by Stone, Nora
“You slept with that Michael person first.”
“Marcus,” I corrected him.
“Whatever,”
“And then you slept with bouncy red head. What, does that make us even or something? Is that was this is about?” I asked. Patrick threw his hands up into the air.
“No! I didn’t sleep with Jasmine to even the score, I slept with her to forget you,” he almost screamed it at me. I stopped.
“You… slept with…” And then I stopped. Why had I dragged Isobel out that night, and brought Marcus home with me even though I didn’t really have any genuine interest in him? To forget that Patrick stood me up.
“Yes, I did,” he said while I was still relatively stuck in thought. I stood up and walked over to him.
“And did it work?” I asked. Patrick’s angry look softened.
“No. I tried, but all I wanted was you. You were all I could think about even with another woman in my bed.” That sounded familiar.
“Patrick I…” He kissed me, his arms wrapped tightly around me as he lifted me off of my feet and pressed himself against me with an almost painful amount of force.
I felt him start walking, carrying me down the hallway and through the door to my bedroom, before gently placing me down and hovering over me.
“Wait a minute, we’re arguing,” I said, though most of me wasn’t really on board with the statement. Patrick stood over me, whipping off his shirt before burying his face in the side of my neck, his teeth biting down gently on my skin.
“You can continue arguing if you’d like. I won’t deny that I want you anymore,” he whispered. Geez, he felt good. He felt like I fit in his arms and he in mine. Like we matched. His lips kissed all the argument right out of me.
“Damn it,” I hissed softly. Patrick smiled, and turned off the lamp.
~~~
A few hours later, Patrick and I lay in each other’s arms in silence. And there was that warm, happy afterglow that I only had with him. I’d missed that.
“So what now?” he asked. I looked up at him with a small sigh.
“I don’t know.”
“Neither do I. But, I know that knowing that you slept with that guy made me want to strangle the life out of him,” he said. I giggled.
“Patrick, were you jealous?” His face flushed a little and he cleared his throat.
“What about you with Jasmine, hm?” I shut up.
“That’s what I thought,”he said, a tease in his voice.
“For now, since we aren’t sure what to do, can we agree not to see other people until we figure out what to do?” I asked.
“I can agree to that,” he said. I smiled; something about that made me feel happy.
“Okay. Me too.” I said.
“Good.”
“Good.”
Chapter 6
The next few weeks were a whirlwind. Patrick was back to his crazy practice schedule, so we didn’t get to see each other often, and though he’d call when he got home for the night, he usually sounded so tired that I’d keep the conversation short and send him off to bed. It was odd, even with just that little bit, I was happy. I’d have been happier with more, yes, but knowing that it was only me that he was calling, or texting during a break made me smile every time. It had been a long time for me on this whole monogamy thing, even without some sort of label on it, and it was the first time that it felt good to me. Good, but still scary.
I’d called Charlotte and asked her to come up to work so we could have lunch together. My mind had been wrapped around the scary part all day, and I needed some baby giggles. She texted me ten minutes before my lunch break to let me know that she’d gotten there early and grabbed a table at our favorite sushi place with Al and that she’d be waiting. I knew where they were as soon as I hit the front door, because everyone there was crowded around Alton. People were always crowded around that kid; he was a magnet for attention and a complete ham for a pretty face. Plus, famous parents and all that.
“Hey Char.” I slipped through the group and sat down. That seemed to remind everyone that they were supposed to be doing stuff, perhaps serving the front end of the lunch rush, and the crowd disbursed. Al was settled into his high chair, but immediately held his arms out to me with a grin.
“Hey,” Charlotte said as I leaned over and picked up my nephew, giving him a tight hug as he giggled and put his little chubby arms around my neck.
“How goes the work day?” she asked.
“Long. Tiring. Kind of boring.” I grinned.
“So normal?” she asked. We laughed together.
“How goes the mommy day?”
“Well, it’s not boring. Someone is learning about gravity, such as, if I pull this here cord, the lamp will come crashing down to my level and then I can play with it.” She shot a look at Al, who just imitated the face she was making right back at her.
“Sounds fun,” I said.
“For him, oodles. Not so much for me.” She grinned. The waiter returned to the table and took orders for drinks and food, briefly stopping the conversation.
“Can I ask you something?” I said. Char nodded, taking a sip of her soda.
“Of course.”
“How did you know that you really wanted to be with Joey? Like, him and only him.”
Char smiled. “Are you asking this about you and Patrick?”
I made a face. “Just answer the question, nosey.”
“When Joey and I broke up, I’d pretty much convinced myself that it was what was best for me at the time,” she said. “The thing is, being apart from him made me completely miserable. How could something that was for the best make me absolutely miserable? That was my first clue, but even then I didn’t go seeking him out. Remember, he came looking for me and left that note at my apartment. All I had to do was see that it was from him and I was happy. I didn’t even know what it said yet. It could have been him cursing at me, or calling me names, but just knowing that he was thinking of me was enough to make me happy. Even if he hated me. That was the one for me. That epiphany was the one that said, if I ever get another chance with that man, I will not screw it up.”
“Weren’t you scared? You didn’t even want to be in a relationship at that point,” I asked. Char nodded.
“I was terrified. Deciding that I was in love with Joey and going to act on it was one of the scariest things I’ve ever done. But it was worth it.” She glanced down at her son as he sat in my lap.
“Really?” I asked. Char nodded.
“Joey and I argue, we disagree over things, just like everyone else,” she said. “But there isn’t anyone else in this world that I would want to fall asleep next to, or wake up with. Even when he pisses me off, I still love him. That’s what you have to decide, Jacinta. Is Patrick worth it to you? Is he worth giving up one night stands and flirting with every guy who catches your eye? Will you be happy with just him, forever? And if the answer is no, you need to tell him now. The entire team knows that man is in love with you, and it’s not fair to string him along if the feeling isn’t mutual.”
I looked up at her, shocked. “What? The whole team?”
“Make a decision, Jacinta. Make one soon.” She ignored my question as she flipped open the dessert menu and went about looking at it intently, effectively ending that particular conversation.
That night, per the usual, Patrick called when he got home. He sounded asleep on his feet, but I could hear the smile in his voice when he spoke.
“Hey, how was work today?”
“Easier than your day, from the sound of it,” I said. Patrick laughed softly.
“Most people’s days are not as vigorous as a football player’s days.”
“Well, the store was kind of slow, which was nice because I needed to change a few displays. Then I met Charlotte and Alton for lunch, went back to work and came home.”
“Mmm, that sounds like an awesome day,” Patrick said. I giggled.
“Go get some rest,” I said. He laug
hed.
“Wait, I wanted to ask you something,” he said. I sat back against the couch pillows behind me and grinned.
“Okay, shoot.”
“Would you be willing to come out here for the weekend?”
I paused. I’d stayed at his house before, but this seemed like something different. Like there was something about this seemingly simple question that I was missing.
“Hello?” he said. I shook myself from my thought stupor.
“Sorry, yes I’d love to.”
“Then why the hesitation?” he asked. I sighed.
“You honestly want to know?”
“Yes, I honestly do.”
“This seems like something different than simply a come stay with me for a few days request, and I was trying to figure out what made me feel that way and got a bit lost in thought,” I said. Patrick’s deep laugh came through the phone and made me smile, like it always did.
“Stop over thinking it. This is just you and I, spending a weekend together, okay? Making it complicated is something that we’ve both decided we don’t want, independent of each other, right?” he asked. I nodded like he could see me.
“Right,” I agreed.
“Then stop making it complicated. I have the weekend off, and I want to spend it with you. Here, in this house, where we can sit in front of a roaring fire and watch movies all night.”
I laughed. “Alright, no complicated thoughts.”
“Good. Why don’t you come out Friday night?”
“I thought you had practice Friday.”
“I do, we’re only off Saturday and Sunday. But I want you here Friday. I’ll be okay,” he said. I sighed, concerned for him.
“Alright, but if you come home sore and exhausted, I’m putting you to bed.”
“Yeah you are,” he said, a teasing tone in his voice. I laughed.
“Nasty.”
“Takes one to know one.” He replied.
Chapter 7
The next morning, my phone rang bright and early. I rolled over to grab it from my night stand and squealed as the sun light shining through the window blasted me across the face.
“Oh my goodness, what,” I mumbled as I answered the call. There was a laugh in response.
“Wake up, Auntie Jacinta. Come out to the practice with me and Alton today,” Charlotte’s voice said. It took me a few moments to get my mind around what the hell she was talking about.
“The Bullet’s practice?”
“Of course! We can’t see our guys because they’re always out there and Al loves being outside, so let’s go watch them practice.”
“I’m pretty sure the practices are private,” I said, throwing my arm across my eyes in an effort to shut out the light. It wasn’t working very well.
“To most, yes. But not to us. We’re special, and I already got permission. Come on, get up,” she said. I sighed. What the hell.
“Are you coming to get me?” I asked.
“Sure. I’ll bring Starbucks,” she said, over the sound of a squeal and gurgle from my favorite, chubby faced drool monster.
"You know me so well.” I kicked off the covers. Charlotte laughed just as a crash sounded in the background of her call.
“Um, is everything okay?” I asked. Char sighed.
“Damn it. Al is still discovering gravity and I forgot to staple down the blu ray player. We might need to go to the electronics store later today.” She groaned. I stifled a laugh and shuffled towards the bathroom.
“Alright. I’m going to hop in the shower, but I’ll unlock the door so you can come in.”
“You’re trying to get off of the phone before you laugh, aren’t you?”
“You ruin it all if you state what I’m doing, Char. Bye,” I said with a grin, ending the call and starting the hot water.
~~~
I emerged from the bedroom to Charlotte sipping her coffee alone in the living room. I looked around, confused.
“Where is Al?” I asked. Char calmly swallowed her sip of coffee and handed me my cup.
“In the closet,” she said. I blinked at her.
“Why is Al in the closet?” I asked, trying to ignore the fact that it wasn’t a normal question to have to ask.
“Because he crawled in there and now screams whenever I open the door,” she said calmly.
“And we’re okay with this?” I asked. Char nodded.
“There’s nothing on the lower shelf for him to pull down, and I know where he is,” she said. I thought about it; she had a valid point there. There was a thump from the closet, and then a giggle.
“At least he sounds like he’s having fun,” I said. Char laughed and stood, walking to the closet and opening the door, causing Al to tumble out. She sighed and scooped him up before he could start crying.
“This silly little boy. Come on, we’re going to be late if we don’t leave soon,” she said. I snickered and grabbed my purse from the counter.
Chapter 8
The day was perfect for being outside and watching a group of grown men pummel each other into the ground. We’d set up an interesting contraption called a pack and play, according to Charlotte. I called it a baby cage. It was a portable playpen, so Al couldn’t wander off.
It was eighty seven degrees outside, with a light and constant breeze and clear skies. As soon as we’d stepped outside, I’d known that Char’s choice of today for this outing had been a good one. The day was so perfect that the sunlight lifted the spirit.
“Hello ladies,” Isobel said, strolling up to us and sitting down. I looked up, surprised.
“I called her when I was on my way to you,” Char said.
“Oh. Hey Izzy, how’s it going?” I asked. She smiled.
“Better, now that I’m outside on this beautiful day and with my best friends.” She reached into the play pen to tickle Al a bit.
“It is perfect out here, isn’t it?” I said. The sound of hard footfalls on the field brought all three of our attention around.
“Good Morning, ladies,” Patrick said, though his eyes were locked on mine. I had to work hard not to blush.
“Hi Patrick,” Isobel and Char said together. I was never, ever going to hear the end of this.
“Hey Jacinta,” he said, the tone in his voice changing. I could feel Izzy and Char’s eyes burning holes into the side of my face, so I stood and walked to the railing.
“Hey.” I grinned.
“You look wonderful today,” he said, stepping closer.
“You don’t look so bad yourself, handsome,” I said. Patrick winked.
“If I wasn’t sure that both of us would be terrorized, I’d kiss you.”
“We can hear you!” Charlotte sang from behind me. I rolled my eyes.
“I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty sure that I’m going to be terrorized either way,” I said. Patrick snickered.
“Well hello there,” Joey said, jogging up with a look on his face that was damn near scandalous.
“Hey Joey,” I said.
“Hello, handsome husband,” Char said, walking up beside me.
“Where is my handsome son?” he asked. Char popped her hip out to the side.
“What about your beautiful wife?”
“Oh I let you know how beautiful I think you are every night,” he said, wiggling his eyebrows. Patrick started making gagging noises and Isobel and I fell against each other, giggling.
“Did you all just come to watch?” Coach said, jogging up with a friendly smile.
“Yes sir, we’ll stay out of the way,” I said. Coach nodded.
“You ladies aren’t in the way at all. And I love when Alton is here, it’s as if the whole team wants to impress him, so they all run harder,” Coach said. Char laughed.
“Which is weird because he won’t remember it when he gets older,” she said.
“Shh! Don’t tell them that,” Coach said, shushing Charlotte with a smirk. She laughed and shook her head.
“Are you still coming out th
is weekend?” she asked. Coach nodded.
“Yes ma’am.”
“For what?” I asked.
“Coach is having car trouble and doesn’t trust mechanics, so Joey told him to bring it out there and he’d take a look at it,” Patrick said.
