Expect the Unexpected

by L. M. Heidle

  I ripped the bud out of his ear, wiping it on my shirt. “I’m so glad you approve,” I sarcastically replied. I put the bud back in my ear and lowered the volume. I was trying to play it cool, but my stomach was a mess of knots, and my heart was going crazy.

  “I didn’t say approve, I said pretty decent.” I watched as he reached into my bag going for my Jolly Ranchers.

  Without even thinking I slapped his hand away. “Get out of my stuff. What are you even doing here?”

  He tried reaching into my bag again, but I picked it up and sat it on my other side. “Haven’t you ever heard ‘sharing is caring’?”

  “Haven’t you ever heard stealing is illegal?”

  He leaned over me taking my breath away as he whispered, “You going to turn me in?” It wasn’t until he sat back that I realized he had my bag of Jolly Ranchers. I made a grab for it, but he laughed. “Now look who’s trying to steal. Possession is nine-tenths of the law you know.” I rolled my eyes as I tried to focus on my notes. My focus didn’t last long because when he whispered in my ear, everything fell away. “If you want one I’ll share. You can even have this one.” He knocked the rancher against his teeth, causing my body to short circuit as my eyes locked on his mouth. “It’s blueberry, my favorite.” I was so mesmerized I didn’t even realize how close he was until his lips hit mine.

  Nothing could have prepared me for his kiss. In seconds the world was gone, and I was free falling into an endless abyss. I grabbed his biceps to ground me, but all that did was add to the weightless feeling sending me falling faster and faster. The voice in the back of my head warned that when I landed I was going to land hard, but there wasn’t anything stopping this fall.

  He pulled back slightly, leaving our lips lightly brushing against each other as we caught our breaths. A few seconds went by, and neither of us said a word. I didn’t even open my eyes, not wanting to ruin the moment. He gave me one more quick kiss before standing up and walking away. I kept my eyes closed until my pencil fell from hand landing with a bang so loud if felt like the entire library would hear it, but there was nothing but quiet. I don’t know how it’s possible, but the only thing affected by his kiss was me.

  I rested the tips of my fingers against my lips as the weightless feeling slowed but didn’t stop. I prayed it never would because that feeling could easily become my addiction. Focusing on my notes at this point was completely pointless, so I started packing up my stuff only to stop and smile. I was sucking on a blueberry Jolly Rancher.

  I made my way to my apartment with my head still in the clouds. I’d never experienced anything like that. The longer I thought about it, the more I questioned if it really happened. It was that indescribable. The only thing stopping me from questioning my sanity was the warmth that still radiated from my lips.

  I opened the door bursting at the seams to tell Kass what happened. The only problem she wasn’t here. I found her note on the counter saying she went to the bar. I thought about taking her up on her offer to join but decided laying on the couch in sweats and a ratty t-shirt sounded better.

  I was dozing when my phone vibrated causing me to jerk, almost falling off the couch. I blindly patted around me trying to find it while my eyes adjusted. When I finally found it, I squinted as I hit the unlock button. So damn bright. I really needed to adjust the brightness level on this thing. I closed my eyes, rubbing them with my fingers as I slowly sat up. After blinking a few times, the spots cleared from my vision. I also realized I’d left my contacts in. Not a good thing since they were currently plastered to my eyeballs and burning because they were so dry.

  I stood ignoring my phone planning on making my way to the bathroom for relief, but my phone vibrated again stopping me in my tracks. It was a text from Trayton.

  Trayton: What are you doing?

  Instantly my stomach started doing somersaults as I thought about how to answer. As I was about to answer, the scene from The Ugly Truth where he explains the logic of making the guy wait started playing. I bit my thumbnail as I sat down trying to figure out what to do. I didn’t want to make him wait too long, but I also didn’t want to seem too eager. Being a woman seriously sucked sometimes. I highly doubted guys worried about crap like this. It was a text, not a damn marriage proposal. I was a twenty-one-year-old woman, not a thirteen-year-old girl. I would not turn into a blubbering idiot because a guy sent me a text.

  Me: Watching a movie. You?

  Trayton: Anything good?

  Me: The Ugly Truth

  Trayton: Never seen it.

  Me: That’s sad.

  Trayton: Maybe I should come watch it.

  I held my breath as I tilted my head from side to side, thinking about how to answer him. I smiled as I texted him back.

  Me: Do I get my dress back?

  I stood up and walked into my bathroom to take my contacts out waiting for him to reply. I’d brushed my teeth and made my way to the fridge for a bottled water before he answered. Except it wasn’t with words, it was a picture. I clicked on it, zooming in and when I did my mouth dropped in complete and utter shock. He held my dress, or what used to be my dress in his hand. He’d literally ripped it down the middle, completely ruining it.

  Trayton: You mean this dress?

  Me: I can’t believe you did that.

  Trayton: I told you, you wouldn’t be wearing it again.

  The flying feeling I’d felt since our kiss slowly evaporated as anger took over. Growing up with a brother taught me a lot of things, and one of those things was not to take crap from anyone. This conversation is over. I powered off my phone and stomped into the kitchen. The nerve of that man. I shouldn’t be surprised since he’d already thrown it in the trash. Truth be told I was a little surprised he’d kept it. I threw my water bottle away and flicked the light off. Instead of finishing the movie I shut the TV off and crawled into bed. I fell asleep to thoughts of blue eyes and blueberries.

  ALEX

  I tried concentrating on how each time my foot hit the pavement it reverberated up my leg, or the burning sensation taking over my lungs. Things only achieved by pushing yourself harder and further than you ever have. Running became my coping mechanism after I lost my parents, and it’d continued to be whenever I needed to focus or escape. It was a staple in my life, something I could always depend on. Today though it failed me because I couldn’t think of anything besides Trayton my entire run.

  I didn’t sleep last night...at all. I think my neighbor with insomnia got more sleep than me. Every time I closed my eyes my other senses took over. I remembered his overpowering but yet somehow subtle cologne when he held me in his arms. The taste of blueberry on his lips and tongue. The weightless feeling his kiss gave me. The electric feeling I got every time he touched me. All these things played in high-def over and over in my brain.

  He intrigued me to the point that I couldn’t stop thinking about him, and I hated that. I knew without a doubt he could be an egotistical, cocky prick. I’d seen that first hand, but then there were flashes of a completely different side of him. My mind kept battling between the man I’d seen when Eddie was around and the man he was when we were alone. The thing I hated most was the fact that I don’t think I could stay away.

  I was downing a bottle of water after my shower when Kass slinked in, shoes in hand tip-toeing her way down the hall. “Someone was out late.”

  She slowly turned around, her face guilty as hell. “I stayed out all night, big deal.”

  “If it isn’t a big deal then why are you sneaking in?”

  “I was trying to be quiet for you.”

  “Uh huh.” She ran a hand through her disheveled black hair. She definitely didn’t spend last night alone. “Go take a shower, hussy.”

  I walked into my room as Hinder’s Should Have Known Better started playing. A smile touched my lips, Trayton’s ringtone. I heard the song on the radio yesterday and thought it was perfect for him. I hit ignore, sending him to my voicemail and impatiently waited to see
if he’d leave a message. My heart leaped when my voicemail tone chimed. I was in such a hurry to hear his message that I had to put my password in twice. I took a deep breath trying to calm my racing heart. Could I get anymore absurd? I hit play, holding my breath. Apparently, I could.

  I smiled as his gravelly voice spoke. “Rejecting my call? That’s harsh, Alex. To think I called to see if you wanted to grab lunch. Guess I’ll have to go all by my lonesome. See you soon, Alex.” I held the phone to my chest with a big goofy grin on my face.

  “What are you smiling about?”

  My hand covered my heart for a very different reason this time. “Geez, Kass, don’t you know how to knock?”

  She waved my accusation away. “So who was on the phone?”

  I tried to tamper the smile, but I failed miserably. “Trayton.”

  “And that has you smiling like a loon?” I grabbed a dirty sock from the laundry basket on my bed and threw it at her. “Eww, you’re so gross!”

  “Get your shoes on already. I’m hungry.”

  “Fine, but you’re giving me details when we get there.” Instead of going to get her shoes she grabbed a pair of my flats. “All ready.” Another completely awesome thing about Kass, we had the same shoe size. We joked it was like having twice the collection for the price of one. I threw on a pair of flip flops and followed her to the car.

  “So where are we going?”

  “Lucy’s?” Lucy’s was a small restaurant not far from campus that had the absolute best waffles in town.

  “Let me guess, you’re getting blueberry waffles with blueberry syrup and bacon. Oh and don’t forget the chocolate milk.”

  “Ah, you know me so well.”

  We’d barely placed our order before Kass started. “No more stalling. What did he say?”

  “He asked if I wanted to get lunch.” She spat out her apple juice all over the table.

  “Classy.”

  “Shut it. If he asked you out, what are you doing here?”

  “As soon as the food gets here I’m going to eat,” I smarted back.

  She threw a packet of sugar at me, which I expertly dodged. “You know what I mean.”

  I sighed looking down for a second. “Because I don’t know what to do about him. He’s like two different people. He can be a complete dick, but then he can be sorta sweet.”

  “You just described ninety-five percent of the male population.”

  “Maybe, but you should see him when Eddie’s around. Something definitely happened between them, and there’s no mistaking their hatred for one another. Neither one will tell me what happened. When I ask Eddie, tells me to stay away from Trayton, and Trayton usually lashes out. It’s like an unsolved puzzle, and it’s driving me nuts.”

  Kass had taken a long sip of apple juice before she responded. “Let me ask you something. Have you told them about your family?”

  “No. Why would I?”

  “I know Eddie’s asked about them, and you told me Trayton did too. How did you respond?” I didn’t want to respond because I knew what she was getting at. “Alex, how did you respond?”

  “I didn’t.”

  “Exactly. How can you expect them to answer anything personal when you won’t?”

  “Stop making good points.” Another reason I shouldn’t see Trayton anymore, I didn’t want to tell him about my family.

  “Impossible. When are you seeing him again? I want my shoes back.”

  “I don’t know if I am.” I slightly blushed thinking about the last time we were together and how much I wouldn’t mind revisiting that.

  Kass waved her hand up and down. “What’s going on here? Why are you blushing?”

  The waitress dropped our plates off thankfully distracting Kass. My brief reprieve lasted two bites. “Still waiting.”

  I whispered, “We kissed.” Then I took a huge bit of waffle. My mom was probably rolling in her grave at this moment. She’d always told me ladies take small bites, but I was a nervous eater, and I was freaking nervous right now.

  I expected her to jump around in excitement, but she slowly set her knife and fork down. Her napkin followed as she calmly asked, “Did you just say my best friend kissed Trayton Russo? The same friend I tell everything to.” I slightly nodded. Not going to lie, I was a little freaked by her demeanor. “And why am I only finding out about this now?”

  “Because you just got home?” It unintentionally came out as a question.

  She picked up her phone, glancing at the time. “We’ve been sitting here for forty-five minutes, not to mention the drive and the time at home. There was plenty of time to tell me.”

  “You’re acting weird. What’s going on?”

  “I’m just surprised my supposed best friend would hold out on me.”

  “You’re such a dork.” She moved her hand in a carry-on gesture. “It was at the library yesterday.”

  “Details.”

  I smiled as I remembered how it started. “He harassed me about my music choices. Then he stole my bag of Jolly Ranchers.”

  “And.”

  “And it was crazy sweet and beyond amazing. I couldn’t sleep last night because I kept replaying it. I’m was being stupid, right? It’s just a kiss.”

  She tilted her head, studying me. “You like him,” she stated, not asked.

  I intertwined my fingers to keep from nervously tapping the table. “Maybe. It’s not going anywhere, though.”

  “You don’t know that.”

  “Come on, even you said it.”

  “Maybe, but that was before.”

  “Before what exactly?”

  “Before you spent the night with him. Or him stopping with a kiss. Or had coffee with you. Things he normally wouldn’t do.”

  “What about my dress? Your shoes?”

  “The dress is kind of sweet.”

  “In what convoluted way is ripping my dress and throwing it away sweet?”

  She took a bite of French toast before responding. “I don’t know. I guess because it shows he cares.”

  “Yeah in a controlling, overbearing caveman way.”

  “Do you like the idea of other women seeing him shirtless?” I bristled a little because yeah, I’d hate that. “Don’t get me wrong, trying to change you is one thing, and if that’s the case then kick him to the curb, fast. From what little you’ve told me it doesn’t seem like that’s what happened.”

  She made a good point, again. I’m usually a pretty good judge of character, and no red flags had gone up. I still didn’t like it, and he wouldn’t get away with it, but I did see her point. “Okay, smarty pants. What about your shoes?”

  She grabbed the check standing up to walk to the register. “You mean the shoes I could have back if you’d suck up your pride? Those shoes?”

  “Shut up,” I muttered as I followed her to the car, getting in when she unlocked it.

  “I’m just saying.” I ignored her and turned the radio up to deafening levels so we couldn’t talk.

  TRAYTON

  I’d just finished breakfast when my phone rang, making me smile. She got my gift. She said she’d need a new dress, so I got her one I thought was appropriate. It was at least two sizes too big and would drag the ground. It was also this hideous puke yellow color. I saw it while I was shopping with the guys for the upcoming foam party. I couldn’t resist buying it.

  I answered the phone trying hard not to laugh because I could just imagine her opening the box. “Called to thank me for your gift?”

  “What is it?”

  “It’s obviously a dress.”

  “For a giant Sumo wrestler maybe.”

  I bit my lip so hard to keep from laughing it was bleeding. She was too damn adorable. “I’m actually a little insulted you don’t like it. It’s a dress to replace that excuse for a dress I took care of for you.” She snorted at that. Took care, destroyed— same thing. “So now you can have lunch with me.”

  “Is that so?”

  “It is. Since it
’s already past lunch how about tomorrow?”

  “I’m surprised you’re giving me a choice.”

  “I’m not. The question was more of courtesy.”

  “That’s not something I bet you are normally.”

  “I’d take exception to that if it wasn’t true. So I’ll see you tomorrow at noon at Take Out.” Take Out was the name of the little diner right off campus. The name was dumb as hell since they actually didn’t do take out, but the food was amazing. I hung up, not waiting for her reply. I cleaned up the kitchen before heading downstairs to get a little time with the bag.

  Thirty minutes later my phone rang again and I didn’t hesitate to pick it up because it was a New York area code so I figured it was my uncle. He used burner phones whenever he was handling business, and it didn’t dawn on me that he had no reason to call me with one until it was too late.

  “Hello.”

  “So my son is alive.” Apparently, he’d bribed a guard for his cell phone, not that I was surprised. I should have known he would find a way to get to me. If Vince Russo wanted something, he got it no matter the cost.

  “What do you want?”

  “Aren’t even going to ask how I am?” He was so full of it. He didn’t care if I asked. This call was about one thing. He needed me to do something for him.

  “You’re alive,” I said dispassionately.

  “Careful, son. Almost sounds like you’d prefer if I weren’t.” When I didn’t respond, he dropped the act. “What has your uncle said about the attack? He nor Vivian will tell me anything.”

  “Don’t know why you’re asking me. You know Uncle Vito keeps me out of the loop.”

  My teeth ground together as I heard the condescending tone dripping from his voice. “Something you should have fought. How do you expect anyone to respect you if you aren’t there proving yourself?” He was really going to lose it when he found out about the deal I’d made with my uncle.