“Some idiot in a red truck swerved into it. The bus driver tried to avoid him but ended up hitting a trash truck going the opposite direction.” Wow, no wonder I hit my head so hard.
“Okay, just curious. Thanks!”
As we pull away, I look out the passenger window to try and gather my thoughts about this strange day with a beautiful stranger. When we pass the scene of the accident I can see the red truck that hit the bus is being towed. I squint my eyes at the truck, wondering why it looks so familiar. When I catch sight of the bumper sticker I hang my head in defeat. “SHIT HAPPENS.” The Universe has indeed won this round.
Lola doesn’t speak to me the whole way home. She is singing along to the Band Perry’s “Hip to My Heart.” I don’t want to even think about the Universes involvement in that one. I know she is just waiting till we get to my apartment to start her interrogation. This kind of thing never and I mean never happens to me. Well, aside from the getting hurt and going to the hospital part. I’m actually kind of surprised that they don’t recognize me by now because if they did, there is no way Connor and I would have pulled off the whole husband thing. This again brings me to Lola. She never once mentioned or questioned the whole fake husband thing. I know she heard him and I also know she wouldn’t let something that intriguing pass without comment. Ugh this is going to be a long night.
We get inside the apartment and Lo just points to the recliner. I oblige her and take a seat because there is no arguing with her when she is in this mood. She quickly brings me two aspirin, a glass of water and an icepack. I gulp down the aspirin and finish off the water. Leaning back in the recliner to get comfortable I put the icepack on my head in-between my hairline and my temple on the right side where the stitches are and wait for the ice to numb my skin before I open my eyes and look at Lola. She doesn’t disappoint.
“Okay spill. What the heck happened today?”
“It’s been one for the history books let me tell ya.”
After I recap everything and I mean everything, that happened today with my car, my alarm clock, Connor and the accident, I sigh and sink further into the recliner as all the day’s tension finally leaves me. I didn’t know how bad it was until I could finally relax. This is why I only have one friend, an average job and no boyfriend. The drama is just too draining and drama is something I have been tapped out on. I look back over at Lola to find her looking at me. I’m a damn puzzle again.
“Stop looking at me like that Lo. I’m not a circus clown!”
“Hell no you’re not! Those things are creep-tastic!”
“Lola!”
“Fine, fine!” She holds her hands up in a surrendering gesture. “You have to admit though Nins. This is pretty strange for you. You never talk to strangers other than the normal polite small talk, particularly not men. This Connor guy had you talking about your old teachers, your job and you let him pretend to be your husband. Not to mention you gave him your number with a promise to call him tomorrow. What gives?”
“It’s not like I laid it all out there or anything. I swear that guy is a government interrogator or something. He kept tricking me into giving him answers and I wasn’t exactly in my prime when he lied about being my husband. I was passed out for Christ sake! By the time we got to the hospital, I just didn’t see the point in disputing it.” Liar, liar, pants on fire!
“Still, there was something else. The way he was looking at you and that kiss on the cheek! That guy has locked and loaded and babe, you have a big red X on your face!”
“Whatever Lo, he was just being nice. He has to have a girlfriend or something with the way he looks and the fact that he didn’t even blink at you.” I say sweeping my hand to encompass the gorgeousness that is Lola.
“You are so blind girl!” Lo snorts. “Though you’re right about one thing, that is one beautiful man, but I would bet my best saddle that there’s no girlfriend. Trust me Nina, you aren’t exactly the best judge when it comes to men and their intentions, he wants you.”
“Well even if you are right it wouldn’t matter. I can’t afford to deal with any guy right now, let alone one that has probably destroyed a whole corps of hearts.”
“A corps?” Lola asks not getting my word choice.
I shrug. “Love is a battlefield.” Using humor to change subjects or defuse intense situations is a tool of mine. Unfortunately, Lo knows this.
“That it is my friend and a tough girl you may be, but if I’m right and I usually am, Connor is a freaking soldier.”
I roll my eyes and reach for the remote. Lola must get the hint that this conversation is over because she starts setting her alarm on her phone. I assume it’s to wake me up in an hour. I flip through the channels till I find something decent to watch. Just as I’m about to fall asleep an advertisement with uniformed men and women sky diving, crawling through mud and speaking of courage comes on the screen, followed by the slogan “Army Strong.” Game on, Universe. I close my eyes and smile as sleep consumes me.
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CHAPTER 3
I don’t sleep very well. My dreams are always vivid and intense, but they usually make sense. It starts out normal enough, with memories from before. I’m 16 and my mom is crying and my dad is just saying the same thing over and over. That it wasn’t him, that he’s so sorry, that it didn’t mean anything. Then, its morning and my mom is dropping me off at Lola’s. It’s just like every other time I’ve stayed at Lo’s. She kisses me goodbye and says that she will see me in the morning and she loves me. Only this time, my mom has this determined look in her eyes. I didn’t know what it meant then. So I had no idea it would be the last time I ever saw either of my parents. Then, the dream switches and now it’s me that’s crying and there is someone else there with me and he is pleading with me. I’m not sure who he is, because it’s all kind of fuzzy and I can’t hear what he is saying, because there is this loud ringing all around me. I glance up from my hands and through my tears I see twin sapphires staring back at me.
I leap out of the recliner sending a jolt of pain through my head and neck. “Jesus H. Christ!” I yell grabbing my injured parts with both hands. “Lo, wake up! Hey, Lola!” I reach over to where Lola is curled up on the couch next to the recliner. She is clutching her phone and just starting to stir. “Come on girl wake up. I think your phone was ringing.” She yawns and starts to sit up as I make my way into the kitchen to make some hot apple cider. I rummage through the cupboards and attempt to shake the feelings that are lingering from my strange dream. As I pop the little plastic cup of cider into my single serving coffee maker, that damn ringing starts up again. “Lola! Answer your phone!” I absolutely cannot function in the mornings without my cider.
“It’s not my phone! Hurry up and make my damn coffee woman!”
I grunt and pop in one of her special containers of single serving coffee grounds to make her a cup. Neither Lo nor I are morning people. We have been shouting and downright rude to each other in the mornings since we were ten.
From the kitchen I can hear her muffled, “Where is it coming from! Make it stop!” I shuffle back into the living room carrying my mug of deliciousness and see Lo face down on the couch with the blanket over her head.
“Lazy bitch.” I mumble
“Just make it go away. I haven’t even had my coffee yet.”
I make my way towards the sound and find its coming from my coat pocket. I pull my phone out just as it stops ringing. I look at the screen and see I have three missed calls from a Connor W. Bright blue sapphires flash across my mind just as the phone lights up and starts to ring again. I seriously debate ignoring his call but Lo sits up from the couch and peers at me over the back of it.
“Just put the poor kid out of his misery and tell him you’re alive.” Lo admonishes.
I shake my head to clear the image of Connor’s eyes staring up at me in my dream and press answer. “Hello.”
“Nina. What the hell?! Do you have any idea how close I was to breaking down yo
ur door? Are you okay? You said you would call.”
“Connor,” I sigh, “listen you might want to change up your tone. I slept like hell, my head and neck feel like the coyote dropped an anvil on them, I’ve barely had two sips of my cider and some crazy man has been blowing my phone up all morning!” I say in the calmest voice I can manage at the moment. I hear his husky laughter on the other end.
“Well you’re alive, but I’m seriously wondering how old you really are right now. I know you said you were born in eighty six, but the coyote and apple cider? Are you wearing footy pajamas right now too?”
“Yes I’m alive, yes you’re still a jackass and I’m hanging up now.”
“Okay, but open your door first.” I freeze. He couldn’t mean what I think he means.
“What are you talking about Connor?”
“I wasn’t kidding when I said I was really close to breaking down your door. I’m sort of outside.”
Shit! Connor chuckles and Lo comes out of the kitchen with her cup and looks at me funny. Oops, I must have let that one out too. I cover the transmitter of the phone with my hand and whisper to Lola.
“Connor is outside right now!” I say pointing at the door. Lo looks at the door than back at me and raises her eyebrow.
“Just a nice guy with a girlfriend huh?” She says with a knowing smile. Sometimes, I want to punch my best friend.
“Nina just open the door.” Connor says through the phone.
I roll my eyes and end the call and throw my phone on the recliner as I stomp over to the door. I unlock and throw it open then stand in the doorway with my arms crossed over my chest and glare at Connor. Of course he looks like he just got done shooting an ad for a magazine. I haven’t looked in the mirror yet, but I know my hair does scary things while I’m sleeping and I was too tired to put on pajamas last night. If Connor is put off by my disheveled morning appearance, he doesn’t show it. Instead, he smiles at me and lifts a paper bag in the air and wiggles it around.
“I brought doughnuts!” He says proudly. “I got one of everything because I wasn’t sure what you liked.” I smile a little back because I just can’t help it dammit!
“So, you were so worried about me that you stormed over here, but somehow managed to stop by a bakery?”
“Well, you see, regardless of what you think, I do happen to know when I am acting like a jackass. I just can’t seem to help it sometimes. I figured you were just sleeping, but I couldn’t wait any longer to see if you were okay and even though I said a phone call was okay, I had to see for myself. Hence, the doughnuts.” He hands me the bag brushing his fingers against mine and that same warming sensation spreads through me again. I look up at him and he winks at me, frying some more of my brain cells. What the hell! This is so not fair. Why oh why did he have to get on my bus. “Now you can’t say I never gave you anything. Come on Nina let me in I’m freezing my best assets off out here.” I take pity on the guy because he looks so pathetic making a pouty face and shaking dramatically. I close the door behind him and Lo is shuffling out of the bathroom holding her coffee mug. “Good morning Lola.” Connor addresses her politely, fat lot it will do him.
“Yea sure.” Lo grunts back, her normal charming self.
“Wow I see the love of mornings is mutual between you two.” Connor says wryly.
“You’re safe as long as there is a chocolate and a raspberry filled in this bag.” I warn
He turns that devastating smile back to me and gestures to the bag. I open it and lick my lips. Without even looking up, I take the bag into the kitchen grab two plates out of the cupboard and put a doughnut on each one. I go back to my cider maker and put another container in and wait until it’s done refilling my cup. I glance back at Connor and he is just staring at me with this small smile on his face. I grab my mug, both doughnut laden plates and head to the living room, balancing the dishes in true waitress fashion. Connor notices.
“Done some food service in your time I see.” He says it as a statement, not a question. This guy sees way too much.
“For a couple years in high school and through college.” I answer reluctantly as I walk past him.
I hand the plate with the raspberry filled to Lo and she just nods at me and starts to devour it while engrossed in some sitcom on T.V. I sit down next to her on the couch and start in on my chocolate treat. The first bite is divine and I hum in pleasure as the chocolate melts in my mouth and the sugar wakes me fully.
“Mind if I grab one of these.” Connor asks from behind me still in the kitchen entryway.
I lift my hand up over my head and give him a thumbs up without turning around. He chuckles and I hear the crackling of the paper bag and the clink of dishes as he grabs a plate. I’m so engrossed with him that I can almost see him moving around in my kitchen. I try to force myself to focus on the show but I’m just not into it. I hear Connor walk past me and sit in the recliner. Not looking at him while he is only a couple feet away is the hardest thing I’ve ever done.
“What other jobs did you have before becoming a teacher?” Connor interrupts my non focus on the show and I turn and see he is eating a powder sugar doughnut while wearing a black shirt, dangerous stuff that.
“Just waitressing. I wanted to have some extra spending money and my parents didn’t want to give it to me, but I was 16 so I just went and applied for one anyway.” I stop talking and look away from Connor and down at my plate. I can’t believe I just told him that. I look over at Lola and she is giving me the puzzle look again.
“Sounds like you were a rebel.” Connor says either not caring about our looks or not noticing. I glance back at him and open my mouth to say something witty to get us laughing and change the subject.
“Actually she was the perfect little angel.” Lola cuts me off. “It was me who convinced her that if she just went out and got the job on her own they would see how serious she was about it and let her go. I was right, like usual.”
“I’m going to take a shower.” I say glaring at my best friend who looks a little sheepish. I start to get up and walk away but Connor grabs my arm.
“I wanted to take you to lunch today, if you don’t have plans.” Connor says still holding my wrist. I look down at the hand that is causing so much havoc in my body and back into his beautiful blue eyes. I can’t do this. I won’t go there again and somehow, I know that if I go there with Connor, it will be so much worse when it ends.
“She doesn’t have any plans. And she really loves this Chinese place downtown.” Lo interrupts my refusal once again. Traitor!
“I don’t know if I’m up for lunch today Connor.” I say as a last ditch effort to save myself from spending the day being charmed by Mr. Wright.
“Please Nina. I just got into town a couple weeks ago and I don’t know anyone here anymore except my family. Please. You would be doing me a huge favor. I’m so bored at my dad’s.” He pleads with me and even though I’m sure he is just trying to guilt trip me into going, I can see a small fleck of truth in his eyes. Connor may be charming and beautiful and probably would have no problem meeting someone to spend time with, but a part of him is lonely. Unfortunately that is feeling I know all too well.
“Fine, just give me 30 minutes to get ready.”
“Take your time it’s still early so maybe we can go drive around or go see a movie. I hear there is one out that was a book or something. My cousin was all excited about it.”
“Oooo that’s right Nins!” The traitor cuts in. “You loved that book!”
“Whatever, I’ll be out in a half hour.” I set my plate and mug in the sink and head to my bedroom.
I grab a clean bra and panty set out of my dresser. Though no one ever sees me in them, having nice, matching underwear is a must for me. Lola says it’s my way of feeling sexy since I’m not getting any, but I just like them because they are pretty. I grab some skinny jeans, a white v neck sweater and a brown lacy tank top to go underneath it and head to the bathroom.
As I’m wa
shing all the grime from yesterday’s excitement from my body, I can’t help but smile at what I’m sure is taking place in the living room right at this moment. If Connor thought I was bad, he’ll be wearing a cup to protect his boys around Lo from now on for sure. Lo may have thrown me under the bus out there, but she’s also very protective of me. She was there both times I had my heart shattered to help pick up the pieces and I know for a fact she would do anything to keep that from happening again. And although I know better, she sees Connor as my sort of love interest.
I step out of the shower and dry off. Wrapping the towel around myself, I slather on some lotion, which is an absolute must in this climate. After blow drying my hair I quickly get dressed, put some concealer under my eyes and mascara on my lashes. I spritz on my favorite perfume and run a brush through my hair. My signature gold hoops and my calf high brown leather boots complete the look.
I stand in front of the mirror and appraise myself. I have long dark chocolate hair, peaches and cream skin and green eyes. There is a dimple on my right cheek, which I hate because it’s part of the reason I still get carded everywhere, but Lo says it makes me look adorable. I’m about five foot five and average weight, thin and lean but definitely not supermodel status. I know I’m pretty, but not in any extraordinary way. The fact that the most attractive man I have ever seen is sitting in my living room waiting to take me to a movie and lunch is something I just can’t wrap my head around. There are lots of prettier girls here. The one in my living room with him is proof of that. Maybe he’ll realize it and leave me alone. That thought should make me feel relieved. It doesn’t. I don’t want to think about that too much so I just open the door to face the music.
“Okay let’s do this.”
Connor stands up and grabs his coat off of the back of the recliner and turns to face me while shrugging it on. When he is finally facing me, he stops putting on his coat midway and his sapphire eyes move to my feet. They slowly make their way up my body to my face, lingering on every detail. My boots are rooted to the carpet. I literally can’t move while he drinks me in. When his eyes reach my mine, he releases his breath and I swear my face is every shade of red. He was holding his breath! He smiles and shakes his head as he finishes putting on his coat.
Sapphire Universe (The Universe Series) Page 3
