Chapter 5
Lisa
I can’t help but laugh at my own reflection when I look in the mirror. I’m wearing my fuzzy bunny slippers, a pink robe, a messy bun on top of my head, and a light green face mask. This would be a great Halloween costume.
I unpacked my suitcases and lined my collection of shoes along the wall by the window. The view outside is pretty. The city is glowing with lights, it almost feels like Christmas.
The music on the TV is still playing loudly, and it’s now a mix between Cher and The Midnight.
In the living room, I close the pizza box and put it in the fridge. I ate way too much of it and can’t even stand the sight of pizza right now.
I let myself fall onto the couch and put my feet on the table.
This is the life, I whisper.
I grab the remote to pause the music and scroll to the list of available movies. Zane has always been a movie freak, and I think he has every subscription out there. I’m ten minutes into my search and am feeling frustrated when I finally see the movie I want to watch.
Dumplin’.
Dolly Parton’s music, Jennifer Aniston, and Danielle Macdonald all in one heartwarming story. This can’t go wrong.
I’m drinking a beer of Zane’s I found in the fridge when the best part of the movie comes on. I’m halfway through when the pivotal makeover scene plays, and Better Get to Livin’ by Dolly Parton plays loudly. Immediately, I turn the volume up, and I get up and dance.
The scene, the vibes, the movie, the music, it’s making me laugh, and I can’t help but feel like an idiot, but in the best way.
The scene is about to end when I hear a noise in the background. I turn around and let out a scream.
“Who are you?” I yell at the stranger frozen in the hallway. “I’m calling the police.”
He immediately throws his hands up.
I can feel my heart beating in my throat. I quickly look around to see if there are any weapons close to me.
“I’m a friend of Zane’s. I’m just here to pick something up, I swear,” he says, still standing there with his hands up. He is muscular and has brown hair. I notice how my panic has turned into suspicion. The guy’s arms are covered in tattoos. It somehow suits him.
“Prove it,” I say, planting a hand on my hip. The soft fabric of the robe reminds me of how I look, and I feel immediately mortified.
“He likes movies?” the man says, questioning, like he’s unsure of what to say. “And who are you actually? Maybe you’re the intruder,” he counters me, and I’m not sure how I feel.
“Would an intruder look like this?” I ask, gesturing wildly at my robe, slippers, and face mask. The man smirks, and it looks way too cute on him.
“My name is Blake. I promise I’m a friend of Zane’s. I have pictures on my phone to prove it. We’re on the Grizzlies together,” Blake explains, and I’m surprised. I remember a friend of Zane’s when we were teenagers, a blonde kid named Blake. He was so tiny.
“You’re Blake Saxon?” I ask, surprised, and he immediately nods.
“Do I know you?”
“You used to be blonde,” I tell him, and Blake chuckles.
“Who are you? It’s not fair to hide behind green face paint. I have no chance of recognizing you.” Blake runs his fingers through his hair.
“Oh god,” I say as I remember the face mask on my face and feel absolutely embarrassed. “I’ll be right back,” I say quickly as I run toward the bathroom.
I turn the water on right away and start washing off the green face mask.
How does Blake look so grown up and so different? I wonder as I dry my face with a towel. I quickly sneak into my bedroom and put on a sand colored sweatsuit.
Once I’m done changing, I kick the bunny slippers to the corner of the room and call my brother.
“Hey sis,” Zane says like he usually does.
“How’s your date?” I ask before I explain to him what’s going on.
“Great. What’s up?” he asks.
“I wanted to let you know that you should’ve told me your stupid friend Blake has a key to the apartment as well,” I say.
Gesturing frantically. “I was in the middle of my rendition of Dolly Parton when he walked in on me. He is lucky to be still alive, you know?” I tell Zane sassily, though I’m not sure if it’s true.
My fight or flight didn’t really kick in when the only thing I could do was threaten that I would call the police.
“I am so sorry. I totally forgot he was going to stop by to pick up some spare blades,” Zane tells me. “I’ll text him not to use his key until you move out, ok? I have to go, but it won’t happen again.”
“That would be great. Any other friends I should know about who have keys?” I ask to lighten the mood with a joke.
“None,” Zane says firmly.
“Ok, good. Enjoy the rest of your date,” I tell him before we hang up. I take a deep breath and make my way back to the living room.
When I step into the room, I half expect Blake to stand frozen in the hallway. Instead, he has made himself comfortable on the couch and got himself a beer.
“Green isn’t your natural color?” he asks, feigning shock. I try to keep a straight face.
“I see you’re comfortable,” I say as I stare at the couch and the beer in an obvious way.
“Are you going to tell me your name?” Blake counters, and I roll my eyes. I grab my beer from the table and sit on the white chair next to the couch.
“You don’t recognize me?” I ask, and Blake tilts his head.
“I do, but your voice is prettier than mine,” Blake says playfully, and I sigh and roll my eyes again.
“So you do recognize me?” I ask, confused.
“Without the green face paint I do,” Blake says confidently.
“It’s a face mask. Not face paint. No one voluntarily wears face paint while sitting around the house,” I laugh.
“You were different back then,” Blake concludes.
“Ehm… Thanks?” I say as I take a sip.
“I don’t mean it in a bad way. You just looked like a kid the last time I saw you, I guess,” Blake tries to defend himself.
“Well, you were blonde and tiny,” I counter.
“I was not tiny,” Blake immediately responds, and I laugh.
“Yes, you were, I was taller than you were,” I go on as I try to recall better what he looked like. Zane and I hung out with different crowds; the only time I really saw Blake was on the ice.
“If that helps you sleep at night,” Blake says as he crosses his arms.
“So what were you doing here?” I ask as Blake keeps his eyes locked onto me.
“I needed spare blades. Mine are worn out, and I couldn’t get a delivery in on time,” he explains.
“So you still skate?” I ask, and Blake tilts his head in confusion.
“You have gone to our games before,” he says, and I chuckle.
“I mostly paid attention to Zane,” I say, because it’s easier than explaining the truth. I don’t tell Blake about how the ice gives me panic attacks, and I fake my way through games. I don’t tell him how years of figure skating have damaged me.
“So what’s new with you? You moved back?” Blake asks as he rests his arm on the back of the couch. His arm is massive, and I can’t help but stare at the tattoos.
“I did. I arrived today,” I tell him as I proudly look around the room. “I couldn’t really settle. I missed Chicago life,” I lie again.
“Cool. Are you planning on watching any of the games?” Blake asks, and I nod.
“I’m considering it, yes. Why?” I ask in return.
“I’m trying to figure out when I’ll see you again,” Blake says, and the answer catches me off guard. I’m about to say something when his phone buzzes.
“Hey,” he says as he picks up. He remains nonchalantly seated on the couch, and I keep staring at him. I notice the rose tattooed on his right arm and feathers on his left. “I can’t make it tonight. My plans changed,” Blake says while he flashes me a smile. What is this man doing?
I get up and walk to the fridge. I protest to Blake’s presence by grabbing a beer for just myself and not him, though I am pretty sure he finished his.
“I don’t care about social media exposure,” Blake tells the person on the other side of the phone. I can’t help but feel intrigued. “Bye, Katie,” he says before he hangs up, and I somehow feel like Katie wasn’t ready to hang up yet.
I walk back to the chair and sit down with my fresh beer. Blake finishes his and gets up. I expect him to walk to the hallway, but he walks to the fridge as well and gets himself another beer.
“What are you doing?” I ask, surprised and somewhat displeased.
“I canceled my date. I need a drink,” Blake replies as he sits down on the couch again. “So what’s this movie about?” he asks as he nods to the screen.
“We are absolutely not discussing Dumplin’,” I explain to him while Blake stares at the paused scene.
“Dumplin’?” he asks, confused, and I hold in a laugh.
“It’s the name of the movie,” I say in a way that must make him feel like it’s obvious.
“Don’t you want to know why I canceled my date?” Blake asks as he leans forward and places his elbows on his knees.
“No,” I lie.
“Tough crowd,” he smiles.
“A date that has something to do with social media exposure couldn’t have been a real date,” I say as I cross my arms.
“Ah,” Blake says cheerfully. “So you were listening,” he determines.
“This is a small room. I couldn’t avoid your voice even if I tried,” I counter.
“Go out with me,” Blake says, and I’m shocked.
“Go out with you?” I ask.
“Yes. Go on a date with me,” he says again, and I can’t tell if this is a weird joke or if this is really happening.
“I have to use the bathroom,” Blake says, like he didn’t just throw my entire night off balance.
“I’ll be right back.” He places his beer on the table and walks around the place as if he owns it.
He has definitely been here before and knows his way around.
As soon as the door to the bathroom closes, I quickly text Anna.
ME: Spa night got interrupted by my brother’s ice hockey friend, who asked me out, I think. What’s the weather like in New Jersey? I might book a flight soon lol
Instantly, I see the typing bubble pop up after I text Anna.
ANNA: This kind of thing only happens to you, lol. You’re allowed to have fun now. Get a little crazy.
I assumed Anna would be with me and would tell me to kick him out.
ANNA: Don’t overthink. Live.