Forever Friend Zoned

by C. Morgan

  I loaded up my cart and checked out. The cook had learned to leave my shit alone. He could cook all he wanted for my parents, but I tended to cook for myself. I liked my cooking—mostly. It wasn’t going to win me a Michelin star but it was edible and it was healthy. Most of all, it was part of my new confidence.

  I was in the kitchen making up meals for my entire week when my mom came in. “What’s all this?” she asked.

  “Lunches and dinners,” I said.

  She picked up a piece of the grilled chicken I cooked and popped it into her mouth. “You made this?”

  “Yes, Mom.”

  “Don’t get snarky,” she said. “Where did you learn to do this?”

  I shrugged. “Some friends showed me.”

  “I’m impressed. You’ve really turned your life around. I’m so proud of you.”

  She sounded genuine. “Thanks, Mom.”

  “You’ve lost some weight and you have found happiness again. I knew once you lost the weight, you’d feel better about yourself.”

  “It isn’t just the weight, Mom. Truth be told, I haven’t really lost all that much weight.”

  “But you look better.”

  “Because I’ve been toning and eating better.”

  “I think these changes can be attributed to the new man in your life.”

  I stopped what I was doing. “No. The changes in my life can be attributed to losing the toxic man in my life. Todd brought me down. I let him. I found this new me because I wanted to, not because I wanted a man. I wasn’t looking for a man.”

  “But sweetie, you’re not getting any younger. It’s time to look to your future. I know you want a man in your future.”

  “Maybe, but it isn’t the most important factor.”

  “You’re very confident,” she said.

  “I am.”

  “Where is your boyfriend tonight? I thought you said you were going to be out for the night.”

  “He had something come up at work,” I said. Jeff had not been to the house. I wasn’t excited to have him meet my judgmental parents. I wasn’t sure if my dad would be thrilled to know I was dating one of his employees.

  She pursed her lips. “Again?” she said in a high-pitched voice.

  I rolled my eyes. “He works for a living, Mom.”

  “I just don’t want you to find yourself in another Todd situation.”

  “You mean with a cheating asshole? The same cheating asshole you wanted me to get back together with because he looked good and had all the right bloodlines?”

  She frowned at me and put a hand on her hip. “Alora, that is not true. I was only looking out for your best interests. I knew you loved him. I didn’t want you to throw away a relationship that was going through a hiccup. A relationship is going to have ups and downs. You don’t want to give up when things get rough.”

  I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “He cheated on me over and over. He verbally abused me. He humiliated me and made me feel like I wasn’t worthy of being loved. Trust me, I want to give up on that relationship. I wish I would have had someone in my life that loved me enough to tell me I didn’t need his toxicity.”

  “Are you suggesting I should have butted my nose into your relationship?” she asked.

  “Yes! You are my mother and you butt into everything else in my life. Didn’t you see me wilting away? Didn’t you see how unhappy I was?”

  “You were always a moody child. I just assumed you were going through another phase. Besides, you were always carrying on about how much you loved him.”

  “Whatever. It’s over. I am not going back there ever again. It’s over and in my past. I’m not looking back.”

  “Good for you. I really am proud of you. I know we haven’t always gotten along, but I just want you to be happy. I know you aren’t happy being chubby. How could you be?”

  I shook my head. She was a shallow woman. She’d been born beautiful and inherited the genes that gave her a killer body with almost no effort. “Mom, I’m happy. I’m chubby and I’m happy. I know that blows your mind, but it’s true. Don’t worry. I will never crash one of your little tea parties with your friends. I would hate for them to see your fat daughter and think poorly of you. I mean, after all, how could I possibly be related to you?”

  “You really shouldn’t talk like that.”

  “Fat isn’t a four-letter word. Fat is only bad if you think it’s bad. I’m happy. I’m sorry you can’t understand that. Not everyone that is a size two is happy. Not everyone that is a plus-size is unhappy. I feel beautiful just the way I am. I don’t need your approval.”

  Her face fell. I pulled the air pods from my pocket and popped them in before pushing the button on my phone to start my playlist. I had to get my own place. I could not take her constant judgment. I felt stronger and like I could volley it, but it was still annoying.

  She turned and left the kitchen without saying anything else, which was a blessing. Now that I was finding out who I was, I was more confident in my own skin. For too long, I was trying to be what my mom thought I should be. Then I tried to be who Todd wanted me to be. I never took the time to figure out who I was and what I wanted.

  This new journey was exciting. I was glad to have Jeff by my side as I navigated it. He was more of a partner on this journey instead of an influencer. It was a glorious thing to have someone who supported me rather than criticized me at every turn.

  A girl could get used to that.

  Chapter 31

  Jeff

  I stretched out on the bed in the hotel room. I already talked to Alora for the night. She told me about her day and the meals she prepared. She promised to bring me one of her portions to try.

  I was so bummed I didn’t get to go out with her tonight. I would have preferred a night with her than a lonely night in a hotel room. But it was for my career and I needed to do it. I was glad I had her support. I knew she was not thrilled to have me here with Fran, which was why I talked with her way longer than I should have. She was falling asleep on the phone. I smiled, imagining her curled up on her side. We spent a lot of nights together and I had become very accustomed to seeing her sleep.

  Thinking of her naked in my bed after hours of lovemaking made me hard. I reached down to adjust the erection springing to life. I was tempted to rub one out, but I promised her I would wait until I got back home. I rolled over and turned off the bedside lamp. I planned on treating myself to some erotic dreams.

  I had just closed my eyes when I heard a soft knock on my door. I flipped the light back on and went to peek through the peephole. It was Fran. I opened the door a crack. “What’s up?”

  “Can I get a water glass? The only one in my room had a lipstick stain.”

  “Sure,” I said and stepped away to grab one.

  When I turned to hand it to her, she wasn’t at the door. I spun around and found her lying on my bed. Her robe was open to reveal lacy black lingerie. “What are you doing?” I asked her.

  She gave me a saucy smile and started to trace circles on the mattress. “Nothing.”

  “Here,” I said and handed her the glass. She didn’t take it.

  “Sit down,” she said. “Let’s talk.”

  I was standing in my underwear, still suffering from the thought of Alora naked in my bed. “I need to get some sleep. We’ve got an early morning.”

  She got to her knees, thrusting her shoulders forward and letting the robe slip off her shoulders. Her ample cleavage was on the verge of falling out of the black lace. I looked away. “Why do you play so hard to get? The game has been fun, but we both know what we want and where this is going.”

  “I’d like to get some sleep.”

  She looked directly at my crotch. “I’d say that tent pole you are sporting has other ideas.”

  I rolled my eyes, cursing my body’s refusal to listen to my brain’s commands. I couldn’t tell her the tent pole was for Alora, not her. I stepped away from the bed in case she tried to grab me. My cell r
ang. There was only one person that could be. I grabbed it and went into the bathroom, closing it and locking it.

  “Hey,” I answered in a low voice. “What’s up? I thought you were going to sleep.”

  “I miss you. I don’t want to sleep without you. You’ve spoiled me. I want to be in your bed with you spooning me.”

  “I miss you, too.”

  “I know I said we couldn’t take care of ourselves, but maybe I’ve changed my mind. I’m really horny. I think I’m ready to do what you mentioned earlier.”

  I closed my eyes. “Are you talking about a little naughty talk?”

  “I’m talking all the way. I want us to pleasure ourselves. This will be a new one for me, so you’ll have to talk me through it.”

  “Oh man, you’re killing me,” I groaned. My erection sprang back to life. That was a very dangerous thing with the barracuda just ten feet away and in my bed. I could not go back into the room sporting wood. She would absolutely think it was for her.

  “I don’t know if I can sleep until I take care of this problem I have,” she cooed.

  “What problem do you have?”

  “I’m wet and throbbing,” she whispered. “I ache inside and out. I can’t stop thinking about your dick inside me. I want you deep, deep inside me.”

  That was the moment Fran chose to knock on the bathroom door. “Jeff? Are you okay?”

  I covered the phone, but it was too late. “Who was that?” Alora asked. The sleepy sexiness was gone from her voice.

  “Jeff, come to bed,” Fran called much louder than she had the first time.

  My heart sank. I heard Alora gasp and knew there was no way in hell she didn’t hear what Fran said. I was certain she recognized Fran’s voice. “Alora?” I said her name, hoping she was still on the line. “Alora, wait, don’t hang up.”

  She didn’t answer. I checked the screen to confirm she’d hung up. I immediately called her back. It went directly to voicemail. I tried again and again. She was pissed. Now I was pissed. “Alora, call me back, let me explain,” I said to her voicemail.

  I took a few seconds to put away little Jeff before I jerked open the bathroom door. Fran was back on my bed, her robe off completely. “What the fuck was that about?” I snapped.

  “I was getting lonely,” she pouted.

  “Bullshit. You know I’m with Alora.”

  “What? Who is that?”

  “Don’t play dumb. You know. I know you know.”

  “Let’s talk about it,” she purred.

  “I’m not interested in you, Fran. I don’t know how many different ways I can tell you that. I’m with Alora. I will not cheat on her and I will not leave her for you.”

  She frowned at me. “Look at me,” she said. “Look at my body. I’m offering myself to you.”

  “No, what you are doing constitutes sexual harassment. I’ve let it go for too long. I’m over it. I’m tired of it.”

  “You’re being dramatic.”

  “No, I’m being very serious. All I have to do is file a formal complaint and your career is over.”

  She sat up and pulled on her robe. “You are seriously uptight. This was all fun and games. You need to relax. Nothing happened. I’ve never touched you.”

  “Yes, you have. You’ve touched me and insinuated things and now you’re in my fucking hotel room wearing skimpy lingerie.”

  “You’re in your underwear.”

  “I’m in my hotel room. I was in bed.”

  “That’s your story,” she said and shot me a dirty look.

  “Fran, don’t you dare pull this shit.”

  She sucked in a breath. “I’m leaving. Get some sleep. Everything will be fine in the morning. Pretend this didn’t happen.”

  I walked to the door and opened it. I waited for her to leave. I said nothing else to her. I was too pissed. Once she was gone, I threw the lock and went back to grab my phone. I called Alora again. It went straight to voicemail.

  “Fuck!” I hissed. I flopped down in the bed with my phone still in my hand. I hoped she would call me back. I sent her a text, hoping she would read it.

  Let me explain. It isn’t what you think. Please call me.

  I waited several minutes. When she didn’t text or call, I put the phone on the nightstand and shut off the light once again. I pulled the blanket up and tried to sleep. I couldn’t stop thinking about the clusterfuck Fran created. The timing couldn’t have been any worse.

  I thought about our conversation, sitting naked on the edge of my bed and putting our fears out there. I knew this was the one thing she was most afraid of and I let it happen. I should have pushed Fran out of my room. I shouldn’t have opened the door at all. Her bullshit excuse that she needed a glass was so bad. I should have been able to see it for what it was.

  When my alarm went off the next morning, I felt like shit. I felt like someone rubbed sandpaper over my eyes. I slept maybe an hour. I had tried calling Alora at least another twenty times. I didn’t care what time it was. I was certain she shut her phone off. She never responded to the text either. I had debated catching a ride back home last night, but I couldn’t blow off this meeting.

  I met Fran downstairs in the lobby. She was driving which meant I was stuck riding in her car. The tension was thick between us. I didn’t care. I hoped she felt like shit for what she pulled last night.

  “Can you please try and act like you want this?” she whispered as we walked into the head office.

  I ignored her. I walked ahead. When we sat down at the table, I had to force myself to pay attention. I kept spacing out. I did my best to answer the questions the team managers were asking. Fran was enthusiastic enough for both of us. I tried to infuse some of her enthusiasm into my own attitude, but I was struggling.

  At the end of the meeting, we headed for Fran’s car. “You could act like you are excited about this,” she said as she started her car.

  “I am excited.”

  “It’s a big deal,” she said. “This is going to rock Charles’s world. I bet he never thought this was possible. You made it possible. Your reputation has made this happen. I’m so glad I hunted you down.”

  I shot her a dirty look. “I bet you are.”

  “Are you going to pout the whole way back?”

  “I’m not pouting.”

  “You just helped us land that account. You are the official trainer of the team. You are associated with the gym and that is going to boost our profile. I cannot wait to get marketing on this. I’m going to make sure everyone knows one of our trainers is the shit.”

  “I wouldn’t get too carried away. They give and take without hesitation. One guy gets hurt on my watch and it’s over.”

  “We’ll read through the contract with a fine-tooth comb once they send it over.”

  “Fran, it’s my contract. I’ll read it.”

  “You are a part of the gym. Don’t you forget that.”

  “How could I?” I muttered.

  “Is this going to be a problem?” she asked.

  “Yes, as a matter of fact, it is. You really fucked up last night, Fran. If you screwed up my relationship with Alora, I’m going to be pissed. I’m going to make sure you suffer as much as I am. I know you knew we were together. You knew I was on the phone with her. You did it on purpose. I cannot begin to explain how furious I am with you.”

  She said nothing. She didn’t care. She was going to do what she wanted, when she wanted. I pulled my hat down over my eyes and tried to get some sleep. If she touched me, I would demand she leave me on the side of the road. I was glad I left my truck at the gym. The last thing I wanted was her driving me home.

  I couldn’t get away from her fast enough. That contract with the team could be my ticket away from Fran. I didn’t want to leave the gym, but I had a feeling things were only going to get worse. If she cost me Alora, there was nothing keeping me there. I had gotten the position as the team trainer on my own. I could get them to amend the contract.

  I
was out for blood.

  Chapter 32

  Alora

  I felt like I’d been hit by a truck. My eyes hurt. My head hurt. Most of all, my heart hurt. I couldn’t believe I let myself get fucked over again. It was really becoming a bad habit for me. It had to stop. I wasn’t sure how many more times I could do it.

  I had spent the night castigating myself for falling for him. I should have known better. They were all the same. The jocks told you what you wanted to hear and then cut and ran the moment something better came along. I was so stupid for believing his bullshit lies. He promised he would never cheat on me. Of course, he promised that. He never actually meant it. It was all lip service.

  What he meant was he wouldn’t cheat on me until he was tempted by something else. She was the something else. I knew the trip was a bad idea. I knew it and I encouraged him to go. Of course, I also knew it didn’t matter if he took the trip or not. He was going to cheat whether it was right under my nose or in another city.

  I was not going to let myself get played again. I saw his texts and all the missed calls. I didn’t care. I was never going to allow him to do to me what Todd did. No more. I would rather be single and alone than deal with that shit again.

  I got out of bed and thought about going downstairs and making myself a breakfast packed with protein, but the thought of food made me want to vomit. Food was out of the question, but coffee was not. I was thankful to find the kitchen empty. I made myself a cup of coffee before going out to stand by the pool. I let myself get lost in a daydream as I stared at the crystal-blue water.

  I could go for a swim, but I didn’t want to answer questions from my parents. I could go talk to Sue and pour out my heart, but I didn’t want to talk about what happened. Not yet. Talking about it made it too real.

  As I sipped my coffee, I knew what I wanted to do. I went back inside and quickly changed into my workout gear and put on my new running shoes. I slipped in my air pods and turned on my motivational playlist before leaving the house.