Sara's Unyielding Lover (The Lovers Series)

by Black, Joslyn

  “I’m completely serious, Jo Ann is really worried about Sara, and thinks you’re gonna hurt her or use her. I told her how it really was with you and Tracy. I also told her out of all the girls I’ve seen you with that you are completely different with Sara. She said she believed me but I don’t think she really does. I told her I’d talk to you and let you handle it.”

  “I can’t believe she would say anything like that. I need to talk to her and straighten this shit out.” Eric turned to leave the men’s room.

  Gio followed him out. “What are you gonna do?”

  “I told you I’m going to talk to her.”

  Gio pulled on his arm to stop him. “You’re gonna do this shit now don’t you think it’d be better if you did this at your place.”

  Eric yanked his arm out of Gio’s hand. “No I’m gonna straighten this shit right fucking now.” He left Gio standing in the bathroom hallway and started to cut through the people on the dance floor. Gio just shook his head and went back to the group. “This is gonna be one long fucked up night.” Was his continuous thought.

  Walking up to the bar he called the bartender over. “Yeah give me three shots of Jose 1800.”

  Matt hearing his order laughed at him. “You trying to get wasted bro?”

  “Nah just trying to get in the party mood.”

  Sara looked around but she didn’t see Eric. “Hey Gio have you seen Eric he went to the men’s room, but he’s been gone awhile.”

  After throwing back his first shot he looked to Sara she was feeling uneasy he could tell, her eyebrows were scrunch making that little ridge between them and she was chewing on her lip. “Yeah he’s still there he’s on the pot.” He shrugged

  “Oh ok, Jo Ann switch to Coke you’ve had your two, I will just take that from you.” She reached across and took the martini Jo Ann had just ordered. “And since it’s a crime to waste good alcohol I’ll drink it.” She smiled at the pouty face Jo Ann was making it was so picturesque will her bottom lip stuck out.

  Jo Ann moving to the music in her seat pulled on Sara’s hand. “Come on I wanna dance some more.”

  Sara pulled her hand back “Ok ok let me pee first”

  Jo Ann gaffed “Fine”

  Laughing at Jo Ann’s aggravation Sara hopped of the bar stood and started to weave her way to the bathroom hallway. She was still smiling over Jo Ann when came to the entrance of the bathroom hallway and froze unable to move unable to speak, her mind began to scream “No!, it can’t be, why, why, lying bastard!”

  Further down the hall Eric was pressed up against the wall holding Tracy’s wrists while kissing her. They didn’t even notice she was standing 10ft away. Tears started stream down her face her mascara leaving the trail of tears black. “Stop standing here like an idiot Move! Move! Leave!” Her mind still screaming she finally unfroze, swiping her hands across her cheeks trying to wipe away her tears. She turned and plowed her way through the crowd back to the bar where everyone was sitting. Jo Ann taking a drink of her Coke stops mid-way to her mouth as she caught sight of Sara. She nearly dropped her Coke on the floor jumping off the barstool; she rushed over to Sara and grabbed her by both arms.

  Jo Ann jumping off her barstool caught the attention of everyone sitting with them and they all turned to see where she was rushing to. That’s when they all saw Sara. All three talking at once.

  Brianna: Sara?

  Gio: Shit.

  Matt: What?

  “Sara what’s wrong what happened” Jo Ann’s voice filled with concern was a little off tone.

  Sara just shook head still wiping the tears from her face, her voice breaking as she tried to talk through the sobs that were trying to break free. “I ne need to leave n now please, now Jo Ann pl please.”

  Rubbing her hand up and down Sara’s arms Jo Ann agreed “Ok ok we’ll leave. Do you have a tab you need to pay?”

  “N no it’s on EErick’s tab.”

  Jo Ann wrapped her arm around Sara as they started to leave; Jo Ann threw a withering look over her shoulder at Gio; who was running his hands through his hair.

  Chapter 31

  Leaving Gio behind Eric went to look for Tracy he wanted to straighten all this shit out. Pushing his way through the dance floor he spots Tracy in the middle dancing with the blonde chick Matt had been talking up all night. He saw Tracy smile as he walked up to her. She started to dance in front of him very provocatively but 1. He wasn’t interested and 2. He was pissed. He leaned down to yell in her ear so she could hear him over the music.

  “Trace I need to talk to you.” He nudged his head gesturing to the back. “Come on Tracy.” Tracy stopped dancing and Eric placed his hand on the small of her back leading her to the back bathroom hallway where it was quieter. Once there he leaned against the wall in a relaxed position, he didn’t want Tracy thinking he was verbally attacking her. He was going to have a calm conversation. At least that was what he was telling himself. Tracy had a big smile on her face and she was standing a little to close. Tracy being taller than Sara and wearing 6inch heels was closer to Eric’s eyelevel, she place her hand in the middle of his chest and batted her eyes as she looked at Eric.

  “What’d you want to talk about?” She was trying to make her voice sultry and playful.

  Eric was looking at her thinking “She’s either had too much to drink or I was as stupid as Gio said ignoring all the little signs and signals.”

  He took her hand off his chest and placed it at her side. At his rebuff Tracy took a small step back and crossed her arms over chest. Eric stuck his hands in his pockets and cutting the crap went right for it.

  “What did you say to Sara on the car ride over here?”

  Eric could see she was shocked at his question her body stiffened and eyes grew big, but only for a second she regrouped quickly.

  “Nothing really we were talking about relationships and I remember hearing that we was divorced and I told her how sorry I was for loss of a 10yr marriage.” She was trying to sound nonchalant.

  “Why would you even bring that up?” “She’s with me” Eric saw a slight roll of her eyes when he said that. “So bringing that subject up was just inappropriate.”

  Tracy shifted her weight on to her other hip and gestured with her hand as she spoke. “I’m sorry I wasn’t trying to offend her she must have taking it the wrong way I’ll apologize.” Her voice was anything but sincere.

  “What about the stuff you said about us? You know damn well we would hook up from time to time. I never gave you hickies, I never claimed you as mine and I sure as shit was not romantic with you.” His voice started to rise with each accusation he threw at her.

  Her arms dropped from her chest, her face down cast her eyes appealing when she replied. “It is true” She was very adamant when she continued “Every time we went to a party you tell everyone I was with you.”

  “I only said that so people wouldn’t fuck with you.”

  “When we were together you’d always whisper romantic things in my ear.”

  Eric was so amused by her words he would have laughed; but she was serious. “Did you ever listen to what I was saying? I wasn’t saying sweet nothings I was telling you how good a fuck you were.”

  Tracy shook her head disagreeing with everything Eric was saying.

  “We had deeper feelings for each other, why do you think I did what I did it was because I love you and I know you had deep feelings for me too. You can't respond to me and make love to me the way you did without having feelings for me.”

  She put both her hands on his chest looking at him eyes pleading for him to feel the same.

  “Tracy we never made love we just fucked, you saved my life and I thank you for that, you took the wrap for me I didn't expect that I didn't ask you to do that and every time you've needed help I've helped because of what you did for me. But you need to understand there is nothing between us but friendship.”

  Tracy's voice became more adamant and fierce her face tightening her eyes pi
ercing. “No you're just confused because of her. Before her we were doing great we always had dinner together relaxed watch TV together.”

  “Tracey we did that as friends as roommates you need to get this through your head there's nothing between us. I’ve never given you false signals or signs.”

  “No there's something there.” Without warning Tracy raise her hands that were resting on his chest, grabbed hold of his face and kissed him.

  For a minute Eric was frozen in complete shock over Tracy's assault, he grabbed her wrists trying to pull her hands away from his face; he didn’t want to grip her and pull to hard he didn’t want to hurt her. He did not kiss her back he only opened his mouth to tell her to stop. Finally he is able to pry her clinging hands away from his face without hurting her and he gave her a slight push back to put some space between them. Tracy was crying now having been completely rejected by him.

  Eric softened his voice and ran a hand though his hair. “Tracy I think it's best that after tonight you find somewhere else to stay, if you still don’t have the money saved for the deposit and first month’s rent I’ll give it to you.”

  Tracy had one of her arms wrapped around her own waist and one covering her mouth trying to cover her sobs her face bleak. Eric didn't like that he was the cause of her pain but he needed her to face the truth. He was never in love with her and that they were only friends; although after tonight that might not even be true.

  Eric didn't know what to say with Tracy crying in front of him, should they go back to the bar have more drinks or should he suggest that she take a cab home? He decided to just ask with his face furrowed and his voice pained.

  “Trace do you wanna go back to the bar or do you want me to call you a cab home?”

  Her voice dead emotionless she answered. “I'll take a cab home.” She paused for a minute wiped the tears off her face and then looked back to Eric “She'll never love you as much as I do.” She then turned away from him pushing her way through the crowd headed towards the front door to leave.

  Eric couldn't believe the drama that was unfolding on a Friday night that supposed to be just a kickback relax night. He ran his hands through his hair, he took in a deep cleansing breath blew it out and then started to walk back to the bar. When he got close to the spot of the bar where his cousins were seated he looked around and he did not see Sara or Jo Ann. He turned to search the dance floor to see if he could find them but they weren't there either. He walked up behind Gio and tapped him on the shoulder, he noticed as he looked over Gio’s shoulder that he had four empty shot glasses in front of him. Gio doing shots was never a good sign; he'd only drink shots when he was really stressed out and just wanted to get wasted to not think about whatever was stressing him. When he looked at his other two cousins he got the distinct vibe that everyone was stressed and upset.

  “What’s going on where are Sara and Jo Ann?” He looked to each one of their faces waiting for an answer. Matt just avoided his eye contact taking deep pulls from his beer like he didn't hear him, Brianna was giving him the evil eye and Gio, Gio just ran his hand down his face blowing out air exasperated. Holding his fifth shot in his hand Gio just started mumbling to himself.

  “I warned you, I told you, you wouldn't listen now look what happened, look at this shit.”

  Eric was totally confused now and he's getting aggravated he'd already had to deal with this Tracy crap now apparently there was something else going on. He held up his hands in question.

  “Someone want to clue me in”

  Brianna was the one who spoke up.

  “Well I’m guessing it must have something to do with you and that bitch because there's nothing else I can think of that would make Sara cry the way she was.”

  Chapter 32

  Sara held it together through the club and parking lot but once she got in Jo Ann’s car she broke into fitful sobs. She covered her face with both hands bent over in the seat while rivers of tears flowed down her face. Jo Ann started the car and they left, she waited a couple of minutes before she asked what was wrong. She wanted to give Sara a bit to calm down. Jo Ann spoke keeping her voice soft and calm.

  “Sara, can you tell me what happened? I’m really worried and I don’t know what’s wrong which is making me worry that much worse.” Pointing to her glove box. “There are tissues in there.”

  Sara reached forward to open the glove box and retrieve the tissues. She wiped her face, under her eyes removing the smudged mascara and then blew her nose. She stopped crying thou her body still trembled. Her voice was horse from her crying her eyes were empty her face blank numb from her pain.

  “I saw them.”

  “Saw who Sara?” Jo Ann thou driving kept glancing every so often at Sara.

  “Eric and Tracy, they were in the bathroom hallway, he was holding her and they were kissing.”

  “No fucking way! Oh my God Sara, I’m so sorry.”

  Sara didn’t say any more, she just stared out the window. Her phone began to chime as text message after txt message came, she ignored them all. Then her phone began to ring, she shut it off.

  “Can I stay at your place tonight?”

  Jo Ann looked over to Sara she was still just staring out the window.

  “Yes of course you can.”

  “Thank you.”

  The rest of the car ride to Jo Ann’s condo was silent.

  ***

  “What are you talking about Brianna?” His was short, curt and his face had set with a grimace. “What happened?”

  “She went to go to the bathroom before dancing some more with her friend. She came back crying and asking her friend to take her home.” Brianna was practically spitting the words at him with vehemence.

  “Shit!” He put he hands on the bar leaning with his head down.

  “What did you do?” Brianna had crossed her arms with a scowl on her face waiting for his reply.

  “Gio told me what happened in the car ride over here.”

  Brianna was confused now “Gio? How’d Gio Know?”

  After downing his next shot Gio explained “Jo Ann told me when we were dancing.”

  “Any way I was confronting her on what she said telling her like it is she kept refusing to believe what I was saying then she kissed me, but I pulled her off and pushed back.”

  Matt who had been sitting silent this whole time finally spoke but whether he was talking to Eric or to himself was uncertain because he was looking down at his beer and his voice was low.

  “Sounds to me like she saw the kissing and not the pushing.”

  “Shit!” Eric yelled again, he pulled out his phone and started texting Sara.

  Brianna with one eyebrow raised her arms still crossed her tone of voice accusatory “How long did it take you to push her away? Because I’m pretty sure if it was immediately then Sara would have seen it.”

  Eric gave her a scathing look. “Shut the fuck up you weren’t there.” Sara wasn’t responding to text, so he tried calling it went straight to voice mail.

  “Excuse me.” Eric called lifting his hand trying to get the bartenders attention.

  “Yes sir, another round?”

  “No I want to settle my tab and add whatever theirs is to mine.” He handed over his credit card. When the bartender returned with his receipt he threw down a fifty for a tip. “Come on it’s time to go.”

  They all collectively got up to leave Matt took one last swig of his beer and Brianna handed over her phone number to the bartender she’d been talking to all night.

  As they were loading up into Matt’s Tahoe Gio noticed that Tracy wasn’t with them.

  “Hey where’s Tracy?”

  Matt shrugged not knowing.

  Brianna’s replied with an uninterested tone. “Who cares.”

  Eric climbing into the front seat informed them “She took a cab home.”

  Brianna looked to Eric appalled her voice shrill. “You mean you’re still gonna let her stay with you!?”

  Eric slammi
ng the door shut glaring at Brianna. “No I told after tonight she should find somewhere else to stay.”

  The ride back to Eric’s house was quiet. Gio having drunk 4 beers and 6 shots fell asleep. Matt was messing around on his phone and Brianna just kept shooting evil looks at Eric, Eric kept trying to get ahold of Sara but it was no use she probably turned her phone off and he never did get Jo Ann’s number. Next to the people she worked with Sara didn’t know anyone so there was no one he could call to find out where she was or get a message through.

  Once they arrived at Eric’s Brianna tossed the keys to Matt and with nothing more than a “Bye” thrown over her shoulder she got in her car and left. Gio was still asleep in the back. Matt looked to his brother sleeping in his car than at Eric. “Hey do you mind if we crash on your couch. He’s out of it and I’m only buzzed but don’t want to risk it.”

  As Eric was digging out his keys to his car he looked at Matt when he answered. “Yeah that’s fine you know where extra blankets and stuff is.” He then started walking towards his car.

  Matt called out after him. “You’re not going to drive to her place are you?”

  Eric stopped. “Yeah why?”

  Matt seemed to contemplate on what he was gonna say he didn’t want to pissed Eric off but he needed to be honest so he chose his words carefully. “Ok well 1st you’ve had what 5-6 beers, yeah you’re not drunk but if you get pulled over you’ll probably blow at legal or just above, 2nd what are the chances she’s actually gonna talk to you tonight, you didn’t see her man she was beyond just being upset. She’s not answering your calls or texts, I say you let her cool down and fix this tomorrow.”

  Eric didn’t want to listen but he did have a point.

  “Yeah ok you’re right, let’s get Gio in the house.”

  With a stupefied Gio in between them they walked up the pathway and went inside. All the lights were off so Eric assumed either Tracy was sleeping or she wasn’t here. They laid Gio down onto Eric’s tan microfiber sofa; Eric walked down the hall to get extra blankets and pillows from the linen closet. When he came back Matt was asleep on his recliner, fully laid back. He placed the pillows and blankets on the love seat if they got cold they could stand up and get them.