Chapter 21
CHAPTER 21
L evon
I rolled over and reached out to find Clara. I rustled my hand around the cool sheets, blinking to clear my vision with some mild confusion when I couldn't find her. I glanced around the room. Nothing seemed to have changed from the previous night. I sat up and rubbed my eyes, groaning as I realized it was Sunday.
“Clara?” I called out, hearing my voice echo through the kitchen. “Can I have breakfast in bed?”
I chuckled as I tossed my legs over the edge of the mattress. I placed my feet on the fluffy carpet, groaning again as I got up to walk into the bathroom. I relieved myself before washing my hands and entering the kitchen.
“Hey, Clara. I was joking.”
I peeked around.
The house was empty.
I searched the area for signs of life.
I suppose Laura never came back last night , I considered as I went to the counter. Even the coffee maker is cold .
I hummed thoughtfully as I went to the fridge, noticing a note sitting on the handle. I plucked the sticky note from the door and held it up to the light.
In perfect cursive—Clara's handwriting—was written: “I'm sorry about last night. I need to clear my head today.”
I frowned.
I went back to the bedroom to search through my clothes that were still on the floor. I located my pants and fished my phone from the pocket, holding it up to see if I had any messages from Clara.
There were none.
My frown deepened as I scrolled down to Laura's messages. I clicked the call button. The line trilled a few times before she picked up.
“Hey, brother-slash-friend. How's it going?” she asked.
I wiped my lips before replying, “Hey, have you heard from Clara today?”
“No, she usually sleeps in. Is she not home?”
“No, I guess she left before I woke up.”
She giggled. “Oh, so, you spent the night?”
“Yeah, she invited me over because she said you weren't going to be here.”
“That sounds about right. She doesn't want me knowing the details, huh?”
“Well, I mean,” I faded into a chuckle as I ran my hand through my hair. “That's a mood. I was just wondering if maybe she had texted you or if she was going into the office early or something.”
“Nope. I haven't heard from my sister.”
“Huh, weird.”
“I've got to get back to work, but keep me in the loop, okay?”
I nodded. “Yeah, of course. Let me know if you hear from her anytime soon.”
“No problem, Levon.”
“Okay, bye.”
I ended the call and stared at my phone, holding my chin thoughtfully.
It was strange—I was under the impression that we had a great time at the wedding. And our encounter in the kitchen was even better than dancing with her. Everything seemed to be going well. She had invited me over and even offered to hang out like we had typically done in the past. I was confused. And I guess I had every right to be confused.
This is weird behavior, even for her , I reflected. I don't even understand why she would need to clear her head. It's not like we were talking about getting married.
I hummed while gathering my clothes. I pulled on my shirt and then my pants, not bothering to tuck my shirt into the waistband. I carefully folded the jacket over my arm and searched for my shoes as I shoved my phone and keys into my pocket. I grabbed every trace of me that I could have potentially left behind. I even made the bed.
As I headed for the door, I stopped to stare at the note. She didn't say she regretted anything, but it was clear by her statement that she did. It made me upset to think that I had done something to make her feel uneasy. But then again, every action we had taken was done together. She had wanted me—that much was clear.
I set the note down on the counter. I didn't want to keep it. I could respect her space easily, but I didn't want to be reminded that coming over had caused her strife. I fixed my pants and headed out the door, greeting the morning air with a weak smile.
I climbed into my car and started the engine, listening to it hum in the driveway. Clara's car was gone. She did well to maneuver around my rental without denting it. Just witnessing the empty space in front of me prompted my heart to split.
What if she never wants to see me again? I shook my head as I maneuvered out of the driveway and started heading back to my parent's house. Well, that's up to her. I can't control that. What I can control is what I do with my day.
I took deep breaths as I drove. I glanced in the rear view every so often and checked my side mirrors, trying to keep my brain occupied. But my thoughts kept fleeing back to the wedding and everything that had happened since.
I stopped in a drive-thru to grab a coffee. It would help fuel my day. Once I paid, I drove off and headed back down the road. My parent's house wasn't too much farther. After I pulled into their driveway, I lifted my coffee from the center console and carefully grabbed the suit jacket. I had to return it at some point today.
I wandered inside and noticed the house was relatively quiet.
That was all good and well—I didn't want to encounter anyone. I ascended the stairs to head to my bedroom where I set down my coffee on my desk and whipped my phone out.
I sent a quick text to Jen: “Have a wonderful honeymoon! There's no one else I'd trust with my baby sister, so take care of her, Ryan!”
I didn't expect a response. They were probably already on the plane and settled into their new life together. I set my phone down and lifted my coffee, taking a particularly long sip. I stared at my laptop. I was having a hard time keeping my thoughts from drifting around to what I might have done wrong.
Did she not like how we had sex? Was it when I said I missed her? Did she take issue with me coming over in the first place? I chuckled away my worry and shook my head. If she had a problem, she wouldn't have invited me over at all.
I set my coffee down and ran my fingers through my hair. I felt greasy. I needed to hop in the shower before doing anything else. I wandered out of my bedroom and down the hall to the bathroom where I turned on the hot water at full blast. I added cool water and then let my hand linger under the stream.
As soon as it warmed up to the perfect temperature, I stripped away my clothes and stepped into the shower. I let the water caress my skin and warm my muscles. My hips and thighs were sore from rolling around with Clara. After we got into her bedroom, we had gone a few more rounds. I couldn't help but feel like a teenager again when I was around her.
It was easy to love her. She was so receptive to my touch that pleasing her was enjoyable. And I recalled the taste of her as vividly as I could recall the taste of coffee. She had left an impression on me when we first got together and that impression had never left.
And here I was, hopeful for her speedy return.
I grabbed a bar of soap and lathered up, scrubbing every inch of my body. I still had the smell of her perfume in my nostrils and I hoped to get rid of it quickly, even though it pained me to do so. I scrubbed every inch of me possible. When I was finished, I rinsed off and reached for my shampoo. I lathered the shampoo in my short hair and rinsed it out even faster than the body soap.
After I was done, I stepped out and grabbed a towel. I dried myself quickly and wrapped myself up, gathering my clothes to take with me back to my room. I dropped the clothes on the bed and sat in front of my laptop, opening up my email. I had a few emails from some of my clients. I responded as quickly as possible before opening up a fresh email to compose for my boss.
I typed rapidly that I wanted the details for the Canada trip. I could potentially leave immediately. Considering what was happening here in Checotah, it would be easier for me to just take off. I had fulfilled my duty by staying for the wedding. There was no need for me to stick around any longer since Jen had gone on her honeymoon. She wouldn't be back for another couple of weeks.
And even as the family trip surfaced in my mind, I favored the idea of going to Canada. I hadn't been there. I had spent most of my career in Europe and I was interested in getting to know the layout of Canada and the culture up there. I had watched plenty of shows, but didn't know anyone personally.
It will be an adventure. I'll take pictures and send them to Jen. I could make plenty of friends up there as easily as I had in Paris and London. It's not hard to talk to people , I thought. But it's hard to talk to Clara.
I sighed as I hung my head over my laptop. I was still wrapped up in my towel, my chest exposed to the room. When the air clicked on, I shivered and sat back, staring at my email to see if my boss had responded yet.
Nothing popped up. No new messages. I swiveled around in my chair and hopped up, briskly walking to my closet to grab a comfortable set of clothes. I chose a pair of jeans and an old t-shirt from college. As I pulled them on, I stared out the window at the yard.
Maybe she'll call , I reflected hopefully. Maybe when she clears her head, she'll realize we're good together and we can take it from there. I frowned as I tugged my shirt down roughly and sighed heavily. Or maybe she won't. I guess it's up to her now .
I couldn't take the waiting. I wish she had woken me up instead of leaving me behind at her house—at her sister's house, no less. I had felt abandoned when I woke up to see her gone.
And I guess I deserved that. I could only imagine how comparable the feeling was every time I favored a trip to Europe instead of sticking around with her. Maybe she was just trying to get back at me for all the times I had left. I squeezed my eyes shut as I realized how awful that feeling was.
And I really did deserve it.