks for the help. I owe you one.”
“Just make sure I don’t regret doing you a favor. I’d hate it if I’d allowed an old friendship to cause me to make a mistake.”
He had made a mistake, Josh decided later that afternoon after Laura excused herself to respond to a page. Leaning against a column in the ornate lobby, he watched Laura cross the expanse to the front desk, where she began an exchange with a member of her staff and a middle-aged couple. Unable to hear the conversation, Josh’s thoughts turned inward once more.
Yes, he had definitely made a mistake in the matter of Ms. Laura Harte. Of course, it wasn’t the first mistake he’d made by any means, Josh conceded. A man didn’t reach the age of thirty-three without making a mistake or two along the way. And while he was grateful he’d seldom made mistakes when it came to business decisions, he wished he could say the same when it came to his decisions concerning women.
Grimacing, Josh recalled some of his more serious errors in judgment when a female was involved. Among the first to come to mind had been shortly after his seventeenth birthday—when he’d wrapped his classic ’65 Mustang around a telephone pole trying to impress Sarah Beth Whitney with his skill as a driver. Even now just the memory of wrecking that beautiful car made him wince. No question that had been a big mistake on his part—and a dumb one. So had the time he’d wasted a good bottle of Scotch getting sloshed after he’d been dumped by a woman. Puking his guts up for two days had been enough to cure his heartache. And as far as he was concerned, turning down the chance to do a horizontal tango with a future Miss Universe two years ago would always rank as a major flub.
Josh sighed. Experience should have made him a lot smarter and a hell of a lot more cautious when it came to dealing with females, he reasoned. Evidently, it hadn’t. Otherwise, he would have run in the opposite direction the minute Olivia Jardine had outlined her wild scheme. But the crafty old gal had known just what bait to dangle in front of his nose to get him to agree to her plan—the Princess. She’d known he wouldn’t refuse a chance to get the hotel back under the Logan banner where it belonged. It had all sounded so simple, and he’d had no doubt that he could pull it off.
Only he hadn’t counted on Laura. And that’s where he’d made a mistake—because Laura hadn’t been at all what he’d expected. She’d surprised him. So had his response to her. Sure, he had known from her photo that he would find her appealing. With that mane of red hair, the pale blue eyes and a mouth made for sin, he’d anticipated the physical attraction. After all, he was a red-blooded male, and she was a beautiful woman. But he hadn’t counted on the intelligence that shone in those blue eyes or the underlying strength in her grip when they’d shaken hands. And he hadn’t been at all prepared for that fist-to-the-jaw punch of arousal he experienced each time he touched her. He certainly hadn’t counted on being intrigued by Laura Harte.
But he was, Josh admitted, and he wasn’t at all sure why. He encountered beautiful, smart women every day in his business and personal life. He’d lost count of the times his matchmaking mother and sisters had paraded beautiful, intelligent women in front of him at various social functions and dinner parties, hoping he’d be inspired to marry and settle down. None of those women had generated more than a second look on his part. Certainly none of those women had piqued his curiosity or challenged something in him as Laura had. He’d grabbed the ruse of having her show him the hotel because he’d wanted time to gauge her as an individual before jumping in with his reason for being there. But he hadn’t expected to enjoy himself as he had. Continuing to watch her, he told himself there was no logical reason for him to find her so captivating.
Yet he did. Considering the role she played in his plans to reclaim the Princess, for him to become fascinated with Laura Harte was one mistake he couldn’t afford to make. Not when so much was at stake.
A personal involvement with Laura wasn’t an option, Josh reminded himself as she started across the lobby toward him. Still, there was no reason he couldn’t enjoy the way she filled out that black dress or the natural sway of her hips as she walked or the sight of those mile-long legs in killer high heels. At the sudden image of those legs wrapped around his waist, Josh nearly groaned. Get a grip, Logan, he told himself, and jammed his fists into his pockets.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to keep you waiting,” she said as she joined him.
“No problem,” Josh replied. “Everything all right?”
“Yes. There was just a slight mix-up on a room reservation. The couple I was talking with are here for their anniversary, and when they made their reservation, they requested the same room they occupied on their wedding night. Unfortunately, the agent who took the reservation on the phone last month, and who happens to no longer be with the hotel, failed to make a notation of the request when he booked the reservation. And the particular room they’d wanted is already occupied.”
“I’m assuming from the smiles on their faces that you worked it out.”
“I guess you could say that. I upgraded them to a larger suite, ordered a bottle of champagne to be sent to their room with the hotel’s compliments and issued them a voucher for a free weekend in the suite they originally wanted to be used at a future date.”
“Very smooth. And very smart.” It was exactly what he would have done were he the general manager—keep the client happy, and make sure they want to come back.
“Thank you. All things considered, I thought it was the best way to handle it.”
“Absolutely. Customer goodwill is important. You’ve not only salvaged their weekend and ensured that they’ll leave here happy, but that they’ll come back to use that voucher when giving them a free room will have little impact on your profits. And since the room is free, I’m sure you’ve figured that they’ll feel justified in spending more money in the hotel restaurant and gift shops.”
“Well, the thought did cross my mind,” she said, grinning. And this time the smile curving her lips held none of the caution, none of the insipid politeness of her earlier smiles. This time the smile she gave him was genuine.
And the result was staggering. Desire tightened low in Josh’s belly as he stared at her. He itched to fist his hands in that red-gold hair, to draw her close so he could breathe in that roses-and-sunshine scent of hers and then kiss that spot on her neck just below her ear. Dropping his gaze to her mouth, he watched her smile fade, heard her quick intake of breath, and he knew she felt that heat shimmering between them, too. The realization sent need shuddering through him. He moved a step closer, wanting to explore the shape and taste of that tempting mouth. Instead, he settled for smoothing the stray curl that had tangled on her scarf.
Laura stepped back. She made a show of checking her watch. “I didn’t realize how late it was. I guess the tour took longer than I thought it would. I’m afraid I tend to get caught up in the hotel’s history and go on and on. You should have stopped me.”
“Why? I enjoyed it.”
“Thank you. But I’m sure you have other things you want to do during your stay. As for the hotel, I think you’ve seen just about everything there is now except for the kitchens. Do you want to see them?”
“Wouldn’t miss it. I’d like a chance to compare the operation here with the one at our San Diego property.”
“Then follow me.”
As Josh followed Laura, he tried not to notice how her scent pulled at his senses, made him think of sultry southern nights and magnolia blossoms. He tried not to notice that her skin was the color of cream and looked as delicate as a rose petal. He tried not to notice that even with her lipstick worn away, her mouth was pink and lush and made for kissing.
She paused at the wide marble staircase that led to the mezzanine level. “Do you mind taking the stairs or would you prefer we take the elevator?”
“The stairs are fine,” Josh managed to say, despite the resulting discomfort caused by his musings. Placing his hand at the center of Laura’s back, he led her up the stairs where more polished marble floors, more glittering chandeliers and more urns of fresh flowers greeted them.
“Have you had a chance to visit the restaurant yet?” she asked as they crossed the spacious floor toward the restaurant.
“As a matter of fact, I haven’t. Nick and I met outside the hotel for lunch.”
“Well, you’ll have to have at least one meal in the Redwood before you leave. The chef here is excellent. And the restaurant’s won quite a number of awards for its food and service.” She stopped a few feet from the restaurant’s entrance, where from the looks of things business was brisk.
Noting her frown, he asked, “Something wrong?”
“No. Quite the contrary. It looks like a good night for the restaurant,” she said, indicating the activity inside the restaurant and the line of people waiting at the door. “But I’m afraid with things this busy, the chef will have my head if I go traipsing through his kitchen with you in tow now.”
“Since I’d hate to be responsible for you losing that pretty head of yours, what do you say we pass on the kitchen tour?”
“Sounds like a good idea to me,” she said, smiling.
It was impossible for him not to return that smile. He swept his gaze toward the restaurant. “Think there’s any chance I can still get a dinner reservation in there for tonight?”
“Well, seeing as how I happen to have an ‘in’ with the management, I think your chances are pretty good. Why don’t we go find out?”
“Ms. Harte, how are you this evening?” the maître d’ asked when they approached the restaurant’s entrance. With his silver hair and refined demeanor the man reminded Josh of an English butler.
“I’m fine, Douglas. Looks like it’s a busy night for you.”
“Yes, it is,” he said, a pleased expression on his face.
“Too busy to squeeze in another reservation?” Laura asked.
“For you? Of course not.” The older man’s eyes twinkled. He cut a glance at Josh and then back to Laura. “A table for two?”
“Yes,” Josh answered quickly. He stuck out his hand. “Josh Logan, Douglas. I really appreciate this. After hearing Laura rave about the food, I have to admit that I’m not only anxious to sample it, I’m starving.”
“It’s my pleasure, sir. And I assure you, you won’t be disappointed in the cuisine. If you’ll just give me a moment, I’ll see about a table for you.”
After Douglas excused himself, Josh turned his attention back to Laura. “Thanks for using your influence,” he told her.
“You’re welcome. And since you’re in good hands with Douglas, I’ll leave you to enjoy your dinner. It was a pleasure meeting you, Josh.”
Josh took the hand she offered, held it. “Do you have to rush off?” he asked. Besides the fact that he had yet to come clean about his reason for being there, he was also reluctant to have her leave.
“No. But I thought…I assumed you had plans for this evening.”
“Nope,” he assured her. “I asked for a table for two because I was hoping I could persuade you to stay and have dinner with me.”
“That’s very kind of you, but surely there’s someone else—Nick or another friend or a business associate—that you’d rather have dinner with.”
Josh shook his head. “Nick is going to be tied up all evening. That’s why we visited earlier today, and I don’t know anyone else in San Francisco. Besides, the least I can do is buy you dinner to thank you for answering all my questions and giving me a tour of the hotel.”
She reclaimed her hand. “It’s really not necessary. I love the Ambassador Grand, and I enjoyed showing her off to you.”
Although the detective reports and his conversations with Nick hadn’t given any indication that she was romantically involved with someone, it suddenly occurred to Josh that perhaps there was someone waiting for Laura. To his surprise, the notion that she might have a lover stirred something stormy inside him. Telling himself that his reaction was ridiculous, Josh pressed. “If you’re refusing my invitation because there’s someone waiting for you, you’re welcome to ask him to join us.”
“No. That’s not it,” she said. “I mean, there isn’t anyone waiting. That is, I’m not involved with anyone at the moment.”
Charmed by the sudden color tinging her cheeks, Josh told himself if he felt relieved by her answer it was because convincing her to accept Olivia’s offer would be easier without a man in the picture. “Do you already have plans for this evening?”
“No,” Laura answered, nerves dancing in those pale blue eyes. “It’s just that…”
“It’s just that Tuesday nights are when you wash your hair?”
Her lips twitched. “No.”
Pleased that his attempt at humor had eased those nerves of a moment ago, he tried again. “Then tonight’s when you swore to yourself that you’d clean the oven?”
“Hardly,” Laura told him, and laughed aloud. “Besides the fact that I don’t use the oven enough to get it dirty, it’s self-cleaning.”
“Then take pity on a lonely stranger. Don’t force me to eat alone tonight. Say you’ll have dinner with me.”
She arched her brow. “You may be a stranger to San Francisco, Josh Logan, but somehow I doubt that you’ve ever been lonely a day in your life—unless it’s by choice.”
“Do I hear a compliment in there somewhere?” he asked, not at all surprised by her perception. She was right. There were actually a number of women in San Francisco he could call who would gladly join him for dinner and more. But none of those women were Laura Harte. And none of those women held the key to him regaining the Princess, he reminded himself.
Laura laughed again. “I have no intention of feeding your ego by pointing out your obvious attractions.”
“Which are?”
Laura shook her head. “You’re impossible.”
“Have dinner with me, anyway,” he said seriously. Because the urge to touch her was so strong, he reached out and curled a strand of her hair around his finger. “I’d really like a chance for us to get to know each other better.”
She took a step back. “I don’t think that’s necessarily a good idea.”
“Why?” When she didn’t answer, he asked, “Is it because of Nick? You think he might object?”
“Nick has nothing to do with it,” she told him.
“Then what’s the problem?”
“I just don’t think it’s wise to mix business with pleasure.”
“Then we won’t mix them,” Josh assured her. “Tonight will be strictly pleasure.”
Five
“Is something wrong with your veal?” Laura asked, unnerved by Josh’s steady gaze on her.
“The veal’s excellent.” As though to prove the point he took a bite, but his eyes never wavered from her face.
“Josh, you’re staring,” she accused, hoping the rebuke would diffuse the sexual tension that seemed to have escalated between them in the restaurant’s cozy surroundings.
“I know,” he admitted, and instead of being embarrassed to have been caught, he merely flashed her another of those killer smiles that had her stomach dipping and her heart beating just a little too fast. “I was remembering that old adage about the eyes being the mirror to a person’s soul. Whoever came up with that particular phrase must have had you in mind, Laura Harte. You have the most incredible eyes—so expressive.”
So much for dousing the sensual sparks, Laura thought. His answer and the way he was looking at her—like he was a big cat and she was a tempting bowl of cream—had her already fast pulse racing flat-out. She drew in a deep breath, trying to marshal her reaction to the man. “Thank you.”
He chuckled. “See, that’s what I mean. A moment ago you were all business, and your eyes were an icy blue. But just now when I surprised you and you forgot to be Ms. Hotel Executive, the color of your eyes changed,” he said, his voice dropping to a husky drawl. “Now they’re a smoky blue—like the surf in St. Thomas at dawn.”
“I think one of us has had too much wine,” she said with a nonchalance she was far from feeling.
“Nope.” As if to prove his point, Josh took another sip of the cabernet. “Just making an observation. Surely I’m not the first man to tell you that you have beautiful eyes.”
“No,” she murmured, but she couldn’t remember any other man making her hot all over with just a look. “Thank you.”
He nodded but continued to watch her over the rim of his glass. “I’ve embarrassed you.”
“No, you haven’t.”
He grinned. “That’s not what your eyes tell me. They truly are extraordinary, the most unique color. Just when I think I’ve nailed down the exact shade, they change again. But then, I guess you’ve heard that before, too.”
“Actually, I haven’t, and I suspect you know it,” Laura said, determined not to let him fluster her. “You’re very skilled at this.”
“At what?”
“Flirting.”
“Is that what you think I’m doing?” he asked, amusement in his voice.
“Isn’t it?” she countered. “Those deep, soul-searching looks and all this talk about the color of my eyes when you and I both know that they’re blue. Plain, ordinary blue.”
Josh’s lips curved again. This time slowly, seductively. He leaned forward slightly, which increased the feeling of intimacy between them. “Trust me, Laura. There’s not a man alive who would look at you and ever see anything plain or ordinary about you.”
Laura’s pulse skittered. Her mouth suddenly dry, she reached for her wineglass, clutched it tightly and hoped he didn’t notice the slight tremor in her fingers. She disliked the fact that she was nervous, Laura admitted as she sipped the expensive vintage. She dealt with lots of men in her line of work. Men never made her nervous. Josh didn’t make her nervous. He certainly wasn’t responsible for this light-headed feeling she had or for the butterflies buzzing in her stomach. As she studied him over the rim of her glass, she told herself the way she felt had nothing to do with Josh or the fact that he was handsome and charming, and she found him attractive. No, it wasn’t Josh himself who was responsible for her feeling this way. It was the setting—the candlelight and romantic music. It was the fact that she was lonely and it had been well over a year since she’d been involved in a male-female relationship.
And she was lying through her teeth, Laura conceded. But only a first-rate idiot would buy the line he was feeding her. And she was no idiot. She’d met men like Josh Logan before—gorgeous, charming seducers out for a night or two of fun. And as interesting and attractive as she found Josh, a quick fling wasn’t her style. Yet, sitting here with him now, she almost wished that it was. “You’re a dangerous man, Josh Logan,” she said, giving him her brightest smile. “I can only imagine the long trail of broken hearts you’ve left in your wake down South.”
“Ouch,” he said, slapping a hand against his heart. “Those are some pretty sharp arrows you’re slinging there, Ms. Harte. Do you always shoot a man when he pays you a compliment?”
“Is that what you were doing? Why, I could have sworn you were trying to seduce me.”
She’d meant to make him laugh, had been sure he would find her comeback amusing. Yet the grin died on his lips. His eyes darkened, and she noted for the first time tiny flecks of gold in them. “Believe me, Laura, if I were trying to seduce you, you wouldn’t have to wonder if that’s what I was doing. You would know it.”
Laura’s breath stalled in her lungs. And despite her best efforts to prevent it, excitement shimmied down her spine.
“Are you finished, Ms. Harte?” the waiter asked, saving her from having to respond.
“Yes. I am. Thank you, Stewart.”
Telling herself that she wasn’t a coward for feeling grateful at the interruption, Laura used the opportunity to rein in her emotions. While Stewart cleared away the dishes and recited the dessert menu, Laura attempted to regain her perspective by reminding herself that Josh Logan was her boss’s friend and a man whom she would probably never see again after tonight. Just because she’d been lonely since her mother’s death was no reason to overreact to his innocent flirtation—a flirtation that was no doubt second nature to a man like him. Once the waiter retreated, they both said simultaneously, “I’m sorry.”
She laughed.
So did Josh.
“Well, I’m glad we got that cleared up,” she told him. “Thank you for what you said…about my eyes. It was very sweet of you—which is what I should have said to begin with instead of accusing you of hitting on me. I was out of line and I really am sorry.”
“Since we’re being honest, I suppose I should confess that you weren’t totally off base,” he replied, a wicked and totally unapologetic glint in his eyes. “Don’t get me wrong, I meant what I said. You do have beautiful eyes.”
“But?”
“But I guess I was hitting on you. It wasn’t a conscious thing on my part, but I was coming on to you all the same.”
“I understand,” she said, disappointed because there was a part of her that had wanted to believe he’d been sincere in the things he’d said.
“Is that so?”
“Yes. I know it wasn’t anything personal. It was instinctive—the ‘you’re a man, I’m a woman’ thing.”
Josh frowned as he sat back in his chair and subjected her to one of those scrutinizing looks. “Tell me something, Laura. Do you have a poor opinion of the male population in general or is it just me in particular?”
She caught the edge in his voice, wondered how she had managed to put it there. “Neither.”
“And you, Ms. Harte, can’t lie worth spit.”
“Now, just hang on a minute,” Laura shot back, bristling at his reply.
“No, you hang on,” he told her, and pinned her with a steely look. “What I was trying to say and have obviously done a damn poor job of it is that I’m attracted to you. You’re a smart, interesting woman and I like the fact that you live and breathe this business like I do. I’m also fascinated by the fact that you look at an old hotel like this one and see more than just dollar signs or a lucrative investment. You see the beauty and history that gives the place its soul, that makes it unique. Add to that the fact that you’re a beautiful, sexy woman, and I would have to be dead or have ice in my veins not to hit on you.”
His little speech took the wind right out of her sails. For a full five seconds Laura could do nothing more than stare at him. One thing she was sure of was that Josh Logan wasn’t dead and never in a million years would she even think of suggesting he had ice in his veins. Quite to the contrary, Josh struck her as a man who would be passionate in all aspects of his life.
“Obviously, I’ve shocked you.”
The amusement in his voice nipped at her pride, making her feel like an awkward girl unused to going toe-to-toe with a man like him. Keeping her voice cool, she said, “Not at all. I’m just not sure how to respond. I can’t decide it you were apologizing to me just now or taking another stab at trying to seduce me.”
“Neither. I was simply stating the facts.”
“Thank you for clearing that up for me,” she countered.
“Glad to do it. But there is one thing I think I should clarify.”
The gleam in his eyes, coupled with that handsome face, made her think of fallen angels. Still she asked, “And just what would that be?”
“While I may have admitted that I was hitting on you a few minutes ago, I haven’t tried to seduce you.”
Yet. The unspoken word hung between them like a live wire dangling in a storm, and Laura’s already taut nerves grew even more tense. “I didn’t realize there was a difference.”
The smile he gave her was pure sin. “Believe me, there is. I’d be happy to explain it to you or even demonstrate, if you’d like.”
“That’s all right. I’ll take your word for it,” she said, deciding she’d be wise not to pursue the discussion. While she didn’t consider herself a coward and had enjoyed the verbal volleying with him, she suspected Josh Logan was far better at this male-female thing than she was. So she held out her hand. “Truce?”
“Truce.” But instead of shaking her hand as she’d intended, Josh kissed it. And Laura felt the touch of his lips all the way to her toes.
“It looks like dessert’s arrived,” she said, withdrawing her hand. And while the waiter prepared Bananas Foster table-side, Laura chattered about the restaurant’s other sumptuous dessert offerings.
Once the flaming delicacy had been served and the waiter retreated, Laura decided she’d be wise to avoid any more of the sensual minefields they’d been stumbling across all evening by shifting to a safer topic. “Nick mentioned earlier that both your father and grandfather were hoteliers.”
“That’s right. Gramps was still in his twenties when he built his first hotel. By the time I was born, he owned more than a dozen.”
“And now?” she asked before spooning up a taste of the ice cream.
“Now there are thirty-one hotels that bear the Logan Hotels banner.”
“Very impressive,” Laura said. “How does it feel to be part of a dynasty?”
He chuckled. “I’m not sure dynasty is the word I’d use to describe us Logans.”
“I don’t see why not. You and your family have been very successful in a business that’s extremely competitive.”
“True,” he said as he shoveled up another spoon of ice cream coated with the thick brown-sugar sauce. “But it’s hard thinking of Logan Hotels as a dynasty when I’ve been brought up to think of it as our little family business.”
Laura arched a brow. “Somehow, I don’t think thirty-one hotels classifies as anyone’s little family business.”
“Put like that, I guess it does sound silly. But it’s what we do.”
“And obviously you do it very well.”
He shrugged. “Gramps was a good teacher. And my family’s been lucky. We’ve gotten most of the hotels we’ve gone after, but we’ve also worked hard to make things happen.”
“I imagine you have. Still, it must be nice…you and your family working together.”
“It’s both a blessing and a curse….”
While Josh spoke of the fun and the madness of working with his siblings and parents, Laura couldn’t help but feel a twinge of envy. She thought of her own life, the closeness she’d shared with her mother, and considered the irony of the profession she’d chosen. Not for the first time since discovering the truth about her father, she wondered how her mother had felt about her decision to pursue a career in hotel management. Thoughts of her father invariably brought back the phone call from Olivia Jardine. Despite the older woman’s insistence, her heritage wasn’t in New Orleans. Why would she even want to claim the heritage of a man who had not only abandoned his pregnant lover, but had denied her as well?
“Is something wrong?”
Laura jerked her attention to Josh. “No. Not at all. I was just thinking about the dynamics of your family. How many of you Logans are there?”
“In my immediate family, there are five of us kids. There are also a half-dozen aunts and uncles and about twenty or so cousins.”
For someone who’d had no one but her mother, it sounded like an army. “You have four brothers and sisters?”
“No brothers. Just sisters. Two older than me—Meredith and Rachel—and two who are younger—Hope and Faith. And they’re all nosy, bossy and intent on driving their only brother crazy.”
“Those are interesting descriptions of your sisters. Makes me wonder how they’d describe you.”
“As their handsome, charming and perfect brother, of course.”
Laura laughed at the outrageous claim.
“It’s true,” he assured her.
“Sure it is.”
“And it’s obvious that you didn’t grow up in a house of pesky siblings.”
“Afraid not. It was just me and my mother,” Laura informed him, enjoying the easy banter between them. She sampled the banana swimming in the thick, rich sauce.
“You poor, deprived kid. You missed out on all the fun stuff like fighting for a shot at the bathroom, and when you get it, nearly getting choked to death on all the perfumes and girly lotions in the air. Or waiting your turn for the shower and discovering there’s no hot water left.”
“You’re right. I can’t say I’ve had any of that fun.”
“And I don’t suppose you know what it’s like to find half of your shirts and shorts missing because the newest craze in female fashion is men’s wear, do you?”
Grinning, Laura shook her head, both amused and intrigued by the images he was painting of his siblings. “No, but my mom and I were the same size and she used to borrow my clothes sometimes. Does that count?”
“Not even close,” he informed her. “True sibling torture is to be a lowly red-shirted freshman on the football team and have the foxy senior-class cheerleader offer to drive you home after practice, and while the two of you are making out in her snazzy car in front of your house, your bratty little sisters are spying on you. Worse yet, they run inside and tattle on you to your parents.”
