by T. K. Rapp
As I rounded the corner, I stopped in my tracks when I saw Dallas standing in the kitchen. He smiled and walked toward me, wrapping me in a hug.
“I didn’t hear you come in,” I whispered to him.
“Yeah, I figured when I saw the two of you making out,” he muttered into my ear with a laugh.
“I thought you had a date,” I said when we separated.
“Yeah. Me too,” he huffed. “Long story.”
“I know what you mean,” I laughed softly. I motioned over my shoulder and shrugged. “I’ll explain later.”
He smiled. “I’m holding you to that.”
Dallas kissed my cheek and I opened the door but stopped when Wyatt walked in to the room, calling my name. Before he could speak, I put my hand up to stop him but he ignored me.
“Hey man, can you give us a sec?”
Dallas didn’t hesitate before walking away, but turned when he was closer to his room. “Just speak loud enough that I can hear you,” he laughed.
Neither of us acknowledged Dallas’s words, but I knew he wasn’t listening. Likely, he’d call or text later when I was gone anyway.
“Are you busy tomorrow night?”
“Wyatt, I just told you…”
“Yeah. I know. But we’re friends. Let’s hang out and I’ll show you around some of my favorite places.”
“That sounds a lot like a date.”
“In your dreams,” he deadpanned before smiling. “It’s not a date. But I’m not gonna lie…I’m hoping that maybe after tomorrow you won’t be so opposed to a date.”
“I like your confidence, but then again, I liked my husband’s and turns out he had a penchant for groupies,” I said with a shrug. “So you never know.”
Wyatt studied me for a moment and dropped his chin as he stepped closer. “We’re all damaged, Vi. The real question is…how long are you going to let him hold you back?”
He leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on my lips, definitely giving me something to consider.
“I’ll think about it,” I answered.
Chapter 13
When I went back to my apartment that night, I knew Jolie would be out for a while, so that left me plenty to time to think. I pulled out my phone and laughed when I found Wyatt’s information in my phone: Wyatt ‘Your Friend’ Earp.
I considered taking him up on his offer to meet up after work the next day. I really did. But then all I had to do was remember how suave Will was when we’d first started dating. Would I be making the same mistake?
Me: I’m sorry. I can’t.
My phone was still sitting on the charger an hour later, and he never responded. Part of me was relieved, and the other part was pissed because it felt like he was blowing me off. But wasn’t that what I was doing to him?
The thing about egos… when they’re bruised, they cause you to do stupid, stupid things. So I wasn’t entirely surprised with myself when I walked over to his door and knocked. He finally answered the door and when he did, he caught me staring.
“I got your text,” he said as he stood there in jeans, completely shirtless.
“And you didn’t feel the need to respond?”
“It didn’t seem like you wanted a response.”
“So it’s all a game to you? I knew it,” I huffed before spinning and walking back to my door. I heard his shut and assumed he went back inside his place. Imagine my surprise that he was behind me, following me into my apartment.
“You know nothing about me. You don’t want to,” he said, his voice raised defensively. “Not every guy is like your ex. And as for games, I think the only one playing any games here is you.”
“I’m not playing games. I’m protecting myself from guys like you.”
Wyatt scoffed and stepped through the open door. When he looked back at me, he shook his head, disappointment written all over his face. “You’re hiding. And I get it… Message received, Viola. I’ll leave you alone.”
He walked out and closed the door behind him, leaving me standing in the center of my living room, his words cutting me somewhere deep inside.
***
It lasted almost the whole week.
A week where I acted like an immature child who couldn’t, or didn’t want to, face her problems head-on. And the thing was, Wyatt wasn’t necessarily a problem.
I was.
I was standing in my own way, not allowing myself to let go and move on, but after everything Will had done, it was understandable. At least that’s what I kept telling myself. And Wyatt was spot on in his assessment of me, and that probably pissed me off more than anything.
My failed relationship had become a crutch I used as an excuse for anything.
I can’t flirt with that cute guy…I’m married.
I can’t get into another relationship…my ex cheated on me.
So I did what I could and forced myself to focus on work—not that it took up my free time. But that’s what I really needed: a distraction.
Something to occupy my time when I wasn’t thinking about Wyatt or the way he looked at me. I knew I was decent-looking, but having your husband cheat on you, numerous times, tends to leave a girl feeling a bit insecure. I’d always been confident and I was determined to get that back.
Someday.
Because for the time being, Wyatt lived three doors away, and I did everything in my power to avoid him like the coward I was. Then again, maybe he was the one avoiding me.
“You’re being stupid,” Jolie told me two days after the kiss when I skipped out on going to the coffee shop. “Even if he’s there, he’ll be too busy to deal with you and all your crazy shit.”
“That’s not why I’m not going,” I lied. “I promised Dani I’d call her tonight.”
“I’m sure that’s exactly what she wants…to leave Tabor and advise you on what you should do.”
“Shut up,” I laughed, tossing a pillow at her. “Look, I’m really tired, maybe another night.”
“Fine.” She huffed, walked to the kitchen, and grabbed her things before looking over her shoulder. “He won’t be available for long.”
She left our apartment without another word, but the ones she left me with were enough to keep me awake all night. I knew it was true, but I couldn’t force myself into something I wasn’t ready for.
By the time Friday night rolled around, I was all set for a relaxing night in. Granted, all I’d been doing was relaxing, but it wasn’t like I had to get up the next morning.
Jolie walked into my room and started rummaging through my closet while I watched. Callie walked into our apartment and I glared at my roommate for leaving the door unlocked.
“What? I knew it was her,” she answered.
“Where are you two going?” I asked.
“We’re going to open mic night…and so are you,” Jolie said.
“Yep. Get dressed,” Callie said.
“Why don’t we stay here and watch an old movie,” I offered.
“You’ve been here and at work all week. Besides, tonight is the ‘another night’ you referred to earlier this week.”
“Jo, I’m tired.”
“I don’t give a shit. You promised me fun and that you’d find places to show me. Well, I haven’t been to open mic night yet, and damn it, you’re taking me,” she said sternly before tossing a black shirt and a pair of jeans on my bed. “You have ten minutes to get ready.”
She walked out of my room and Callie trailed behind quickly. I didn’t blame her. Hell, Jolie could be quite intimidating when she needed to make a point. There really wasn’t much for me to think about, because I did want to go, but I didn’t want to want to go. Things between Wyatt and me weren’t good. We weren’t friends, we weren’t anything. It hadn’t been my intention when I’d walked over to his place, but that’s what I got.
Reluctantly, I got dressed and pulled my hair into a ponytail, finding my friends waiting for me in the living room. Callie was sitting on the sofa drinking a beer while Jolie was
telling her a story. They both turned to look at me when I emerged and smiled at their success.
“Do you need one?” Callie asked, lifting her beer in the air.
“You two are making too big a deal out of this. I’m fine.”
“Yeah,” Jolie scoffed. “So fine… How many times have you seen him this week?”
“Wyatt told Dallas that he knew you were avoiding him,” Callie said.
“He did?”
She nodded, and I swear I shrunk to nothing more than an inch tall. I couldn’t pretend that I adulted at all when it came to Wyatt. I reminded myself of those stupid girls who played games…but I wasn’t playing a game. That wasn’t my intention at all.
I inhaled and walked toward the door. “Let’s go.”
***
The coffee shop was packed, as expected, and I glanced around to see if Wyatt was somewhere.
Dallas was in the corner holding a table for us, and I noticed he’d met Atticus. We sat down and everyone started talking, but I was distracted trying to find Wyatt. I didn’t know why it was so important that I see him, but it was.
“I’m gonna get something to drink,” I said, leaving everyone behind.
Emma was at the counter, and when she saw me I noticed she huffed and shook her head.
“Hey Emma,” I said when I was closer.
“What can I get for you?” she asked, a chill in her tone.
“Is he here?”
“He’s taking care of some things in the back,” she answered.
I looked past her, trying to glimpse into his office, but it was obstructed by a wall and boxes of things in the hallway. Emma stepped into my line of view, drawing my attention back to her.
“He’s a good guy,” she said as she worked on making a drink for a customer.
“I—he told—I know he is,” I finally conceded. “That’s what I wanted to tell him.”
“Tonight’s not a good night. It’s a packed house and we’re short…so maybe you can talk to him another night?”
“Yeah.” I nodded and turned to walk away.
Jolie was animated as she told our friends about her day, but I found it hard to feign interest. Callie looked over at me and gave me a questioning look, but all I could do was shrug. She lifted up her chin and smiled brightly at someone behind me. I knew it was him.
He greeted everyone with a friendly smile and made small talk, but seemed to be avoiding me.
“I’ll be right back,” he said before turning away.
I jumped to my feet and followed after him. I didn’t care that he was heading to his office or that Emma had asked me to back off for the night. The cold shoulder sucked.
I reached for his arm before he got to his office and he spun around, causing me to run into him.
“Sorry,” I said, stepping back to give him space.
“What are you doing back here, Viola?” He sounded disappointed when he said my name, and I hated that.
“I wanted to talk to you.”
“I’m really busy right now.”
“I know, and I’m sorry. I just wanted to apologize for the other night,” I said.
His eyes moved from mine to my lips and then back. I wanted so badly to have that moment back, and feel the way I had when we kissed.
“Nothing to apologize for,” he answered, his tone clipped.
“Wyatt, I know I was a jerk. I took out my issues on you and that wasn’t fair.”
“Don’t worry about it. Like I said, I got the hint and we’re good. Okay?”
“No. It’s not okay,” I argued. “You need to understand, I wasn’t upset that I kissed you and I don’t want you to think I regret that, because it was perfect.”
“Until you flipped out.”
“Yeah. Until that,” I said with a sigh. “I wish I were in a better place so that I could take a chance with you, but I’m just not ready yet.”
“I get it. But just so you know…I’m not playing any games with you. I think I’ve been pretty obvious with what I want, but just in case it wasn’t clear to you, it’s you. I like being around you and making you smile. You’re slightly irritating, but I like that too.”
I reached out for his hand and threaded our fingers together.
“Wyatt.”
“Don’t say anything,” he said quietly.
It was only a matter of time before someone came looking for me, or needed his help, so I raised myself up on my toes and lifted my hand to his face as I kissed him chastely on the lips. His free hand was resting on the small of my back, pressing me gently to him. When we separated, I was thankful for the dim lights so he couldn’t see the tears that stung my eyes.
“I’ll see you around,” I whispered as I let go of his hand.
He let his hand fall away, and the regret that flooded my veins was heavy. He didn’t try to stop me and I didn’t turn around to face him either.
Callie, Dallas, and Jolie were sitting at the table with Atticus, talking and laughing, when I returned.
“You okay?” Callie whispered.
I plastered on a smile and nodded quickly before pointing to the woman stepping onto the stage. She had striking magenta hair and a classic guitar with stickers all over it. She grabbed a stool and began strumming a slow, morose tune that matched my current mood. It was a song about losing someone and how it guts the one left behind…things I knew all too well.
I could feel Wyatt’s eyes on me, and though I fought the pull to look in his direction, I gave in. He smiled at me, though it didn’t reach his eyes, and then whispered something to Emma before disappearing again.
My friends and I were talking about the last performer when I heard someone clearing their throat near me. I looked up to see Emma waiting impatiently for me to go to her. Her arms were crossed and she looked pretty annoyed, but I smiled anyway.
“Hey. I know you said tonight was a bad night, but I just needed to air some things out,” I said when I stood in front of her.
“None of my business,” she said. “And for what it’s worth, I do like you, but you said some shitty things to him.”
I didn’t respond because she was right. And I’d just admitted as much to Wyatt myself moments before.
Emma handed me a piece of paper and started to walk off but turned to face me again. “If you’re really not interested, don’t lead him on.”
I was close to telling her to mind her own damn business. I didn’t owe her any explanations and I was pretty pissed that his jealous little guard dog was attacking me. Then I remembered that Wyatt had said she was like a sister to him and figured she was only doing what someone does when they love someone else.
It was then that I realized that he might have seen her as a sister, but Emma had feelings for him—and not of the friendly variety. She liked him, maybe even loved him. My cold, bitchy heart thawed a little and I simply nodded in understanding. I waited until she was gone before looking at the piece of paper she handed me.
Wyatt and his damn notes…just like a kid in grade school.
I wasn’t sure what I expected to find in the note, but what he wrote surprised me.
I won’t be kissing you again until you are divorced.
~Earp
I couldn’t tell if it was a promise or a challenge, and I wasn’t sure which one sounded more appealing.
Chapter 14
The note was burning a hole in my pocket, so when I got home that night, I placed it inside my top drawer. Why did I keep it? I didn’t have an answer.
And rather than let things put a strain on our mutual group of friends, I walked over to Wyatt’s place the next morning and knocked on his door. Dallas and Callie dragged Jolie out for the same hike they took me, but she enjoyed that sort of thing. It was a beautiful, sunny Saturday morning and I didn’t want to waste it.
“Are you busy today?” I blurted out when he answered the door.
“Good morning to you too.”
“Sorry. I was just wondering, if you’re not doing anythin
g today, if I could take you up on that offer to show me around your favorite places.”
He cocked his head to the side and watched me for a moment. He thought I was insane. The evidence was written all over his face. Just the night before, I’d kissed him, while at the same time telling him I wasn’t ready to start anything.
I was confusing myself.
“You’ve probably got something going on. I’m sorry, maybe another time,” I said as I turned to walk back to my place.
Wyatt didn’t stop me, or say anything, and I felt like an even bigger fool. I closed my door behind me and squeezed my eyes shut, embarrassed that I had gone to him.
There was a knock behind me and I jumped away quickly.
“It’s Wyatt. Can I come in?”
I opened the door and flashed a small smile. He stepped in and grabbed the back of his neck as he turned to face me.
“I’m trying to make this not be weird between us,” I said.
“I think we can both agree that it is weird.”
“Yes. But Wyatt, we have friends in common, and we’ve hung out before. I just want to get back to that.”
He exhaled and dropped his hands to his sides. “Okay. Then let’s do it.”
“Really?”
“Sure.” He shrugged. “Why not?”
“Okay, this is great. What should I wear?” I asked, overly excited.
“Comfortable shoes?”
“Do you like to hike too?”
“Hell no,” he said quickly. “But I do have some errands to run, so you can come with me.” He started to leave my apartment but turned around and looked at me. “This doesn’t change anything…I’m still not going to kiss you.”
My jaw dropped open and remained that way until he had closed the door behind him. There I was trying to make things “normal” for us, and then he goes and says something like that?
I could have let his words rattle me, but I was determined to move on and hopefully keep things from becoming any weirder than they were. In the short time I’d known him, he’d become friends with Callie, was roommates with Dallas, and was someone Jolie actually liked. I refused to have it on my conscience that things went south.