Sack Time

by A. M. Willard

  “How’s your day been? You must be busy since you’re ignoring me.”

  “Yes, I’ve been very busy, and don’t you have patients to tend to?”

  “I do, but you know I get a few minutes between rooms to check my phone from time to time.”

  “So glad you’re taking care of them with such professionalism.”

  “Nothing unprofessional about glancing at my phone before entering a room. Now, if I answered during an exam that would qualify.”

  I can’t help but let a smile show as that would be kind of funny. I can almost picture this happening, which might be a little weird, but still, I can see it.

  “You have a great smile when you allow it to be real, did you know that?”

  “Thanks, I guess,” I say, tucking a lose hair behind my ear before I pick up my pizza to take a bite. The sooner I can finish my lunch, the quicker I can escape his presence.

  “Care to explain why you’re ignoring me? I mean, I thought…” He stops and looks up at me before he continues. “I figured we could grab dinner some night, get to know each other better.”

  “Look, Greyson, thank you for helping me last night and being nice about it, but this isn’t going to work. We can’t be friends, and we are not going to grab dinner.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because I said so, do you really need an explanation?”

  “Yes, I do. I find you attractive, and I’m pretty sure from the way you’ve checked me out that you find me cute.”

  “Your dad used to be my doctor; technically you’re now my doctor, and we are just different. So no, we can wave at each passing in the hall or on the street, but no dinner or Netflix.”

  “You inviting me to Netflix and chill?”

  “No,” I say a little louder than intended.

  “Want a ride home tonight?”

  “No, I drove, and that means no rides either.” I have to hold back a laugh at that sentence. It sounded right in my head, but now that I go back over it, it’s pretty funny.

  “Alright then, this is our last sharing of the pineapple pizza gods,” he says and shrugs it off like it’s nothing. I eye him carefully because a part of me feels that this isn’t over. Holding the half eaten slice up to him, I offer a smile in return and stare back out at the street to take my mind off the person sitting across from me. I’m afraid to glance his way. Afraid that he might be staring at me again, and I plan to avoid those eyes at all cost.

  Greyson

  After leaving the office, I sent a text to Henley Jacobs, one of my best friends who still lives here in Miami. I need to blow off some steam, and since he’s still single, Henley makes for the perfect one to do this with. We both have to work tomorrow, but nothing says we can’t go out for a few drinks. It’s not even work that I need to blow off. It’s that blonde bombshell named Sherry who’s driving me crazy. I can’t figure her out for the life of me. When I approached her today at lunch, she was lost in her own mind. She’s right about why we can’t have dinner, but she makes me want to break every fucking rule in the book to see her laugh again. Tomorrow I have lunch plans with Dad and intend to see if he can pull some strings with his buddies to get her in to see another doctor. Maybe then she just might give me a chance. Until then, I’ll have to admire her from afar. The whole drive toward the restaurant where I’m meeting Henley is a blur. I can’t get Sherry out of my mind. In the past, I’ve heard my friends talk about what it was like when they found the one who was made for them. The one they want to have their last first kiss with. The one they want to hold on to forever. Is she the one? That’s the biggest dilemma I’m being faced with. It’s not the rule breaking that scares me, we can get past that with a simple call or redirect of her appointments. Technically she’s my father’s patient, as I’ve not examined her. To her though, it’s crossing some line that she can’t see past. The simple fact that I want to turn my car around and head to my apartment just to see if I can catch a glimpse of her is driving me nuts. Instead, I push past it and find a parking spot.

  Henley was and is still the player in our group. The one who will never settle down, leaving broken hearts in his path. Me, on the other hand, I dated the same girl in high school until a week after graduation. When I found her locking lips with a waiter at a restaurant we frequently ate at, I left for college early. I knew the rumors, but decided to ignore them as long as I could. I was a fool for thinking that at that young of an age you could find your one true love. In college, I dated a few times and had fun with the ladies, but nothing was serious. My primary focus was on school, and then moving to my residency. Until now, I’ve been able to avoid the love bug. It makes me wonder if Sherry has ever been in love. Do I have competition when it comes to that department? Is what I’m feeling love? Can you already fall in love this quickly? I push it down and remind myself it’s the chase that’s getting to me. The way that she refuses me with her voice, all the while her eyes are telling me another story.

  Pushing it all down, I climb out of my car and head inside to find Henley. I’ve barely seen anyone other than patients and my family since I’ve been back. Maybe, just maybe I can forget about my little blonde bombshell while enjoying a nice evening. I spot Henley at the bar right away and move between the other patrons to reach him.

  “What’s up, man,” he says as he gives me the one-sided man hug.

  “Not much, dude. Just working and finding my feet. What about you?”

  “Same as always, playing the field and getting laid.”

  “You never change, do you?”

  “Hell, no. I like what I like, and that’s my freedom. I heard you pissed Suzanne off, how’d you manage to do that?”

  I hesitate before I answer his question. Do I tell him the truth, or make up some lame excuse for why she left and won’t respond to any text that I’ve sent? Instead of the real reason, I go with, “She didn’t like that I was tired and just wanted to hang. That girl has more stamina than a man.”

  “That’s not what she said last night,” Henley says, raising his eyebrows at me, alerting me to the fact that he already knows what happened. “Want to tell me about her? I’ve known you for a long time, man, and I also know that you don’t walk away from someone like her.”

  “Have you ever just wanted more? I mean, not a one or two-night stand?”

  “You do know who you’re asking this question to, right?”

  “I do, and I also know that one day you’ll settle down.”

  “Maybe, but it’s not this week—that’s for sure. So what’s she like?”

  We move down a little closer to the end of the bar where I order a Jack and Coke before I can get into this whole thing with Sherry and I. After downing over half of my drink, I find the courage to explain what has been happening and why she refuses to go out with me. Henley finds humor in the fact that a woman has actually said no to me. It’s not the first time, but it is the first that it’s taken this long to agree.

  “You know what you need to do, Greyson?” Henley stops to take another swig of his beer before he turns toward me, grabs me by the shoulders, and continues. “Grab her around the waist and land those famous Davis lips on her. If you truly suspect that there is a connection, fit it in. I know you, and the old Greyson I grew up with had game. Did you lose it?”

  “No, just haven’t had to use it in a long time.”

  “I say go find it and don’t strike out, man. I can tell she’s under your skin, and for that I’m thankful.”

  “Thankful, for what?”

  “I don’t have to fight you now, there’s not enough single ladies for the both of us around here. Now, get out of here and go find your girl.”

  Tossing down some cash on the bar, I pat Henley on the back and take off toward the parking lot. I don’t know if I’ll rush to her tonight, but I do plan to put a plan of action together.

  Sherry

  When I got home from work, Ava was nowhere to be found. Instead of working in the apartment that’s full of f
ur, I went down to the sitting area in the lobby. The one thing I love about the condo we live in is the amenities that we have. There’s a full gym, pool, little restaurant/café, and a bar all on site. It’s not fancy, but perfect for two single girls who at times don’t want to leave. Not to mention, I can go exercise when the moment arrives. I’ve not ventured into that gym in almost six months, but that’s not the point. I get plenty of exercise while walking to work and home, but at times I think I need to add some weights to my program. Pushing that thought down just as quickly as it arrived, I turn my focus back on the search for penthouses.

  This afternoon when I returned to work from lunch, I had to listen to June go on and on about how important this is for Dawson Realty. Not to mention she took up almost the rest of the day with other crap that I just wasn’t in the mood for. Which has brought me to this point of my evening. Sipping on a glass of white wine, I look at other brokers websites and marketing. My list has grown, but the sinking feeling that I have in the pit of my stomach tells me that I’ve not found the right one for Mr. McBride. June wanted at least ten places to show him, and out of the six I have they are just okay. I need WOW! I need that one place that you just can’t walk out of until you have submitted a contract. That’s what I have to find. Then I wonder if I’ve already found it. I mean, this isn’t a place that I’ll live, it’s a place to sell to our client. One that will not only show June that she didn’t make a mistake of hiring me and investing so much time. One that will show myself that I can do this. That even though I ran away from my dream of helping and saving lives, I’m on the right path for the what looks to be the new goal for my life.

  With a glance at the clock on my computer, I’ll give it another hour before I head upstairs and prepare for work tomorrow. Ava finally texted and said she was staying out again tonight. I reminded her of our appointment tomorrow at the salon, which I added the guilt that she doesn’t love me anymore into it for good measure. I can’t wait until she realizes what package I reserved for her. Paybacks are always fun, but I’ll have to be on my A-game to her next move. It seems our friendship is based on twisted jokes. It’s been that way from the start. No reason to change it.

  All of a sudden the hair on the back of my neck stands along with a fluttering deep within my abdomen. My eyes roam around the room, taking in my surroundings as I feel someone staring at me. When I’m done circling the area and can’t figure it out, I go back to scrolling through the database. Trying to shake it off, I can’t for the life of me get this feeling that someone’s here off my mind. Sitting up straight, I search the room again. It’s then that I spot him, not staring at me but enjoying a drink at the tiny bar off to the right. My eyes flutter between the computer screen and him, just like the butterflies are doing. I can’t stop it, they have a mind of their own. I wonder if he’s seen me? Can I make an escape to the elevator without being noticed? I’m not as quiet as I think I am. Which means I need to mark off being a ninja with my moves. I’d end up rolling on the floor like a beached seal. That would be a surefire way of getting noticed. Tapping my fingers on the keys of my laptop like I’m actually working, I drag my bottom lip through my teeth while coming up with a plan. The whole time I keep my eyes on Greyson. No, not like staring at his eyes. It’s more a slanted look between the computer and his backside sitting on the barstool. Okay, fine… I’m staring at his round ass that I just want to grab. That would be funny. I could stand, run over, and grab it before taking off. That would tell him I’m not interested, right? Hell no, I would be deeper into this issue than I was a few hours ago. Maybe, just maybe I can talk Ava into moving in a few months when our lease is up. Greyson just moved in, which means he has at least eleven more months before he can move. That would be the better plan. After that, I’ll just need to find a way to never go into the office again. I doubt June will want to relocate Dawson Realty to help me out in this situation. Knowing her, she’d march herself over to that office and schedule an appointment if she knew what he looked like.

  Yawning, I decide that I need to head upstairs before I fall asleep down here. Don’t laugh, it’s happened, and I won’t put anything past the fact that it could happen again.

  I glance back over to Greyson and take in how he’s messing with his phone. Ignoring him the best I can, I slide my laptop into my backpack, stand, and take a deep breath when I hear my phone buzz.

  Greyson: Care to join me for a drink?

  Yes, I finally added his name to my phone today. Don’t judge…

  I hesitate a little longer than I should before I respond.

  Me: Thanks, but I need to head up.

  I leave it at that. No glance toward him. No smile. Nothing, just my back turning toward him as I walk away. If I’d have done what I wanted to do, I’d end up having a drink and most likely allow Greyson to kiss me. I’ve only daydreamed about that about ten times today, okay fine, make it twenty or so times. The vibrating sensation in my back pocket has me ignoring my phone until I get to my apartment. I have no idea if it’s him, Ava, or June, but I plan to not read it until I’m locked behind my door.

  Setting my backpack down on the corner of my bed, I bend over and pick up Mr. Tinkerbell for a quick snuggle. He’s the only cat that I can cuddle with that doesn’t turn me into a hot sneezing mess. The rest I need to make a decision on. I know what’s best for not only me but for them. Sliding my phone out, I move past that green bubble with the red notice that I have not only one, but two messages, now in my reminders section. If I don’t set a reminder for most things, I’ll forget about everything. Satisfied that tomorrow I’ll start a new trend of finding the other three a home, I give in to the text.

  Ava: Just checking in on you? Are you still fighting the HOT HOT HOT Doctor that I’m sure has an even HOTTER PENIS?

  Greyson: Have a good night, Sherry, and if you need a ride to work tomorrow just let me know.

  I can’t help but laugh at Ava. She’s my best friend and my biggest cheerleader. We just work. It’s more because we are so different and understand how different we are that we have made it this long in life without killing each other. I think of a quick comeback before I type. ‘I’m sure it’s the biggest and most perfect pink penis that I would ever see in this lifetime. However, I’ll only be dreaming about that HOT Doctor and his even HOTTER Penis. Have fun tonight, and I can’t wait to hear you scream tomorrow after your appointment.’

  With a quick laugh, I lay my phone down on the dresser and head to the shower. Curious what Ava will come back with, I laugh slightly more at my comment. However, I did forget to use the eggplant emoji. Recently Ava and I had a texting war with them, and for the life of me I couldn’t figure out why she was sending me eggplants. Like a million in one text. Apparently, that was her way of telling me to get laid, and not by BOB. The more embarrassing fact of this was I finally walked my sleepy butt over to her room and asked if she needed me to fry up some eggplant for dinner the next night. See, I told you I was a blonde through and through. I literally thought my best friend was asking for fried eggplant. Not that it meant sex, penis, getting laid, wanna tango—you name it I heard it that night after she got up from the floor laughing. Still to this day, I can hear her chuckle when I send one. It’s become the best joke for her to tell our friends. Hell, I’m shocked she didn’t put it in the condo’s monthly newsletter.

  Wrapping the towel around my body, I head out and do a quick glance to see if she’s texted me back. Disappointed that the small icon hasn’t shown up yet, I pad through the apartment in search of a snack. With a bag of white cheddar pop chips and an ice cold glass of water, I go back to my room to dress. I need to just crawl into bed and sleep, but I rather curl up and watch some TV until I doze off. Just as I enter the room my phone chirps and the excited feeling I get for her snarky comeback is so real that I’m already laughing before I read it.

  Noticing that I have another message from Greyson instead of Ava, my excitement dwindles.

  Greyson: So, you dream of me
and think my penis is perfect? Strange that you’ve not seen it, but I’ll go with it.

  My eyes are as wide as Saturn as I scroll up to see that I didn’t send that to Ava. Instead, the message flipped to his next and I typed it out to him. OH MY GOD! I can’t even come back with something to say to that. Do I ignore him? Do I respond, wrong message? How many flipping doctors does one have that she could blame this on? I need the earth to open up and swallow me whole and STAT. Immediately, I dial Ava instead of risking my phone texting him again.

  “What’s up, sleepy dwarf?”

  “Ava, be serious! I have a code blue emergency.”

  “Listening,” she says, sounding panicked because we haven’t had to use the code blue in awhile.

  “I texted Greyson instead of you. When I mean I texted I mean I responded to your dirty text with even dirtier words. Now he thinks I think his penis is perfect and that I dream of him.”

  “This sounds more like a code yellow and not a code blue, unless you just gave him blue balls, and then it totally fits the code blue. We might need to come up with new rules.”

  “Can you not focus on what I just said. Who gives a shit about what color the code is, this is still a state of an emergency! What do I do? I can’t be talking to him now with him thinking I think his penis is perfect and that I might want it in me. AVA!”

  “First off, you do want it in you, which is not considered code worthy. Second off, run with it and get some imaginary play going on. I know you need an eggplant in your life, Sherry. Third off, this is the best thing you’ve done in a month.”