Before Trey went for the first swing, I couldn’t help but ask what he meant. “What the hell are you talking about Trey? You didn’t answer me.”
“Look Sam, I saw the way he looked at you. He was drooling like a love sick puppy. He won’t admit it but I know that guy like the back of this damn glove on my hand. By the way, these are my favorite gloves.” His wink almost threw me off and I had to do my best to ignore everything he was saying.
Bam, one hit blocked and I swung at him only to get knocked on my ass. Trey reached down and I gripped his glove in mine to pull myself up. “You distracted me. I could have had you.”
“That’s your first mistake sweetheart.” I looked at him puzzled. “You let yourself get distracted. Cole doesn’t date by the way if that’s what you’re thinking.”
“Who the hell said I was thinking that? I can’t stand his arrogant ass already.” Shit, am I that obvious? So what if I’ve been secretly drooling over him since I met him just earlier. I didn’t want anyone to pick up on that but well Trey must have a damn good radar.
This time I didn’t block the hit and I felt it. Shit, Cole isn’t here and he’s throwing me way off. “Darling, no one is blind here. We all see. Even though this is your first day, we see.”
I mumbled under my breath as I vowed he wouldn’t get another hit in and after I pinned him to the ground, I smiled with satisfaction. He gave me a big sweaty hug when he stood and we sat back down on the mat. Laid was more like it. I’d have to sit here for a minute before I could even think about getting up.
Rocky and Jack were now lifting weights and I started to walk towards them when Wendy stopped me. She looked so perky and excited I couldn’t turn away from her. “Please don’t mind my brother. He can be an ass but he means well.”
All I could do was smile and pray I didn’t look goofy. He was definitely an ass but he was a sexy ass and oh god the things I’d love to do to him. Shut up Sam. That’s not why we’re here.
“I’m used to that kinda crap, its ok. You don’t have to apologize for him.”
“I like you Sam, you’re spunky like me. We could be good friends. Want to come back to the apartment and order a pizza? Have a little gal time? Cole may be there but he never sticks around when I have company so you don’t have to worry about him.”
She brushes her hair away from her face and her eyes shine with hope that I just may take her up on this offer. There’s a chance to see Cole. Oh, and pizza of course. I am hungry I can’t lie about that. Dad didn’t buy any food this week so we’re down to a few cans of tuna, some ravioli, green beans, and a few frozen dinners. These Banquet meals just aren’t too appetizing most of the time, my stomach is turning flips just thinking about them.
Dad will most likely be pissed when I don’t come home right away so I decide to text him and let him know I’m going to eat pizza and I’ll be home later. He responds almost immediately.
Dad: Have a good time. See you when you get home.
I hope I don’t have to see him when I get home but I keep that thought to myself.
Smiling, I look at Wendy and reply, “Sounds fun I’ll be there.”
She started jumping and clapping as she ran to tell Rocky bye. He waved to me and I began walking to my truck. Maybe, just maybe walking in there today was a good decision. I’m in need of good decisions right now. I need a way out of where I’m at and after this first day, I’m really confident in my choice. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a vehicle that seemed a little all too familiar to me, but it can’t be. But it is. It’s Marsh and Adryian and they just pulled up. He got out and opened the door for her like a gentleman. He always was the perfect gentleman. She just couldn’t wait to make her move on him and well he sure didn’t seem to mind which sorta pissed me off a little more. I could see their fingers intertwine which made me want to gag and when she reached up for a kiss, I had to fight back tears. I let him go like an idiot and now he’d never be mine again.
Before he could notice my truck, I hurried and jumped in. I tried to smile at Mom’s picture and hold my tears back but this was just getting harder by the minute. It was then I realized I have no idea where Cole and Wendy live. Fuck my life. I got out and met her by the door. She rattled off directions and when I looked like a deer caught in the headlights, she just simply said to follow her.
Their apartment was a few blocks from the gym. I have no earthly idea how I couldn’t figure this out from her directions. There was a security gate and everything about it screamed safe and sound. Flowers lined the immaculate iron gate and once we were inside the complex, there were trees and bushes on almost every corner. The landscaping was perfect, not one blade of grass stood higher than another. I parked beside her and saw a dark gray Silverado on the other side that I presumed to be Cole’s. I hope he’s in his room because I just don’t think I’m ready to see him again and especially not after what Trey told me just earlier. Could he possibly like me? But then Trey said he doesn’t date. I’m not ready to date though either and I feel horrible even looking at another guy. Yeah, I hope he’s planning on leaving.
As she unlocked the apartment door I sucked in a deep breath as I entered their home. For just the two of them, they kept a tidy apartment. It was comforting. Everything from the vase on the cherry wood table to the pictures on the cream colored wall, to the worn couch in the living room. A couch people actually sit on. No one has ever really sat on our couch. I mean of course we sat on it but barely. The couch has been there for about three years and looks brand spanking new. Brenda was always out running errands and then Dad was at work. We barely sat at the table for a meal. I was beginning to think that the furniture was just to take up space in the house. Wendy tossed her keys on the counter wasting no time hollering at her brother. “Cole, order some pizza will ya?”
Silence. Then his voice came calling from down the hall, “Sure thing, you want the usual?....”
He stopped the minute he saw me standing in his living room and his eyes lit up. I rolled my eyes and that only made him smirk more. Not sure why I opted for that response, in reality I wanted to talk to him but uncertainty washed over me. What if he didn’t want to talk to me and was just being an arrogant ass? For all I know he could be leading me on. That’s what guys like him do, they lead on poor unsuspecting vulnerable girls so they can get what they want and then they leave them broken in two when they leave. I won’t be that girl. My stomach was twisting in more knots than should be possible.
The tension could be cut with a knife. I hate that feeling. My palms were getting sweaty and I tried to hurry and wipe them off on my shorts. Cole caught me, I felt vulnerable as he watched me trying my best to hide how nervous I was and leaned in to where I could smell his freshly showered body. Oh Mylanta…. I could see the small spots on his chest that he didn’t finish drying through his shirt and I could see the beads of water hanging from his hair. “Do I make you nervous….Sam?”
The way he said my name…oh my god, I’m going to melt. Silently, I thanked myself for not being stubborn and coming here tonight. He practically purred it and what the hell am I thinking? It’s way to soon to be swooning over someone. Or is it? Marsh sure wasted no time swooning over Adryian.
“No, you make me want to punch you in the face again.” That’s what I’m able to stammer out and he leans in closer placing his finger on his cheek tempting me. Those plump lips of his are sticking out just right and part of me wonders what they taste like. I wonder just how amazing it would be to feel his body against mine. No matter how I feel, the tough girl is the only part I’m able to play around him. My guard is up and everything about letting it down terrifies me.
“Baby, I’d let you punch me any day.” He’s still smirking, in fact it never left his face and I raise my hand to knock that cockiness away and he grabs my hand enveloping it in his. Our fingers don’t intertwine, but then they don’t need to for my body to react to the jolts of electricity that are shooting through from this simple touch. I notice
how well my hand fits right there, it’s almost perfect.
My hand sits in his five seconds too long which seems like five minutes or even five years and I jerk my hand away and try to turn before he can see my blushing face. But it’s too late and I can feel the temperature in my body continuing to rise along with my heart now hammering in my chest.
Lucky for me, Wendy came back in the living room and Cole took about three steps back from me but he was still wearing that stupid smirk. What was going on in his mind? Would he have leaned in closer and kissed me if she hadn’t walked back in? Not knowing is driving me insane. Because dammit, I would have kissed him. I would have kissed him with everything I have.
“We need a little more than the usual Cole, I invited Sam for dinner.” Wendy announced as she made her way towards us.
“Sounds fun. I think I’ll hang around tonight.” He winks and I feel my knees almost buckle underneath me. What happened to Cole doesn’t stick around when there is company? Not that I’m complaining or anything but since the moment a second ago, I’m having a hard time getting my body back in control.
Cole got on his phone to order the pizza. Within a few seconds, the order was placed. He disappeared for a few minutes. My heart sank in my chest as I found myself wondering where he went and when he would be coming back. What a freaking loser.
“So Sam, do you think you’ll like it at the gym?” Wendy asked after nearly chugging a whole bottle of water.
“Um, I think so. It’s extremely new to me. I don’t want to look stupid.”
She rolled her eyes and laughed. “Trust me, you look anything but stupid. Just hang in there; this was just your first day.”
I smiled getting ready to continue our conversation when there was a knock at the door. Cole came running by out of nowhere to open it for the pizza guy. He barreled into my arm nearly knocking my balance off. Without any hesitation he turned grabbing my arm to steady me, “I’m sorry Sam, you ok?”
My face turned a crimson red as I tried to stammer out a response. Dammit, I’m trying to talk but nothing is coming out. He flashed a grin that could have melted a stick of butter and for that split second it felt like we were the only two in the room. I swear the look in his eyes is different this time, there’s something behind them that is begging to be noticed. The knock on the door repeats and just like that, we’re out of the moment. Bummer.
As much as I want to eat like a lady, I can’t help but stuff the piece of pepperoni pizza in my mouth and it tastes so freaking delicious. The cheese is hot but not hot enough to burn my roof of my mouth. Cole and Wendy joke around the whole time and she admits she’s going to miss him when she moves out. Watching their relationship is interesting, makes me wonder what it would have been like if I had a brother or sister. The love they have for each other can’t be touched, their closeness makes me smile. I help Wendy pick up the mess and she pulls out some leftover cheesecake from the refrigerator. I’m already stuffed but who can resist a piece of strawberry cheesecake?
“This isn’t anything special, I promise. It’s the no-bake shit. Wendy is no Betty Crocker.” Cole leaned over whispering loud enough to where Wendy could hear him. His voice sent shivers down my spine and I got that jittery feeling that I was wishing would disappear because it was going to be trouble.
“Screw you Cole. It’s good and you know it. You ate half the damn thing the first night.” She was practically shooting daggers in his direction but stopped and smiled handing me my piece. He reached his hand out for his own piece but she just glared at him. “Get your own piece ass since you don’t appreciate me.”
“Whatever you know I appreciate the hell out of you.” He smirked. Wendy just grinned and we all walked into the living room.
Cole smiled again, mesmerizing me and he knew exactly what he was doing. He leans forward and I can feel him taking over my space. My heart is pounding, oh my god, I’m dying here. I close my eyes, trying to focus on anything to get my breathing back where it should be. I want him to grab my hand again, anything to feel his touch. I open my eyes just in time to see him with my fork in his hand as he brings a piece of the cheesecake up to his gorgeous mouth.
My jaw fell to the floor along with my heart. How stupid was I to think he would actually be leaning in just to be closer to me? “Thanks for the bite Sam,” he whispered.
I smacked his arm appalled by his behavior and still embarrassed as hell. If he made any sort of comment about my actions, I would punch him. “You could have just asked asshole.”
“Now, where’s the fun in that?” He asked quizzically. I looked to Wendy for help, but she was so into something on her phone at the time that she didn’t even realize any of that just happened.
Cole turns on the TV and Grease is playing on VH1. He tries to hurry and change it but Wendy and I complain enough to where he leaves it on. He owes me anyway for leading me on and making me think he actually wanted to be near me and not just take a bite of my cheesecake. Every time they break into song in the movie, I can see him rolling his eyes and then staring holes into us. My grin is infectious, he’s practically acting like he had no idea this was a musical. He has to. Everyone has seen Grease at least once in their life. Once Wendy saw me smiling she couldn’t help but burst out laughing. He mumbled something and pretended to look elsewhere. Deep down, I bet he wanted to sing along to ‘Summer Nights’, I mean who doesn’t want to just break out into their best John Travolta voice? However he didn’t roll his eyes when he heard me begin to hum. I can’t help it, I love when Rizzo sings “There Are Worse Things I Could Do”. I’ve always loved this movie, it is a classic. Brenda and I used to watch it all the time which reminds me that I need to call her soon.
I can see Cole watching me out the corner of my eye and he’s smiling but it’s not cocky. It’s a genuine smile. Wendy didn’t sit by him like I hoped she would and he was right beside me. I left room to where he didn’t try to get any ideas but he inched his hand closer to where it rubbed against my thigh and I felt my skin instantly tingle. I never looked at him but slid a little further away and for every inch I slid away, his hand followed driving me absolutely insane. He can’t be just leading me on, would he do that? Of course he would, he’s practically done it all this evening. He doesn’t date though; I keep reminding myself of that.
When the movie ended I looked at the time on my phone, it was hardly late but I didn’t need Dad being in some sort of fit of rage when I came home past a time he wanted. Getting off the couch proved to be a chore. My limbs were all beginning to feel sore from actually exerting myself today. I sat too long and now I was paying for it.
I hugged Wendy and thanked her for the invite. This sure as hell beat sitting at home and the plus was I got to see Cole. Cole got nothing but a ‘see ya later’ from me and that apparently wasn’t enough for him. It wasn’t enough for me either, but it had to work. I’ve been fooled enough for one night.
“I can’t get a hug like Wendy?” That smile is back and as much as I want to slap it off his face, I just can’t even think of doing that right now. I’m a little too mesmerized by him.
“Um, no. Sorry. See ya’ll tomorrow.”
“Well that’s not nice Sam. Come here.” And he stepped right up to me pulling me in for a brief hug. A brief few seconds I could smell him and take him in. A brief few seconds that gave me nothing but a few seconds to think about how much I just wanted to stay right here a little longer. A brief few seconds that showed me he was no where near as arrogant as he first appeared to be. God, what is happening to me?
I pulled away slowly as I smiled, “I’ve got to go.”
Before he could stop me or say something else, I darted out the door and when I found safety in my truck, I couldn’t help but grin like a complete idiot. If this was what it felt like to truly smile again then I will take it and I’ll smile my little heart out.
To not see Dad’s vehicle in the driveway feels like the biggest blessing in disguise and I take advantage of that to run thr
ough the wooden red door and to my room. After a quick shower, I’m relaxed on my bed wondering if Cole is thinking about me. Yes, I’m that big of a sap but then I keep remembering that Trey told me Cole doesn’t date. Just because I have the hots for him doesn’t mean I want to date him though. Maybe we could just sleep together but then, I don’t do that without commitment. Cole doesn’t seem like the kind I could sleep with and leave, he’s the kind who could completely break you. He’s the kind you want to be around and possibly even love someday. He’s more than he’s leading himself to be. I’m not the kind of girl who throws it to whoever is out there. Marsh was the only guy I’ve ever been with. He was the only guy I ever planned on being with forever but things change.
Just as my eyelids are starting to get heavy, my phone starts ringing. I don’t recognize the number but I find myself answering anyway. “Hello?”
“Samantha,” the weary voice replied. The noise in the back was loud and I almost couldn’t understand him when he said, “This is Nate down at Janie’s Lounge, I’m sorry to call you but your Dad has had quite a bit to drink and well, is there any way you can come get him?”
One Of The Guys Page 8