“It was a sexual harassment complaint,” she finally said, and my whole body tensed, certain I hadn’t heard that correctly.
“What the fuck?” I growled into the phone, insulted on her behalf for such a complaint even being entertained.
“It’s crazy, right?” she said through her tears. “And they dismissed me from work until they can investigate the allegations. It was so humiliating.”
Her crying intensified, and my worry grew. I didn’t want her getting so upset and still have to drive home. “Sweetheart, tell me where you are? Are you still at work?”
She sniffled again. “No, I somehow managed to make it home before losing it. I didn’t want anyone to see.”
“I know, baby. That couldn’t have been easy to do.” I ran my hand through my hair as I looked around my room, trying to figure out what to do. It felt like she needed me—hell, I needed to be with her if she was this upset—but I had so much work to do. Did I realistically think I could get any of it done knowing she was crying and I couldn’t help? This was all foreign territory for me, and I searched the recesses of my brain to find a solution.
Then it came to me. “Did they say how long it would take? Are you off work for a specific period of time?”
I could hear her blowing her nose away from the phone before she came back on and answered, “Rick said they would call me when I could come in and find out their decision.”
Well, that is just a bunch of bullshit, I thought as I decided to tell her my idea. I was already pulling up the train schedule on my computer. “If you don’t want me to come down there to you, then you need to get on the train and come to me.”
“What?” she said, her voice sounding a little clearer.
“Come to me. Those are your choices and you have a minute to decide. You said I couldn’t come down there, so you need to come to me. You aren’t going into work tomorrow and maybe not even the next. Come be with me.”
Looking at my watch, I double checked the schedule, not even waiting for her answer. “You think you can make it to the train station in an hour? I’ll buy your ticket and send it to your email, and I can pick you up when you get here.”
“No, Jonathan, don’t buy me a ticket … I can drive up there if you want me to.” Her voice was small, and I didn’t like that. She didn’t sound like my girl at all.
“I’m telling you, you’re coming to me or I’m coming down there. And I don’t want you driving when you are so upset. I’ll find someone to pick you up from your place.” I wasn’t giving her a choice in the matter.
“Jonathan, wait…”
“No, babe. You have thirty seconds to decide. Am I coming down there, or are you coming up here?”
There was a few moments of silence before she whispered, “You have work to do, and I don’t want to interrupt that. I was just so upset, and you were the first person I wanted to call.”
Damn right I was the first person she called. “That’s the way it’s supposed to be. I want to be there for you, so make your decision.”
“If you come down here, you have to go back up in the morning. That’s just crazy.” She sounded like she was convincing herself more than telling me the facts. I clicked on the button, buying her ticket and forwarded it to her email.
“Done. Your ticket is in your email. Go pack a bag for a few days, and I’m going to call someone to drive you to the station. Don’t even try and argue because you’re not driving and you can’t leave your car at the station for that long.”
Silence met me, and I wavered on my stern approach for a second before I heard her, “Okay soccer player, have it your way.”
I smiled for the first time since hearing her pained voice. “That’s right, now go pack. I’ll text you when your ride gets there.”
“Thank you, Jonathan. I really didn’t want to see any of my friends and have to explain what happened,” she admitted before sighing.
“And you don’t have to. Not even to whoever picks you up. Just hold it together for a little while longer and then I’ll have you, baby.” My focus had been single-minded in my need to get her up here, and now that she’d relented, I relaxed a bit.
“Okay, see you soon. I love you.”
“I love you too, sweetheart. I’ll be waiting for you when you get here.”
Three hours later I found a parking spot with only a minute to spare. I could hear the train roaring into the station, so I hurried to the platform in hopes of making it there when she stepped off. Positioning myself in the middle, I scanned the doors as they opened until I found her. She was dressed for comfort in simple pants, a pair of Uggs, and her black CSOC sweatshirt, with a bright orange scarf hanging from her neck. She also wore sunglasses, which told me she was hiding her eyes, and it made me move in her direction faster.
I knew the moment she saw me because she moved a little faster too. As soon I reached her, I wrapped my arms firmly around her as completely as I could. She nuzzled her nose into the crook of my neck, and I heard her sigh as her body relaxed against mine. We stood there for a few moments, just holding each other, ignoring the people moving around us. If Leeann needed a moment, she’d have one. My hands rubbed up and down her back, letting her know I was there for her.
After a few minutes, the train left and we continued to stand there in the silence. The cold of the winter air settled around us was a contrast to the warmth of her breath against my neck. I felt her arms tighten briefly before relaxing as she pulled her face back and looked up at me. Wanting to see all of her, I lifted her sunglasses off and stared down into pink puffy eyes with an equally pink nose.
Smiling, I said, “Hey beautiful.”
She snorted, obviously knowing she didn’t look herself. “Hey soccer player. Thanks for picking me up.”
“Thanks for coming to me,” I said before pressing a quick kiss to her lips.
Her answering smile was strained, but I’d take it for now. “Did I have a choice?”
Reaching down, I grabbed her bag from the ground before moving us off the platform and toward my car. “Sure you did, but only one was acceptable. You chose wisely.”
The laugh she let out was low and sad. Walking to the car, I kept her pressed against my side and kissed the top of her head that rested against my shoulder. The thought of her being so upset was a punch to the gut, and I hated it, but at least now I felt like I could do something about it.
I settled her into the front seat of the Camaro and hustled around to my side. Dropping in, I started the car and put the heat on low for her. Glancing at the time, I set out to pick up our dinner. “Can you grab that shopping bag and move it to the backseat? I don’t want it warmed up.”
“Sure,” she said as she picked it up with one hand before realizing it was heavy. “What the hell is in here? You carrying bricks around now?”
Laughing, I said, “No, just some supplies I figured we’d need.”
“Oh yeah, like what?” she asked, setting the bag down in the back and taking a look inside. She was quiet for a few moments, and I looked her direction to see her still staring into the bag. Pulling in to the parking lot where I had called in an order for dinner, I parked the car and turned to her.
“I wasn’t sure what I should get. I know comfort food was needed, and of course I know you love cherries. So I got everything I could find with cherries.” She sniffled, and my heart stalled. Was she crying? “Hey, if you want or need something else, we can stop at the store. We just need to pick up the food I ordered first.”
I shook my head in response because I couldn’t speak around the giant lump in my throat. Picking up the container of Cherry Garcia ice cream, I also found chocolate-covered cherries beneath it. Then I saw the sour cherries, followed by a bag of cherry Blow Pops. Below that was a large jar of actual cherries, a box of cake mix, a container of cherry icing, and several other cherry-flavored things. Lastly, I spotted the bag of tortilla chips and a jar of salsa next to it. He’d thought of everything. Dropping back into my sea
t, I wiped a tear from my cheek as I smiled at Jonathan.
His anxious expression made me want to laugh. Taking a deep, cleansing breath, I let it out slowly as I stared into my boyfriend’s eyes. Feeling better than I had since being called into Rick’s office, I said, “No, Jonathan. Everything I could possibly need, or want, is right here.”
He visibly relaxed as I smiled and leaned in to steal a kiss—one of those things I both wanted and needed.
After spending two days being lazy and unmotivated, I was perfectly disgusted with myself. I needed to go for a run and snap myself out of this depressing state. Waking up before Jonathan made it easy to slip out of bed without difficulty. So I got dressed as quietly as I could and made my escape. My stomach was bothering me, but the fact that I’d eaten almost every ounce of comfort food Jonathan had so thoughtfully picked up, it shouldn’t surprise me.
Once outside, I took a deep breath and started off, searching for that balance I felt when I worked out. Before I knew it, I was pushing through mile three. Deciding it was time to turn around and head back, I began planning what to make for breakfast. As attentive as Jonathan had been since Monday, the least I could do was make him a meal. Not to mention if I didn’t get some food in my stomach soon, it might just eat itself.
After doing six miles, I figured it was okay to take the elevator. Even if it was only three floors. Besides, I’d picked us up coffee, which wouldn’t be as warm if I took the stairs. Yeah, that was a perfect rationalization for being lazy; I’d have to remember that. Balancing the coffees, one on top of the other, I fumbled to get the key from the zipper pocket on my hip. I’d been so preoccupied, I almost collided with a leggy blonde, who was obviously doing the walk of shame in my path.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” I said as I skirted out of the way and continued down the hall. It wasn’t until I turned back to look at her that I realized she was glaring at me. Sheesh, I said I was sorry. Shaking my head, I stuck the key into the lock only to have the door open quickly. Fortunately, my reflexes were fast enough to prevent the coffee tower from hitting the ground. Or Robby’s bare chest for that matter.
“Nice! Coffee delivery,” Robby said with glee as he snatched the top one. “Thanks doll!” he added before leaning over and kissing my cheek. Then he quickly moved down the hall and handed something to Ms. Walk-of-Shame. As he walked back toward me, he called over his shoulder, “I’m so glad I saw them. Would hate for you to have to make a return trip.”
I was able to see her stomp her foot before Robby scooted me into the apartment and soundly closed the door. He was leaning against it like he needed to hold it there. Snorting a laugh, I asked, “You okay there, Rob?”
He smiled. “Dodged a bullet with that one. Such an amateur move … leaving the earrings so she’d have to come back for them. I should be insulted.” Pushing off the door, he handed me back the coffee he’d snatched. “Perfect timing by the way. Now she won’t think to come back because she’s seen another girl here already.”
Walking past him into the kitchen, I laughed, “Sure thing. Any time you need a stand-in whore, I’m your girl.”
“See, that’s what I love about you Lee,” he boasted while rooting through the fridge.
“It’s one of my many charms. But next time, pick a chick you wouldn’t mind more than one night with. Makes things easier in the long run,” I teased.
When he stood, his expression wasn’t the normal charismatic, confident one I was accustomed to. A shadow of something quickly passed over his face before he schooled his features and said, “Yeah, well not all of us are as lucky as you and Jonathan. Besides, I tried that. It turns out I wasn’t worth having around for more than one night either.”
Just as I was about to reach for him, wanting to comfort him, he moved away, “I’ve got to shower, or I’ll be late for class. If I beg you nicely, could I have some breakfast too?”
“Of course,” I answered, and he nodded before walking to his room. I had the sudden urge to bitch-slap some girl for putting that look on Robby’s face.
As I exited the bathroom, I heard my phone vibrate again, and I rolled my eyes. Glancing down at the screen I went in search of Leeann. I found her in the kitchen, wearing one of my favorite outfits. What guy couldn’t appreciate his girl, in all her athletic beauty, wearing a pair of tight black pants and a sports bra, while making breakfast? Dreams were made of visions like this. I laughed inwardly as I wrapped my arms around her waist and nestled my face into the crook of her neck. “Good morning, my spandex-wearing goddess.”
She giggled. “Good morning, soccer player. Stop that, I’m all sweaty.” Her scolding was pathetic considering she giggled again when she said it.
“Mmm, salty,” I teased after a wet kiss to her neck. She pushed me away, and I let her with a laugh of my own. Spotting the coffee, I asked, “Are one of these mine?”
“No, they’re both mine,” she said with a glare over her shoulder. “What do you think?”
Taking a sip of one, I hopped up on the island counter and shrugged. “I don’t know. Could be that Robby ran down to the coffee shop for him and his overnight guest.”
She stopped what she doing and turned toward me, eyebrows raised in question, knowing I was full of shit. So I conceded, “Okay, you’re right. I admit that’s far-fetched.”
“You’re welcome, by the way. Your roommate tried to steal it, so you’re lucky it’s still there,” Leeann said while giving the eggs in the pan a final stir before turning off the stove. Dropping off the counter, I retrieved the plates from the dishwasher and set them on the counter. It was nice having her here with me the past two mornings. A guy could get used to having someone who cared enough to make him breakfast. Or having someone to make it for. An image of Leeann and me doing this all the time flashed through my mind. I couldn’t help but smile as I let the thought of a future that included Leeann wash over me and take root.
My phone vibrating shook me from my daydream. “I think Mari is sending me nasty messages.”
When she put a plate in front of me, I accepted with a quick kiss to her cheek in thanks. Then she said, “So when you get texts from some random number you automatically think it’s Mari?”
With a mouth full of egg, I nodded as I tried to finish instead of speaking around it. Swallowing, I answered, “I wasn’t sure at first, but this last one tells me it’s definitely her.”
“Why is that?” she asked, trying to smile behind her napkin.
“Well, the last one says, and I quote, ‘Send my girl back, or I’ll be forced to take out the other knee.’” I laughed while handing the phone over for her inspection. She snorted adorably while taking a bite out of her toast.
Nodding, she agreed, “Yep, I don’t have to look at the number to know it’s her. She’s a little protective.”
“And scary,” I added with a mock shiver.
“At least she hasn’t threatened your junk.” Her voice was heavy with humor as she nodded, trying to emphasize her words a little more.
“This is true,” I agreed.
When my cell phone vibrated again, Leeann looked at it and laughed out loud before covering her mouth full of food to say, “Too late!”
Looking, all I could do was shake my head as I read Mari’s latest text, which threatened removal of my favorite body parts. Swallowing my food, I set the phone down. “She really needs to learn how to share. You’re mine, too, you know.” I tried not to pout, but failed.
Leeann actually reached out and poked my pouty lip back in before saying, “Don’t even try. Besides, she’s getting better. The fact that didn’t threaten your manhood first is proof. She must like you.”
Rolling my eyes, I said, “If you say so.”
She nodded. “I do, but on the subject of sharing me…” she paused to take a sip of her coffee before finishing, “I think I’m going to head home today.”
I scowled. It was an instant reaction.
“Stop. It’s Wednesday, and you’ll be coming down tomo
rrow. Right?”
“No, I can’t come down ‘til Friday … my online class has lab hours this week. I was hoping to keep you here until then, and we could ride down together,” I said, and admittedly included a bit more pouting. Greedy, I know, but there was nothing wrong with covering all angles. She knew my game, though, because with a snort and a quick eye roll she got up and took her plate to the sink. Placing her dishes in the sink, she took my now-empty one and silently took care of it as well. When she dried her hands and turned to face me, she leaned against the counter and looked to be considering something.
She only made me wait a few moments before saying, “Unless I get a call from Rick, I’ll stay until tomorrow.” I jumped from my seat and circled the island to celebrate my victory, but she halted me with a hand. I stopped like an obedient pet taking orders from its master. “But,” she said pointedly, and when she grinned, slowly letting it spread across her lips, I knew I was about to be rewarded. “But, you have to make it worth my while,” she blurted out just as she darted out of the kitchen and ran toward my bedroom. Taking the bait, I ran after her, catching her quickly.
“Deal!” I declared as my arms wrapped tightly around her and my lips slammed down on hers. Closing the door with my foot, I quickly divested her of that sports bra and went about making sure it was definitely worth her while.
Dropping my keys on the counter, I took a deep breath. Home. Despite Jonathan’s attempts at persuading me to stay yet another day, I managed to escape. He’d be heading this way tomorrow evening, so I was certain we’d survive the separation. After another failed attempt to get me to stay, he dropped me at the train station, and I made it to San Diego by noon. The ride was relaxing and allowed me time to refocus on the agonizing frustration over what was going on with work. While staying with Jonathan the past three days had been great, and it afforded me the ability to escape the drama, a little one-on-one time with Mom helped even more. She’d happily picked me up and forced me to go with her for burgers and shakes and then insisted we get our nails done. Who was I to argue with Mom?
Assumptions Page 21
