*
"So? How was it?" Bethany worked on a ham sandwich in the kitchen at my father's house as I leaned against the counter beside her and watched.
"It was great. Erica was a load of fun, and Seattle is insanely beautiful."
"And?"
"And I signed the contract with Jonathan after Erica looked it over. We'll be doing the showing in November, I think. I get a few extra tickets to it, and I'd love for you to be there with me."
"You know I will." She picked up the two halves of the sandwich and offered me one of them. "What about you and her, Matt? You're being so fucking cryptic."
"I know." I took a big bite and shrugged before turning and walking to the backyard. The flight home had been miserable because I couldn't stop working through a million ways to see her again. Like that night.
"So stop acting like Damon and give me my brother back, please." She moved up behind me and walked out to join me on the patio. It was still a little warm for what most people would consider fall weather, but for Texas, we were doing good not sweating to death at Halloween, so I was happy.
"Speaking of Damon. He misses you." I glanced over at her as I dropped down on one of the many patio seats and finished my sandwich.
"I miss him too, Matt. Stop diverting. You're horrible at it." She sat down beside me and turned to face me as she nibbled at her lunch. "Tell me what happened?"
"We went to a concert, out to dinner several times, to the fish market and to a hot yoga class."
Her eyes widened. "Wow. That's a lot to pack into a weekend."
"Tell me about it." I licked my fingers and reached over to snag the rest of her sandwich. "The early bird gets the worm." I shoved it into my mouth as she got up and tried to muscle it away from me. She dropped back down onto her seat as we shared a laugh.
"You suck." She turned and extended her legs out on the chair. "Like big time. You won't tell me what happened with Erica and now you eat my lunch? Ugh."
"Why aren't you up at the office?" I turned my head a little so I could see her better.
"I was just taking a lunch break, and honestly, having to tell Philip no for going out to lunch one more time without a good excuse is going to drive me crazy."
"Philip is another one of the interns at M&B?"
"Yeah. He's the one Damon is insanely jealous of."
"Right, and he would be great to use to help get Damon's attention. Remember I told you this already? My brother's jealousy is a great driver for him."
"Hush. I already did that once and the whole damn world almost exploded. I'll be ready to move on soon, but I'm not there yet."
"I hope you're never there." I closed my eyes and rested against the seat and images of Erica's half-naked body filled my vision. "Erica and I had a good time. She's everything I want in a woman, and once I get my shit together, I'll move things forward with her."
"And if she's not willing to wait until you get your stuff together? Whatever the hell that means."
"Then I guess we weren't meant to be." I licked my lips and tried not to think too much more about it. I still needed to call her, but I'd get to it later that day. Bothering her at work would leave me looking weak and needy. No thanks.
"Come on, Matt. That's ridiculous. You know how good you guys would be together. What's this really about? Are you scared that she'll cheat on you?" The change in Bethany's voice caused me to open my eyes and turn back toward her.
"No. Never. I'm not my brother."
"Then what? She's a beautiful woman with her life all put together and all she's missing is passion. That's where you come in."
"That's a lot to put on a guy that hasn't done shit with himself, don't you think?"
"I see what's happening." She snorted and got up, walking back toward the house aggressively. Why the fuck was she upset with me? I hadn't even done anything.
"Wait." I jumped up and followed her inside. "What's happening? I don't understand."
She stopped just short of going in the house and turned around, planting her hand against my chest. "You're using the fact that you haven't moved to Seattle, or settled into a full-time job as an excuse not to commit to her."
"I am not." I took a step back. I so was.
"Yeah, you are. I'll tell you this now, and you can share it with your brother. Good women don't wait forever, and we don't want any of the things you think we want. Your security and achievements can take a fucking hike."
"Beth. Why are you so pissed? I didn't-"
"We want love. Just strong arms around us at night, the whisper that we're beautiful and cared about, and someone to walk through this fucked up nightmare of a life with. Is that so much to ask for?" She shouted the last bit and turned to walk back into the house, letting the screen door slam in my face.
"Damn," I mumbled and turned to walk back out on the patio. She was bent over sideways because of the shit with her and Damon, and I got her message loud and clear, but it wasn't as easy as she was making it out to be.
Maybe that was part of the problem between her and my brother.
Shit, maybe that was the problem with most relationships... and if so, why would mine and Erica's be any different?