No Expectations

by Diaz, Madison

  She shook her head. Her eyes grew serious. "I'd never judge you. We grew up together."

  I nodded, eyes swelling up again. I was turning into a real crybaby. I got dumped, so what? I barely cried when Tony cheated on me. Why was this so hard? "Nobody thinks I know what I want."

  "They'll get over it." She seemed so sure. "I say stop hiding in your room and actually go on a date with someone your own age."

  "I don't want to go on a date."

  She nodded, ignoring my tone. "Just give it a chance. Maybe you'll surprise yourself." Her phone chirped so she let go of my hands to check it. I rolled onto my back and stared up at the ceiling. Dating seemed pointless when I was so heartbroken, but I could give it a shot.

  A certain someone came to mind. He knew me. He'd seen me heartbroken before. He usually didn't give up. He could be nice when he wanted. Maybe now was the opportunity to give him a chance.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Stephen

  "Can we have pizza for dinner?" Layla asked from the backseat as we pulled out of her school parking lot. She was all buckled in with her duffle bag I'd already gotten from Desiree on the seat next to her. Her arms gripped tight around one of her stuffed animals as she stared at me through the rearview mirror.

  After safely pulling out into traffic, I looked back at her. "Is that what you want, baby? I could make you something yummy and healthy at home."

  She was vicious as she shook her head. "No! Pizza!"

  "Okay, well, little girls who yell don't get pizza, so how would a big girl ask?"

  She let out a heavy sigh like it was obvious to anyone I was the worst dad in the whole world. "May we please go get pizza tonight?" She batted her eyelashes at me and pressed her palms together with a pout.

  "That's better, and maybe. We'll see what Aunt Kaykay wants to eat." I picked up my phone from the cup holder as I turned right and headed towards the highway. The phone rang twice before she picked it up. "Did you want pizza tonight?"

  She laughed. "Is that what Layla wants?"

  "I'm asking you. Layla doesn't always get to choose what we have for dinner."

  She clicked her tongue. "Would you quit and give the girl a break? You're her dad. You're supposed to be spoiling her right now, so she'll choose to live with you when she's twelve."

  "Okay, manipulative. Now I see your intentions." She snorted. "So is pizza okay then? We can stop by that place near your apartment."

  "Sounds good. I can meet you there. See you in an hour, idiot."

  I looked back into the rearview mirror at Layla. "Pizza it is."

  She squealed. "Yay! Aunt Kaykay's my favorite!"

  The rest of the drive was filled with Layla talking my ear off about her first week back to school. I listened as best I could before Emilia popped back into my head. We hadn't seen each other in two weeks, but I couldn't stop thinking about her. Pretty much everything reminded me of her. We didn't even cross paths on Thursdays anymore. She steered completely clear of me. It was probably for the best, but that didn't stop me from missing her.

  Karen's car was already parked outside when we pulled up. Layla screamed like a crazy person as I parked the car. I had to threaten to take her straight home to get her to calm the fuck down. She ran away from me and into the restaurant. I was about to chastise her again before Karen pulled her into her arms and did it for me.

  Layla nodded, quick to pretend she was obedient, then turned to me. "Sorry, Daddy. I was happy to see Aunt Kaykay."

  "That's okay, baby." I grabbed her hand as we stood in line to order. Karen started talking about work and some frustrating kids she had to deal with through the day. Layla was enough for me. I couldn't imagine spending all day with a bunch of preteens. She loved it, though. Even talking about the frustrating kids made her happy.

  The front door opened, and my attention went to it before my eyes widened. Emilia walked in with that guy from her New Year's Eve party. She was grinning as he put his hand on the small of her back, leading her to the back of the line. My eyes widened as I quickly turned my attention back to the menu. Karen noticed also but didn't say anything.

  We ordered three slices then sat by the window, so Layla could watch the birds outside. I watched her watch the birds. She was cute. "How you holding up?" Karen asked, bringing my attention back to her.

  Shrugging, I pretended to play with the salt and pepper shakers on the table. "You know. Same. Working a lot."

  Taking another bite from her pizza, she nodded. "Sucks that you can't just go talk to her." I feigned confusion before she chuckled. "You didn't have to let her go, you know."

  Sighing, I rolled my eyes. "Yes, I did," was all I could say before taking another bite. We ate in silence for a few minutes as I snuck glances at Emilia.

  She'd ordered a slice of the Alfredo pizza, and she kept smiling. Her date was smiling too. He looked at her like she was the prettiest girl in the whole restaurant. I wanted to be the one looking at her that way, but I had no right. This was exactly what I wanted. Her moving on with somebody her own age. It was for the best.

  Karen had that knowing smirk plastered on her annoying face once I finally looked back at her. "Go say hi. There's nothing wrong with acknowledging each other. I know she knows you're here."

  "How do you know?"

  She laughed because this was somehow funny to her. "Because I have eyes. I saw her. As soon as you'd looked away, she noticed you. Her date noticed you too and didn't seem too happy."

  Had Emilia really noticed me? My eyes went to her again. She said something to her date then got up from the table, heading toward the bathroom.

  Glancing at Karen again, she shrugged then gave me the nod of approval to follow her. I touched Layla's arm, bringing her attention back from the birds outside. "Hey, baby? I gotta go to the bathroom. I'll be right back."

  She nodded without even looking over. "Okay, Daddy. I'm fine with Aunt Kaykay."

  My eyes reached Karen's for a second as her eyebrows shot up with another smirk. I winked at her before getting up and following Emilia like the biggest creep in the world.

  Rounding the corner, my hands turned into fists. What would I say? How would she react? My breath caught as I found her standing in the hallway. She leaned against the wall with her arms crossed. Her gaze turned on me and her polite smile drifted away. "Hey," I said, my voice was hoarse.

  Her eyes narrowed. "The men's bathroom is open," she said with a sharp tone.

  I froze, continuing to stare at her. She'd given me an official `back off,' but I couldn't. I needed to talk to her. I had made a mistake. Every day without her had been torture. Seeing her again tonight was fate. "Okay," was all I said but I didn't move a muscle.

  Her face scrunched up. Her eyes filled with anger. She still looked cute as hell. "Okay, so use it."

  I blinked. "That's not why I came over here."

  "Then why did you come over here?"

  Stuffing my hands in my pocket, I leaned against the same wall. Her shoulders tensed up as she took a step farther away. That hurt my feelings. "I noticed you're on a date," I said, trying to sound casual.

  She looked away, arms still crossed, shoulders still up. "Yep. Someone my own age."

  I hesitated for a moment. "Are you having fun?"

  She looked at me again as someone came out of the women's bathroom. Her brows fused together as she gave me the meanest look I'd ever seen. "Fuck off," she growled making the hair on the back of my neck rise.

  "Sorry," was all I could say before turning away and heading back to my table, feeling like an asshole.

  Why did I follow her to the bathrooms? Why did I do that to her? I missed her too much. I just wanted to hear her voice. I wanted to make her smile, maybe make her laugh, but I couldn't get any of that now. She hated me. I'd hurt her. She opened up to me about her fears of not being good enough, then I turned around and rejected her. I was such a piece of shit.

  "You okay?" Karen
asked once I returned to the table. I nodded my head. "That bad, huh?"

  Layla's eyes darted to me. Even she could tell I was upset. "What's wrong, Daddy?"

  I tried my best to pretend nothing was wrong while running my fingers through her hair. "Nothing. Finish your pizza, please."

  Karen didn't let up. "You should go talk to her."

  Layla's interest was now officially piqued. "Who?"

  A desperate sigh came from my lips. "Nobody. Eat your pizza, please." Her brow furrowed as she realized she was being left out of something. "Seriously, Layla, enough."

  Karen clicked her tongue. "You should lighten up." She glanced behind me, smirking. "She's coming over here by the way."

  My head spun around as Emilia approached our table with a stern look on her face. She stopped at the edge and looked at Karen and Layla. "Hey, Karen, how are you?"

  Karen was still smirking with her arms crossed. "Fine. How are you?"

  "I'm okay." She turned her attention to Layla. "I'm Mia. It's nice to meet you."

  Layla's eyes sparkled as she stared at her. "I'm Layla. I'm six. How old are you?"

  "Eighteen."

  Layla blinked. "Wow. That's old." Karen stifled a laugh.

  Emilia laughed along until her eyes fell on me again, then a scowl appeared. "Can I talk to you for a second?" she asked, her eyes narrowing in on me.

  Slowly, I nodded. My attention turned to Layla as I touched her hand. "I'll be right back, okay?" She gave me a nod before finally taking a bite of her crust. Hopefully, she'd finish soon, and we could leave.

  My attention rushed back to Emilia, but she was already gone, walking outside. I followed behind her, practically running. I found her standing on the corner of the street. Her hands in her jacket pockets as she watched cars zoom by.

  I crossed my arms as I approached. Once I stood close enough for her to notice, she didn't look my way. "I'm sorry for what I said," she admitted. Her voice firm.

  I attempted to appear reassuring. "It's okay. I'm sorry for how I've been treating you. I really do want what's best for you."

  Her eyes fell on me, and they weren't happy. I couldn't place exactly what they were. She sighed as she stepped closer to me. I couldn't help but tense a little. I wanted to touch her or smell her so bad, but I stayed put.

  "Look," she started, "I think it's best if we don't talk anymore. It's confusing for me when you do things like follow me to the bathroom while I'm on a date. If you want me to move on then you can't keep being nice to me. I'm still not over you."

  "You're not?" She glared at me. "I mean, why are you on this date then?"

  She shrugged. "Cam's been trying to ask me out for months. I figured maybe now that I'm all sad, vulnerable, and on the rebound that he could treat me out to dinner. Maybe fool around in his car or something. I don't know." She looked away.

  Jealousy rose inside of me. "Don't do that."

  "Why not?"

  "You're better than that?"

  She scoffed, rolling her eyes like what I said was completely ridiculous. "I wasn't too good to fuck you the first time we were alone. What's wrong with making out on the first date? At least Cam's feelings are clear. He's not playing games with me."

  "I wasn't playing games with you. I really like you." Her eyes turned glassy, and my heart sank. I couldn't stand to make her cry again. "Okay, if you don't want to talk anymore then we won't. Just know that I'm always here for you, and we can leave it like that."

  A tear fell from her eye, and I looked away. "What if I don't want to leave it like that?" My eyes found hers again and held them.

  She stepped closer, but she wasn't angry this time. Her expression had melted into something else. Something familiar. Something I craved and needed from her.

  Against my better judgment, I reached forward and wiped her tear away with my thumb. My hand lingered, cupping her cheek. She blinked as her breath caught. "I don't want to leave it like that," she whispered.

  I should’ve told her we have to. I should’ve told her that's what's best for her. I should’ve told her to go inside and never speak to me again. I should’ve taken my hand away and gone home. I should’ve let her go, but I couldn't.

  I'm selfish. I missed her. I wanted her. I loved her. I didn't want to care anymore. I looked down into her beautiful brown eyes and stepped closer, putting both my hands on her cheeks now. She stared up at me as I whispered back, "Me either."

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Emilia

  My heart hammered unbelievably hard in my chest as Stephen hovered over me. I caught a whiff of his manly scent and stared into his beautiful soft blue eyes. I missed his touch. I didn't want to live another day without being in his arms. I didn't care what my parents thought. I didn't care what anyone thought.

  The way I felt when he looked into my eyes was right. Mentally apologizing to Cam for ruining our date, I stepped up on my tippy-toes. My lips pushed against his like they never left. Like our week and a half apart had never happened. My hands gripped his blazer as he returned my kiss.

  He held my face as gentle as could be as he tilted his head, deepening our kiss. Stepping as close as I could, our bodies touched. His tongue slipped into my mouth, and I melted away. My hands slid up and around his neck while one of his hands went into my hair and the other wrapped around my back.

  Our lips turned desperate. We kissed like we'd been apart for years. We kissed like we'd never want to be apart again. We kissed in a way that felt right, and I knew then that I loved him. This was what real love felt like.

  Once we pulled away, Stephen placed his forehead against mine, and we stared into each other's eyes. "Be with me," he said softly, his breath hitting my lips.

  "I'm too young for you."

  He shook his head against mine. "You're not too young for me. You're perfect. I was stupid. Please take me back."

  A pause. "Are you serious?"

  He nodded. "Yes. Do you want to be with me?"

  "Of course. It's all I think about."

  "Me too." He kissed me again. We kissed for what felt like minutes. I wanted this and him. I wanted it to be real. I wanted to be good enough, and he made me feel that I was.

  We pulled away again, and he hugged me close to him. I rested my head against his chest. "I guess my date's ruined."

  "I guess so," he whispered in my hair. "Sorry about that. Should I break the news to him that you're coming home with me?"

  My eyes widened as I pulled back and looked up at him. He was smiling which made me feel at ease, like going back to how we were would be easy. "What about Layla?"

  He shrugged. "I'm okay with it if you are. I'm serious about you this time. I don't want to let you go again. I'll deal with the judgment from your parents. I'll deal with the whispers and the comments. I don't care anymore. I want to be with you."

  Slowly, I nodded. "Yes. I don't care either." I grinned again. "Layla's beautiful."

  "Thank you," he whispered then pushed his lips to mine again. He pulled away too quick. "Really, though, do you want me to talk to your date?"

  I shook my head. "No. Go join your family. I'll talk to him."

  "I won't leave without you."

  I couldn’t help but smile. "Okay." We locked lips again before we walked back to the door, holding hands. He left my side as soon as we walked back in and joined his family where they looked at us with wide eyes. Even Layla had a hint of what was going on.

  Cam sat at our table with his phone in his hands. He'd dressed up for our date with the buttoned white shirt and combed hair. I sat down next to him. "Hey, so bad news-"

  "You got back together with your boyfriend?" he asked, locking his phone before putting it back into his pocket. My only response was to blink in shock. "I went outside to check on you and saw what was going on. Congrats."

  I blinked again. "You're not angry?"

  He smirked. "No, I can take a hint." I laughed. "No, really. We had fun, and
I get it. Our dads are still best friends, so I won't make it weird." He thought for a moment before adding, "Also, that guy is, like, way bigger than me, so I'd definitely lose if we fought over you."

  I couldn't stop smiling. "Wow. Gave up easy, huh?"

  His shrug was noncommittal. "Yeah, well, how many times can a guy get rejected? Go join your boyfriend or whatever, and I'll see you Sunday."

  I reached across the table and grabbed his hands in mine before squeezing them. "Thanks, Cam. See you around." He nodded like it was no big deal. Like he wasn't a saint for letting me just run off with another man in the middle of our date.

  I got up from the table and was slow in my approach to Stephen again. Karen noticed me and said something to make he and Layla turn to look at me. "Hey, again," I said cheerier than before.

  Karen shot me a genuine smile for the first time. "Hey, Mia. Have a seat." I sat down next to Stephen, and he took my hand under the table. "So Layla was telling us that she got chosen to do a solo in the choir."

  I blinked and turned to Layla who was beaming. She was the cutest little girl with the same soft eyes and full lips as her dad. "Wow. I bet you're gonna be awesome."

  She shrugged, looking bashful. "I don't know. Daddy's gonna sit in the front row, though, so I'll sing right to him like at home." She grinned at him.

  He touched her shoulder. "That's right, baby. I'll be right there."

  My heart was melting away. Usually, someone my age would shy away or freak out, but I couldn't when she was a part of him. He was everything I could have wanted and more. Layla would always be a part of that.

  Stephen glanced at me and gave me the sweetest look I'd ever seen. I didn't know how long this feeling would last. I didn't know what the future would hold. All I knew was that I wanted to try. I was taking a chance to have my heart broken a second time, and that was okay. I'd do it, and it'd be worth it. I returned his sweet smile and hoped for the best. No expectations. Just love.

  ❣❣❣

  The smell of ground beef heating up in the pan was making my mouth water. I loved the sizzling sound and the seasoned aroma. Dane sat in the doorway. Watching me cook. Waiting for me to drop something onto the floor, so he could swoop in and act as a valiant vacuum.