I Treasure Your Heart

by C. M. King

  “Well, if no one is bothering to ask, then what is a guy to do?” he retorted.

  “Oh purlease, don’t act like the injured party,” Micha snapped, finally popping her phone into her pocket and grabbing her jacket to join us.

  “Wow, are you finally tearing yourself away from Luke for five minutes? That’s got to be a contender for the Guinness Book of Records, hasn’t it?”

  Micha didn’t reply vocally, using a swift dig in the ribs as her response as Josh grunted with the pain. I got the impression Micha was a no nonsense kind of girl. I made a mental note to not use too much sarcasm when it came to our future exchanges.

  “What was that for?” Josh groaned.

  “You know, just because you haven’t got that special someone don’t ridicule me because I have.”

  “You have to admit though, you never have that thing out of your hand. Seriously, what the hell do you guys have to talk about that you have to be connected almost every minute of the day?”

  “I don’t have it on me when I perform or practice.” Micha stuck her tongue out in retaliation.

  “If you could get away with it, I’m pretty sure you would,” Josh added.

  “Look, are we going to Starbucks or what? My caffeine levels are dropping every second of this pointless conversation. Micha’s loved up, get over it,” Corinne barked.

  “Fine,” Josh snapped, grabbing his jacket and pouting his lips in disapproval at being scolded. I had to try to keep the smile from my face. He really looked pissed that he had been put in his place.

  Corinne smiled over at me. “Come on, Iz, let’s go. It’s not always like this. I know they say first impressions count, but please disregard this one,” she said reassuringly.

  “It’s fine, me and my brother still bicker all the time. We have slowly started to get better, but he still has the ability to rub me up the wrong way.”

  “Brothers have the knack of doing that. I have two and they are so overprotective it’s almost embarrassing. The curse of being the youngest girl, I suppose.” Corinne sighed.

  “Aww, that’s sweet though.”

  “Trust me, it isn’t when they almost rugby tackle a guy you were hoping to be your next potential boyfriend, just because he had the audacity to give you a kiss,” Corinne scoffed.

  Yeah, she had a point.

  “Ahh, maybe not so endearing then.”

  “Nope, so what’s your story? Are you seeing anyone or single ready to mingle?” she enquired.

  “Did you just actually say that?”

  “Yeah, even I may be cringing.” She laughed.

  “I’m actually engaged.”

  “Shut up!” Josh exclaimed, as his eyes instantly fell to the ring on my finger. “How old are you? Twenty?”

  “Twenty-one actually,” I replied defensively.

  “Like that makes a difference,” Josh scoffed.

  “When you know you know. He’s the only guy I’ve ever loved. He’s my brother’s best friend, and I’ve been in love with him since I was twelve. We got together when I turned eighteen. We’ve had a lot of ups and down but we got there in the end, and now I couldn’t envision spending my life with anyone else.”

  “Aww, that’s so sweet.” Micha smiled, maybe she wasn’t as tough as I first thought.

  “I think I’m going to throw up,” Josh muttered, pretending to gag.

  “Oh shut it you,” Micha snapped. “I’m the same Izzy, Luke and I were childhood sweethearts, it will be five years in a month’s time since we got together. There are just some people you are destined to be with. Age is not an issue, in your heart you know what’s right.”

  Corinne sighed. “I wish I could find the one, I am sick of looking. It doesn’t help that you’re in the kind of job where there is no stability, having to move around for work.”

  “You’ll find the one, Corinne, when you’re not looking, Mr Right will turn up and totally blow you away,” Micha said soothingly, trying to placate her.

  “Oh good god, I’m off to get the drinks before you all start painting each other’s toe nails and eating ice cream. Please try to tone it down for my sake,” Josh growled, jumping up.

  “Oh pipe down, it’s your turn to pay anyway,” Micha retorted.

  “Fine. Izzy, what would you like?”

  “A caramel latte, thanks.”

  “And we’ll all have a brownie too, thanks,” Corinne added, grinning.

  “Hey, I didn’t get any special treatment when it was one of your turns,” Josh replied, looking completely put out.

  “Oh quit your bitching, you know our moods will improve once chocolate is involved. Look at it being your duty to placate us with something so small that will give you a far more easier time.” Corinne winked.

  “I suppose,” Josh conceded. “Brownie for you too, Izzy?”

  “Please, if it’s not too much …”

  “Trust me it isn’t, now chop chop, we’re dying of thirst here. You standing here gabbing isn’t going to bring the coffee any quicker, capisce?”

  “Jesus, Corinne, you should be in the mafia with that mouth.”

  “Just get gone already.” Micha turned to face me. “Now, Izzy, tell me all about this hot fiancé of yours.”

  Josh rolled his eyes at the level of conversation and quickly made a swift exit towards the counter.

  “I didn’t say he was hot . . .”

  “Err he’s engaged to a sexy thing like you, so I know he’s hot.”

  “Yeah, he is,” I conceded. There was no point denying it.

  “Well then, you have got to back this up with some proof. Pictures, please.” Corinne grinned and Micha followed suit.

  I pulled out my phone and clicked the button to show the hot screensaver I was now sporting. It was of Joel asleep with Ruby snuggled into him, no matter her size she made sure she was still available for nap time.

  “Oh my god, he is hotter than hot,” Micha remarked, as her eyes widened with approval.

  “Jesus, Izzy, what are you doing to me?” Corinne shrieked, grabbing my phone.

  I grinned at their reaction, still unable to believe that despite the fact I wore the ring to prove it, it was still my biggest disbelief that this guy was all mine.

  “You have to get Joel to come visit. We need to witness this Adonis up front and personal,” Micha said, grinning.

  “Err what about Luke?” I asked as Micha blushed slightly at the fact she had probably all but forgotten her boyfriend the moment she had clapped eyes on mine. But Joel always had a habit of doing that, so I couldn’t really be mad at her for something that was totally out of her control.

  “I am allowed to window shop, you know,” she all but fumed.

  “You remind me of my best friend, he likes to window shop a lot, despite the fact he is completely loved up with this amazing guy.”

  “I need to meet this guy, he sounds like a man after my own heart.” Micha chuckled.

  “You’ll no doubt meet him soon. He’s going to be coming to one of my performances.” Elijah would make an entrance, of that I was sure.

  “He’ll have to join us for drinks so we can become more reacquainted. I think I need tips, I feel like I’m losing my swagger.” Micha frowned.

  “What swagger?” Corinne asked.

  “You know the ability to flirt and just enjoy the harmless banter with guys. I’ve been with Luke so long, I’ve forgotten what it’s like to be chatted up, to have guys show any real interest.”

  “That’s because you’ve always got your nose pressed to the phone,” Corinne jested, poking out her tongue.

  “Haha.”

  “Are you not happy with Luke?” I asked.

  “God no, I love him with all my heart, but I can’t help but feel envious of people like Corinne, that get to flirt their little arses off and have a good time getting a boost from all the guys that swarm around her.”

  “You know a lot of these guys do not have a brain cell between them? They come over because they think I h
ave a hot dancer’s body. They don’t care if I have anything to say, they just want to have a go at scoring me,” Corinne added.

  Micha bit her lip and frowned. “I know that but it’s still nice to be fancied, for guys to put in the effort to have a conversation with, to try and battle to catch your attention.”

  “But Micha, I would give anything to have what you and Izzy have to find a guy that is completely in love with me. It soon gets old when all a guy wants to do is score you in front of his friends and then take you home for a mindless shag. I’ve been there and done that, I want something more. I want the hot boyfriend with the cute dog on my phone, to look at it and think they are mine. To feel like I belong to someone.”

  Micha’s face fell at her admission. “Oh Corinne, I’m sorry, babe. I didn’t realise you felt that way. You will find that special someone, just some of us have to wait a little bit longer to meet the one, but you can never give up hope. He’s out there. I promise,” Micha urged.

  “Who’s out there?” Josh asked, placing the tray down that was loaded with coffees.

  “Never you mind.” Micha narrowed her eyes at him in a silent warning not to pursue it any further.

  “Fine, I’ll just be the coffee slave and sit here like a good boy then, huh,” he snapped, flopping down onto the chair.

  “I’m glad you finally know your place.” Micha grinned, taking a sip. “Mmmm, that’s good, I really needed this.” She eagerly grabbed a brownie from the stack and took a welcoming bite. We all followed suit, groaning at the delicious gooeyness, it was like heaven in my mouth.

  “What do you think of Corinne, Josh?” Micha suddenly asked as Corinne’s eyes widened with alarm.

  This was not good.

  “What do you mean?” he asked, looking confused.

  “Well, if you saw her in a crowded room, would you be attracted to her?”

  “For god’s sake, Micha, shut the hell up,” Corinne hissed.

  “Why are you asking me this? Are you attracted to me, Corinne? Is that your way at masking it, being so evil towards me?” he scoffed.

  “Ha, you wish.”

  “Just answer the question, Josh,” Micha bit out.

  “Is it a trick one? Will I be scolded with coffee if my answer is not the right one?” Josh narrowed his eyes.

  “We just want your take on it, from a man’s point of view.”

  “Well then, yeah, I would be interested, well, until she opened that mouth of hers and ruined the moment.”

  Corinne’s face dropped.

  “Seriously? Can you just for once be nice?” Micha cried, slapping his arm.

  “That’s not in my vocabulary.” He winked, sipping on his coffee. I nibbled on my brownie feeling kind of awkward. Poor Corinne looked like she was on the verge of tears as Josh remained oblivious to it all.

  “Well, I would bang you, date you, and marry you, Corinne. If my lesbian gene ever kicks in, then you will be at the top of my list,” Micha said between bites.

  “Err thanks, I think.” She looked rather confused by the sudden turn in the conversation but the humour behind Micha’s words helped to lighten the mood, even Josh was brought out of his haze and smiled.

  “Of course, I would bang you too, Corinne, just say the word and I’ll be standing proud.” He winked as we all cringed.

  “Ewww, really, Josh?” Micha hissed.

  “That’s basically what you just said.”

  “Yeah, but as if she would even go there.”

  “Charming, I am still here you know, don’t hold back with the compliments, will you. A guy does like to get his ego stoked once in a while, not completely battered and bashed to death.” Josh pouted.

  “Oh poor diddums, I’m pretty sure the girl you will be banging tonight will give you a much needed ego boost,” Micha added sarcastically.

  “I’m sure she will. I think tonight I might go for a blonde, depends on what’s on offer, but whoever it is will be screaming their approval tonight. You might want to invest in some earplugs, Corinne.” He winked, popping the last bit of brownie into his mouth.

  “Ewww, why the hell did I have to get a room right next to yours? I am putting in a complaint. I want one that’s the farthest away. I seriously do not need to hear the moment you shoot your load.”

  Seriously?

  “Well, that’s put me off my brownie,” I remarked, pushing the plate away. I never thought I’d find friends that were equally as graphic as Elijah but right now he had met his match. I was pretty sure he would want to hang out with these girls sometime soon. They could maybe even teach him a thing or two.

  “Sorry, Iz,” Corinne apologized, giving me a look.

  “Waste not, want not.” Josh grabbed and threw half of the brownie into his mouth.”

  “Pig,” Micha hissed, nibbling on her own.

  “Oh you love me really, darling.” He flashed a smile and Micha glared back. I couldn’t help but think that this guy was deluded.

  “Yeah, about as much as I love having the shits.”

  “Seriously, Micha.” Corinne pushed her plate away, only for Josh to clear hers too. He reminded me of Joel in the way that nothing went to waste around him.

  “You all try to deny it, but I know you all love me really,” he jested.

  Yeah, seriously deluded.

  “Haven’t you got somewhere to be so us girls can chat in peace. There must be someone else you can go and irritate. We just can’t be the lucky ones,” Micha said, scowling.

  “I’m sensing some sarcasm to your tone there.” Josh laughed. You had to give credit to the guy, he gave as good as he got.

  “That’s what I love about you, Josh, you’re as sharp as a pin,” Micha scoffed.

  “Well seeing as though my services here are no longer required I may have to go and help some other damsel in distress.”

  “Which damsel is that?” Corinne suddenly looked intrigued.

  “The hot blonde sitting alone at the table. She’s caught my eye a few times now, I think it’s time I make my move. I wouldn’t want her to get the impression that I would be tied down to any of you lot. No offences Izzy.” He winked as I looked on rather bemused by it all. “Laters, losers.”

  Micha shoved him hard, and he almost tripped but managed to recover to slide into the vacant seat opposite the girl.

  “That poor girl, she doesn’t know what is coming,” Corinne mumbled.

  “Err I think she does,” Micha quipped.

  I spluttered on the remains of my latte. “So Josh is interesting.” I tried to be as vague as possible without being rude.

  “You know you can be truthful with us, Iz. We abuse him all day long so we are more than happy to let you into the fold.”

  “He reminds me of my brother a little.” He had that level of annoying arrogance about him.

  “Is he a cocky arrogant prick too?” Corinne asked.

  “He used to be, he’s toned it down a lot but he shagged his way around and talked non-stop about his conquests. It really was quite disgusting at times, no one wants to hear about their brother’s bedroom activities.”

  Micha pulled a face. “Why are some men so crude, do they really think that’s what we want to hear?”

  “Not all are, Joel sounds like a lovely guy.” Corinne smiled.

  “He was once my brother’s pulling partner,” I admitted.

  “No,” they both replied in unison.

  “Yep, but that’s way back in the past, I don’t like to discuss it. He only has eyes for me and back then, well, sex was used as a distraction for a lot of hurt he was going through in his private life.”

  “Oh poor Joel, but now he has you, Iz.”

  “Yeah.” I smiled staring at the perfect ring on my finger thinking about the troubled path we’d taken to get us to this perfect part of our lives. That Joel to me now was someone now I couldn’t even imagine.

  “See my relationship is totally different. Me and Luke well we were each other’s fists, we’ve never been w
ith anyone else.”

  “Oh that’s sweet,” Corinne said, smiling and I couldn’t help but agree. There was a part of me that was envious that they had only ever been with each other. There were still times I wished that the same could have been for Joel and I but the past was in the past and the present was all that needed to be concentrated on.

  “Sometimes I think I’ve missed out on loads. I don’t know. I love Luke but a part of me wonders what sex would be like with someone else. I guess the longer you are together, the more of a routine it becomes. I’ve never looked at anyone else in that way. I wonder what it would be like to play the field a little before you tie yourself down with the one.”

  “You think you’re missing out, but you’re not. Luke is the one. I see your face light up each time he calls and texts. I know the distance is hard, but don’t let the doubt eat away at the special love you have.” Corinne smiled reassuringly.

  “Awww, you are going to make me cry, and I’m not wearing waterproof mascara.”

  “Think of something totally unsexy. . .banging bones with Josh,” Corinne scoffed.

  “Eww, I think my coffee is about to make a reappearance.” Micha turned green.

  “Yeah, I might have just threw up a little in my own mouth there,” Corinne muttered, looking slightly queasy herself.

  “She seems very interested.” I motioned my head towards the blonde who was gladly lapping up all the attention that was being sent her way.

  “Oh, he gets more than his fair share of attention, and boy, does he love it. You only have to spend a few minutes to watch that ego grow in front of you.”

  Corinne wasn’t wrong there but I liked Josh, he had a cheeky charm that you couldn’t help liking. Maybe over time he would start to grate, but right now, he was just what I needed to lift my spirits a little.

  Corinne stood up. “I think we need to get back. I don’t think I can take much more of this floorshow. You ready, Izzy? We can show you around the theatre and where we get ready. There’s no performance tonight but we’ll be practicing. We can go through any scenes you’re uncertain about. But they did say that you were an awfully quick learner and that you had pretty much cracked it during your intense practice run.”