“Of course I’m staying. Who else is going to watch those dreadful chick flicks with you if I don't?” He says, smiling.
“You know you secretly love watching those movies,” I tease as I also stand from the couch and start gathering the many glasses that are littering both the coffee table as well as the floor around it.
“You’re full of shit, you know how much I hate them.” He counters.
After finally getting my house clean, my brother and I spend the rest of the day binge watching chick flicks on Netflix. But although he’s tried every trick in the book to take my mind off things, Gage remains at the front of my thoughts. I wonder if he’s coping okay with what happened to his father. I wonder if he’s having Jessica console him through this time and I wonder if he even tried to call me again. And last but not least, I wonder why he doesn’t love me too.
Chapter Fourteen
Gage
My father is in his room and in bed when I take him his lunch. He’s got strict orders from the doctor to take it easy and stay in bed as much as he can.
“I’m sorry, son.” My dad says for the millionth time in the past few days. I haven't been talking to him because I’ve been too pissed and I’m scared that I’ll end up saying something I’ll regret in the long run if I spoke to him. “I shouldn't have gone back to the drugs, that was a mistake, a mistake I regret wholeheartedly right now.
“Why did you do it?” I finally ask him, now confident that I’m calm enough to talk about this.
“I was looking through some of your mother’s old things and it just got too much for me. The memories hurt so much that I wanted something to take it all away,” he says, bowing his head in shame. “I wasn't planning on doing drugs again but when I found that stash I hid in one of the shoe boxes, I just couldn't help it. I wish I was strong enough to have resisted the temptation but I wasn’t and I’m sorry about that.” He continues.
“I can't deal with this right now,” I say, needing to get away from him because my anger is slowly returning. “I need to go find Lori,” I say more to myself than to him.
“Where is she?” He asks, but I don't answer him as I turn and leave. I’m at my childhood home so I don't have to go far to see Lori. Now that my father is feeling much better and I’m sure that he wouldn't sniff or inject himself with anything, I think it's time I go fix things with the enemy I love.
Nerves hit me hard as I walk the short distance toward Lori’s house. I’ve not seen her for the past few days and her phone has been going straight to voicemail too. I’m just hoping that she’ll understand why it’s taken me so long to come and see her. If it wasn't for my father, I would have come to see her the same day Jessica ruined everything.
Taking a deep calming breath, I knock on their door.
“Hey, Mrs. P.” I say when the door swings open.
“Hi, honey. Come on in.” She says in that motherly, loving tone she always has reserved for her kids and me.
“Is Lori home?” I ask as I follow her in.
“No,” she says and her sigh has me worried for a second. “She left a couple of days ago. She didn't even tell us that she was leaving. She left a note and just packed her stuff and left.” The hurt expression on her face is rare and it tugs at my insides.
“I’m sorry, I’m sure that’s my fault.” I say, bowing my head in shame just like my father did not so long ago.
“I don't understand,” Mrs. P says, narrowing her eyes at me.
“We had a little misunderstanding,” I opt to be vague. I can't very well tell her mother that her daughter, whom I was kind of dating, found a half naked woman in my house.
“Oh,” she says and her word is followed by a frown.
“Can I have her address? I really need to talk to her.” I say as my hand works its way through my hair. I’m willing to drive to her right now.
“Is it bad?” She asks instead of giving me the address like I’ve asked.
“It was but it was just a misunderstanding that I need to clear up with her,” I tell her.
She sighs before opening a drawer and taking out a writing pad and pen. She writes on it then tears the piece she’s written on before giving it to me.
“Thank you,” I say, accepting the piece of paper.
“Gage, you have to take care of her. You know how fragile she can be.” She tells me and her words make feel real bad and stupid.
“I will,” I nod before continuing. “And I’m going to fix this. I love her.” Those last words are out before I could stop them. Shit, I didn't mean to say that. I wanted Lori to hear them from my lips before anyone else.
“I knew it,” her mother says, clapping her hands in excitement. “I knew that with you two, there was a fine line between the hate you claimed to have for each other and love. I think you two have just been mistaking the one for the other.” She says, now looking at me fondly.
“I think you might be right, Mrs. P.” I answer as I get ready to leave.
“Of course I’m right!” She laughs. “Now go, go get her!” She continues and I don't waste anymore time before leaving.
Yes, I’m definitely going to go get her!
****
Almost five hours later and I'm finally parking my car in front of the address Lori's mother gave me. At first I'm unsure of the place but then I see Johnny's car parked outside, I'm sure that it's his because I recognize the registration number.
I didn't even know that he was here.
Collecting my nerves, I climb out of the car and make my way to her front door and immediately start knocking before my nerves get the better of me. After what feels like an eternity, the door finally swings open revealing a smiling Johnny. His smile falls when he sees me and gets replaced by anger I've never seen him show before.
"What's up-" my words are cut off by a dizzying blow to my jaw that makes me stagger back and almost fall flat on my ass.
" What the fuck!" I say, holding my aching jaw and looking up into Johnny's murderous eyes.
"I thought I told you not to fucking hurt my sister," his deadly but calm voice has my eyes widening.
"Shit man it wasn't-"
"Who is it Johnathan?" My words are cut off yet again when Lori pokes her head behind her brother, who is still staring daggers at me. “Gage?” She says, surprise laced all over her face and voice.
“Hey Lori,” I say with a smile that doesn't reach my eyes. Jesus, I thought I was nervous before but now that I see her, the nerves turn into something much worse.
“What the hell are you doing here?” The surprise in her features is gone and replaced with what I can only describe as annoyance.
“We need to talk,” I tell her standing straighter.
“I don't think there is anything to talk about really,” she says, folding her arms on her chest.
“Yeah, there really is nothing you two need to talk about,” Johnny adds, still scowling at me. Jesus, if looks could kill, then I would drop dead like a sack of potatoes from the looks both Lori and Johnny are giving.
“I can explain what happened the other day, I swear it wasn't what you thought,” I say, ignoring Johnny and looking straight into Lori’s eyes. Hoping and praying that she will let me explain.
“Oh yeah? Let's hear it.” She says, sounding bored but I could have sworn I saw a slither of hope fleet through her eyes. Maybe I still have a chance to fix this.
“Jessica is fucking crazy!” I start.
“That's true!” Johnny agrees, causing Lori to look between us in quick succession.
“Lori, can I please talk to you, alone?” I ask. What I need to say is important and I honestly don't want an audience, even if that audience is her brother and my best friend.
“No, you can’t. Whatever you need to say, you can say in front of me.” Johnny says before smirking and continuing. “You know, so that I can punch you in the face again if you so much as say something wrong.”
“No, I guess it's okay,” she sighs, putting a hand on her bro
ther’s shoulder.
“You sure sis?” He asks, searching her eyes. “He might be my best friend but I’ll still kick his ass for hurting you.” He tells her.
“I know and I love you for it,” she says, smiling up at him. “But it's fine.” She continues.
“Fine,” is all Johnny says as he walks back in the house, leaving Lori and I at the door.
“Come on in, Gage.” She tells me with another sigh.
I follow her quietly into the house and she leads me to a room before closing the door behind her. I smile to myself when I take in the bedroom interior. Like her room back home, the walls are lined with various superheroes from Marvel as well as Justice League. Some comic books are framed and hanging neatly on the walls while others are neatly packed on a desk in the far corner of the room.
“Okay, what is this big exp-” I cut her words off by firmly planting my lips on hers. She melts into my arms for a few seconds but then she shoves me away.
“What the hell?” She says, pointing an accusatory finger into my chest. “You don't get to kiss me like that after breaking my heart Gage!” She’s furious and hurt at the same time.
“Fuck!” I curse out loud because the tears I see pooling in her eyes makes me feel like the fucking jerk most woman accuse me of being.
“No, there won't be any of that either!” She says, that death glare back and firm on her beautiful face.
“Lori, there is absolutely nothing happening between me and Jessica,” I say as I start my explanation.
“There’s nothing happening between you and the woman who was wearing nothing but your shirt in your house?” Her incredulous tone has me groaning in frustration.
“I understand that what I’m telling you is hard to believe, Lori but I promise you. She is not my girlfriend.” I say and watch as she narrows her eyes at me.
“So she was just a one night stand then?” She asks, taking a step back from me as the tears shining in her eyes start to fall.
God damn it, her tears are fucking killing me!
“No, Jessica is my ex-girlfriend-”
“This explanation is getting you nowhere Gage. All I’m hearing is that you slept with your ex when I thought we had something.” She says, taking another step away from me. It's like each step she takes, she takes away any hope I had about fixing things with her.
“Please, let me finish.” I say, taking a step closer.
She doesn't say anything so I take that as a sign to continue.
“Jessica is fucking crazy,” I say again before continuing with my explanation. “Things between us ended a while ago but she never accepted it. Yes, I did sleep with her a few times after the breakup but I swear, I haven’t seen or touched her again after that first night you and I had sex.” I tell her.
“If that’s true, then what was she doing naked at your place?” She asks, giving me an I’m-not-fucking-stupid kind of a look.
Sighing, I answer. “She apparently stole my spare keys the last time she was at my place. I swear I was as surprised as you were to see her at my house.” My words have her crunching her face in thought.
“You didn't sleep with her?” She asks with an emotion I’m struggling to place.
“I swear on my mother’s grave that I never touched the woman,” I say, crossing my heart like a five year old.
“Oh,” is all she says as fresh tears pool in her eyes. Now is the time to tell her what I actually came here to tell her.
“I love you, Lori.” I say and her breath catches in her throat as more of the tears pool in her eyes and starts falling.
What the hell, why is she crying? How is it that I’m still hurting her by telling her I love her?
“What did you just say?” She asks as she takes a step closer to me instead of away for a change.
“I said,” I start, also taking a step toward her and closing the distance between us. “I love you Lorianne Parkinson and I think I’ve loved you since that first day you tripped me then told me to be careful and not sorry.” I tell her.
A sob mixed with laughter slips through her lips before she jumps on me and catches me off guard but I manage to catch her.
“I didn't think you felt that way,” She says, her tears are now flowing freely.
“I do,” I say, giving her a brief kiss on her salty lips.
“I guess my mother was right after all,” she’s smiling as she looks at me with those tear filled eyes.
“What?” I ask, momentarily confused about what she’s talking about.
“There is a fine line between love and hate and we have been mistaking one with the other.” She says and her words bring a grin to my lips.
“Yeah, I guess we were.” I answer before crashing my lips on hers and showing her exactly how much I really do love her.
Epilogue
1 month later
Lorianne
“Not so fast babe, I’m still enjoying the view,” Gage is smirking as he watches me dress from the bed. I grin remembering that time when I was the one enjoying the view as he dressed.
“Hey, isn't that my line?” I ask, feigning outrage when in truth I’m loving the way he’s looking at me right now. He’s looking at me like I’m the most precious not to mention sexiest woman alive.
“Maybe,” He laughs as he props himself against the headboard. “But it sounds so much better when it's coming from me, don't you think?” His grin turns into a sexy smirk.
“Shouldn't you be getting ready too instead of gawking at me?” I decide to ask because I realize that there is no way I’ll win the banter that’s about to happen.
“I should be. But like I said, I’m still enjoying the view.” He says, causing me to roll my eyes.
“Get up or else we’re going to be late for dinner!” I say, picking up his shirt and throwing it at him.
I’m visiting home for the weekend and this is my first night back so my parents are hosting a dinner and we got strict orders not to miss it. My parents are still a bit mad at me for how I left the last time so I’m trying to keep in their good books by doing everything they want.
“Come back to bed, I’m sure Mrs. P will understand if we’re a bit late.” He seduces.
“Hmm, tempting but no.” I grin as I start wearing my shoes.
“Oh come on, don't you want another orgasm for the road?” An involuntary moan slips through my lips at his attempt to get me back in bed. If I wasn't thoroughly sated from the multiple orgasms he’s given me throughout the day then that would have definitely gotten me back under him on that bed.
“No no, we need to get going.” I tell him as I stand with my hands on my hips, now fully dressed and ready to go.
“Fine,” he pouts.
He is buck naked when he jumps off the bed. “Now that’s a nice view!” I say when he walks past me on his way to the bathroom and he laughs out loud.
“Okay babe, you ready to get going?” Gage asks me twenty minutes later when he finds me waiting in his living room.
“Yip,” I say standing from the couch I’m seated on. He suddenly grabs me by the hips and pulls me into him before crashing his lips on mine and giving me a toe curling kiss.
“What was that for?” I ask, smiling up at him.
“Just a reminder that I’ve missed you this past month,” he says, mimicking my smile.
“I’ve missed you too,” I reply shily. We’ve only been apart for a month but I honestly did miss him too, this month felt like a solid year.
“Come on, let's get going. I’m dying for some of your mom’s Mac & cheese.” He says before letting me go.
“Oh my God, me too!” I agree as I follow him out of his place.
The drive to my parents house is in comfortable silence until Gage speaks. “Hey Lori?” He says.
“Yeah?” I answer absentmindedly.
“Will you consider taking a transfer back home?” His out of the blue question has me turning in my seat to look at him.
“You want me to move back home?�
� I ask, just to make sure I heard him right.
“Yeah but not back to your parents home,” he says before clearing his throat nervously.
“What are you asking me, Gage?” I ask. I have an idea of where he’s taking this but I need him to ask it out loud.
He takes a deep breath before speaking again. “I’m asking you to move back home and then move in with me.” He says and my heart flutters a bit at his request.
“Okay,” I say, turning back in my seat.
“Okay?” He asks, glancing at me for a second before his eyes go back on the road.
“Yes, okay.” I smile.
“Okay you will move back home or okay…” He lets his sentence hang in the air without finishing it.
“Okay I’ll move back and in with you.” I say. The decision was actually an easy one. I didn't even have to think about it.
“Good,” he says as he blows out a breath. “One down,” he says so softly that I doubt I was supposed to hear it.
“Sorry, what was that?” I ask.
“Said we’re here.” He lies. I could have sworn I heard him saying ‘one down’.
“Okay,” I frown as we climb out of the car then walk hand in hand towards the front door.
“Honey, you’re finally here!” Mom says as we walk into the house.
“Hey mom,” I say at the same time as Gage says; “Hey Mrs. P.”
“You kids make such a lovely couple, I just can't believe that you’re finally-”
“Finally together. Yeah, it's been a long time coming.” Gage says, quickly cutting my mother off.
Well, that was kind of rude.
“Yes, yes it has.” Mom says as tears form in her eyes. What the hell is wrong with my mother? What’s with the sudden waterworks? After a month she should be used to the idea of Gage and I by now. “Come on, dinner is ready and I’ve made your favorite.” Mom continues before leading the way to the dining room.
“Hey everyone!” I say when we step into the dining room where my father, brother and Gage’s father are already seated.
Fine Line: An Enemies To Lovers Romance Page 11
