One Of The Guys

by Johnson, Ashley

  “Baby, what’s wrong? You sound upset. Talk to me.”

  I drew in a deep breath and then began to tell him while I tried to hold my tears at bay. “Brenda left.”

  “Ok, where’d she go?” Poor thing sounded so clueless on the other end of the phone, I felt a semi-eye roll coming on.

  He wasn’t getting it at all. She didn’t just go to the store for milk, she was never coming back. Or at least not anytime soon. She walked out that door a few minutes ago and I was here all alone.

  “Marsh, she’s gone. She left for now.”

  “What? Why?”

  The tears began to silently fall down my cheeks as I searched for how to tell him. He wouldn’t believe it either, not in a million years.

  “She said he hit her. I can’t believe it Marsh. He’s at work and now I’m alone.” Alone. I hate that word. It’s so ugh. I hate being alone.

  “He did what? Are you sure?”

  “That’s what she said.” I sniffled.

  “Come over. Text him and tell him I rented some movies and come over. You don’t need to be there all alone tonight, it’s going to do nothing but upset you and plus I want to see you.”

  I knew I loved him for a reason. He always knows what to do to make me feel better. Being with him was exactly what I needed right now to get my mind off things. He was the one happiness in my life I could always count on. He was everything that seemed to make me want to keep going and I was more than grateful for that.

  “Ok, give me a minute and I’ll be over. I love you.”

  “I love you too Sam.”

  I hung up the phone and immediately texted my dad.

  Me: Marsh rented some movies so I’m going over for a little. I’ll make sure everything is locked up. Love you Dad.

  I made it look like I knew nothing although I’m sure he knows that I already know. Within five minutes he replied.

  Dad: Sounds good. Be safe. Love you too.

  That doesn’t sound like the text of a man who hits his wife, maybe she was simply over exaggerating things. Maybe they just argued one too many times and she just had enough? That had to be it because right now, I find no truth in what she said. I grabbed a change of clothes just incase and turned the bedroom light off behind me. I found my keys on the kitchen counter and immediately made my way to the door. I couldn’t be in this house anymore right now; it was too hard because of all the thoughts that kept swimming around unwelcome in my head.

  I unlocked my black Toyota Tacoma and cranked it up. My Mumford and Sons CD that Marsh had burnt me was blaring through the speakers. I should have left the volume up so the music could drown out my thoughts, but I didn’t. Once I adjusted the volume, I backed out of the driveway. Marsh lived only a few roads over from me so within two minutes I was at his house. The elegant brick home sat shaded by two trees in the front yard. The only vehicle in the driveway was his and I was a little relieved. I didn’t want his parents to see me all upset, it’s bad enough he had to.

  He must have seen me pull up because he was immediately outside and making his way to my truck. The minute I stepped out, he pulled me into his arms and held me. I just buried my head into his chest and let the last of my tears soak his t-shirt. Even though the sick feeling still resided in my stomach, a little of the pain I felt was eased just by his touch. A thousand weights were lifted off my shoulders within the few seconds I’ve been here. He slowly led me inside and into the kitchen to grab some chips and soda before going to his room. He really did have movies for us to watch, but I just didn’t feel like watching anything.

  “I can’t believe she left Marsh.”

  “I know me either. I’m here though, whatever you need Sam.” He leaned forward and kissed my forehead as we sat on his bed. The mattress felt extra soft today, maybe it’s because I’m so mentally exhausted, I don’t know. He opened the can of soda and handed it to me. The fizzy soda burned my throat a little as I drank it.

  All my life I was Samantha. That’s just what everyone called me. No nicknames. That was until my freshman year of high school. Marshall Brice was the “it” guy. Total package. I mean he had the looks, the smile, and the personality. Damn, just one look at him and I was a goner, even now.

  From the minute he called me Sam instead of Samantha, I was putty in those hands of his. He could nickname me anything he wanted and I’d be fine with it. To even it out, I called him Marsh. It just flowed a little better. But I remember that day like it was yesterday. He approached me walking all suave in the hallway. I was on my way to my AP English class to turn in a massive research paper I had written about Sylvia Plath. She completely intrigued me and no, not just because she stuck her head in the oven and killed herself. At least she was thoughtful and fixed her kids a sandwich before she did it. Her poetry was interesting to me, that’s why she seemed the perfect choice. I busted my ass on that paper and ultimately I was pretty thrilled about the way it turned out. It deserved nothing short of an A+. Marsh already knew my name which floored me. I didn’t expect him to but I sure as hell knew who he was. Who didn’t with those amazing brown eyes and the dimples that formed oh so perfectly when he smiled?

  “Hey Sam.” Oh dear God, that velvet voice that belongs to Marshall Brice is talking to me! Someone call the fire department because I’m definitely on fire. I turn my head looking around incase he’s actually meaning to talk to a guy or something but nope. His brown eyes are fixed on me and his smile is enough to turn me into a puddle of goo right here in this hallway.

  “Hi.” I respond timidly. He’s quick to try and not make me feel so awkward by using his guy powers to keep smiling that wonderful smile. I can only imagine what the look on my face is right now because I’m pretty confused. “I’m sorry are you talking to me?”

  “Well, you’re Sam Montgomery aren’t you?” I wanted to say no I’m Samantha but there in that moment I decided he can call me whatever he wants and I’d be ok with it. Weakly I nodded yes wondering if I was being pranked or something. “I’ve been noticing you around and I just wanted to talk to you, maybe see if you wanted to go out sometime?” WHAT?!?!?!

  I couldn’t contain the excitement in my smile when he said those words. Marshall Brice just asked me out OHMYGOD! I have to say yes! But I say nothing and he’s just staring at me wearing an uncomfortable look on his face like he thinks I may actually tell him no. “Oh,” I pipe up, “I would love to go out with you. You sure you mean me right?” I hated to second guess him but this was just all new to me and deep down I prayed he really meant me.

  He smiled grabbing my hand. Electricity shot through me as he rubbed his thumb over the top of my hand before pulling my knuckles to his and planting a kiss on them. Ohmygod, I’m going to faint right here in this hallway, forget the fire! “Of course I mean you sweetheart.”

  I remember thinking I was absolutely going to faint. There was no way on this green earth that Marshall Brice was talking to me, Samantha Montgomery. I wasn’t a nobody by any means. I had lots of friends, we didn’t label ourselves though. We were just surviving high school. The whole moment felt like something out of a romance movie except in the school hallway I wasn’t dreaming and this was so very real. Something about us instantly clicked and before I knew it, he was beside me every moment he got holding my hand in the hallway walking me to class. It was a total teenage dream. Everyone wanted to be my friend then because I was with the “it” guy and I managed to balance both worlds. I couldn’t just abandon the best friends that stood by me when I didn’t have Marsh in my life.

  He was a running back on the football team in high school, he was full of talent and there was once talk of him playing in college and possibly going to the NFL but that wasn’t his dream. Suddenly my Friday nights weren’t so boring anymore. I was there every single game cheering him on and my favorite part was running on the field to have him scoop me up into his sweaty arms after. Marsh was absolutely perfect. He never missed a moment to be kissing me and holding me close to him. He didn’t care
that I wasn’t a cheerleader or someone important in high school society and he didn’t care what other people thought. He loved me and that was all that mattered. And I swear at the age of 16, everything about him captured my soul.

  I loved the feel of being held by his strong arms. Even though we were no longer in high school and he wasn’t playing football anymore, he still worked out. It should be a crime to have a stomach that looks like his. If it’s a crime though, I should be arrested for touching those abs.

  Besides being hot, he was patient with me. He never forced sex upon me, that doesn’t mean we didn’t do other things when we weren’t having sex. Sure, we’ve fooled around quite a bit and it was absolutely amazing. This was another reason I spent most of my time here, it was the only time we were able to have sex since he wasn’t allowed up in my room. We’ve been sneaking around his house like this since we were 17 and never been caught. Knock on wood. It all started right before prom, so stereotypical I know. We started getting more serious and what was once a heavy make-out session turned to our hands exploring one another and damn was that amazing. He knew just how to touch me to light my world on fire. He was the only guy I’d ever been with and the way he moved, it was safe to say this wasn’t his first rodeo. Like I said, right before prom, we took it a little too far one night in his bedroom. I don’t think either of us planned for it to happen that way but we were there alone, one thing led to another and I gave myself to him in every way I possibly could.

  He started the movie just for noise so there wasn’t any awkward silence. I didn’t pay attention to what it was all I know is I saw that The Rock was in it and for me to not drool over him, I know I was having it rough. I wasn’t really talking and I’m guessing he didn’t know what to say to me. Can’t really blame him, he was just being the supportive boyfriend he was.

  He continued to hold me as I sat there beginning to mindlessly pop chip after chip into my mouth and washing it down with the soda. I couldn’t be upset all night, that wasn’t fair to Marsh. I picked my head up and looked into his big brown eyes and brought my lips to his. Slowly but eagerly he kissed me back running his hands through my hair. I fumbled with the hem of his shirt resting my hands on his stomach. I heard him let out a small moan and I helped him take his shirt off. I lay back on the bed as he moved to cover my body with his. He stopped and looked into my eyes, “You sure you want to do this right now?”

  “We’re not committing a crime Marsh, we’re just fooling around.” He gave me a devilish grin as he crushed our lips together once more. I let out a moan and my breathing became more ragged than usual.

  “Make love to me Marsh.” I whispered.

  He looked up at me and held my gaze. “Are you sure Sam? We don’t have to tonight if you really don’t want to.”

  But I really wanted to. I’ve been wanting to just like I know he’s been wanting to, I can’t resist anything about him. I reached my hand down into his shorts and grabbed his length. As he let out a moan, I whispered in his ear, “I really want you baby. Please.”

  I swear I heard a growl deep in his throat and he let a breath out. “You know I want you too more than anything but I just wasn’t trying to bring that up tonight. I know you’re upset.”

  At least someone was looking out for my feelings because my dad obviously wasn’t when he made the shitty decisions he did. His decisions are what drove me here into Marsh’s arms. Well not really because I’ve been running into his arms for awhile now and not just because things were rough. I loved running into his arms and I planned on doing it for as long as forever if I could. Old habits die hard I guess.

  I leaned in and kissed his cheek keeping my lips there for a moment in an attempt to sway his decision. He could be so frustrating sometimes. I know he just wants me to feel comfortable and know that sex isn’t all he wants. I know that and I just need him to understand that is what I want right now. I want to be with my boyfriend in the most intimate way we can. If the answer is really no and he doesn’t want to, then I’ll live.

  As I pulled away from his cheek he cupped my chin in his hand and stared into my eyes. “I love you Sam. More than anything you know that right?”

  My heart was floating on clouds at the thought of his words and I couldn’t do anything but stare right back into his eyes. If I could spend the rest of my life with him and all the security he brings to me, then dammit I am all in. I’m pretty sure I knew this the first day he talked to me, I swear.

  “I love you too Marsh.”

  “I have something I want to ask you. I’ve been thinking about this for some time now and well, here it goes. Let’s get a place together. You and me. We can get out of our parents homes and begin to start a life together. Maybe all this fucked up mess happened for a reason and its life’s way of showing us this is our time.” He looked a little antsy as he just looked at me waiting to hear my response.

  Whoa. Where did all this just come from? From way out of left field, that I can tell you. The only mother I’ve ever known just left my father and now my boyfriend is asking me to take a huge step in our relationship. Are we ready to live together? I’ve always heard that things change once you live with someone and I wasn’t sure I was ready for any kind of change. Marsh and I are perfect the way we are now.

  “Marsh, I don’t know what to say. Are you sure? I mean what if I’m completely messy and you can’t handle it? What if I can’t cook worth a shit? I mean I think it sounds good but are you sure?”

  His expression changed as he chuckled and cocked his head to the side watching me babble on like a lunatic. This could change things forever and I didn’t want it to change it for the worst. I don’t think I could survive if I lost Marsh. “Sam, calm down. I’ve seen your room remember? You aren’t a slob. You’re over-thinking this. Just let me take care of you. We can live off ramen if you burn everything we buy. We’ll manage and we will be more than fine I promise you. Nothing would make me happier than being able to spend the rest of my life taking care of you.”

  This was it. Could we really do this? I’m so nervous but at the same time I’m ready to jump in with both feet and take this step with him. I got butterflies at the thought of being able to wake up everyday to this amazing mans face. The thought of never having to leave him again made me all warm and fuzzy inside.

  “So how do we do this? We just find a place and that’s it?” I wasn’t sure how all this worked at all. I’m twenty-one years old and I still leave at home.

  He rested his hand on my back and slowly began rubbing circles. I could fall asleep right now if I wanted too, this feels too amazing. “Well, I’ve been saving for a while now so I have deposit money for all the utilities and enough for the first month’s rent. We just have to find something we like and then sign a lease and it’s ours.”

  He’s been saving for this? I’m not surprised. He’s been working at one of the local refineries since he graduated from technical college. His parents had tried to persuade him to go continue playing football but he chose not to. My Dad used to try to get him to join the police with him but Marsh would shrug it off. He was content where he was, the pay was good and his life was safe away from all the craziness of the street. I don’t know if I could handle having to worry about Marsh every time he went to work. I remember Brenda used to worry herself to death sometimes over Dad being a cop, but thankfully he was always safe. Good thing Marsh has it together or we’d probably dig ourselves into a hole financially just trying to find an apartment.

  “So what are we waiting for? Let’s start looking.” I smile a real smile for the first time this evening, damn it feels good.

  Instantly his face lit up and his smile stretched up to his eyes. Gah, he was really this happy to move in with me? This was too good to be true but maybe that’s what I need right now and I am more than ok with it.

  “Really Sam? You mean it?” His eyes continue to light up like the fireworks on the fourth of July.

  “With all my heart. I do.”

&n
bsp; I giggled as he crushed his lips to mine. I moaned into his kiss as he hovered back over me. I reached around his back and pulled him closer to me as he deepened the kiss. He broke the kiss for a second to give me a goofy grin. I love this man, so much.

  “When are you going to talk to your dad?”

  “Well, let me give it a day or so because of everything that happened today. I’m pretty sure he will be excited for us. I can’t wait, you make me so happy.” And he does. I mean that with all my heart.

  The butterflies swarmed around as our lips crushed together once more. He fumbled with button on my jeans and I raised my hips up to help him lower them. He slid them off with ease, slowly teasing me by dipping a finger inside me then pulling it out. I moaned begging for more, more of him but he continued to tease until I was almost ready to burst.

  “Please Marsh,” I begged, yearning to feel him inside me.

  “God I want you so bad Sam.” His mouth closed over my breast causing me to arch my back in pleasure. I was trying to keep myself from bursting at the seams, but failing miserably.