Chapter 15
Luke
Ryan walked through the front door, and I wanted to hit him.
He pointed toward the back door with a confused look on his face. “Dude? Was that Emmy leaving?”
I walked to the back door and looked for Emerson, but her door was already shut. Her bra laid on my kitchen floor. I reached for it, rubbing the soft cotton between my fingers. She had been everything I hoped she would be. The feeling of her skin beneath my fingers was a rush I had never known.
“What the fuck man?” I scolded him, shoving her bra into a drawer.
“How was I to know you would be getting down and dirty with her? After the way you talked, I didn't even know you liked her like that.” He shrugged. “So, you and Emmy?”
“I don't know. It just felt right, and I went with it.”
“I can't believe you didn't hear my truck coming up the drive.” Ryan opened the fridge and pulled out two beers handing one to me. “Here. You look like you need this.”
“Why are you here?” I shook my head, and he put the second beer back in the fridge.
“Cindy told me no.”
“And? That involves me how?”
“I don't know. I've never been told no before. I figured I would come back here and hang with you two for the night.”
I couldn't help the laughter that escaped my lips as I looked at him.
“Are you really laughing at me?” he asked.
“Yeah, I am. You look kinda heart broken.”
“I am, a little,” Ryan sat at the table and picked at the label of his beer. “She was my go to and has been for years. I wonder what changed,” he pondered. There was sincerity in his voice, something I didn't hear often.
“Maybe she’s tired of your shit and wants more than just a friends-with-benefits situation,” I said, looking over toward the wall, knowing Emerson was on the other side and wanting to be with her.
“Yeah, well, she knew the rules. I just want to have fun; she knows that.” He looked over at me.
“Time changes people, and we aren't exactly getting any younger. Sucks to be turned down though.” I smiled and walked over to the table slapping him on the back.
“I've got to go put up those chairs.” I walked out the door and started toward the chairs but stopped. Instead, I stepped over to Emmy’s door and knocked, hoping she’d answer. She didn’t. I saw her shadow move at the end of the hall, which meant now was not the time.
I turned and headed for the chairs, taking them back into the shop. I stopped and looked over at a project I had been working on. My body was tense with want, and I needed to work off some of that buildup. I pulled out my hand sander and started working on smoothing the surface. It was well after three am when I looked back at the clock. I turned off the machine and laid it to the side. Stretching, I walked across the yard, looking up at her window. There was a soft glow coming from behind the curtains. I pulled my phone out and opened my texting app. I started to type out an apology but then thought better of it and shoved my phone back in my pocket. She knew I’d knocked earlier, so the ball was in her court.
Ryan was snoring softly on my couch, the throw blanket pulled over his bare chest when I came in. I hit the kitchen light and walked up the stairs, dropping to the edge of my bed. I wanted to talk to her, make sure she was alright, but I felt it wasn't the right time.
I brushed my teeth and laid in the bed thinking about her. My phone dinged on the nightstand.
I'm really sorry
Emerson
You have nothing to apologize for
Luke
I don't know what came over me
Emerson
I don't understand.
Luke
We should talk tomorrow
Emerson
Can we have lunch?
Luke
That sounds great, see you then. G’night, Luke.
Emerson
Goodnight, Emmy
Luke
The phone bounced on the bed when I let it go. I wasn't sure what we had to talk about. I wanted her, she obviously wanted me, so what was left?
***
I stood in front of the mirror the next morning, my eyes telling the truth about my lack of sleep. I could hear Ryan in the kitchen running the Ninja.
“I was wondering if you were going to actually get up. Here’s your shake. Let's get going.” He walked out of the kitchen and into the backyard. It was well after seven, and I stood there drinking my shake and watching as he moved around the yard setting everything up.
“I thought we were taking a day off,” I complained.
“And you need to work out this morning, obviously,” he hinted at how tense I was. I never said anything about not working or practicing. He knew I was off and wasn't going to let it go.
“I'm sorry about what happened.”
“What, you interrupting maybe the best night of my life?” I whisper shouted.
“It is like that, I see.” He smiled.
“You would have to be blind to not see what I see.”
“Oh, I see it, but she is not my type. Yours, yes, mine... no.” He smiled bigger.
“This isn't a joke, Ryan.”
He stopped and looked me dead in the eyes. “I know, and I'm not treating like it is.” He handed me my ax and pointed toward the log that was set up. I didn't want to do this right now.
“Can we run first?” I asked.
He nodded his head and walked toward me. “Running it is,” he said and ripped his shirt over his head then started stretching. I followed suit, and once we were warmed up we started down the driveway.
The run was exactly what I needed. My feet pounding the pavement helped clear my head. I thought about before and after the kiss. The one kiss that had changed everything. I knew, and I was fairly certain she knew, that everything had changed.
“Dude, where you going?” Ryan shouted at me.
“Home. Why are you running so slow?” I called back at him.
“I'm not. You are burning up the road, you in a hurry?”
“No, just ready to get the day started.” I ran a little slower, letting Ryan catch up to me. I could see his shit-eating grin in my peripheral vision.
“Shut it,” I scolded him.
“Not sayin’ a word,” he laughed then slowed to a walk putting his hands over his head. We walked in silence back to the house. I saw her sitting on the porch with her coffee wrapped in her hands. Her shy smile made my heart beat a little bit harder.
“Morning,” I waved as I walked by.
She didn't speak, just waved and continued to watch us.
We went through the motions of a workout, but really, we just fooled around. We worked hard all the time, so having a light day was exactly what we needed. Plus, after last night, I couldn't do serious today. I wanted to get done so I could shower and get ready for lunch. I turned the shower on and stepped in, making sure I shaped my beard up a little and washing my hair better than I usually did. I wanted her to see me the way she should and not like the caveman I usually looked like. It was only the second time in my life that I wanted to look good for someone else. Weird.