Betting Against the Odds

by Morgan, Sabrina

  “Oh Penelope I will always answer for you I will talk to you later I have a client take care of yourself and call me if any more problems occur and My wife says behave no boys.”

  I laughed, “Oh tell her I am behaving thanks again Doc.”

  I hung up the phone taking off my shirt to change the bandage wrapping when Matt came in pausing as he saw me, “Do you need help?” he asked his voice husky.

  “Yea actually I do,” I moved my hair so he could put the medicine the tattoo artist gave us over my tattoo covering it.

  Matt’s fingers lingered over my new fairy tracing it as he leaned in kissing my shoulder softly, “beautiful” he whispered.

  He finished my tattoo as I helped him with his which was on his thigh I couldn’t help but let my fingers linger up and down his leg feeling the muscles ripple against my touch. He must have enjoyed it to because he groaned out loud pulling me up by my shoulders grabbing me and kissing me like a man possessed. He let me go breathing heavily as we tried to catch our breaths.

  He swiped his finger down my nose, “These tattoos are dangerous,” he said as I laughed pulling him out of the room into the media room with the rest of our friends to eat and watch a movie.

  I sat next to Matt grinning as he pulled me onto his lap holding me still and all I could think was yup these tattoos are dangerous.

  Ch. 8: Send a Message in a Bottle (Matt’s POV)

  This has been the best vacation so far. Hollywood is amazing a little pricey but there are thousands of things to do that keeps us entertained but the best part is the nights with Penelope in my arms we have done nothing more than make out and touch softly but damn does she turn me on. Even now just waking up holding her makes my heart beat a little faster that it kind of scares me because I have never felt this way before not even with Isabella.

  Isabella was my high school girlfriend turned fiancée; I was happy with her thought I loved her but then one night I found her in our apartment; in our bed with my best friend Ian. Turns out Ian and her being sleeping together for the past year and even though she was the lying cheater it was somehow all my fault; her excuse because I wasn’t given her all my time.

  I shook off the thoughts of that night along with the years I wasted on her and my so called best friend focusing on the girl who laid in my arms her tempting curves pushing into my hard body. My Penelope would never do that to me she would never hurt me like Isabella did. I kissed her neck gently making her stir in her sleep I then moved my lips over her sext tattoo pressing kisses all along it as she let out a moan I smiled knowing that it was me making her feel this way. I don’t know what she and I were doing but whatever this was left me feeling breathless every day.

  She faced me blinking her eyes awake as I stared down at her smiling. She noticed me smiling automatically before her brain clicked on and soon she was covering her mouth, “morning Breath” she would say; silly girl little does she know I could care less about her supposed morning breath. She didn’t feel the same way though as she pushed me away jumping out of bed to the bathroom I gave a laugh as I followed her waiting until I heard the water; knocking on the door and stepping beside her so I could brush my teeth, too.

  We finished brushing our teeth going to our room so we could get dressed it was already one in half weeks into this vacation and we were set to leave in another week in a half two days after Valentine’s day. Our next stop was New Orleans where we will stay for two weeks for Mardi Gras. Luke and I were planning this huge Valentine’s Day for the girls who will end with Luke popping the question to Anna again but I have a feeling this time she would say yes.

  I was putting on my shirt when I turned to see Penelope taking her pills for her migraines, I don’t know a lot about migraines but that seemed like a lot of pills for someone to take for headaches. My mind flashed back to the day she freaked out and cried about her vision it was so fucking scary that I couldn’t move or breathe until Anna came out telling us she would be fine.

  I gave my head a shake releasing the thoughts Penelope was fine she is fine and right now she is looking at me like I am crazy. I gave her a smile holding my hand out for her to take as we left the room to Luke and Anna.

  It was already Thursday so we decided to tackle something else on Penelope’s list so we sat with the list spread before us as we contemplated what to do. The twins were out today because they had to work so it was just us four.

  “So how about the message in a bottle?” Anna asked us while Penelope smiled widely.

  “Yea that sounds awesome we could all go down to the beach… oh how about Huntington Beach I heard that place was beautiful and they let you do does bonfires at night,” Penelope was talking so animatedly that I couldn’t help but put my arms around her pulling her closer to me.

  Luke gave me a wink as put his two sense into the conversation, “That will be awesome we can bring a picnic some drinks well we relax on the beach.”

  We all agreed as we started packing our food and other necessary items.

  By the time we got to the beach it was already 4:30 the sun getting ready to set making the water glitter. Luke and I set up our stuff next to a bonfire pit well Anna laid blankets out to sit on. I looked towards the beach watching Penelope stare out into the water her face looked blissful but the tears streaking down her face had me catching my breath. I didn’t think my feet were automatically took me towards her. I wrapped my arms around her waist her body stiffening up until she slowly started to relax resting her head against my shoulder as we watched the sun set over the ocean.

  We stood there together for a while as Luka and Anna made their way toward us slowly Luke holding Anna like how I held Penelope; Anna reached for Penelope’s hand they looked at each other something passing between them as I looked at Luke in question but he seemed as confused as me.

  We broke apart as Anna dug throw her big beach bag passing out four bottles, four slip of papers, and four pens. We stood there for a second before writing down our messages to someone else we all decided we would share before letting them go.

  Luke’s message: Don’t live life regretting your past struggles and mistakes because those moments are just that moments they do not define you: you define yourself.

  Anna’s message: Size is just a number. Curvy is beautiful. Love is never ending. Death is inevitable but living is a choice so choose to live life to your fullest because you deserve it.

  Matt’s message: Life is full of drama and unsettling moments but sometimes you find that one beautiful thing that makes you heart beat a little faster and your skin tingle and if you don’t and all else fails open a pub so you can drink away you sorrows just kidding :>{}

  Penelope’s message: When I leave this world and go to my next phase of life I hope to leave behind a piece of me in everyone I encounter. Life is short. Life is long. A person’s forever can be minute or it can be years. Time is not tangible it is not guaranteed so don’t waste it. I want you to smile big and wide even when you feel you can’t. Love with all your heart and soul even if they don’t love you back. And by all means be good, be respectful, help those around you, and wake up every morning knowing that YOU are special. YOU are one of kind. YOU are not replaceable. YOU will be missed. YOU will be loved. YOU should be proud to be YOU.

  We rolled our notes up placing them inside the bottle securing them as we laid them down in the water as the wave pulled them in. It was getting colder so I wrapped my arms around Penelope as we made our way to our stuff Luke lighting the fire.

  We sat there joking and smiling with one another shoving food into our mouths. I was mesmerized by the way Penelope ate the strawberries her sweet plump pink lips tempting me to taste and taste I did. She gasped in surprise as my lips landed on hers but she didn’t stop me or move away but she pulled me closer to her lips as I tasted her and allowed myself to get lost in her beautiful mouth scented with strawberry.

  We were getting more into it when I heard someone call my name I pulled away confused as t
he voice penetrated the fog of lust I was feeling. I looked over Penelope’s shoulder frowning when I saw Isabella standing there looking beautiful as always. A let myself take her in slowly remembering the times I held her body in my hands; making love to her. But then I remember seeing her screwing my best friend and the memories I was reliving vanquished along with my good mood.

  “What are you doing here?” I scowled at her angrily.

  She just smiled putting her hands on her small waist. She was tall, dark brown hair, beautiful green eyes, and she knew how to be seductive which she was trying now.

  She didn’t answer glancing at Luke and Anna quickly than examining Penelope who was looking at me in confusion I tried giving her a small smile of encouragement but she didn’t look happy. In fact she looked downright pissed especially when Isabella decided to talk.

  “Now Matt is that anyway to talk to your fiancée,” Isabella said slowly, purring it out making Penelope flinch as if she was slapped.

  I quickly grabbed Penelope’s hand as I glared at the girl I thought I once loved, “My ex- fiancée and you know damn well that I haven’t spoken to you since I found you in my bed screwing my so-called best friend so why are you here.”

  Isabella frowned, “I Live his with my cousin I am a model now,” she walked towards me squatting down effectively making me move my hand from Penelope and moving her out of my way. She pushed her breast into my chest and I instinctively looked down than back at her face which was smiling, “I miss you Matt I made a mistake but we were good together just call me when ever and I will meet you. There are some things we need to talk about regardless and you know it.” She got up kissing me on the lips and waving bye to us as she swayed her hips leaving me confused and bewildered.

  I must have looked dazed or something because all of a sudden Penelope was walking away and Anna was running after her and Luke glaring at me. I went to get up to follow Penelope but Luke pushed me down by my shoulder.

  I glared at him but her just shook his head no, “Don’t dude I don’t know what the hell you were thinking but you don’t make out with one girl and then have another girl throw themselves at you. Let alone the other girl be supermodel thin, beautiful, and supposedly you ex- fiancée and not only that but you let her kiss you well you ogled her body” Luke stopped shaking his head angrily.

  I sat there stunned when he started speaking again, “I like Pen. She is different innocent and kind and Annabeth says she feels like Pen. has things in life that we can’t possibly understand now I don’t know why she is doing this bucket list or anything but what I don’t know is the way you look at her is the way I look at my cupcake. You might not know yet but you are falling for her and I have a feeling she is falling for you but even though she is confident she is insecure about her weight, looks, and whatever else is bugging her and now you just fucked up by making her feel like nothing. You discarded her just like her parents.”

  I sat there in shock letting his words sink in as I watched him walk towards the girls saying something to make them laugh. I watched as Penelope smiled at him her face lighting up and I knew everything that Luke said was correct and now I had to fix it.

  Penelope hasn’t said a word to me in three days and I was going crazy so damn crazy. I slept on the couch as she slept in the room with the door locked. She looked tired her eyes were red and she was having more headaches but supposedly her doctor was getting her prescriptions ready in three days.

  I haven’t contacted Isabella and I didn’t want to but I knew that didn’t matter to Penelope at all. I told Anna and Luke to not be home tonight for I decided to cook Penelope dinner to try to get us back on track.

  I was simmering a bowl of pasta sauce when Penelope opened the door about to speak when she saw me standing in the kitchen, “Where are Anna and Luke?” she asked quietly.

  I almost dropped my spoon at the sound of her talking to me, “Um they went out for dinner so I decided to make us some of my mom’s famous Chicken Alfredo and breadsticks.”

  I smiled at her warmly encouraging her to stay but she just shook her head, “I don’t think this is a good idea Matt I am tired I have been getting a lot of headaches.”

  I went towards her slowly, “Please love let me explain this whole thing with Isabella,” she started to turn away but I grabbed her softly, “Please I thought we were friends?”

  She stopped turning around to look at my face taking in my features she gave me a quick nod sitting down as I rushed to plate our food.

  “Who is she?” she asked.

  I smiled at the question happy for the fact that she wants to talk I placed our food down her thanking me as I sat across from her, “Isabella and I dated for three years in high school she was my first love right after we got an apartment with each other. I asked her to marry me she said yes.”

  I stopped talking well Penelope looked at me solemnly, “What happened?”

  I sighed reaching for my wine, “Well one day I went home early from work I heard noises in my bedroom. I opened my door and there she was having sex with my best friend Ian.”

  “Oh my God. Seriously?” Penelope dropped her fork as I sat there remembering that day.

  I smiled at her a small smile, “Yup it turns out that they were seeing each other for a year before I caught them and you want to know the funny thing even though she and him were in the wrong I was at fault because I ignored her, worked too much, and I didn’t love her right. But the thing is I worked long hours to provide for all her shopping she did. She broke my heart.”

  Penelope glanced down and spoke softly to me, “Do you still love her?”

  I smiled at her widely grabbing her hand, “No love I don’t I think I never truly did she was comfortable and I thought the next step was marriage. I thought she broke my heart but really she broke the man in me my pride.”

  She grabbed her wine raising it up, “Well let’s toast to new beginnings and no more cheating lying anorexic girls.”

  I laughed out loud grabbing my glass clinking it with hers, “Cheers”.

  We sat there finishing eating and drinking the rest of the wine. We decided to take some popcorn and another bottle of wine to watch the movie “If I Stay”

  It was a good movie a girly movie and Penelope was crying so hard by the time it was over that next to her laid a whole box of used tissues. I smiled at her pulling her hair, “You are such a wimp my love”

  She hit my shoulder as she laughed, “I am not a wimp I am just overly sensitive.”

  I pulled her into my arms but she pulled away. I tensed up looking at her, “I thought we were okay now. I mean I explained Isabella to you and I thought we could erase it or something.”

  She looked so sad as she spoke, “I do understand Matt but I honestly don’t think we should be close how we are”

  I shook my head not understanding, “I don’t know what you me like how?”

  She blew out a breath, “I mean we shouldn’t kiss or hug anymore its confusing and I don’t want to be hurt and I don’t want to hurt you. So let’s be platonic just friends nothing else.”

  I didn’t like it. I didn’t like it all but I knew I messed up and now I would have to prove myself all over again to her so I smiled holding out my hand, “Fine then we have a deal friends and nothing else.”

  Luke and Anna came home later that night giving me a look of question as I shook my head. Anna smiled at Penelope as we planned out our next bucket list item one more week to go in Hollywood and then we are off to New Orleans.

  Ch. 9: Write My Name in Wet Cement (Penelope’s POV)

  This week was almost over and I was thankful for it the twins were great and so was everything else but my relationship with Matt was completely differently it was filled with tension. I was questioning everything I said and Matt seemed to be walking on egg shells around me. I didn’t know how I was supposed to feel about everything I was scared Matt would realize that he wanted the second chance with his ex- fiancée I mean why would he she was f
reaking beautiful and she said she was a model.

  We decided that today we would write our names in cement the problem was figuring out where we would go. The twins came up with a solution quickly stating that we could do it in front of their house. We decided to meet up later to have a barbeque before the cementing ceremony. We were all lying around being lazy waiting for the time to leave when I decided that it was time for me to call Elaina and see what was going on and that side of the state.

  The phone rang four times before she answered, “Hello Penny is that you?”

  I smiled at the sound of her voice, “El, holy shit I miss you girl? How is everything? How is your mother?”

  “Mom is fine she is feeling a little weak but she is getting better slowly but surely. How are you girl? Anything happen?”

  I smiled, “Well me and Matt made out like teenagers for a week or so until I found out he had a fiancée who happened to be here and she is a model and she is beautiful and now Matt and I are no longer making out instead we are walking around each other like we are not sure what to do or how to feel.”

  “Holy shit mamacita you been gone two weeks and already so much drama. But I have to say that I like Matt and you together you guys complement each other. I know you though and you are feeling insecure and shit about this ex- woman and believe me you have no reason to be worried about that drama at all.”

  I gave a sigh, “But he kissed her and basically eye raped her after he made out with me like a minute after.”

  “I know honey but he didn’t react to her kiss he was just surprised I mean he told you that he hadn’t seen her since the day he caught her bonking his best bud. Now I say you get your head out of your ass and enjoy the fine piece of man who wants you. Okay?”

  “Okay” I said sighing, “But I don’t want to get hurt and I don’t want to hurt him I mean I am dying El, he won’t stick around if he knew that.”

  Elaina sighed in frustration, “Penny babe you are the only one who thinks like that I say you wanted to live now are you going to live your life trying not to fall in love with a hot man or are you going to allow yourself to fall so madly blindly in love that for once in your life you live to the fullest?”