Love Under Quarantine_Simple

by Scott, Kylie

  Without saying a word, she takes a ginormous bite, eating half in one go. Her eyes light up and she moans. “So good!” She finishes her bite and I watch as she stares at the small stack lovingly. “These are amazing. You never mentioned you could bake.” She plops the other half of the first cookie in her mouth.

  “I didn’t know I could. It’s actually something Jake is good at, but I found the chocolate chips stash along with a cookbook. Since I had time yesterday, I made three dozen.”

  Her mouth opens and her eyes go wide. “And where are the other cookies?”

  That has me laughing. “Greedy girl. I put them in front of your door.”

  Without responding she dashes inside. I roll my eyes. That girl loves her sweets. Major win. I’ll have to remember this moment when I’m in the doghouse again. Because it’s inevitable that I’ll be there again one day.

  She comes out with the Tupperware and her stash in the paper towels. “This is the best present I’ve gotten in a really long time. So personal and appropriate for me.”

  “Glad you like them, baby. I wanted you to know I was thinking about you yesterday even when you were ignoring me.”

  She frowns. “Sorry about that. I was embarrassed for being so mouthy and drunk. It’s just my mother and father found out we’re dating and they’re really unhappy about it and I just lost my mind a little.”

  “You told your parents about me and they’re unhappy?”

  “Um, it doesn’t really matter. They’re still stuck on Sean and…”

  “Sean! Douchebag who doesn’t give a shit about you, your work, or the things that matter in your life outside of your financial portfolio? I probably make a hundred times the amount of money that guy makes! More even!” Anger, white and hot, fires through my system and makes my blood boil. “And isn’t he a pipsqueak? I could totally take him!” I growl through my teeth, putting my hands to the railing and squeezing as hard as I can to let off some steam.

  “Baby, no. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say anything. It’s dumb. They don’t understand. Sean was what they wanted for me: white picket fence and two point five kids. Perfect marriage material.”

  “And I’m not! What the hell is wrong with me? They don’t even know me! I want kids and my house rocks. You’ll love it. We could even turn the room over the garage into a private office for you to write in.” I grind down on my teeth and breathe fire through my nose.

  “Evan, it’s stupid, but Dad follows sports and they know about the scandal and they think I’m making a bad decision dating a baller who’s been pictured with a lot of different women. And then the picture of you passed out with drugs in the room. It doesn’t look good and they don’t know you like I do.”

  I hang my head.

  “I’m not good enough for you,” I say to the side of the balcony. “They’re right. You don’t deserve any of this. What I’m dealing with right now. Scandals. Drugs. A player. You’re better than that. Sean is an asshole and I’m a fuck up. A woman like you, Sadie. Beautiful. Smart. Writes amazing books. Yeah, I’ve read one already and am on my second. You’re so talented. You do not need the bad press or the shit that my life will bring to your doorstep. Dating a celebrity is not fun.”

  “I don’t care about any of that. I only care about you. The man I’ve chosen. The man I want to be with. You. Just as you are.”

  I firm my jaw and shake my head. “No, you don’t know what it’s like. Being in the spotlight all the time. Bullshit is said about me and who I have on my arm the second I show up anywhere. I wouldn’t want that for you. It’s good that they don’t approve. Now that I think about it, I don’t approve either. You’re better than all of this.” I run my hands through my hair and turn around.

  “Evan, no! That’s not true. Please, don’t leave me like this. Talk to me!”

  My shoulders fall and I look at her face. There are tears in her pretty blue eyes and something about seeing those tears clocks me upside the head.

  “I don’t want to ever hurt you.”

  “Then don’t do anything rash. Don’t you dare believe all the hype.”

  “They’re your parents. They care about you and if they don’t like me…it will never work.”

  “I don’t give a shit what my parents think. Besides, deep down they are good people. I promise. When they meet you, they will know what I know. That Evan Sparks is a hardworking, record-setting athlete who has devoted his life to his career. They’ll know that their daughter is head over heels for a man that is strong, noble, kind, compassionate, and supportive.”

  “Baby…”

  “Just don’t push me away. What we have is more real than anything I’ve ever had in my life.”

  “For me too.” My voice is hoarse and raw.

  “Then don’t do anything to fuck it up. You just told me not to let you screw us up. This is me telling you not to screw us up. If you care about me, you’ll fight for me. You’ll fight for us. It’s me and you, Evan. Since Day 1 of this crazy new normal, it’s been me and you. And when this passes, I want it to still be me and you.”

  I close my eyes and let her words sink in. “I want that too.”

  “Okay. I’m glad we got that settled. No pushing one another away. Besides, tomorrow is Day 14 and I’m looking forward to it. So much so, I think Day 14 of every month should be a day we celebrate. It will represent hope and anticipating good things.”

  God, this woman. She’s everything.

  “I’m sorry again for screwing us up.”

  She tips her head to the side. “It’s okay. I’ll be here to put us back together. Do you want a cookie? It will make you feel better.” She smiles as she holds one out, though there’s no way I could reach it even if I tried. The balconies are a full eight feet apart.

  “No. Your smile. Your voice. Your wisdom. That’s what makes me feel better.”

  She smiles softly. “Are we okay?”

  I nod. “Yeah, Sadie, we’re okay. As long as I keep a clear head, we’ll be okay.”

  “I’ll make sure you do. Now tell me more about the book of mine that you read! I want to hear everything.” Her voice is filled with awe and joy. She sits down, crosses her legs, and bites into another cookie.

  My girl. Life tosses her a doozy, but she gets past it and keeps on smiling.

  * * *

  SADIE

  To celebrate the day before the big day, we go for a walk to get some essential items. Six feet apart, of course.

  “This time tomorrow, I’ll be holding your hand,” Evan says with a grin.

  I snort. “Yeah right, buddy. You’ll be holding a tit, more likely. Don’t try your faux-romance moves on me, you fraudster. You’re a breast man from way back and tomorrow is day fourteen. Sex day. And we both know it.”

  Footsteps approach and a police officer stands against the building, ensuring we can safely pass him. With the city so silent, you know everything I just said carried straight to the man’s ears. Speaking of ears, the tips of the young officer’s are bright pink. Huh.

  Evan holds back a chuckle not so successfully.

  That’s me. A freak in the sheets and a lady in the…never. I am never a lady. I am always just me. Such is life. “Stop laughing,” I hiss at my way-too-amused new boyfriend. “You’re making it worse.”

  Evan wipes a hand over his face, smiling up a storm. The ass.

  “Evan Sparks!” The officer’s eyes light up with recognition.

  Evan’s smile fades as he nods. He starts walking faster. “Morning.”

  “Hey. Psst. Slow down.” I just about have to jog to keep up with his long-legged strides. He has his head down and his hands shoved into the pockets of his jeans. He is not a happy camper. Guess I just got my first look at the fame monster. Even in my comfy black leather booties, I’m struggling to keep up with the pace he’s setting. Though I am happy with how my outfit came together. Skinny blue jeans, a sexy/baggy sweater that hangs off one shoulder revealing the strap of my white tank, and a red hairband. I w
as a little overexcited to actually get dressed and leave the apartment. Oh well. “Evan!”

  He stops and turns. “Yeah?”

  I skid to a halt, careful not to get too close. “I can’t keep up with you. Please slow down.”

  “Sorry, baby.”

  “Are you okay?”

  He sighs. “Yeah, I ah… Guess I got used to being left alone, you know? Not that I mind being recognized or having a fan say hi.”

  “It’s just with all of the crap they’re saying in the papers you don’t know what to expect. I understand.”

  “I don’t know, it’s as if they get this look in their eye like they’re trying to decide if I’m a scum-sucking cheating asshole or what.”

  I shake my head. “We’re going to get through this. You’re going to show them exactly who you are and there will be no doubt that you got set up.”

  He nods, and looks down the street where the police officer is climbing into his cruiser. “C’mon, gorgeous. Let’s get moving and get this done.”

  Within minutes we reach the small store wedged between two skyscrapers.

  Like most of my gender, I enjoy a trip to a pharmacy. And right now, any chance to get the hell outside is a beautiful thing. But this is actually fun. I peruse the boxes of hair dye. “Think I’d look good as a redhead?”

  “You’d look good as anything,” he murmurs.

  “You’re going to regret saying that when I shave my head due to a combination of sheer boredom and frustration over the state of my roots.”

  Evan stares at the top of my skull. “Bald would be an interesting choice. But whatever works for you, baby.”

  “Look at you being all supportive and wonderful.” I grin.

  “I’m not getting put in time out again. Not this close to game day.”

  “No. Stop. Do not compare our sex life to a sport. I forbid it.” I point a finger at him, my packets of allergy medication safely in the other hand. One way or another, I’m probably going to get exposed to the wonderful fluffiness that is Gloria sometime soon. Best to be prepared. But back to the boy. “No, Evan. Just no.”

  He smiles.

  I move down the aisle, checking out the selection of hair brushes and other things. “I was wondering about giving myself bangs, though. Just for something different.”

  “Don’t do it, sister,” yells a woman an aisle over. “You know you’ll regret it.”

  “Yeah. You’re probably right. Thanks.”

  The woman moves on and Evan gives me a look. “Do you know her?”

  “No. But at times such as these, all us girls have to look out for one another. The sisterhood must live on.”

  His brows go up. “Okay.”

  “It’s like when we go to the bathroom to pee en masse. We all need to be talked out of cutting our own hair at one time or another. After a break up, during a pandemic…you get what I mean.”

  “I figured you were always just talking smack about men when you went to the bathroom.”

  “Oh yeah. I’m not going to lie, there’s a lot of that. But women are natural born multitaskers. We can reapply lip gloss, decimate a dickhead, and still make time for some hairstyle advice all while washing our hands.”

  “Right.”

  Next comes the vitamins because I’m low on C. Meanwhile Evan inspects a selection of multivitamins for women. “If you insist on eating processed crap instead of fresh fruit and vegetables, we should probably get you some of these. Just to be safe.”

  “I eat vegetables.”

  “Tater tots don’t really count, sweetheart.”

  “Well that’s harsh.” I pout.

  He reads the back of a bottle. “This one looks okay. You want to check it out?”

  “No, I trust you. Chuck it in the basket.”

  “Did you want to talk some more about your parents?” he asks. “If so, I’m happy to listen. Without losing my shit this time.”

  “Thanks. But not really. I mean, they’re wrong. It’s pretty straightforward. They’re working on limited and biased information instead of listening to me, their only child. The person who actually knows you and has spent time with you.” My foot starts tapping. “You’d think my happiness would count for something with them, you know?”

  “I’m sorry they upset you.”

  I scowl. “Ugh. It happens. Families…”

  “Still, I hate seeing you down. We’re going to do some definite hugging and comforting tomorrow.”

  “Oh yeah? Naked or clothed?”

  “Naked, of course.”

  I laugh. Men. They’re such sweet, simple creatures, really. Evan amply displays this in the next aisle. “Yes! Here we go, baby. Time to get serious.” First he throws a couple tubes of lube into his basket, followed by carefully perusing the prophylactics. “Ribbed?”

  “Sure. Knock yourself out.”

  “Flavored?”

  “Ew. Pass.”

  “Glow in the dark?” He waggles his brows.

  “Are you that likely to get lost?”

  “Hell no.” He moves along. “Any feelings about warming ones?”

  I shrug. “Haven’t tried them.”

  “Let’s give those a whirl.”

  “Do we really need that many?” I ask.

  He just looks at me, gaze serious. Wounded almost. Like he’s questioning my priorities and general life choices.

  I shake my head in wonder. “Okay. Fine. Keep going. But at this rate, you’re going to have to carry me everywhere.”

  “I think that would be best. Keep you nice and handy for whenever we feel the need. And you can bet after the past few weeks, I definitely feel the need.”

  “That sex starved, huh?”

  “Nope,” he corrects. “I’m Sadie starved. There’s a difference. No other girl will do.”

  “Aw.”

  “Studded?”

  I wrinkle my nose. “I dunno.”

  “Another time. Edible?”

  “I have cookies. Why would I even?” I cross my arms. “I think you’ve got enough. We should probably leave some for the rest of the city.”

  He inspects the heaped contents of his basket with a frown. “It’ll do for the first week.”

  “Good God. Do you anticipate us ever sleeping or indeed doing anything other than having sex in the near future?”

  He lifts a shoulder. “Meh. If you really want to. We could watch a little TV, I guess. And I’ll cook meals for you. Got to keep your energy up, baby.”

  “I’m getting that. I can see me icing my vagina at this rate.”

  “Is that a problem?” And he’s serious. The man is actually serious.

  We finish up our purchases with the cashier giving Evan the bro-code version of a thumbs-up when he says, “Niiiiccceeee,” at the sheer amount of sexual paraphernalia he’s purchasing. I look around and notice one of the other cashiers giving me the side-eye.

  She just wishes she had a hunk-a-licious like Evan stocking up to fuck her stupid. Too bad he’s all mine.

  “Don’t worry, baby, we’ll get more next week,” I say loud enough for side-eye jealous girl to hear. Petty, but fun.

  Evan follows me out the door and back to our place. Staying six feet behind me until I stop cold after exiting the elevator at our floor.

  “Sean, what are you doing here?” I glare at the most unwelcome of visitors standing outside my front door. Also, I desperately need to change the code for my personal entrance to the building. Pronto.

  Behind me, I can just feel Evan bristling. Unfortunate after our lovely outing. We’ve been smiling and laughing, the day a success. Now this.

  Wearing a gray pinstripe suit, a mask, and gloves, Sean just blinks at me, his black hair neatly slicked back. Then his gaze goes to the much bigger man standing behind me. It’s wrong the way I objectify Evan and his large hot body. I know this. I’m a shallow and wanton creature. But right now, I can’t bring myself to care. I’ve moved onto bigger and better things. Literally. And I’m more than happy fo
r my ex to see that for himself—the asshat.

  “I bought you a care basket,” he says, gesturing to the flashy gift box of wine, fruit, and flowers sitting at his feet.

  “You did? Why?”

  “Well…because I care.” He even sounds haughty wearing a facemask and gloves.

  Instantly the idea of a gentleman serial killer coming after Eamon and Katie in my novel prods at my sleeping muse before I shake it off to pay attention to the situation.

  “No you don’t.” I frown remembering all the times he didn’t care. Book releases. When I hit the New York Times, when I sold my first book to another country. He’s never actually given two shits about me and my life. Just how I fit into his.

  “He pretending he cares because he’s trying to get back in,” growls Evan. “Dude, no matter what you say, it’s not going to work. That ship has sailed.”

  Sean sniffs. “You’re the drug dealing baller, I take it.”

  And then it all clicks into place with horrible, blood-boiling clarity. “Oh my fucking God! My mother called you. I don’t believe this. Evan, baby, I’m so sorry.”

  “Not your fault,” my man says through clenched teeth, staring Sean down as though if he so much as flinches he’s jumping him like a hungry Rottweiler protecting its food. Only in this scenario, I’m the food.

  “You can’t be serious, Sadie. What the hell are you thinking? He’s an over-hyped, panty-chasing, drug-taking baller with a tiny dick and an even smaller IQ. Grow up and choose better.”

  Evan’s jaw is set, his gaze ablaze with fury. I can see him clenching and unclenching his strong hands into fists. “Do not insult her or I will end you.”

  “And don’t insult him either,” I add, stepping further into the open hallway. “Evan, I really am sorry about this.”

  He doesn’t so much as look my way, blazing gaze set on the douchenozzle. “Not your fault. I already told you that.”

  “I know this is going to be very hard for you, and likely goes against everything you believe in, but would you mind going into your apartment and letting me deal with this? Pretty please? It’ll only take a minute and it’s something I feel I have to do on my own.”