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Chapter 27
The Suns’ girls had only had a drink or two before they went onto the colas and water – their season wasn’t over yet. I had a wine or two and moved to non-alcoholic drinks too ... supporting my team unto the end. It was only nine-thirty but I was wiped out ... the day had been full of highs and lows and my knee was giving me a little bit of grief. I was keen to get to The Russians but I knew I would never have this day again. At least I wasn’t the first to pike though, Steffi and her boyfriend Wilson had left half an hour before and Aimee was looking ready for bed.
I made my way around to each of my teammates to thank them, and to wish them well for the rest of the season. We were all a bit teary. Finally, Aimee and I left together and Aimee was okay to drive, she hadn’t touched a drop, but I had left my car at the clubhouse and was going to hail a taxi to The Russian’s house. Aimee wanted to drive me, but it was completely in the opposite direction, so I assured her I was fine and saw her off. I turned to wait at the taxi rank when I heard my name called. I wheeled around to find Ken—my resident stalker—leaning on a car and smoking a cigarette. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up. I normally didn’t worry about my stalkers but The Russian had put me on alert.
“Hi Carla,” he said, “I thought it was you.”
“Ken, hey, what are you doing here?” I asked, keeping my distance. He leaned back on his car, an old taxi that looked like it had seen better days.
“I just finished work,” he said. I then noticed his uniform. “... just finished for the night.”
“Oh, I didn’t know you were a driver,” I said, with a glance to his car. I breathed a sigh of relief.
“Yeah, she’s not as fancy as some of the cars in the rank,” he said, “but she’s loyal and served me well,” he said, and patted the car door he was leaning on.
“Right. Well, I’m just finished for the night too ... I was celebrating with the Suns,” I said, and I waved my arm in the general direction of where some of the team was still hanging out.
“Yeah, I heard it on the radio. Congrats on the win and great game,” he said. “Need a lift?”
“No, I’m good, but thank you, I’m sure you’ve had enough driving for the night and just want to get home.” I started to head towards the taxi rank.
“One more job isn’t going to kill me, besides, it’d be an honor ... the car just won’t be as new as some,” he said, nodding to a couple of taxis in the rank.
I looked over and there was a line of people a mile long, waiting, and two taxis loading up. It would take at least another half-hour to get a ride.
“C’mon,” he stubbed out his cigarette. “It’s on the house, a gift for your end of season game, and let’s face it, you’ve given me plenty of entertainment over the years. I’ve enjoyed watching you play.”
“Thank you,” I said. I didn’t know what to do now. I felt churlish turning him down when he was clearly a bonafide taxi driver and I might have scored him if I queued at the taxi rank anyway ... but it was all a bit weird.
He went around and opened the passenger door of his car, and then returned to the driver’s side, slid in and started the car. He put the taxi’s ‘occupied’ light on. I went around to get in, slipped into the passenger’s seat and thanked Ken. I gave him the address.
“That’s my boyfriend’s place,” I said, making it known. “He’s expecting me about ten.”
“The Russian, hmm ... big lad,” Ken said.
“Yes.” I agreed and left it at that. At least we headed off in the right direction. Then I noticed I had no door handle. Holy fuck, there was no door handle! Had he taken it off when he’d opened the passenger door? Fuck, fuck, what do I do now? Stay calm, we’re heading in the right direction ... it might be nothing; it might just be a broken door handle. What you’d expect in an old car,I’m being silly, really.
But if I wasn’t ... I could see the headlines now: Suns’ Player Attacked by Stalker, or Why Did She Take the Ride? Not to mention all the warnings to kids – Stranger Danger ... if it can happen to Carla, it can happen to you! Yeah, no wonder I was a journalist, I was writing my own death headlines.
“So, long day?” I asked, trying to stay calm, and sound normal.
Ken shrugged. “I started about midday, so not too bad. I noticed you’re limping a bit there ... just got through the game, huh?”
I nodded and smiled. “My knee just had one more game in her. But yeah, it’s feeling stiff.”
He moved his hand over and grabbed my knee, I jumped a mile high.
“I’ve always liked you, Carla, you know that,” he said, and gave me a lecherous smile.
“Thank you Ken, you’ve been a great supporter,” I said, and taking his hand I tried to push it off my knee but he gripped tighter, then inched his hand further up my leg.
I couldn’t believe this was happening to me, I couldn’t believe I was going to be a woman who was assaulted, maybe more ... fuck, what was I supposed to do?
“Ken, you know I have a boyfriend,” I said, my voice shaking, “and he’ll be really mad if I’m not home soon, or if he hears I’m in trouble.”
He smirked, his eyes not leaving the road, but his fingers spidered further up my leg.
“Stop!” I shouted, startling us both. “Stop and let me out, Ken.”
