by Mary Smith
Telling Meadow the story made my heart hurt again. I needed to tell Meadow she’d texted me, but I couldn’t find the words. Technically, I didn’t have to tell Meadow anything because she wasn’t really my girlfriend, but I wanted something more between us and I didn’t want to hide anything.
“I think I’m tired from eating all this yummy food. Ready to take me home?” Meadow grinned at me.
“Yes. I am.” I slid out of the booth and took her hand.
For the second time in twenty-four hours, my arm was asleep when I woke up. Meadow was curled up next to me, using my bicep as a pillow. She was beautiful, lying next to me. I was able to get out of the bed without disturbing her, and I put my jeans on. I knew I would have to go home soon and change clothes, but right now I didn’t plan on leaving Meadow.
My phone was buzzing in my pocket. When I pulled it out, I saw it was Angela, again.
Please, Ky.
Call me.
It’s important.
I miss you.
I’m still in love with you.
There it was. The statement almost knocked me on my ass. I’ve wanted to her say it for so long. It had been over a year. Why was she doing this now? I’ve moved on. Right?
“Why do I keep waking up without you?”
I looked over at her, chuckling. “Sorry. I wasn’t tired anymore.”
“Me either.” She wrapped her arms around my waist.
“What do we have planned today?” I kissed the top of her head.
“Well, I’m planning on vegging out in front of my TV and catching up on Game of Thrones. I’m behind and the new season starts soon.”
“Never saw it.”
Instantly, Meadow stepped away from me. “Excuse me?”
“I’ve never seen it,” I repeated.
“Have you read the books?”
I gave her the look as if she should already know that answer.
“I can’t date someone who doesn’t know the joys and treachery of Game of Thrones.”
“Are we dating?” A lump jumped in my throat, and Angela’s text popped into my mind.
“Well…um…I just meant…um…in general.” She stammered on her words.
“Sure, in general,” I agreed with her. “How about you explain the show to me?” I changed the subject.
“Ha! That’s damn near impossible. Why don’t you veg out with me? We’ll start with season one, and we’ll catch up.” Her blue eyes were becoming bright as she asked.
“Let me run home and change. I’ll be back in an hour.” I gave her a quick kiss and rushed away from her.
I needed to talk to Kian.
Thankfully, Kian was at home. I told him I needed to tell him something, and I didn’t want any advice unless he was going to be unbiased. When he agreed, I told him everything that happened between Meadow and me, and then told him about Angela’s text. Kian sat on the couch and listened to everything I said.
“Okay, what do you think? Should I contact Angela?”
Kian thought for a few seconds, rubbing his chin. “Kyson, look, if you want to contact Angela, go ahead. However, I think it’s a huge mistake. You two fought all the time. She never did anything you wanted to do. She hates hockey. She hates traveling. She complains all the time. I still don’t see why you even liked her.
“Now, there’s Meadow and I like her. She’s intelligent, funny, and overall a good person. You two have hit it off, and I’ve never seen you this happy. But, if you contact Angela, you have to tell Meadow. Don’t lie to her.”
“I want to know why Angela left. Maybe we both need closure or something.” I shrugged.
“I don’t think Angela wants closure. Not by these texts. Just don’t be a jerk to Meadow. I know you care for her, and you shouldn’t lie to her. I mean it, Kyson.”
I nodded because he was right. I needed to be upfront with Meadow. I liked her. I did, but this was Angela. We had a long history together. I thanked Kian and got ready to go back to Meadow’s. I took an overnight bag, just in case. More than likely, she’d throw me out after I told her about Angela.
I left it in the truck because I was going to wait and see what she would do. I knocked on the door, and when she answered, I grinned. She was wearing those tight jeans again and a t-shirt with her fictional team on it.
“Hey,” I said walking in.
“Hi.” She sounded a bit sad. “Can we talk for a minute?” She shut the door and motioned toward the couch where Puckhead played with a toy.
“Okay.” I took a seat. “I want to talk too.”
“Let me go first.” She faced me. “I want to know what’s going on. Last night, we were great, but this morning, you were distant. I’m sorry for my dating comment. It really did just slip out. If you want this to be a one-night thing or casual sex, then you need to be upfront with me. I’m a big girl; I can take it, even if you tell me the sex was bad.”
“The sex wasn’t bad,” I quickly told her. Sex wasn’t the problem at all.
“Then tell me please.”
I dropped head in my hands, resting my elbows on my knees. I needed to man up and tell her. I wasn’t a liar or someone who kept secrets. Hell, I wasn’t the type of person who didn’t say what was on my mind. I lifted my head and looked at her. Meadow was staring at me, waiting for me to say something.
“I don’t want a one-night stand or something casual. I want to date you. I like you a lot.”
“Then what is it?” she asked, still confused. Hell, I was too.
“Okay. All right, I’m just okay to say it. Angela has been contacting me for the past few days. I haven’t replied or anything.”
“But you want to,” she finished for me.
“I do. I want to know why she left me. I want—I guess closure is right word.”
“Kyson, you also want to know if you still love her or vice versa.” Meadow must have been reading my mind.
“Yes, but I don’t want to hurt you.” I swallowed back the lump in my throat.
Meadow took my hands in hers. “I’m not some jealous twenty-one year old you picked up on the street. I understand what you’re going through and the answers you need. I really appreciate the honesty, but you need to talk to her. You need those answers.”
“But I like you.” I didn’t want her to think I didn’t care for her or that I was using her.
“Kyson,” she smiled. “I like you too. If not, you wouldn’t be here right now. But you need to figure this situation out, and we both know it.”
“Are you kicking me out?” It sounded as if she was about to do it.
“What? No. However, the kissing and the sex will stop until you have it all figured out. If, and when, you figure out your answers and want to date me exclusively then,” she paused, “then I’d like that very much. But you need to talk to Angela first.”
I squeezed her hand. “Thank you for understanding.”
“Kyson, it’s fine, and I do understand. If you need a friend, I will be here for you.”
It was great to hear her say those words.
“But, now you need to watch some Game of Thrones.”
Chapter Thirteen
Meadow
Harlow was able to get all my edits done, and I spent Sunday and Monday finishing it up. I was glad for the distraction, because Kyson was on my mind.
I know everything I told him was the truth, and I meant it, but a small part of me wanted to scream how much I really wanted him. I told that part of me to shut up. He needed to figure this part out on his own, and I didn’t want to take away his fairy tale.
We texted a bit back and forth, but it was mainly about Game of Thrones. Kyson was now watching season two and hooked as much as me. I didn’t have the heart to spoil any of the plots, even though I wanted to when he went on and on about one particular character.
When I finished reading through the book for the last time, I uploaded the final copy to all the sites for pre-order and rewarded myself with a Little Debbie cake and a pedicure. Y
es, I was aware it was almost Thanksgiving and wouldn’t be wearing any open-toed shoes for a while, but I still enjoyed them.
The snow began to fall heavily when I returned from the pedicure, and I decided curling up with a good romance book was exactly what I needed. I stretched out with my Kindle while Puckhead rested comfortably by my knees.
Of course, the book put me into a blubbering mess. It was a romance, but sometimes a character could just rip you apart. Nonetheless, I loved it and was able to read it quickly. It was worth it too.
My stomach growled, and I realized I’d worked off my Little Debbie cake with the swiping of my Kindle pages. I decided KC’s Rib Shack would be the great way to top off my evening.
With the snow falling, the place wasn’t overly packed. Snow doesn’t keep everyone home in the North, unless it was over five feet. Then we just made a path. I took a seat at the bar, ordered a pop, and placed my to-go order.
I sipped on my drink as the PHL highlights played on the corner TV. Kyson had been killing it lately. He’d finally gained the attention he deserved. I was proud of him and the Bears.
I paid my bill and headed back to my house. I was quiet surprised to see Kyson’s truck in my driveway.
“Hey.” I smiled, but stopped when I saw the sadness in his eyes. “What is it, Kyson?”
“I can’t find Kian, and I need a friend.” His voice broke, and his eyes watered.
I hugged him tightly, and he returned it. “Well, this friend just bought an abundance of ribs and pork barbeque. I say we go eat it all up.” I pulled back from him.
“Sounds perfect.” He laced his fingers with my gloved hand and I led us into the house.
“I’ll grab some plates and silverware.” I unwrapped my scarf.
“Have any alcohol?” he called out as I walked into the kitchen.
“I’ve got wine.” I rushed around to gather everything because the nosy girl inside me was dying to know what was going on. I strolled into the living room trying to appear casual and not anxious to hear what was wrong. Puckhead was in Kyson’s lap as I took a place next to him on the floor. I laid everything out while he popped the cork and filled our glasses. He chugged his first glass as if it was water.
“It’s better if you let it breathe first,” I half-joked with him. I began to fix our plates as he poured his second glass. “Want to tell me what’s going on?”
“I talked to Angela.”
“Okay, and by the looks of you, and the wine glass you’re clutching, it didn’t go well.”
“Nope.” He took another gulp.
“Here.” I took the wine glass from him and sat it down. “Tell me what happened.”
“She’s getting married next month. A Christmas wedding to a doctor with his own private practice in New York City.”
“Oh.” I hadn’t expected him to say that.
“They’ve only been together three months, and she called to see if she and I could have one more night together, so she could be sure she really loved the doctor or if she was marrying him for the money.”
My mouth dropped. “She told you that?”
“Angela cares deeply about her social status.”
“So being with a top ten player in the PHL isn’t good enough?” Who did this bitch think she was?
“No. Well, I guess not anyway.” He shrugged.
“What are you going to do? Are you going to go and give her the night?” Deep down, I prayed he’d say no.
“Meadow,” he rolled his eyes. “She’s engaged to another man. She left me kneeling and embarrassed in a restaurant. She nearly broke her leg getting away from me after I pretty much cut my chest open and put my heart on the table. I was in love with her then, but I’m not an idiot.”
My body relaxed knowing he wasn’t going to her. He was wise beyond his years.
“I just wanted, well, I guess some part of me wanted to hear her say she’d made a mistake.” He patted Puckhead who was still in his lap.
It stung my heart to hear him say his true feelings. I liked him. And I could see his heart still hurt from Angela’s words. I should have been okay with this because we weren’t a serious item. We hadn’t professed our love and committed to each other. We were friends.
“I’m sorry; you must think I’m some sort of pussy.”
I shook my head. “No, I see a guy with a broken heart. It’s been over a year and you are just now facing some things. There’s nothing wrong with having feelings and expressing them. I’m sorry it’s happening to you.”
Kyson’s green eyes stared at me. “Meadow, I don’t regret anything we did. I very much like you.”
I smiled. “I like you too, Kyson. I don’t regret anything either.”
Kyson took my hand, squeezing it lightly. Both of us stared at our hands as we toyed with each other.
“Why don’t we eat and watch some Game of Thrones?” I released his hand and grabbed the remote.
For the next several hours, we did just that. As friends.
“Did he stay with you again?” Harlow sipped her espresso.
“No, he didn’t have any more wine, so by the time season two finished, he was good to go home.” I fiddled with the stirrer of my hot green tea.
“So, are you two going to try dating each other?”
I shook my head. “I don’t think so.”
“Why?”
“He still in love with her.” He still had a lot on his mind when he left me and I know he had more to deal with. He pretty much proved it last night.
“Doesn’t mean you can’t have sex.”
“Yes, it does. I’m not going to complicate his life more than it already is. That woman really tore him up.”
Harlow rolled her eyes. “Fine, go back to your boring vibrator.”
“Can we please change the topic?”
“Oh, actually, I did want to ask you something.”
“Sure.”
“I have a friend, well really, she’s my banker, but she’s so sweet, and she is shy. I mean, very, very, shy to the point it’s annoying.”
“Okay.” I wasn’t sure where this was going.
“Anyway, she was talking to me about joining her gym, and I thought the three of us could make a girl group of it.”
“Well, I do need to do something. My yoga pants are getting tight. Sure, count me in.”
I started season three.
You’re hooked.
I am. Oh and I read Marshall and Becky. Great job.
Thanks. Look at you being all adult.
I heard adulting is the new fad.
LOL. Adulting isn’t a word.
Obviously, you’re not on twitter enough.
I laughed at Kyson’s comment. He’d been on the road for the past week, but we’ve been talking more and more. He’d stopped talking about Angela, and I was glad of it. I tried to be there as a friend, but there was big part of me that didn’t want to hear about her. Maybe it was because I cared for Kyson and wanted to protect him.
Coming to the game tomorrow?
No. I’m busy.
Doing what?
Shit, how was I going to explain this? I needed to be honest, just as I wanted from him.
A friend is in town and we’re going out. That was somewhat honest. I left out the part where he was an old friend and we still hooked-up when he passed through.
Harlow?
Harlow lives here. I knew he was fishing for information. It’s a guy friend from college. He’s in town for a couple of days.
There was a long pause. I knew he saw the message, because Facebook was as nosy as I was.
Have a great time. I’ll text you when I can.
I groaned. I knew the tone of the message. He was pissed.
Kyson, we’re friends. You know I have a past and friends from there. Please don’t be upset.
I’m not. I need to rest before practice in the morning. I’ll text you soon.
I could tell he was lying, but I left him with a simple good night messag
e. I should have been mad because he was upset at me talking to a friend when we’d spent a lot of time talking about Angela. Even though we hadn’t been lately, but still. I shrugged it off and figured he would get over it as well.
“Jude, you’re a jerk.” I wadded up my napkin and threw it at his face.
“What? I’m just saying your Bears won’t be making it to the finals anytime soon.”
There was a loud roar from the patrons of Billy’s Sports Bar and Grill. The Bears had won the game.
“You were saying.” I pointed to the TV screen. “I’m not sure I can read the score.” I squinted my eyes.
“Ha. Ha.” Jude went back to eating his burger. “Now, tell me why we’re meeting here and not your place.”
After I finished talking to Kyson, and thought it through most of the night, I felt bad. I knew why Jude was in town and I knew what we’d do if we were at my place.
“I’m sort of seeing someone.”
“Sort of?”
“Well, it’s really complicated. He’s a great person and…”
“You don’t want to ruin it.”
I nodded.
“Meadow, I get it. I’ve known you since college. You aren’t the type not to speak your mind. You can tell me the truth. I’m a grown up.”
I laughed. “Are you sure?”
Jude pushed his hand through his now thinning blond hair. “Sometimes, I’m a grown up. Tell me about the guy.”
I thought about saying I didn’t want to talk about it, but maybe Jude could give me some insight. He’d gone through something similar to Kyson.
“Kyson Wick.” I blurted out his name without giving more information. I should have told him the situation first.
Jude choked on his burger. “The Bears’ Kyson Wick?”
I nodded.
“How did you snag him?”
“He’s on my new book cover.”
“Wow.” Jude sipped his beer. “That’s pretty cool. What’s he like?”
