14. Vivian #3
Not here though. Not in public, where I might lose face even more. Tears prick at my eyes thinking about it. About how he’ll react.
My heart seizes at the thought of losing him. That’s what’s going to happen, isn’t it? The good guys don’t want the girls like me. Knew it was too good to be true; he was too good to be true. My lungs feel tight as my feet catch on the worn carpet and I stumble.
“Hey, are you okay?” Janice’s worried look finds me as she grabs my elbow. “You haven’t even had anything to drink yet,” she teases.
I choke out a laugh. “I’m good. Just got caught up in my head for a minute.”
“Listen, if you’re worried about Abigail, don’t be.
She’s just being a bitch. They only went on, like, two dates, and she didn’t even seem that upset when they stopped.
She’s only interested in him again because it’s clear he’s ‘interested in someone,’ ” she air quotes.
“And that someone isn’t her. She just wants whoever the hot item of the month is.
Don’t let her get to you; she doesn’t mean anything to him. ”
“Good to know.” I exhale. “For the record, I didn’t want to take anyone out tonight,” I say as we head back to the lanes.
“We would’ve raised bail for you.” She grins as she elbows me playfully.
All the teal shirts seem to blend together in front of the bowling lanes as we approach, but I spot Michael immediately even from behind.
His gorgeous dark hair is glistening, his strong muscles flex even under the two layers of t-shirts, and I’m pretty sure I could pick that fine ass out of a lineup from how often I’ve run my hands across it.
His body looks so good, feels so incredibly good against mine, and all I can think of is that last night might’ve been the last time I get to feel it that close.
I can’t get what Janice said out of my mind; I’m second-guessing myself and how this relationship will play out.
I don’t know if I can even look Michael in the face right now.
As if he can feel my presence from yards away, Michael turns and his eyes lock on mine.
A huge smile breaks across his face as he sets down the bowling ball, even though it’s his turn, and walks toward me.
His face is so open, so trusting, and just so damn beautiful, that my heart pangs.
Is he still going to look at me like this once I tell him what I have to say?
Right now his whole face is lit up like I hold the keys to the world, and I can’t bear to have that sunshine disappear from my life.
I tear my gaze from his, trying to steel myself as I glance at the floor, trying to pick out my shoes from everyone else’s, in case this blows up and I need to call a cab.
“Mi amor, what’s wrong?” Michael asks, stopping in front of me and taking my hands.
He kisses my wrists, then pulls my hands to his chest, to his heart.
I gulp. His eyes darken. “What happened? Did somebody say something to you? Upset you?” He drops my hands to cup my face, framing it as his eyes flare, the concern in them building.
“No, nothing like that,” I tell him. “I just…” I falter. This man is quickly becoming the best, truest thing I’ve ever experienced, and it would kill me to have him walk away. But if we’re going to make this last, I can’t hold anything back. I have to be honest with him. “We should talk later.”
His eyes flash. “We’ll talk now.” That’s the last thing I want.
“It can wait, really. We can stay for a while longer. I don’t mind,” I quickly say.
“Not happening,” he tells me, brusquely pulling me to his chest and squeezing me.
His hug is so strong it’s almost painful, and I must whimper because he releases me immediately.
“I’m sorry. I just… I thought someone hurt you and…
” He hugs me again, not quite as tightly, but runs his hands up and down my back like he’s checking to make sure I’m not broken anywhere.
“I’m fine,” I say quietly.
“Somehow, I don’t think that’s the case,” he says, examining my face closely. “Come on.” He grabs my hand. Finding Adam amidst the throng, he does that weird bro handshake-hug thing, still gripping my hand tightly. “Thanks for having us.”
“You’re leaving already?” Adam asks.
“Yep, my lady’s been working hard all day so I’m taking her home for the night.
” At this, Abigail’s head pops up out of nowhere like an annoying weed, and I wish I had a whacker handy.
She narrows her eyes at me, then at Michael.
She must’ve seen this whole exchange, and my cheeks heat from both shame and irrational jealousy.
Heaven help me if he decides to get back with her after what I have to say.
Something tells me he’s not the type to look back though.
“You guys just got here. Bowling not ‘interesting’ enough for you?” she sneers, her eyes flashing as she cocks a bony hip to the side. There’s more going on here, some sort of reference or insinuation that I really don’t care to discover.
“No comparison,” Michael fires right back, planting a firm kiss on me and sliding his hand into my back pocket as we walk off.
I might sway my hips just a little bit more as we exit, in case anyone is watching.
It’s petty, but I love that he didn’t feel the need to argue or prove anything to this jealous wench, just claimed me as if she was of no consequence.
I sure hope he still feels that way after our talk.