Rhodes

Chapter Eight Mila is Complicated

Rhodes

It was easier to show up unannounced when Jagger lived next door, but now that he lives with Remi, I have to actually drive over when I feel like stopping by. It’s a great day for a bike ride though so I find I don’t mind it so much today, and that ride gives me time to think about Mila.

I know there’s something there — something she’s hiding from, and I have to find a way to bring her out.

I send a warning text when I park out front, but based on the state of them when I walk in, they didn’t see it. They were absolutely just fucking. “Hey, Jay gave me a key in case of an emergency. Didn’t mean to interrupt. You guys can go back in the room if you weren’t finished.”

I can tell by the dopey grin on Jay’s face that he definitely got his, and if I know anything about him at all, I know he didn’t come until she got hers first. My friend group is full of gentlemen, after all. “I don’t think this is an emergency,” he responds, taking a seat on the couch as Remi crosses her arms.

“Definitely not an emergency, but since you’re here... what’s up?” she asks, sitting on Jay’s lap.

I don’t want to feel jealousy, so I won’t. I know what they went through to get here, and I’m not afraid to put in a little work myself. “Have you guys seen that Parent Trap movie?”

“Of course,” Remi laughs. “Everyone our age has.”

“Okay, good. I want you guys to do that for Mila and me. Like that Thanksgiving episode of New Girl, only it actually works for more than just sex.”

They both stare at me like I’m nuts. “So she turned you down,” Remi says with a huff. “Parent trapping won’t help that. Don’t push women who say no.”

Her words make me feel like some sort of creep, and that isn’t what this is. I’m not a rapist. Yet, if anyone would know if Mila really wanted me or not, it’d be Remi, and her telling me not to push isn’t a good sign. Maybe I’ve been wrong all along. “Fuck. Alright, the—”

“Wait,” Jagger cuts in. “It’d be different if she wasn’t interested at all, but I don’t think he should quit on her. Has she specifically told you she doesn’t like him?” he asks her, prompting a deer-in-the-headlights look.

“I promised her I wouldn’t get involved,” she says quickly. “Please don’t ask me to.”

“Honestly, I don’t really have a choice here,” I push, giving Jay the out so she can be mad at me for it and not him. “You made me feel like a creep just now, Rem, and if that’s how she’s looking at me for trying to prove to her I”m in this, then I need to stop. So look me in the eyes and give me something. I’ll walk away if I’ve made her uncomfortable, but if she’s given you any indication that I’m on the right track, I have to know. Otherwise I’m done.”

It’s probably not fair to put this on her, but I need to know if I really am wasting my time here.

Remi looks pained for a moment, then says, “Look... Mila is complicated and you’re a dumbass. She thinks all you want is sex so she’s trying to stay away from you, but she’s really bad at it.”

I ignore her ‘dumbass’ comment because I’m not dumb, I know how women see us — and sometimes they’re right. She’s definitely spot-on about my girl being complicated, though. “I’ve been trying to get to know her more, but when I do, she either tells me to go away or initiates sex. Am I supposed to deny her?”

“Yes,” she says flatly. “You jumped straight to sex to begin with and still haven’t actually asked her out on a proper date. She initiates sex because she thinks that’s all you want, and just getting it over with stops her from letting you in further. Mila talks a big game about being this cold-hearted machine, but in reality? She’s dying to have someone actually care about her. So prove you do.”

“I thought that’s what I was doing,” I admit, thinking of all the times I asked her to go somewhere with me and never followed through so she knew I was serious. “Help me out here, Rems. Do the Parent Trap thing, and I’ll let her know how important going on a real date is for me. When I see her at her work, she’s too busy for a conversation, but if we could go on a double date or something I’ll have the time to prove it to her.”

Remi eyes me like she wants to say no, but sighs. “Are you really sure about this, Rhodes? Sure about her? She’s my best friend. I won’t help you out just to soothe your ego if it means she’s gonna end up getting hurt.”

“What ego?” I ask. “If this was some bullshit ego thing, why would I be here? Seriously, if sex was all I wanted, why keep trying? I already got it multiple times now and I’m still trying for more. What the hell is it going to take to prove that this isn’t about sex?”

Unhelpfully, Jay decides to speak up again. “I had already fucked Remifer multiple times before she knew I was serious. She didn’t really know where I stood until we went on the date you guys crashed. Mila just needs some reassurance like that, too.”

Nodding, I run my hand over my jaw and try to think of what I can do. “We don’t have the same history as you two did, so I know this isn’t something you guys can help with much. I want to do it my own way, anyway. I just need her to agree to a real date, and to do that, I need her to see me in a different light. Think you can get her to the Chill Grill this weekend?”

“I think you should try asking her yourself, but yeah. I can get her there. If she punches us both for this though, I’m gonna have Jagger beat you up.”

“He can try,” I tease, standing up to take my leave so they can get back to being cute as fuck together. “What’s her favorite flower?”

“Marigolds.”

“I don’t know what those are. Are they gold?” I spin back around and shake my head. “Don’t answer that. I’m gonna do my own research and prove to you I’m in this too.”

She purses her lips, but nods. “Okay, then. Saturday at Chill Grill.”

“Yes, ma’am. See you later, dickbag.”

“Later, douche. Knock next time.”

I laugh it off because I know he doesn’t mean it, then take my leave. Hopping on my bike feels even better than it did before.

Remi had me worried for a second there, but now that she basically confirmed my suspicions of Mila being scared to get close to me, I know everything I do from here on out will make or break us.

I don’t care what people say, I can’t deny Mila sex if she offers. She needs and deserves to feel good too. I just have to convince her it isn’t all I want.

I ride around for an hour or so lost in my head, trying to figure out what it is about this woman that gets to me. Even though I don’t know much about her, I like everything I do know. Aside from her natural beauty and allure, she’s strong, smart, and driven. I like that she isn’t afraid to tell me when she thinks I’m full of shit, because it’s fucking refreshing. When you’re as tall as I am, people tend not to call you out when you’re fucking up, but she doesn’t even hesitate. And to be fair, I need that.

I’m tired of doing the bare minimum for everything but my job. It’s the only thing that’s ever had my full commitment, and now that I’m knocking on thirty’s door, I’m pretty damn sick of being alone. I know I only feel this way because of her. I was fine before I met her, so this isn’t something I want with just anyone.

It’s... her.

I understand I may not be the one for her and we could give this a shot only to watch it go up in flames. We could be horrible together, but we need to give it a fair shot before we call it, and somehow I have a feeling she knows that too.

Hence why she avoids me at all costs.

It doesn’t keep me away, though. I might’ve already worked this morning, but I still find myself in my gym’s parking lot — only my eyes aren’t on Bad Habits. They’re locked on that gorgeous woman who has me fucked in the head and how she’s walking toward her car like she owns the world. She always walks like that, and fuck me, it’s so damn hot. I’d do anything for her to walk toward me just like that. This girl could own me if she wanted to, but I’m gonna need to own her too.

Against my better judgment, I follow her.

Adrian would be proud, but he’s probably the only one I can say that about as I figure out where she lives in all the wrong ways. It’s too late to take it back now, and for some reason, knowing where she sleeps at night calms me in a way I didn’t expect.

Maybe I stay in front of her house longer than I want to admit.

And maybe, just maybe, the youngest Marino brother knows what the fuck he’s talking about after all.