by Cassie Maria
“It wasn’t anything against you personally. I lost myself in Noah when I fell in love with him and I didn’t want that to ever happen again. So I avoided new relationships and occasionally hooked up with guys. Then I met you and you made my connection with Noah look like a schoolyard crush and it scared the crap out of me.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because that would involve explaining Noah, which is hard to do when you’re trying to forget that part of your life.”
“I understand that you were trying to protect yourself, but I don’t like being kept in the dark. An omission is the same as a lie.”
I look into his eyes and can tell just how much my omission has hurt him. This is why I do not lie. It always comes back to bite you. Always. If he forgives me, I will never lie to him again.
“Do you forgive me?” I ask quietly.
“Yes.”
“Last night was the loneliest night of my life; I’ll never lie to you again.” The crack in my voice tells him just how close I am to crying.
“Good,” he whispers while cuddling me closer. We stay that way for a while before he says, “nice hair.”
OMG! I take off running to my bedroom with his chuckles following me. My hair is puffy from the steam from my thousand-hour shower last night. I don’t want to spend the time to fix it so I brush it up into a messy bun and put on a headband to catch the fly aways.
I take another five minutes to brush my teeth and freshen up. I race back to the comfy room like I’m afraid seeing him earlier was a mirage. When my head is comfortably positioned on his shoulder, I eagerly drink my coffee.
“How’d you get in?”
“Ava called me to ask me what was taking so long with breakfast. So when I explained to her what happened she suggested that we get our heads out of our asses and work things out. She was waiting for me by the door when I got here.” I should have known Ava was involved. That girl is always looking out for her stomach. “Do you mind if I invite my roommate to lunch? He can’t wait to meet the girl that has me open,” he says with a blush.
He wants me to meet his best friend and he’s acting like it’s not a big deal! I know that he already met Ava but there was no way she was going to let the first man I invited over to leave without meeting her. I look at the clock and notice it’s almost lunchtime. There is no way that I can make my hair presentable by then!
“Is this the reason for the light breakfast?”
“I was hoping that if I kept you a little hungry you’d agree to anything.”
“Lucky for you I’m famished after a long night,” I state before biting into my muffin. Ethan puts his muffin down and turns his entire body towards me.
“I hated being away from you last night. No more secrets, okay?” My eyes begin to fill with tears so I nod which is safer than speaking. I hate being emotional and need to change the subject immediately.
“Where are we meeting Steve for lunch?”
“Here.”
“Here?”
“Here.”
“Why?”
“What better way to get to know you then in your own space?”
“Who’s cooking?”
“No one; I’ll order take out.”
“Okay, but let him know that I don’t normally look like this.”
“You look beautiful.”
I lightly kiss him on the lips before I grab my coffee and head to my bedroom to find the perfect outfit for my inquisition. By the time I pull on a pair of skinny jeans, a blue and white henley (fishnet material), a blue cami, socks, and bootie slippers Ethan is back with the food. I didn’t attempt anything with my hair so I put in heart shaped studs to at least make it look like I put some effort into my look.
I take one last look in the mirror before giving myself a halfhearted shrug and head downstairs. Steve hasn’t arrived yet and Ethan won’t let me help him set up the food, so I head to the comfy room to sit with Ava.
“You don’t have to stay, I’m sure I’ll be fine.”
“Well I’ll just stick around to make sure.”
“You don’t have to.”
“Shh, the good part is on,” she says with feigned interest in the cartoon on TV. Something is going on with her. She’s wearing makeup and heels just to sit around the house.
“Why are you dressed up?”
“I missed laundry day,” she huffs like I’m irritating her.
“Since when do you skip laundry day?”
Before she can respond the doorbell rings. “I’ll get it,” she yells as she nearly runs to the door. She stops to fix her hair and straighten her clothes before opening the door.
My gaze shoots to Ethan to see if he is just as confused as I am, but he is too busy trying not to laugh. I stand up to gain his attention and place my hands on my hips when he smiles at me. Finally the door opens and I get a clear shot of Steve’s profile.
His short blonde hair looks natural and compliments his honey complexion perfectly. He’s seriously muscular and tall. I can’t see the color of his eyes because he has yet to move them from Ava’s face.
“Please tell me you’re not Mia,” he grumbles in a deep baritone voice.
“And if I am?” Ava retorts with a hand on her hip.
“Then my lifelong friendship with Ethan has just been ruined.” My gaze moves to Ethan and he’s smiling while watching our two friends flirt. I move my eyes back to our friends in time to hear, “Lucky for you I’m Ava.”
“Lucky for you I’m single and interested.”
“I’m not.”
“Single or interested?”
“Both.”
“You will be,” he states while getting into her space. He crowds Ava so much that she’s forced to step back or risk getting kissed. Steve closes the door behind him but never takes his eyes off of Ava while locking the door.
“You sounded sexy over the phone, but now I see you’re gorgeous as well.”
“Th-Thank you,” Ava stutters.
Yes, stuttered! I’ve never seen a man do that to Ava.
Never!
My eyes stretch wide in an effort to not miss anything.
“Lets have lunch so we can talk and I can see if you have brains as well as beauty.”
“And if I do?”
“I’m going ring shopping tomorrow.” Ava releases an unbelieving laugh but stops when Steve crowds her again. “I promise that if you’re everything I think you are, I’m never letting you go. When I marry it’s for life and I want to spend all eighty years with you.”
Well damn.
“I doubt that I’m what you’re looking for.”
“I don’t.”
“We just met! How do you know that soon?”
“I won’t know for sure until after lunch but I move when it’s a sure thing and baby you’re definitely a sure thing.” Steve moves in slowly to ensure that she understands that he is about to kiss her. I see a small smile appear on his lips as Ava moves forward to assist him. The kiss is full of fire from the very beginning and I can’t tear my eyes away. I hear Ethan clear his throat before speaking.
“You’re supposed to be here to meet my girlfriend.”
Steve reluctantly pulls away from Ava and strokes her bottom lip with his thumb. “Nice to meet you Mia.”
“She’s over there Steve, not on Ava’s lip.”
Steve tears his eyes away from Ava for the first time and looks at me. Ice blue eyes sweep me from top to bottom before returning to Ava.
“Nice to meet you Mia.”
“Nice to meet you too,” I say on a chuckle.
Steve grabs Ava’s hand and leads her to the kitchen while demanding, “Feed me woman, I’m starving.” Ethan and I follow them into the kitchen for the second half of our show.
****
Ava made each of our plates in an attempt to hide her desire to fix Steve’s plate. Anytime Ava was not seated next to him, Steve would follow her around the room with his eyes. During lunch I discovered that Av
a spoke to Steve on the phone briefly when she called their home phone (which she was able to weasel out of Malik) for Ethan. Apparently Ava assumed that Ethan lived alone and began talking as soon as the phone was answered. She demanded to know what was going on with us before she realized that Steve didn’t sound like Ethan.
“A woman who’s willing to stop her friends from making a big mistake is a woman I needed to meet.”
“What do you think of me now that you’ve met me?”
“I’ll wait until we’re alone to tell you.” Ava demurely drops her head and aims her smile at her plate. “Don’t worry baby, you’ll have the next eighty years to get use to me.” Steve reassures her while pulling her chair closer to his.
They begin talking amongst themselves and Ethan and I realize that we’ve been dismissed. I suggest that they go relax in the comfy room while Ethan and I clean up. We take our time cleaning up the kitchen in order to give them some privacy. When we finally make it to the comfy room Ava and Steve were snuggled up in the recliner watching TV. I have never seen Ava fall so quick for a guy; it’s alarming but sweet as hell.
The four of us spend the rest of the afternoon watching movies and cuddling. I eventually fall asleep and when I wake up I’m in my bed pressed against Ethan. I check the clock then snuggle in to enjoy the remainder of my nap before I have to get up for work.
Chapter Nine
Enjoying the Fall
Sunday…On the track
We are sitting on the track stretching after our workout when I decide to question her about Steve.
“So you and Steve huh?”
“Yeah I guess so.”
“Do you like him?”
“Yes,” she says coyly.
“Do you love him?”
“I know it sounds crazy but its definitely love at first sight.”
“Out of all our friends I never thought you’d be the one who fell for someone so fast. Hold on, I thought you didn’t do white boys.”
“Shut up!” she says laughing.
“You not only got a white boy but the ultimate white boy with blonde hair and everything,” I tease.
“I’m putting out an ad to find a new best friend.”
“Yeah right! Like you can find a friend as awesome as me.”
“Anyways; how are you and Ethan doing?”
I motion her towards the bleachers and we get settled before I respond.
“I love being with him so much that I sometimes wonder why I was even pushing him away. Thank you for getting him to come over.”
“You’re welcome and it’s going to cost you.”
Oh no. “What do I owe you?”
“A makeover for my channel.”
“Do I have to?” I groan. Ava runs a girly channel on YouTube and makes money by selling accessories on it. On her channel she talks about hair, clothes, shoes, does makeup, and other girly things that I avoid like the plague.
“Yes so just suck it up and be ready tomorrow.”
“Fine,” I point my finger at her and narrow my eyes, “but I’m not going to pretend that I’m into it.”
“I don’t care what you do as long as you show up. Maybe Ethan will like your makeover.”
“Do you think he’s into girls like that?” I must look panicked because when Ava looks at me she immediately bursts out laughing. “I’m being serious!”
“Mia honey if he was into those types of girls he would have chosen one.”
“You really think so?”
“Relax. That boy is falling so hard for you he wouldn’t care if you wore sweats everyday, as long as you were happy.”
“You think he’s falling hard for me?”
“As hard as you’re falling for him.”
“What makes you think I’m falling for him?” Ava gives me a ‘be serious look’ but doesn’t respond. I feign interest in the people working out on the track to buy me some time. “Do you think I should tell him?”
“Absolutely.”
“You don’t think it’ll scare him off? Isn’t it too soon to be falling in love?”
“You’re asking the girl who fell in love during a five minute phone call if it’s too soon to fall for a guy?”
“So you think I should tell him?”
“For someone so laid back why can’t you go with the flow on this one?”
“I’m just nervous about scaring him off.”
“You’re wound up too tight about this relationship. You started it by pushing him away and now you’re afraid he’s going to run. Just relax and allow that easygoing attitude of yours to take over. Falling in love is supposed to be fun so enjoy the ride.”
I nod my agreement and notice that it’s time to get going so I can meet up with the boys. I owe them a round a drinks for introducing me to Ethan and I know they’re going to tease me mercilessly.
****
Four weeks later…Friday night after work
Ethan and I are lying in his bed watching TV while I consider what work will be like tomorrow. Tomorrow will be my last night working at Ice. I’m making a great deal of money but I’m always exhausted. My supervisor doesn’t want me to leave but understands that I need to quit before I burn out.
“I’m happy tomorrow is your last day.”
“So am I,” I say as I snuggle further under the covers.
“Did he text you again?”
“Yeah, I’m going to change my number on Sunday. Get my phone and read the text.”
“Another poem?”
“Yeah, I wouldn’t mind them if they were coming from you,” I say through a yawn. I feel Ethan move closer to my ear, “I’ll have to fix that,” he whispers.
“Good,” I softly say as I feel Ethan reach over me to read my text from Noah.
“That’s a good one.”
“Mmm.” Is all I mumble before I feel his arm wrap around me as sleep takes me under.
Chapter Ten
Enough Is Enough
Wednesday
I followed through on my promise to change my number and that pissed Noah completely off. He began over loading my email with old photos of us and playlists of songs we use to listen to. I finally had enough and told him to meet me at work (no way was he finding out where I live).
I timed it where he’d meet me fifteen minutes before Ethan was due to show up for our weekly dinner date. I wanted to show Ethan that I’m not hiding my meeting with Noah but at the same time I’m not allowing him to cut into our time. I look at my watch again when Noah finally strolls into the bar ten minutes late. I don’t know why I’m surprised; he always does things at his own pace.
“Hi, Angel.”
“Don’t stroll in here like you haven’t kept me waiting,” I hiss on an eye roll.
“My apologies love.”
There is no point in arguing about his terms of endearments so I ignore them. I point to a bar stool and he wisely sits with no back talk. I place my hands on the bar and refuse to break eye contact with him.
“You have to stop sending me old photos and songs. We’re over; please accept it and move on.”
“No,” he declares stubbornly as he folds his arms across his chest like a petulant child.
“Why not?”
“Because I love you.”
“Well I don’t love you anymore.”
“I don’t care.”
“Jeez Noah! Why can’t you do this for me?” My voice elevates to show just how exasperated I am with him.
“Because I’m never letting you go.”
“Did I not give you what you needed? Was I not everything you desired me to be? Was I not sweet as sugar to you even after your infidelities?” I watch as he flinches. Good. “I gave you all of me and what did you do?” His gaze drops to his lap but he still says nothing. “Answer me!” I hiss as I slap the bar in front of him. The regulars begin to stare but I ignore them.
“I destroyed you,” he whispers.
“You destroyed me. You wounded me. You gutted me. You deceived me.
You devastated me.” I want him fully understand what he has done to me, so I unrelentingly stare at him until he raises his eyes to meet mine. “You promised to never hurt me but I didn’t walk away unscathed, did I?” He stares at me but doesn’t respond so I slap the bar in front of him again. “Did I?”
“No.”
“So do right by me for once in your life and walk away.”
Noah closes his eyes and sighs before looking at me. “I’ll leave but you’ll always be my better half and I’ll never give up on us. I’ll be here when you chance your mind.”
“That’s not going to happen.”
“Don’t speak too soon.”
“Goodbye, Noah.” He winces at the finality of my farewell.
“Goodbye, sweetheart.” He stands and bows before leaving. I shake my head smiling as he walks out; leave it to Noah to have the perfect exit. When my eyes scan over the booths I notice Ethan is seated at our table with food.
“Hi.”
“Hi. Do you to know how it went?” I ask when I slide into the booth.
“Nope, I trust you. Lets eat.”
That’s the last time we ever speak of Noah.
Chapter Eleven
The Call
Saturday morning
“Answer your phone,” I mumble to the empty spot next to me. I raise my head to check the bathroom door and its closed. “Ethan your phone!”
“Get it for me.”
“Hello?” I grumble but it sounds more like ‘o.
“Uh hello?”
I sit up at the feminine voice on the line. “Yes?”
“Who is this?”
“Who is this?”
“Why are you answering Ethan’s phone?”
“Why are you calling it?”
“Who are you that you feel comfortable answering his phone?”
I shoot a questioning gaze at the bathroom door before I respond. “I’m the bitch that gets him off every night. Now who are you that you feel comfortable enough to call at the crack of dawn and question me?”
“His mother,” she laughs.
Oh shit! I run to the bathroom and hand him the phone as he’s stepping out of the shower.
“Darlin’ what’s wrong? You look sick.” I can’t look him in the eyes so I shake my head and hastily walk out to give him privacy. When he finally enters the bedroom I can tell he’s trying hard to hold in his laughter.