by Vicki Green
“Mitzi?”
Standing before me is the woman I once thought I’d fallen in love with a few years ago. We’d broken up amicably, well, sort of. She wanted more than I was willing to give but finally gave in to reason when I explained there was no future for us. It took a bit to convince her, I’m afraid. However, in the end, we remained friends. I haven’t seen her for over a year. Mascara mixes with tears, make black trails down her face. Wonder why she’s here now, looking distraught?
“Oh, Alex. I’m so sorry to bother you but….” She begins to sob and I have no idea why. So, I do what any friend would do. I walk up to her, take her in my arms, and hold her.
“It’s okay, no bother. What’s going on?” I lead her inside and into the living room, helping her sit on the couch and sit next to her.
“I…. I didn’t know who else to turn to.” She sniffles. Reaching over her, I grab the box of tissues and offer her some. She takes a few and dabs underneath her eyes.
“Take a deep breath.”
She nods and does what I ask then looks into my eyes. “Grandma passed away.” Oh shit! “You know I don’t get along with my parents and she was the only one who really loved me.” She starts sobbing and I pull her into my arms. Damn! I do know this. When we dated, Mitzi was already living on her own, had been since she turned eighteen. Her parents fought all the time, put her in the middle, and never gave her the love and attention a young girl needed. That was the biggest thing about breaking up with her. I didn’t want to hurt her any more than her parents had already.
“I’m so sorry,” I whisper as I rub her back, letting her soak my shirt with her tears.
“I didn’t know where else to go.” She sobs into my chest. She looks up, her eyes swollen, mascara gone from her lashes and smeared down her face.
“You were right to come here. Hey, why don’t I go get you a different shirt and you go clean your face in the hall bathroom?” I smile, looking down at her stained shirt. She nods, sniffling, as we stand.
I take her to the hall bathroom then head to my room to get a t-shirt for her. I get why she came here. She doesn’t really have friends, other than me. The timing just fucking sucks, all the way around, but I’m not one to just kick someone out. That would make me a bigger prick than I already am. She’s pretty busty – I should know – so I’m sure any of my t-shirts will be too tight so I settle for a button up shirt and take it out to her. She looks somewhat better with all that makeup gone that was smeared all over her face.
“Here you go. I need to check on some things. I’ll be right back.” I hand her the shirt and start to walk to the kitchen. Fuck! I hope dinner isn’t ruined.
“Thank you,” she says as she takes the shirt.
Walking into the kitchen, I take out my phone and check to see if there are any messages or missed calls while I stir the spaghetti sauce. Fuck, for finally! A text message.
Keegan: Sorry! Stopped by the coffee shop and got to talking to everyone. Be right home!
Thank fuck! At least I know she’s okay. I feel a bit better but now anxious to get rid of Mitzi, even though I feel bad for her. I don’t want anything to spoil my surprise for Keegan. Covering the pan, I start to walk back out to talk to Mitzi to see if she’s okay and hope I can convince her to go home. Now, I feel like the lowest asshole on the planet. I can wait until tomorrow night to propose to Keegan. I should really think about Mitzi’s feelings. Once I’ve proposed to Keegan and she’s said yes, I’m sure she would understand why I needed to wait another day.
The front door slams just as I walk into the living room. Mitzi turns around, her pants undone and shirt open exposing her ample breasts almost spilling out of her bra. “I thought you’d left.” A blush spreads across her cheeks as she all but saunters over to me. She looks up into my eyes. Hers are mysteriously outlined with mascara and eyeliner again. Well, shit. I wasn’t gone that long. She steps close, her long painted fingernail running up my chest. What the?
“It was nobody. I got rid of her.”
“Her?” Grabbing her upper arms, I shake her. “Mitzi, who was it?”
Her eyes keep blinking. Her face pales as I keep shaking her. “Some girl.” She tries to shrug but I grip her arms tighter.
“Blonde hair? Beautiful? Pouty lips and gorgeous figure?” She nods, shakily. Keegan. “What the fuck did you do, Mitzi?” I shake her harder. “TELL ME!” My heart is beating so fast and feels lodged in my throat, making it difficult to breathe. “If you don’t tell me, I swear….!”
She swallows hard and I quit shaking her in order for her to speak but I don’t let go of her. “I just wanted us to be together again.” She sniffs, tears falling from her eyes. “Alex. We were so good together. It can be that way again.” She gives me a pleading look but all I want to do is throw her out and find Keegan.
“Were is the operative word, Mitzi. What the fuck were you thinking?” I release her with a force and start pacing the floor, running my fingers through my hair. I have to go after Keegan, find her and tell her this is all a simple mistake. Whirling around, I stare daggers at Mitzi. “Where did she go?” I growl.
Mitzi’s little crying act ends quickly as she folds her arms over her chest. “How the hell should I know?”
Fuck! Fuck, fuck, FUCK!
Balling my hands into fists at my side in order not to punch her, I yell, “GET OUT!”
She starts to walk towards me. Bad move. “But baby….”
“GET THE FUCK OUT!”
Her brow raises and a small smile plays on her lips as she starts walking toward the front door. “Fine but you don’t know what you’re missing.”
I start following her and stop when she opens the door and walks onto the porch. “Mitzi?” She turns around and smiles like she won some fucking victory. “Did your grandmother really die?”
Cocking her hip, she raises her hand and looks down at her nails then back into my eyes. “Sure she did. About two years ago.” Son of a bitch!
I slam the door in her face and bolt it then storm around the living room, blowing out the candles. Making it into the kitchen, I turn the burner off underneath the sauce and walk out into the garage. Watching the door open from the rearview mirror, I see Mitzi moving her car down the driveway. No wonder Keegan came to the front door, the witch was parked in front of the garage door so she couldn’t pull in.
Well played, bitch. Well played.
Now, time to get my girl back.
I drove all over town, looking for any signs of Keegan’s car. Well, my other car that I gave her. My first stop was the coffee shop, thinking the only girlfriends she has work there. All that did was get Stacey and Lani upset. They both said they would keep trying to call and text Keegan while I kept searching, something I’ve been doing every time I stop somewhere. Where in the hell could she have gone? It’s not like she knows many people. And she lives with me so where else would she go?
As I drive around, endlessly, the thought hits me like a ton of bricks. I really don’t know much about her. We’ve never talked about her life, outside of the coffee shop and her studies. I don’t know where her family lives, which is where she probably went. I’m a fucking loser. Why didn’t I ask her? Because you’re a selfish prick and was only thinking about yourself. I swear to everything that’s holy, as soon as I have her in my arms again, we’re talking about everything. I want to know every little aspect of her life. I don’t give a shit if it takes all night. Days. Weeks. We’ll hold up in our house until I know everything.
By the time I’ve searched the entire town what feels like a hundred times, I head home. Defeated. Deflated. Completely stressed out of my mind. I’d been gone for hours when I pull into the garage, walk inside and sit down on the couch. Think, asshole. Think where she could have gone. There has to be someplace she would go. All her things are here. All she has is the clothes on her back, her purse, and probably damned copy paper and printer ink with her.
“FUCK!” I scream, the sound reverberating back int
o my face.
My cell starts vibrating in my pocket. I about fall over scrambling to get it out and up to my ear. “Keegan?” I’m panting, unable to catch my breath in hopes that it’s her.
“What in the hell did you do, Alex?”
Pulling my phone away from my ear, I see the picture of Rica sticking out her tongue at me on the screen. Fitting. I bring it back up to my ear, my brows lowering in confusion. “Rica?”
“Who else? Now, what did you do?” She growls.
“About what?” What in the hell is she talking about? “Look. I have no time for your games, Rica. Keegan’s missing. I have to find her. I have to….”
“Why in the hell do you think I’m calling, asswipe! She’s here!” Wait! What did she just say?
“Excuse me?”
She lets out a long sigh. “I’m not sure there’s any really good excuse for you but she’s here.”
“Thank fuck! Let me talk to her.” Thank God! Dear Lord, I promise I’ll be a better person. I swear! Thank you for finding her!
“No.” Huh?
“What do you mean – no?” Now what kind of game is she playing? I swear if this is her way of getting back at me for trying to keep her and Luke apart at first, I’ll drive there and strangle her. She knows that I did it for her own good and that I was just trying to look out for her. Why would she do this now, after all this time? She told me she accepted my apology.
Another sigh but this time I can tell it’s out of annoyance. What the fuck does she have to be annoyed about? “She doesn’t want to talk to you.” Oh. “Look, she’s really upset. Give her a little time and let me see if she’ll at least talk to me first. Okay?” I nod as if she can see me. “And what in the hell was Mitzi doing at your house?” Shit! Is she clairvoyant now? That’s scary. “All I could get out of Keegan through her sobs was Mitzi’s description. What was that bitch up to?” I let out a breath – one I hadn’t realized I was holding.
“Just that – being her charming bitchiness. She came here telling me some made up a story about her grandmother dying but in reality, was trying to get me back.” I still can’t believe I fell for that shit.
“You mean the same grandmother that passed away a long time ago?” What? How did she know that and why didn’t I know it? “Sheesh, bro! She told you that when you were dating. Are you really that much of a self-centered prick?” Fuck. Me. I guess I am. “Look. Let Keegan rest a bit and I’ll try to talk with her. She’s exhausted and really upset. She’s lying down in the bedroom upstairs. Give her that much.”
I nod again, wondering if she’s in the same room where I made love to her when we visited. “Okay. Thanks, sis.” I don’t even recognize my own voice. It sounds weak, gravelly.
“Alex?” She sounds concerned.
“Yeah?”
“Try to get some rest yourself. You sound like shit. I’ll call you as soon as I know something. Okay?”
“Yeah. Uh, okay. Hey, Rica?” I feel as shitty as I sound.
“Yes, Alex?” Her voice has changed from snotty to concerned to tender.
“When you can – would you tell her this is a huge horrible mistake, please? Will you tell her I need to explain?” I swallow hard. My own tears choke me with the thought that I hurt her.
“I will, Alex. Get some rest, please? I promise I’ll talk to her as soon as she’ll let me and call you.”
I end the call, nodding, setting my phone down beside me on the couch. Defeated isn’t the best word for how I’m feeling right now. Slimeball. Asshole. Biggest prick of all time. Doesn’t even cover it. All I can do is hope Keegan will talk to Rica and that Rica can tell her what a big mistake this is. Then, I’ll go to her. Grovel at her feet. And pray she’ll let me bring her home.
Seven
Keegan
When I saw that beautiful woman standing in the doorway, Alex’s shirt barely covering her body, the buttons undone and her more than ample breasts ready to pop out of her bra – I was mortified. Felt less than inadequate. Cheap. Dirty. Just another thing in my life that stabbed me. Beyond broken hearted, I ran. I’ve become an expert at that. Running away. But I had no idea where to go. Driving his car, registered in his name, only made me mad as I took off. Everything I own is back at his house. His house, not mine. How could I be so stupid? To think someone actually cared about me, loved me. My own parents didn’t even want me! I must be the unluckiest person on the planet! What is wrong with me?
After driving around aimlessly for hours, I stop to fill up with gas, purchase a couple things, and use the bathroom. Washing my hands, I look up in the mirror at my splotchy face and swollen tear-filled eyes. “Get your shit together, Keegan,” I tell my reflection. “You have decisions to make.” I leave the bathroom with a heavy heart, get into the car, and start driving again. By the time my eyes start to get heavy from exhaustion and heartbreak, I blink rapidly at the scenery in the darkness. I had no idea where I was going but I guess my heart and gut brought me here. Stopping at the gate, I enter the code Alex had when we were here before. Good thing I watched him. I park on the street, get out and drearily walk up the lawn and onto the porch. With a heavy hand, I ring the doorbell. It doesn’t take but a moment for the door to open.
“Keegan?” I nod, tears streaming down my face when I thought I had none left to shed. “You look terrible. Come in.”
Luke puts his arm around me and leads me into the house and into the living room. Emma’s playing on the floor, and Rica’s sitting on the couch in front of her. Her eyes snap to mine and she jumps up, running over to me. “Keegan? What’s wrong?” She puts her arm around me and they both guide me over to the oversized chair. She stands back and crosses her arms over her chest. “What in the hell did Alex do? I swear I’m gonna….”
“Rica,” Luke whispers and she immediately calms. “Why don’t you get Keegan a glass of water? Okay?” She nods and walks toward the kitchen. Luke squats down in front of me and smiles. Emma struggles to stand then runs over to us, patting her daddy’s leg. My chin quivers but I can’t help but smile at her. He looks down at her with so much love and adoration. “And you, my little munchkin….” She giggles as he lifts her into his arms while standing. “It’s time for you to go to bed.” She places both little hands on each side of his face and smiles. “Tell Keegan night-night.”
She looks at me and waves.” Nigh-nigh.”
I lift my hand and wave just a little plopping it back onto my lap as they walk out of the room. She’s a little doll but I feel so emotional, so out of it, that it’s difficult to be cheery. I feel as if my tears are beginning to dry again when I look up and see Rica walking towards me, holding a glass of ice water. She smiles as she hands it to me then sits down on the couch next to the chair. “Now drink and when you’re ready, I’m all ears.”
I take a drink and surprising myself, I stand and start pacing the floor. “I don’t know what to do. I gave him my heart and found a half-undressed woman answering our front door. His – his front door.”
“Son of a bitch.” I stop and look at her. “Sorry. Go on.”
I walk over and sit back down on the chair. “I mean, we didn’t talk about being exclusive. I just figured after he asked me to move in that it was a given.” She nods, biting her lower lip. “He hasn’t officially told me he loves me but Rica….” I look up at the ceiling then back at her. “I feel it in my heart.” I reach up and cover my heart with both hands. “I feel it by the way he looks at me, how he wants to take care of me, and how he wants me to be whatever I want to be.” I look down, feeling all the blood rush from my face. “And then tonight.” I look up expecting to see tears in her eyes but she’s glaring as if she’s holding in anger. I open my purse, reach in and pull out my hand, holding out an object to her. She looks at it, squinting a bit, then a smile appears. “I didn’t think it would happen. I’ve been on the pill for a long time. I know it’s not one hundred percent protective but….” She stands and walks over to me and sits down on the floor by my feet, placing
her hand over mine.
“And now, you’re scared shitless because of tonight – all the unanswered questions of why that woman was there, what’s going on. I’m so glad you came here.” I nod, a lone tear making its way down my face slowly. She reaches up and wipes it away, still smiling. “Of course, the simplest thing to do would be to talk to him. Right?” I nod again, letting out a shaky breath. She stands, grabbing my purse, and pulls me up with her. Putting her arm around me, we begin walking towards the stairs. “Tonight, you get some rest. Tomorrow’s a new day.” We stop at the bottom of the stairs and I turn to her. “I’m sorry we don’t have a different bedroom for you to stay in.” She looks sad. “There’s a nightgown in the dresser drawer and a new toothbrush in the bathroom. Help yourself to whatever you need.” I nod, swallowing hard and start to turn to go upstairs. “Keegan?” I look at her from over my shoulder. “Can I just give him hell once before you talk to him?” She smiles, giving me a wink. I let out a small laugh. “Okay. I won’t. I promise. But all bets are off if you don’t talk to him soon.” I nod again and walk up the steps, grateful I came here.
Once in the bedroom, I close the door and lean back against it and sigh. Looking around the room, memories of Alex and me being here, him making love to me as I tried to be quiet. It was difficult at best and I don’t think I was that quiet yet Rica’s never said anything. To me at least. But she wouldn’t, she’s too sweet. I walk to the dresser and open the top drawer, seeing the nightgown she mentioned. Reaching to pick it up, my hand moves beside it – a t-shirt Alex had left here. I take it out and get undressed, putting it on instead. I crawl into the bed, not having any energy left, and pull the covers over me. As I roll onto my side, I can smell him on his shirt. Taking a deep breath, I bury my face into the pillow and cry.
