by Kayla Carson
My first stop was the coffee shop on the corner. I ordered myself an iced coffee, with an Asiago cheese bagel, and cream cheese. I chose an outdoor table, and as I ate my bagel, and sipped my coffee I just watched. There were people of all kinds, already bustling through the streets. Men in business suits, and women jogging while listening to their I-pods. I found myself smiling as I envied their seemingly carefree mornings.
“Fancy meeting you here.” A man's voice said, as he approached me.
I looked up at the man in question, and gave him a soft smile. “Owen.”
“Where's your friend?” He asked, taking a sip of his coffee.
“Still in bed.”
“Ah.” He nodded in understanding. “Mind if I join you?”
“Be my guest.” I said, gesturing towards the chair across from mine.
Owen, and I sat in silence for a while just sipping our drinks, and watching people. It wasn't an uncomfortable silence, just two friends enjoying each other's company. Things seemed to be going great, until my phone began to vibrate across the small table. Derek's name flashed across the screen, and I reached over to hit the 'end' button.
A few seconds later, it rang again. Every time I ignored the call, he just called right back. I looked up at Owen then, and gave him a sad smile.
“I'm sorry.” I said, tucking my phone into my purse.
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“There's not much to say.” I said, trying to be as nonchalant as I could.
“It seems as if he doesn't understand the 'ex' part of your relationship.”
“It would seem so.”
“What happened?”
I shot my eyebrow up In suspicion.
“You really want to know?”
“I really would.” He said, gently.
“Short version, he cheated on me.”
“And the long version?”
“We were together for twelve years, and supposed to be married next month.”
“Damn.” He said, shaking his head. “That's a long time to be with the same person.”
“You don't believe in monogamy?” I teased.
“I do, but you had to have been pretty young when you started dating.”
“Fifteen.” I confirmed.
“So was he? I mean did you ever-”
“He was the only man I've ever slept with.” I interrupted. “And now that you know all about me, tell me something about you.”
“The reason I'm going back home to New York, is because my dad is sick. Our relationship has never been the best, and he resented the hell out of me for leaving. I'm buying time, because he wants me to take over the family business.”
I reached across the table to place my hand over his.
“I'm sorry.” I said, giving it a slight squeeze.
“Thanks.” He sighed. “Now that we've gotten that out of the way, what do you say we do something a bit more fun?”
I laughed. “What did you have in mind?”
“How about we go for a ride?”
“A ride?” I asked, curiously.
He stood then, reaching for my hand. “Do you trust me?”
“I barely know you.” I scoffed.
“But do you trust me?” He winked.
I sat there for a second, contemplating what he'd just asked. Did I trust him? I couldn't explain it, but... I did. I didn't sense any maliciousness from him, only honesty. I placed my hand in his then, and he grinned from ear to ear before pulling me up to stand beside him. I let him lead me back towards the parking lot that I'd left my truck in, and when he stopped in front of a motorcycle I thought that I was going to have a heart attack.
“This is what you meant by taking a ride?” I asked, nervously.
He chuckled. “What's wrong, Unicorn? Afraid to let your hair down?”
“I- no, I just- I've never been on one of these- these things before.” I stammered.
He grabbed a helmet from the seat, and turned to place it on my head. I could feel his breath on my cheek, as he fastened the helmet under my chin, and I had to take a deep breath to slow my racing heart. I don't know if it was the fear of the unknown, or his nearness, but I was suddenly a bundle of nerves.
I watched as he put his own helmet on next, and I could feel my hands shaking as he climbed onto the bike. He patted the seat behind him, and I carefully climbed onto it. My hands were resting at my sides, and he reached back to grasp them, and bring them around his middle.
“You're going to want to hold on.”
“Promise you won't go too fast.” I said, the nerves evident in my voice.
“I promise.” He said, rubbing his hand over mine before starting the engine.
The bike roared to life, and I was instantly covered in goosebumps. It wasn't that I lived a sheltered life, I just never had any reason to do something like this before. Derek and I both had cars, and motorcycles never really interested me before. Until now of course. I'd be lying if I said seeing Owen on the bike didn't turn me on.
He was so completely out of my league, and yet he was here with me. Taking me out on his motorcycle. A part of me began to wonder if he was another one of Morgan's plants. Did she see him before me? Did she hire him to show up at the record store? I shook my head, trying to will those kinds of thoughts away.
“You alright?” He asked, as he put the bike into gear.
“Yes.” I said, locking my hands around his middle.
Without another word he revved the engine, and the bike began to move. He started out slow as he pulled out of the parking lot, and onto the main road. The speed limit here was only forty-five, and I was internally grateful for that. It would give me some time to adjust, and feel comfortable.
After a few minutes we switched roads, and this time the speed limit increased to fifty-five. I found myself holding onto him tighter, causing my body to move closer to his. Soon, my chest was pressed snugly against his back, and I turned my head so that I could rest that there too. I was no longer feeling nervous. Instead, I was focused on Owen. The way he smelled, and the way his hard body felt against mine.
I smiled, and then I closed my eyes to really let myself enjoy it. I felt the bike pick up speed, and I relished in it. I slowly let go of him, and spread my arms out wide as if I were flying. I had never felt more free than I had in this moment. I could vaguely hear him laugh, and I couldn't help but smile. I smiled so wide that my mouth grew sore, but I didn't care.
I wrapped my arms back around him then, and I felt his ab muscles flex beneath my touch. I found myself thinking about his tattoos again. He said he had too many to count, and my imagination began to run wild. Picturing his chest, and abdomen covered in the same art I'd seen glimpses of on his arms. I never thought about tattoos being sexy, but with Owen... I couldn't help but go there.
I let myself get lost in my thoughts. Imagining what he'd look like with his shirt off. I thought about dancing with him again, and how close our lips were last night. Would he have kissed me if Morgan didn't mention Derek? Or was I really just that easy to read? In that moment, I wanted to kiss him. I told him as much, but I couldn't fault him for being a gentleman.
If I had met him under different circumstances I'm not sure that he would be someone I'd even approach. Derek could have been a spokesperson for Brook's Brothers, with his pressed khaki pants, and ironed button downs. He never had a hair out of place, and was always clean shaven. I thought that was what I wanted. I thought that we fit together, but being here with Owen really has me wondering.
My new found freedom had more to do with the experiences I was having, than being single. It wasn't like Derek had me on a leash. I could come, and go as I pleased but everything with him was just so mundane. We always went to the same restaurants, and vacationed at the same places. Getting out with Morgan to see more of the world, even if it was only a few states had me questioning every decision I ever made.
The first time Derek, and I got into an argument I let him have his way. A
fter the fourth, and fifth, the fire inside of me died a bit. I got to the point where there was no use in arguing anymore. I'd let him win just to appease him because I was afraid of losing him. Afraid of being alone. Afraid that the only reason he, and I even started was because of Morgan's power of persuasion.
The bike suddenly came to a stop then, and I opened my eyes to see where we were. Owen shut the ignition off, and began to remove his helmet as I looked around. We were parked on the top of some kind of overlook. You could see the town down below, and the people walking around the square looked like ants.
“You can let go now.” Owen said, and I immediately released my grip from his waist.
“Sorry.” I said, feeling a blush creep up on my face.
“Take your helmet off.” He instructed.
I did as he asked, before climbing off the bike, and setting it down onto the seat. My legs were a bit shaky, and he laughed as he came to stand beside me.
“I come up here to think sometimes.”
He reached for my hand, and led me towards the edge so that we could get a better view.
“What is this place?” I asked.
“It used to be a drive in. They put the screen right here where we're standing. After it closed, the teenagers used it for a make out spot.”
“For someone who's passing through, you seem to know a lot about the area.”
“My mom lives here. After my parent's divorce she moved here for work. I split my time between here, and New York when I was younger until I moved myself to Nashville.”
“I've never left Raleigh. Until now.” I said.
“Not even for college?”
“Nope. I sighed.”
“May I ask why? I mean, with your degree... you could have gone anywhere.”
“Derek.” I shrugged.
“You wanted to be close to him?”
“It's complicated.”
“I've got time.”
“Why do you care?” I asked, releasing his hand so that I could turn to face him.
“I like you.”
“But why? I'm a mess. I've just gotten out of a twelve year relationship, which took eleven before he even proposed to me. I'm not that special.”
“Or he's just an idiot.” He winked.
I laughed. “Well, I can attest to that.”
“What's the story with you, and Morgan?”
“She's my best friend.”
“How did you meet?”
“School. I was being bullied by one of the popular girls, and she came to my rescue.”
“That explains a lot.” He said, knowingly.
“What's that supposed to mean?”
“You feel like you owe her. That's why you let her treat you the way she does.”
“And how is that?” I asked, getting a bit defensive.
“Like she's better than you.”
He was right. I knew that he was, but I couldn't bring myself to tell him that. I could admit to myself that our relationship wasn't the typical kind, but letting someone else see it... I wasn't ready for that.
“I think you should take me back to my truck now.” I said, crossing my arms over my chest.
“I'm not judging you, Unicorn. I'm just trying to understand.” He said, taking a step towards me.
He reached up to place his hand on my cheek, and smiled down at me.
“I wish you could see yourself the way that I do.” He said, softly.
“How do you see me?” I whispered, as my eyes lingered on his lips.
“Strong, smart, brave... beautiful.”
I looked up at him then, and I could feel my heart beating wildly in my chest. I wanted to lean towards him, to see if he was feeling the same thing that I was, but I was scared. Scared of being rejected again. So instead, I took a purposeful step back to create some distance between us.
My phone started to ring then, and he let his hand fall to his side, before running it through his hair. I gave him a small apologetic smile, before grabbing it from my cross-body and answering it.
“Hello?”
“Where the hell are you? I'm starving! Can we go get lunch, please?” Morgan asked, impatiently.
“I'm heading back now.” I said, catching Owen's eye.
After placing my phone back in my bag, I reached for the helmet I'd set on the back of the bike intending to put it on. Before I could lift it however, Owen's hand on mine stopped me.
“I want to see you tonight.”
“I don't know-”
“Let me take you to dinner? Just the two of us?”
“What do you want from me?” I asked.
“More than I probably should.” He admitted.
The small confession made my stomach feel like it was filled with butterflies. I opened my mouth to say something, but I had no idea how to respond.
“You don't have to say anything right now, except for yes.”
I laughed, shaking my head.
“Alright.” I agreed.
EIGHT
WHEN I GOT BACK TO the hotel, I found Morgan relaxing in the hot tub. Her sexy stranger had left, and she was enjoying a screw driver. It seemed that no matter when she woke up, she considered it morning. I set my bag down on my bed, and checked my phone before tossing it down beside it. I made my way out onto the patio then, and greeted my friend.
“Took you long enough!” She said, as she set her glass down. “I thought you got lost, or something.”
“I ran into Owen.”
“Ran into? Or met up with?”
“Ran into!” I said, on a laugh. “We wound up at the same coffee shop.”
“What's his deal? He knows we're only here for a few more days right?”
“Oddly enough, he's heading to New York as well.”
She gave me a puzzled look. “You don't think that's a bit too coincidental?”
“Actually, I wanted to ask you about that?”
“Me?” She laughed.
“Did you put him up to this? To asking me out?”
“I don't even know the man, Ronnie.” She said, with annoyance. “Why would you even think that?”
“It's not like you haven't done it before.”
“Are you referring to Derek?”
“I am.”
“I thought we've already been over this?”
She was right. We had already talked about this, but with Owen's sudden interest in me I guess it just brought up old insecurities. The way that I dressed, the way I carried myself. I was always careful about how I was representing myself so that I wouldn't make Derek look bad. Again, it wasn't as if he made me act that way, I just chose to. I wasn't secure enough with my true self to really let him see me.
“I'm sorry.” I said, as she climbed out of the hot tub. “I guess I'm just in my feelings today.”
Morgan wrapped herself in a large blue bath towel, and gave me a small smile.
“Let's find something fun to do. We can go grab lunch at this place I was looking into. It's called The Dahlia. I read online that it featured pub grub, and seafood. At the very least we could enjoy a cocktail?”
“I was kind of hoping to visit the Anne Spencer House.”
“The what now?”
I laughed. “Don't worry about it, I can always go tomorrow.”
She shrugged her shoulders, dismissing my idea.
“I'll just go get dressed then, and we can be on our way.” She stopped mid way to the door, and turned back towards me. “You might want to change too.”
I nodded, and when she entered her room I went back to mine. I looked at myself in the mirror, with my leggings, tee shirt, and pony tail. Morgan was probably squeezing into the tightest dress she owned, and would wear a pair of heels taller than her. I dug around in my suit case, and after coming up empty handed I plopped down onto my bed just as my phone pinged.
I picked it up, glancing at the screen to see Derek's name flash across it. I sighed, before deleting the message without reading it. Then I did what I shou
ld have done all along. I blocked his number, and then deleted it. If I was going to move on with my life, and find out who I was on my own then I couldn't keep falling backwards.
It wasn't long before Morgan came sashaying through the door that connected our rooms. Just as I suspected she was wearing a white fitted dress, with sky high heels. Her hair was down, and wavy, and her lips were a bright shade of crimson. When she took in my appearance, she rolled her eyes.
“I thought you were changing?” She asked.
“I'm comfortable.” I said, grabbing my purse and adjusting the strap as I put it on.
“Fine. Let's just go, I'm starving.”
AFTER SPENDING THE entire afternoon with Morgan, and letting her drag me into a thousand boutiques the only thing that I wanted to do was take a nice hot shower, and climb into my bed with the remote. It was nearly seven, and my feet were killing me. I kicked off my shoes, and sat down on the bed to pull my socks off. I wiggled my toes, as the cool air in the room washed over them.
I had just laid back on my bed, when the sound of my phone vibrating in my purse had me sitting up again. I found it easily enough, and when I seen Owen's name on the screen I smiled.
“Hello?” I answered.
“When should I come pick you up?”
I groaned, before letting myself fall back onto the bed again. I had honestly forgotten all about our 'date' tonight. My mind was busy trying to keep up with Morgan's shopping spree, and all the stories she was telling me about her latest sexy stranger encounter. Believe it or not, she met another one at a vintage clothing store, and they were going out tonight.
“You don't sound very excited.” He teased.
“I'm sorry.” I sighed. “It's just been a really long day, and I was looking forward to climbing into my bed with Netflix.”
“Why don't I bring dinner to you then? I don't mind watching a movie or two.”
Owen? In my bedroom? In my bed? All that I could think about every time that I was with him was what his lips would taste like. How in the hell was I going to survive a casual movie night?
“Unicorn?” He asked. “We can always try again-”
“No!” I stopped him without thinking. “I mean, no. That sounds great, actually.”