by E. L. Todd
“Cosmo, please.”
I stood up. “Can I get anything for you, ladies?” I asked politely.
“No, thank you.” The blonde batted her eyelashes at me.
“I can get my own. “Alexia slid out of the booth and stood up.
Now we were way too close together. Just being near her pissed me off. I wanted to run away, but I wanted to yell at her at the same time. I never had the opportunity to tell her how much she hurt me. I never got to scream.
Unsure what to say, I turned and walked away. I headed for the bar, grateful I could turn my back and drop my look of indifference. I was going to order a beer but now I might have to get a scotch. How would I survive this night? I had to control my hatred around Alexia but I had to pretend to be in love with Patricia at the same time. How would I ever pull this off? “Scotch,” I said to the bartender. “Make it a double. And a cosmo.” I hated it when girls drank fruity drinks. Harper drank gin—because she was hot.
“Your plan seems to be working.” Her dreamy voice reached me and scratched my ears like nails on a chalkboard.
I didn’t turn to Alexia. I stared straight ahead, making sure she didn’t feel important or special. “I just hope you aren’t a bitch and blow it.”
“Patricia is my friend. I would never do that.”
What the hell was taking the bartender so long?
“You seem flustered.” She came closer to me, her arm touching mine.
I recoiled like a snake. “Don’t touch me.” My words came out venomous.
She did as I asked but didn’t walk away. “This is going to be a long night if we can’t get along…”
“Why do we have to talk at all?” I snapped. “Just go away.”
She remained rooted to the spot. “You still hate me.” Resignation was in her voice.
I wanted to grab a chair and break it on the bar. Anger coursed through me in waves. My skull was about to split from the scorching heat burning from my brain. I wanted to strangle this woman and watch her die in my arms. “What the hell do you think?” I finally turned to her, seeing that comely face I wish had no effect on me. “You think we’re just going to be friends? What the fuck is wrong with you?”
Her eyes were guarded and it was impossible to tell what she was thinking, like always. Even in our relationship, her inner thoughts were a mystery to me. Perhaps if I’d known, I would have predicted the epic way she ripped out my heart. “Troy, it’s been over a year. I just thought you would have let it go by now.”
“Let it go?” I released a laugh even though the situation was anything but funny. “We were together for three years and then you just left me. And you lied about it. I had to see you with some guy to figure out what really happened. And I was going to propose…I had the ring and everything.” Why did I tell her that? I was showing her my weakness and I hated myself for it. I was so fucking pathetic.
Her eyes softened for the first time in years. She regarded me differently, like she saw me as a new person. “You were going to propose…?”
“Why do you think I wanted to go to the Grand Canyon?” I spat. “Just because? I told you that place is just a dump and there’s nothing to see.”
Her eyes softened further. “That’s where you were going to do it?”
Why was I still talking to her? Why was I standing here? I was being paid to be someone else’s date, not stand here and go to battle with my ex. I hated the fact I was still attached to her, in some odd way. I hated the fact that when I looked at her, I still thought she was beautiful. “Fuck off, Alexia.” I grabbed the drinks the second the bartender put them down and hightailed it to my table.
Patricia grabbed the drink and took a sip. “What took so long?”
“I was talking to your friend Alexia. She’s very nice.” I put on a fake face and pretended my heart wasn’t broken all over again. Why did I have to tell Alexia I was about to propose? Why couldn’t I just let go of the past and move on?
Alexia returned to the table with her drink and sat right across from me.
I looked at anything but her, pretending she was a stranger. I kept my focus on Patricia, acting as a loving boyfriend that only cared about her. Her dress rose up when she sat down because it was already so short. But I didn’t look. I thought about the one thing that gave me comfort.
Harper.
***
The second I dropped off Patricia at her door, I called Harper. It was late but I wanted to see her.
“Muh?” she said on the fifth ring. She was clearly asleep.
“Did I wake you, sleepyhead?” I teased. The second I heard her voice I was in a better mood.
“Ugh…hmm.”
I cocked an eyebrow. “I don’t understand gibberish, Harper.”
“What do you want?” she finally said in a raspy voice.
“To see you, of course.”
“It’s almost one in the morning,” she argued.
“But I miss you.” I meant it. I meant it more than I realized.
“I’m too tired, Troy…”
“Can I sleep with you?” The last person I slept with was Alexia. The idea of sleeping so close to someone didn’t sound appetizing at all. But with Harper, it did.
“I’m not in the mood to get busy tonight.”
I laughed because she sounded half-dead. “I meant just sleep with you.” I didn’t want to be alone right now. I was too depressed. My conversation with Alexia was making me feel worse with every passing second.
“Okay,” she said. “But I look like hell right now.”
“I highly doubt that.”
“Let me paint a picture for you,” she said. “Messy bun, plaid pajama bottoms, and a t-shirt stained with syrup.”
“Why syrup?” I asked.
“Because I love waffles, alright? Get off my case.”
“You could wash your shirt…” She was such an odd ball sometimes.
“Or I could just go to bed and not care.”
I kept walking then entered her apartment building. “I’m almost there. I suggest you change your shirt.”
“Nope. You’re dropping by, and I refuse to accommodate someone stopping by at one in the morning.”
“Then I’ll lick the syrup away.”
“You would,” she said.
I reached her door and knocked. “Your Prince Charming has arrived.”
“Wait until you see your Cinderella.” She hung up then opened the door. She wore baggy pajama bottoms and a gray t-shirt with an obvious brown stain right in the front. Her hair was a mess and her face was free of make up. “Damn, you look hot,” I said sarcastically.
She smacked my arm. “Shut up!”
I laughed. “Guys must be drooling all over you.”
“You know what? If you’re going to make fun of me then forget it.” She tried to shut the door.
I burst inside before she could keep me out. “I’m kidding.”
“Liar.”
My arms moved around her waist and I pulled her close to me. She stopped fighting me immediately and actually melted at my touch. I could feel it and see it. Then I gave her a warm kiss. It made me feel alive. When I pulled away, I rubbed my nose against hers. “You want the truth?”
“Always.”
“I think you look adorable.” I eyed the stain on the front of her shirt. “Even if you’re really messy.”
A genuine smile broke out on her lips. “Yeah?”
“Oh yeah.” My hand moved under her shirt and up her naked back. She wasn’t wearing a bra and I loved the feel of her soft skin. The petite muscles of her back excited me. I couldn’t explain why. “Can I join you in bed?”
“It’s a miracle I’m awake now.”
“When did you become an old woman?” I teased.
“When I got a big girl job and started having responsibilities.”
I rolled my eyes. “Why can’t you have both?”
She shrugged. “Too tired.”
“Well, let’s head to bed.” I s
cooped her up and carried her in my arms.
“My Prince Charming is carrying me over the threshold,” she said in a snooty voice.
I entered her bedroom and placed her on the bed with the rumpled sheets. “Do you dance in your sleep?” I asked when I examined the bed.
“I toss and turn sometimes…” She got under the covers and sighed.
I stripped off my clothes down to my boxers then I lay beside her. She had a queen bed, which was a downgrade for me. I slept in a California King because of my height and size.
She turned on her side and faced me. “So?”
“So?” I snuggled with her and pulled her close to me. Her leg was hooked over my waist and our chests were pressed together. Her hand moved up my stomach and rested on the skin over my heart.
“Why are you here at one in the morning unless you wanted to get laid?”
“I missed you.”
“And that’s it?” she asked incredulously.
I shrugged.
“What happened to honesty, Troy?” She gave me that firm look I’d grown accustomed to.
The sadness enveloped me like a fog and I suddenly couldn’t find any reason to be happy. And the fact I felt this way and was unable to fight it off made me feel worse. “I saw Alexia.”
Her stern expression softened and she looked at me with pity. Her hand moved up my chest to my shoulder. She rubbed the muscle gently before she dug her fingers into my hair and played with the strands. “I’m sorry, Troy.”
“Yeah…” I swallowed the lump in my throat and moved my hand up her waist until I reached the area of her ribcage. She was so small. My hand could take up her entire stomach. I could crush her if I really wanted to.
She stared at me, silently asking me to open up to her.
“I was with a client, and that client happened to be friends with her. I tried to ignore Alexia, but she cornered me at the bar and said she wished I didn’t hate her, that a year was long enough to get over what happened. But then I said something really stupid.”
“What?” she asked.
“I told her I was going to propose right before she dumped me. The look of pity she gave me…” I shook my head. “I wish I hadn’t said that. I wish I could have a do-over.”
“What’s done is done,” she said gently. “And I hope it made her feel terrible.”
I shook my head slightly. “I wish I didn’t care about making her feel terrible. I want to walk into a room with her and not even care that she’s there. That’s all I want. I don’t ask for much.”
Harper continued to stroke my hair gently, with a loving touch. Her face was just inches from mine.
“My brother told me I don’t miss her at all. Actually, I just miss that relationship we have. I want to have that again but with the right person. I’m just too scared. That’s the real reason I have issues. And I resent her for that.”
“I agree with him.”
“You do?” I asked.
“You just need to let it go and give someone else a chance.”
I stared at her beautiful face, noting the flawless skin and gorgeous eyes. She just woke up but she was still magnificent. “I wish I could give you a chance.” I didn’t think when I spoke. I just said what was on my mind. Harper had become one of my closest friends. To say I adored her was an understatement.
“Maybe one day you will,” she whispered.
I released a sarcastic laugh. “You’re way out of my league, Harper. Let’s be honest here.”
“Where do you get that from?”
“First of all, you’re gorgeous. Second of all, you’re super cool. And third of all, I’m some loser who may or may not be hung up on my ex. The guy you end up with should spot you on the street and immediately know you are his future wife. You deserve a fairytale love story, not a man who uses you to get over someone else.”
She massaged my scalp. “I think you’re being too hard on yourself. The only quality I despise is deceit. As long as you’re honest with me, I don’t think less of you. If you were sleeping with me just to get over your ex without telling me, then I would hate you. But that’s not what you did, Troy.”
I shook my head. “Still not good enough for you, Harper. End of story.”
She cupped my face and kissed the corner of my mouth. “I think you’re one of the most wonderful men I’ve ever met.”
“Yeah?” I whispered.
“I do. You’re my friend and I love you.”
My heart kicked into overdrive and I felt winded. Those last words made me spiral out of control then land with a loud thud. I knew what context she meant them in but it still gave me chills. “I love you too, Harper.”
She smiled at me. “Now stop saying mean things about my friend.”
I smiled. “Sorry.”
“Because if you mess with him, you mess with me.”
“Got it.”
Her hand returned to my chest and she closed her eyes, getting ready to sleep.
I was tired and relaxed but I didn’t want to sleep. All I wanted to do was stare at her.
And that’s what I did.
***
Rhett texted me a few days later. You can’t avoid me forever, man.
He and I hadn’t spoken since I walked out on him. He pinned me down and knew exactly who I was. He knew I was lying about my promiscuous lifestyle, and he knew I was lying about Alexia. The fact he figured me out so easily bothered me the most. I was embarrassed I didn’t do a better job convincing him otherwise. I ignored his message then tuned my guitar.
If you don’t respond, I’m just going to stop by your apartment. I’ve given you enough space.
Fucking asshole. I assumed this problem would just go away by itself. Apparently, Rhett wouldn’t let it go. He let me slide by with my lies but now he had enough. The bad thing about having a best friend is having someone who knew you better than you knew yourself. It was fucking annoying.
So, what’s it going to be?
I was cornered. I’d rather meet him somewhere instead of having him stop by at a random time. It was the lesser of two evils. Fine. Beer?
Good choice. I’ll see you in an hour.
***
Rhett was already there when I walked inside. I grabbed a beer then slid into the booth across from him. The bar was quiet and there weren’t many people around. The silence bothered me. I wish it were loud so it would drown out my thoughts.
Rhett’s beer sat in front of him, and judging the foam on top, he hadn’t touched it.
I stared at him then looked out the window, saying nothing.
He didn’t say anything either.
Silence stretched forever.
“So…?” I turned back to him. “What’s up?”
“I’m waiting for you to tell me that.” He rested his hand on the glass but didn’t take a drink.
I hated it when people put me on the spot, waiting for me to talk first. It gave them all the power.
“So, Harper is decorating your beach house?”
The topic of Harper was safe. “Yeah, she did a great job. It looks brand new.”
He nodded. “You like her?”
This quickly went south. “ She’s my friend. Of course, I like her.”
“And she’s only your friend?” he asked.
I hated lying to Rhett. It was one thing to hide something from him but another thing to totally lie. “I think she’s really hot. But yeah, she’s just a friend.”
He seemed to believe me. “She’s really cute and pretty cool. I think you guys would get along well if you gave it a chance.”
“You’re encouraging me to date her?” I asked incredulously.
“You aren’t a dick like you pretend to be, and I knew you wouldn’t be a dick to her.”
I drank my beer just to have something to do.
“So…let’s talk about Alexia now. You’ve put it off long enough.”
I sighed in irritation. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
“That’s
too damn bad,” he snapped. “I’m your best friend. Talk to me, man.”
“There’s nothing to say.”
“When have I ever given you the impression I judge you? For anything?” Hurt was in his voice. It seemed like it truly bothered him that I kept my thoughts to myself.
“Why does it bother you so much?” I asked.
“Because I always thought we told each other everything. Apparently, I was completely wrong. As soon as Alexia left, you became a different person. I thought giving you space was the right thing to do at the time, but now I realize my mistake. If I’d opened you up then, you might not be so closed off now.”
“Don’t do that, man,” I said quietly. “Don’t blame yourself.”
“Well, it’s too late. Now talk to me.”
I didn’t realize how much my silence was hurting my best friend. “Okay, fine.”
He drank his beer for the first time and waited for me to speak.
“She left me for someone else.”
Rhett didn’t react in any noticeable way. His eyes didn’t even flinch, like he already suspected what I said.
“She lied and made up some bullshit excuse about her being the problem…I wasn’t sure why I believed her. Then I saw her with some other guy…I felt like an idiot. I still feel like an idiot. I had the ring and I was going to take her to the Grand Canyon to propose. But she dumped me a few days before.”
Rhett looked down at his beer for a moment. When he looked up at me, sympathy was in his eyes. “That would break anyone, Troy. There’s no reason to be ashamed of that.”
“I just feel stupid for not seeing it coming.” I stared at a spot on the table and concentrated on that. “She was obviously cheating on me when we were together and I didn’t even notice. I was just too happy and too in love to notice what was right in front of me.”
“And you don’t want to fall in love again because you couldn’t go through that again.”
I nodded in response.
“I don’t blame you for feeling like this, Troy. It’s completely understandable.”
“Yeah?” I asked. “Because it seems like everyone is trying to change me and force me to get over it.”