“Ok, ok. I believe you. You don’t have to—” I was giggling and trying to pry my foot loose.
He opened his mouth and stuck my toe in, sucking on it lightly. He removed it and placed a soft kiss to the tip of my toe and winked. My whole body was tingling everywhere. The ache I felt between my thighs was almost painful. Almost, but not quite. I knew I would have to change my underwear once I got home. I could not believe he had done that.
“Better?” He looked up at me, his eyes sparkling.
I nodded.
He opened the door and peered back in, leaning on the top of the car with one arm. His shirt clung to his abs so nicely and it wasn’t helping the ache I was feeling. “Thanks for the ride. It was fun.” He stood up, closed the door and went inside.
I sat stunned. Dante, the wizard, had struck again.
***
Once I got home, I called Malachi and invited him over. I was cooking he and Nat dinner tonight.
“Hey you!” I stepped aside letting him in the door.
“Hey Raquel.” He walked in and handed me the salad he insisted on bringing for dinner.
“Looks good.” I snuck a peak into the dish
He leaned down and kissed my cheek. “When is Natalia getting here?”
“Not till seven-ish. She was at Aiden’s and he has to go to work.” I said, walking towards the kitchen.
“Oh, ok. So are you done cooking?” He asked.
“I am. What do you want to do?” I whipped around, nearly knocking into him.
He quickly scooted back and laughed rubbing his hands together. “For starters you could put that salad away.”
“Oh yea.” I felt goofy. Placing it carefully into the fridge, I offered him a drink.
“No thank you. Come sit, talk to me. How was school today?” He patted the couch.
“School or Dante?” I made a face, knowing exactly what he meant.
“Both, I guess.”
“School was fine. Dante was weird.” I wasn’t sure how else to describe it.
“How so?” He turned sideways, crossing his legs underneath him.
“He kissed my toe.” I scrunched my face, unsure how he would react.
“He did what?” He gasped.
“Kissed my toe.” I said again.
“How the heck did that happen?” He sounded shocked. I told him how it all came about.
“Hmph. So what do you think it all means?” He asked.
“I’m not sure.”
“Can I tell you what I think?”
“Yea.” I nodded.
“I think, you both think you are still in love with each other. I think maybe you will always wonder about Dante. Maybe if you weren’t a virgin you could sleep together and get it out of your systems already.” He laughed.
“Wow. Tell me what you really think now.” I smacked him.
“Wait. Let me finish.” He smiled, “Dante thinks you still love him. You think you still love him. This other girl is the one who is going to get hurt.” He shook his head at me.
“Valerie? She is fully aware.” I got defensive.
“Well, not really. Think about it. Valerie has had a crush for a while now, right?”
“Yea.” I felt bad.
“And she thinks you have a boyfriend. So, really she isn’t fully aware. She might know you two have lingering crap between you. But she thinks you both are moving on. Hey, it’s not your fault. That’s not what I’m saying. I’m trying to say, basically, anyone who gets in-between you two is bound to get hurt.” He said.
I let out a deep sigh. “I’m being a horrible friend, aren’t I?”
“No. But I do think you should be honest with yourself. You need to decide if you can really, truly let Dante go. If the answer is yes, then no more putting yourself in situations like today. I mean, I’m not telling you what to do. Do what you will, but it’s only asking for trouble. If the answer is no, you need to talk to your friend Valerie. She seems like she is really trying to do the right thing.”
“Who made you so wise?” I smiled. He was right. I did need to think it through.
He pops the collar of his shirt and brushes his shoulders. “Yea well, when you got it, you got it. What can I say? So, how did you like the kiss?”
“Oh, that, uh, that was weird.” I laughed nervously
“I imagine so.” He laughed.”
The knock at the door came right on time. “That’s Nat.” I quickly got up to let her in.
“Hey girlfriend.” She walked in, hurrying over to Malachi to greet him. Oh, what am I, chopped liver?
We ate dinner as Natalia and Malachi talked about my Dante issues. As I suspected they totally agreed with each other on everything. Once dinner was done, he said his goodbyes. I filled Nat in on the details of the Dante incident. She was shocked as hell when I was done telling her. “Whew, you are turning into quite the hoochie aren’t you?” She teased.
“Natalia!” I griped.
“You did it, not me,” she laughed, “So what are you going to do about Val and Dante?”
“I don’t know yet.” I sighed.
“Do you think you can let him go?” Her tone grew serious as she peered at me.
“Sometimes, but then other times like today, I think I’m only kidding myself.” I confessed.
“So, let’s say Dante sleeps with Val. Valerie and him totally fall in love with each other. Dante proposes and they get married. They move away with their two kids and live happily ever after.” Each time the story increases, I feel a knot in the pit of my stomach.
“He’s going to the military. He is not in love with Valerie and he would not propose to her!” I snap at her.
She’s looking at me pointedly; then gives me a look, having made her exact point.
“So no, no I don’t think I can walk away and let him go for good. But Nat I don’t think I can go and be with him either. It’s not that simple. First of all, he already committed to taking Val to prom and he and she have been hooking up. Second, we always hurt each other. We aren’t honest, we don’t trust one another. I haven’t told him about my past. I mean he thinks Malachi is my boyfriend for goodness sakes. We’re a serious mess.”
“I agree.” She says matter of fact. “But you also can’t be with anyone else. I agree with Malachi, anyone who gets between you only gets hurt and you two end up back together in some way or another, anyway. What’s the point of dragging it out?”
Really, what is the point? “I don’t know.” I say.
“Think about it.” She replies.
“I will.” I have. Everyone seems to think I should be with Dante. I want to be with him. I just wish it didn’t end up a mess.
CHAPTER 23
Doing my best to be normal with Dante this week was not easy. I made sure to never walk anywhere alone, even when it seemed like he was purposely trying to cause instances where we would end up that way. By mid-week he caught on and I quickly learned he did not enjoy the treatment.
“Hey!” Dante yelled at me in the hallway.
“Hay is for horses, grass is cheaper.” I joked with him.
“Really?” He looked at me like I was ridiculous.
“Really.”
“So why are you avoiding me?” He ignored the diversion.
“I’m not avoiding you. What makes you think I’m avoiding you?” faking innocence on this was not easy while he looked at me that way.
“So, you moving from your seat across from me next period had nothing to do with me? You taking a different way to class after fourth, is perfectly normal? You, leaving for lunch like you used to before? All of these things are perfectly normal behavior and have nothing at all to do with what happened.” He accuses.
“What happened?” I flinch a little.
“Why are you playing dumb, Rock? You know damn well what I’m talking about.” The irritation in his voice was not lost on me.
“Are you referring to you mauling my foot in my car?” I tried to make light of it again.
/>
“Mauling your foot? Is that what you think I did?” He narrowed his eyes.
“What would you call it?” I pushed my neck out and pressed my lips into a hard line.
“Well, from the look on your face when I was done, I would say I rocked your world.” He laughed smugly.
I threw my head back laughing a little too loud.
“Why?” He demanded again.
“I don’t know.” I finally stopped joking.
“You don’t know?” He gave me a confused look and shut his eyes tightly; when he opened them again they seemed darker.
“No. I’ve been trying to figure it out, but I can’t quite get it. And you standing here looking at me like that isn’t helping.”
“Looking at you like what?” He asked.
“Like you’re mad or disappointed in me. You’re with Val and I’m with Malachi and we’re just friends. Why are you mad?”
“I’m not.” He said. I could tell he was trying to hide it, but he wasn’t masking it well at all.
“Could have fooled me.” I huffed.
He turned and started walking again. I joined him, quietly walking beside him. We got to class and we both hesitated. I finally walked to my old seat and cringed when I heard him throw his bag onto the chair next to me.
With the year coming to an end class was sort of boring. There wasn’t much to do. I pulled out my phone and threw the book I had been reading onto my desk. He took his phone out and slumped in his chair.
Tlk 2 me ~D
About? ~R
Whats going on ~D
Im not sure what u mean ~R
Raquel ~D
He never calls me that. He’s serious.
Dante?~R
R U with Malachi? ~D
Oh, my God. Does he know I’m lying? How does he know? My heart starts racing. Maybe Nat told Aiden and Aiden told Dante? No, Nat wouldn’t do that. How does he know? I try to think of what to say. Moment of truth. Do I tell him? Or do I continue the lie. I can’t tell him. It’ll hurt Val.
I told U I am. ~R
R U being with him? ~D
I’m not sure what u mean. Yes we R 2gether. ~R
Tell me already ~D
I have not had sex with him if that’s what you are asking. ~R
I am ~D
I’m not ~R
Yet? ~D
Yea. ~R
R U going 2? ~D
Why Dante? ~R
I want 2 kno ~D
Why? ~R
Please Rock. ~D
So I’m Rock again. Hmm what to say?
Dante I don’t know. We haven’t gotten that far. ~R
How far have you gotten ~D
That’s sort of personal ~R
I look up at him and see his jaw tightening. I need to end this already.
Tell me. ~D
NO! ~R
Far then. ~D
That’s not what I said. ~R
But if you won’t tell me it’s because you don’t want me to know what you’ve done. ~D
Or maybe it’s none of your business what I have or haven’t done with my boyfriend. Have you slept with Val yet? ~R
Oh god, why did I ask that? I don’t want to know that answer.
No. ~D
Are you planning to? ~R
Shut up Raquel! What are you thinking?!
Not really. But I rarely plan that kind of thing. ~D
So you would totally have sex with her? ~R
Now I do want to know.
I’m a guy. I would not really turn down sex with someone I find attractive and who is offering if the opportunity presented itself. ~D
NICE! PIG! ~R
And Malachi is a saint? ~D
Maybe he is? ~R
The fact that you don’t want me to know how far you’ve gone with him, tells me otherwise ~D
Have you ever considered that talking to YOU about this is too hard? ~R
So you have gone far then? ~D
Why do you keep assuming that? ~R
Why would it be hard for you to tell me that you are still an inexperienced innocent virgin, when I’ve already known that about you? ~D
Because you are going around sleeping with anyone who presents the opportunity to you and I can’t bring myself to ~R
You didn’t finish ~D
I didn’t mean to hit send ~R
So finish ~D
Ugh— drop it. ~R
No I want to know what you were going to say ~D
What does it matter Dante. Your words. Remember?! ~R
It matters. ~D
Why ~R
IT DOES ~D
Leave me alone Dante. Go bug Val. Just leave me alone. Please I can’t fight with you right now. I don’t have it in me. You are so draining! ~R
I’m sorry. ~D
OK. Please let’s drop this. I hate fighting with you and this conversation is pointless. I’m sorry I avoided you and made things awkward after the foot thing. It freaked me out, not what you did, just how it made me feel. You knew that. You’re with Val and I’m with Malachi, I don’t want either of them hurt and we need to learn how to deal with each other better than this and stop fighting all the time. Ok? Please. I’m sorry ~R
Can I say one more thing? ~D
WHAT???? ~R
You look nice today. ~D
I looked up and saw his irresistible crooked smile.
Thanks. ~R
And please don’t sleep with Malachi. You don’t love him. ~D
DANTE! ~R
Sorry. Ok I’m done. ~D
I put my phone down and opened my book. He’s so frustrating. He reached over and put his hand on my hand. My stomach tied into knots. I looked up and he mouthed silently, “I’m sorry.”
I smiled and mouthed back, “Thank you.”
He nodded and picked up his own book. We didn’t talk the remainder of class. When class was over he got up and waited in front of my desk.
“You going my way?” He reached his hand out.
“Yea.” I took it and stood up.
He threw his arm around my shoulder and walked out with me. I looked at him as we were walking and smiled. Finally, we were able to fight and then get over it, before it got too ugly. That was a first.
“What?” He furrowed his brows at me.
“Nothing, I was thinking; that’s the first time we didn’t let it get too out of hand between us.” I put my arm around his waist and squeezed him once then let my arm drop down.
“And the first time you didn’t start crying.” I rolled my eyes and he flicked my nose. “Don’t do that.”
We walked out the doors and he let go of me as he held the door. Once we walked out he reached down to hook our pinkies. I hesitated slightly, but figured we had made a huge step today in our friendship and what harm could this do? Immediately, the spark shot through me as our fingers linked. I looked at his face and he smiled. We made our way up to the usual spot to wait for everyone else. Right before we got there I saw Val waiting. She was texting someone on her phone. I wiggled my pinky trying to free it from Dante, but he only tightened his around mine. I looked up at his face in a sort of panic. He kept his face cool and kept walking right up to her. She looked up and smiled when she saw him.
“Hey I was just texting you.” She threw her arms around his neck, kissing his lips quickly. He still hadn’t let go, instead hugging her with the other arm. I seen her glance down and notice our hands, but if it upset her she didn’t show it.
“Rocky, are you ready for prom this weekend?” She turned to me.
“Ready as I’ll ever be.” I smiled
“You are going to kill Malachi with that dress.” She winked.
“Well, I hope not. It won’t be much fun dancing after that.” I kidded. Dante was eyeing me, one eyebrow raised.
“Did you order the corsage yet?” I wiggled my pinky finger again trying to pry it loose once more.
“Yea. Everything is set.” Dante held tight.
“Hey guys.” Aiden slapped
Dante’s back and put his arms around us both. Nat walked up beside Val and immediately glanced at Dante and my hands linked. She looked about as uncomfortable as I did; only she was way worse about hiding it. I caught her glancing at Val, then our hands, Val again, then me. I tried to signal her with my eyes but stopped when I realized I was unsure of what I was trying to convey. Finally Dante let go of my hand fixing the strap that was beginning to slide off his arm, from his backpack. I immediately begin to move towards Natalia, but he quickly grabbed my wrist and held me there; sliding his pinky back into place. Everyone else continued on in conversation. I had no idea what he was trying to prove, or what he was thinking. I looked up at him again, staring daggers, trying to make him see how uncomfortable he was making everyone. He didn’t care. Talking nonchalantly with Aiden and Val about how awesome the limo would be, he finally turned to me. “What time do you want everyone there again?”
I tried to be nonchalant but failed miserably. “Sex.” What the hell did I say?! Oh, my God! “Six!” I yelled trying to fix the slip up. Well if they weren’t uncomfortable before, they sure as hell were now.
All eyes were on me and Dante’s and Nat’s looked like they were about to pop out of their skulls at any moment. Suddenly the laughter that escaped me was uncontrollable and instantaneous. I was full on cackling and tears were falling from my eyes. My stomach hurt so badly from laughing so hard. Aiden and Valerie were laughing just as hard.
“Di— Di— Did you ju— ju— just say— SEX?!” Valerie sputtered between gasping breaths, she had been laughing so hard. “Oh, my God, oh, my God, Raquel! I think I’m going to piss my pants.” She was holding her belly and her face was bright red.
I finally calmed myself enough to look up at Nat. Her mouth was still hanging open her eyebrows raised. Suddenly, she was pushing her lips into a hard line, holding back her laugh and clearly concerned with my slip up, in light of Dante and our linked fingers. Dante was smiling but his eyes looked pained. He let go of my finger.
“So that was six, is what I meant to say; six is fine. That way we have time for pictures and we can take our time before we go. My mom is making appetizers and she said to feel free to invite your parents over if they want to come take pictures, too.” I calmly finished.
Everyone nodded in agreement. “Ok well, on that note I have to get to work. Um, you all have a good rest of your day.” I waved awkwardly and walked off completely embarrassed.
Breaking Down (The Breaking Series) Page 21