Guided Love (Prick #1)

by Tracie Redmond

  “Yes, you did.” Carrie fakes a smile at me and starts to reach for her shoes. “Well, I have to head back downstairs to work, if you need anything let me know.”

  I get out of the bed and walk with Carrie out into the apartment. It’s layout is just like ours. I can say that Axel has great taste. The living room is gorgeous and sophisticated. He has a huge black leather “L” shape couch, a black coffee table in front of it. He has a 60 inch flat screen television hanging from the wall and a beautiful glass shelf underneath it with an Xbox and a few pictures. Carrie opens the door and I realize I am staring at my apartment door. He is the tenant that lives in 2A, the one who has a sign that says STAY THE FUCK OUT! I laugh out loud and Carrie just gives me a questioning glance. I must look like an idiot as I replay our conversation of the mystery tenant and how pleasant he must be.

  I just shake my head at her. “Well, I am going to go find my shoes and head home as well.”

  Carrie waves her hand to me as she starts heading down stairs. “Talk to you later, RC,” I shut the door and take a look around again.

  I am kind of in awe of the apartment. Axel has beautiful artwork hanging on each wall. Large canvas paintings of the same tree he has on his back. I see that the initials on the tree are A.M & E.M; the details to the painting are breathtaking, it looks so real. The colors of the leaves, the grass, and the sky they are all so crisp and clear. I’m standing there staring at this magnificent piece of work and I am so lost in it, I don’t hear the door open and close.

  “I see you are up and about.” I shake my head and turn to see Axel is standing behind me.

  “Oh, you scared me. I didn't hear you come in. Yes, thank you so much for everything. The bed and the soup, I really do appreciate your kindness, Axel.”

  “Anytime, Samantha. I see you like my artwork.” I turn completely now to face him.

  “You painted this?” I start to follow him into his kitchen.

  I walk into a crisp white kitchen with accents of gray. He reaches into the cupboard and pulls out a gray smoky glass, fills it with ice and some water and hands it to me. I don't know why I am so surprised to see that Axel is so put together; he even has matching plates and glasses. I guess I expected him to be like Camaron and only have paper plates and a few plastic tumblers he got from concerts or sports games.

  “Why do you have that shocked look on your face?” Once again, I’m standing here looking like an idiot and it seems like I always get caught by Axel.

  “No, I'm not. I just really like the kitchen.” I shake my head and continue, “So you painted them?”

  He hands me the glass of water and gets himself a glass as well. “Yeah, that’s the picture that Camaron used to do the tattoo on my back”

  “And the initials?”

  I watch as he chugs the water down and refills it.

  “Those are Ma and Pops.”

  “Gotcha. Well, the painting truly is breath taking. You are very talented.”

  “Thanks, Samantha, that means a lot.”

  I drink down the water and take the glass to the sink. I turn and see Axel looking at me.

  “Well, thank you again for helping me last night. By chance, do you know where my shoes are?”

  He stands up, heads to his bedroom again, and then back to the living room. I am standing in front of the shelf looking at the picture frames. There are three in total, one of I would assume Mr. and Mrs. Martinelli, one of Mrs. Martinelli and Axel standing in front of Two Pricks on the day it opened.

  It is really sweet, he towers over this sweet little lady and she has her arm around his waist and is looking up at him. You can see how proud she is of him. The last picture is of Axel and Mr. Martinelli drawing at a kitchen table. I hear him heading down the hall as I turn, look at him, and point at the pictures. “Are these of you and The Martinelli's?”

  He is holding my shoes as he gives me one of those large beautiful smiles. The kind where you can see exactly how he is feeling. With most people, you see those smiles every day, but for as long as I have known Axel, they are saved for special occasions— talking about the Martinelli's is one of those.

  “Yeah, that’s them celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.”

  “Wow, that’s great! You rarely find anyone married for that long anymore.”

  “They were an amazing pair. The definition of soul mates.”

  I smile up at him and take my shoes. “Well, I would love to meet her.”

  I turn and make my way to the door and from behind me I hear Axel, “Sunday at two, we’re all heading to Ma's for a barbeque. You’ll get to meet her then.”

  I make my way to my door and turn around to say goodbye. “Sounds good, I can’t wait; it will be fun. Thank you again, Axel, for helping me.” I open the door and give him a small wave goodbye.

  My apartment is quiet; Camaron must still be downstairs working, since he’s probably overwhelmed with appointments that I had to reschedule for him. I clean up a little and head into my room to get a pair of pajamas, so I can soak in a nice warm bubble bath. I light a few candles for some light, and climb in the tub and the warm water that truly feels like heaven. Having to experience this shit feeling in the morning is the main reason I stay away from alcohol. I have only been drunk one other time and it wasn’t pretty. I really don’t understand who would want to feel like this the day after time after time.

  I exhale and sink down to my ears, closing my eyes and relaxing. I have been in here a while as my hands are all wrinkly and the water is getting cold, but there is no way in hell I am getting out just yet. I reach up with my foot and turn the handle to add some hot water. I would add more bubbles since they are really gone now, but the bottle is just too far out of reach.

  I turn the handle off and jump as I hear, “What the hell, Sam! Where have you been?”

  I jump, splashing the water all over the floor. “What the hell, Camaron? I’m in the tub, get the hell out of here.”

  Camaron walks to the tub and kneels—he actually fucking kneels. I am sitting in the tub with my arms crossed over my breasts and I have my knees up, trying to hide myself from his stare, not that he is looking. He is staring directly into my eyes and he is pissed. I can see the anger all across his face.

  “Sam, seriously, why are you doing this to me?” I am shocked and I actually wince at his voice because he is being direct, very direct and stern.

  “Okay, first of all, what am I doing to you?”

  “Samantha, you aren’t responding to my messages, you never came home last night, and you are acting like a bitch. What have I done to deserve this? Tell me.”

  “’Samantha,’ you are starting off your statement with ‘Samantha,’ really?”

  “Oh, I’m sorry, Sam, is Samantha only allowed by Axel? Is that the special name only HE can use?”

  “Yeah, ya know what, Camaron, just get out. We can discuss this when I am OUT of the tub.”

  He looks like I just kicked him and he starts to shake his head viciously. “Hell no, I am not going anywhere until I hear why you are acting like this. It’s not like I haven’t seen a naked woman before. Spill it, Sam, I can’t take fighting with you.” I’m shocked that he is refusing to leave.

  I take a deep breath, become bold and lower my arms. I watch to see if his eyes move, if he tries to sneak a peek, but of course, he is still staring me down. His eyes are filled with fury and he wants answers.

  “Okay, first off, yes, I didn't come home last night because I forgot my key, was wasted and my roommate wasn't home to let me in. Camaron, I’m sorry that I didn't respond to your messages this morning, I was asleep and didn’t hear my phone go off. When I did wake up, I responded. I must have left my phone over at Axel’s, because I haven’t received any further messages after the one I sent to you. Now, as long as we are being honest and getting answers to our questions, I would like to know when you started being so freaking mean to me. When have you ever called me a bitch in your life? What have I done to you that
I deserve you, my best friend, calling me a BITCH?” He shakes his head and looks down, towards his hands . . . damn, then he looks up at me again not stopping to take a peek.

  He looks at me, directly in my eyes, “I’m so sorry, Sam. I was just so mad thinking that you were angry at me and I lost it.” He grabs my hand, he actually reaches in my bath water where I am naked, completely naked, and he grabs my hand, linking them together. Holy hell, how I wish he would do so much more. “We are okay, right?”

  I can’t help but smile. I know I should still be mad that he called me a bitch and I should stand my ground and let him know that what he said, how he acted was wrong and a simple “I’m sorry” can’t take back what he said. I did nothing wrong, I don’t understand why he thinks I would be angry with him. Yet, when I look at him here, kneeling next to my tub, truly upset from thinking that we are fighting and I am mad at him and him genuinely apologizing to me, I can’t help but forgive him. I mean this man is my world how can I not forgive him.

  “Of course we are, Cam, it’s fine, we’re fine. I am sorry that I didn’t respond to your messages.” He lets go of my hand, stands, and starts to head to the door.

  “I know you are still not feeling well after last night. Let’s just watch a movie and order a pizza, it can be just us. How does that sound?” I smile and nod to him.

  “Nothing sounds better.”

  “Okay, beautiful, get your ass out of the tub and get to the couch.” He opens the door and just before he closes it, he says “Hey, Sam, you look good,” and he winks at me and shuts the door. I have a Pretty Woman moment—I go under water and start to pound my fists and feet against the tub. I am in complete shock and I feel great. He said I look good, he said that after he sat next to the tub and I was naked. I was naked and he said I looked good. I hurry up, get out of the tub, and dry myself off. I head to my room in my towel since I can’t go out to the couch for a movie in my flannel superman pajamas. I open my drawer and pick out my pink Victoria Secret pajamas. They aren't the sexy ones, but they are the sexiest ones I own. They are cotton and the top has a thin spaghetti strap. Like I said, they are nothing too gorgeous, but they fit me well and they show off my large C cups and my booty.

  I come out, grab a seat on the sofa, and arrange the pillows around me. Camaron is pacing back and forth and he is whispering something. He heads back toward the couch and says that the pizza is on its way. We decide to watch an action flick and Camaron chooses The Matrix. I’m not a huge fan of the movie but it’s one of his favorites so I don’t object. We are half way through the movie and my stomach is starting to growl.

  “Where is the freaking pizza it’s been over an hour already? We better not have to pay for it.” He grabs his phone off the coffee table and starts typing away.

  “It should be here in a few minutes. I actually have a friend of mine bringing it over.” I can feel the look I have on my face, it’s the look of confusion.

  “Okay . . . I thought this was a ‘you and me’ movie night?” He once again has the look of sadness on his face.

  “It was really, I wanted to just hang out with you but Roni really wanted to meet you.”

  “Okay, as long as he is bringing pizza than I’ll be one happy girl.”

  He started to say something but at that moment there is a knock at the door. I never saw Camaron rush to the door so quickly. Before he opens it, he looks back into the living room. “Sam, could you please go into your bedroom and put a sweat shirt on? Please, for me?” I look up and down at myself and hear another pounding to the door.

  “Okay, I guess if it would make you feel more comfortable”

  “It would. Please go now and get covered.”

  I scoot off the couch and head to my room as I hear Roni come into the house. I look at myself in the mirror and see that I am blushing. I can’t believe he actually wants me to come and cover up. He doesn't want his friend to see all of my . . . assets. I grab some of my chap stick and apply it before I walk out into the living room. Once I hit the opening, I stop dead in my tracks. Standing next to the couch is Camaron kissing someone—a small Barbie type someone. I don't know what to do. Should I just turn around and head back into my room or should I clear my throat? I feel like an idiot just standing here so I start to turn around and the floor makes a creak, damn it!

  As I am walking away, I hear Camaron from the living room. “Sam, where are you going? Come here and meet Roni.” I turn and walk back into the living room, trying my hardest to put a fake smile on my face to hide the devastation that I am feeling right now. I want to throw up, I want to break down and cry, and I want to punch Camaron in the face. I am feeling all of this bottled up into one overwhelming emotion.

  “Hi, I'm Sam.” I reach out my hand to this freaking Barbie.

  She giggles and looks down at my hand and shakes it as she says, “You're a girl.”

  Really, wow, this one is bright; she must have been valedictorian in her graduating plastic class.

  “Yeah, last time I looked I was a girl.” She gives a little giggle as she rolls her eyes at me. Really? She rolled her eyes at me.

  “I'm just surprised is all. Camaron has talked a lot about his friend, Sam, but in everything he said he made it seem that . . . well, that you were a guy.”

  Wow, there is a fucking kick to the gut! I shake my head. “I have no words to that, all I can say is I'm a girl, and I have always been a girl. For as long as Cam and I have been best friends . . . I've been a girl.”

  This chick actually has the freaking nerve to look up and down at me. She takes in my cotton pink pajama pants and my USC sweatshirt. “Well, I brought two large pizzas. Camaron told me that Sam—that would be you—eats a ton.” Are you freaking kidding me?

  “Well, that was so nice of you. I actually just had a little something, but thank you.”

  Of course, this is when my Camaron, my best friend, decides to chime in. “What do you mean you were starving a few minutes ago asking where the pizza was.” I give him the eye and just fake the smile.

  “Actually, I forgot my phone over at Axel's so I’m going to head over there and get it. I’ll be back a little later.”

  Barbie looks relieved that I’m leaving, but still chimes in. “Axel, the guy from the shop today? There is plenty of food, as long as you don't eat it all, you could have him come over here. He seemed like a nice guy.”

  I know right now I have that look of Are you shitting me on my face. “You were at the shop today?” Barbie or Roni, whatever the plastic’s name is, doesn’t have time to speak as Camaron answers for her.

  “Yeah, I brought Roni in to meet the guys. She was there all day.”

  “Well, it wasn’t that eventful, but Camaron let me sit in your office and play on the computer. I actually organized your desk for you.”

  I know I have to leave and I have to leave now, because if I don't I am going to pull out her beautiful extensions as well as the nose ring she has in. “Well, it was great meeting you.”

  I head to the door and am about to walk out barefoot and in my pajamas when I feel Camaron right behind me. “Sam, you okay?” I turn around and I am eye to eye with him. I know he sees it. He knows me better than anyone on this earth. He could tell by looking in my eyes that I’m crushed. “Of course, just have to run to get my phone.” My eyes start to fill with tears as I look at him and I see nothing in his eyes. No remorse, no caring, no worry. I see nothing.

  “Okay, well hurry back.” I nod and shut the door.

  I turn and knock on Axel’s door and wait for him to answer. Nothing. I knock a little louder this time and put my ear to the door. Still, I hear nothing. I can't knock again as Camaron might hear me out here banging on Axel’s door, see that he isn't home, and actually expect me to come back into our apartment. Yeah, that isn't going to happen, so I head down the stairs, barefoot and in my pajamas. I walk outside—it’s around 11, so I walk on my tiptoes trying to avoid any of the garbage on the sidewalk to see if any of the lights are
on in the shop. I am mentally praying that someone, anyone, is working late so that I can stay in my office and cry. Yet, it’s just my luck, the shop is closed—everything is locked up and all the lights are off. So, I again, tip toe back to my front stoop and have a seat. I know that I am going to have to soak these pajamas or just throw them away as the dirt from the stoop is going to ruin them, especially because there is mud from the rain we had this afternoon. It’s a small price to pay, because there is no way I am going to head back up there. I sit and watch the world pass me by. Even at 11 at night, the road is busy. People are walking and grabbing cabs to get to their destinations. I must have been sitting on the stoop for more than an hour when I see a dark figure approaching.

  “Hey, gorgeous, why are you out here sitting on the stoop?” Axel asks.

  “Just needed some air.”

  He gets a look of concern on his face and he knows something is wrong. How does he know me so well?

  “Do you want to come up and talk about it or are you going to make me sit on the muddy stoop too?” He nudges my leg with his, takes my hand, and helps me up. “Come on, Samantha, let’s go.” He leads me up the stairs to our apartments and pulls out his key with his other hand. He hasn’t dropped my hand that he is holding and, honestly, I’m not complaining.

  As he opens his door, Camaron opens ours. “Everything okay? Sam, are you coming back yet?” I look at Camaron and I know he can read my face, I know he sees how this is affecting me and he is going to stand there and ask me if I am coming home yet? Seriously?

  Before I can say anything, Axel raises our joined hands and says, “I've got this,” and leads me into his apartment.

  I know I really should have said something, corrected him in some way, but I couldn't for a split second secretly hoping that Camaron was feeling a little bit of sadness just like me.

  “I'm sorry, Axel, I just needed some air and I was hoping I could get my phone, I think I left it here.” Axel hangs his coat on the coat rack next to the door in the corner and heads over toward me.