Chapter 3

Morris

 

Thank fuck that it’s the weekend. This week has been one shit storm after another and I’m glad to be done with it. Not only did I end up having to arrest a father driving drunk with his four-year-old in the back seat on Wednesday, I had to deal with a fifteen-year-old committing suicide Friday because of bullies. I swear I don’t know what the fuck is wrong with people. Why you would ever be dumb enough to think that you should drive drunk in the first place is beyond me. But to endanger your kid's life right along with everyone else’s. Why? Because the moron couldn’t find a sitter and he needed to get more beer. I really think that some people should just be sterilized. We definitely need to add more chlorine to the gene pool these days. Then having to find that kid hanging from the bathroom stall just really threw me over the edge. Fucking kids just don’t get how their words and actions can affect someone. Now, that boy’s poor parents have to bury their son all because shithead kids feel the need to be cruel. I really could use a beer or thirty.

The only bright spot is that fact that today is Sunday. The day that Marc is having us at his place to watch the game. The day that I get to see Mellie. Damn, I’ve already changed my shirt three times. I’m more nervous than a kid on prom night after the condom breaks. I seriously need to get going. I throw on a blue T-shirt, put my wallet, keys, and phone in my pocket and my gun at my back and walk out of my apartment. I hop into my all black Dodge Ram and start the diesel engine and listen to it purr. I love this truck. It’s one of the only big purchases I’ve made since settling down in South Amberly.

I’ve only been living here for about two years since I retired from the Navy. I wanted to finally put down roots. This place had an open SWAT position and it’s only about 45 minutes from my parents. I figured that this was exactly what I was looking for. I wasn’t completely sure, however, until I saw Mellie. Just looking at her and hearing her giggle while watching us play football made me want to scream out, “MINE” to every other asshole who was staring at her. And there was plenty of them, we weren’t the only ones at the park that day, and every other man there was staring at her. She didn’t seem to notice, but I sure as hell did. Nope, she was completely oblivious to their attention. I couldn’t believe that she hadn’t noticed it until Rocco made a comment to Marc. Marc decided to inform us that she seems to always be clueless about the attention that she gets from men. He said that it’s a blessing and a curse.

“It’s great that she pays no attention to it, but she also doesn’t realize when a man is being nice to her just to get into her pants. She always sees the best in people and unfortunately she seems to attract a lot of assholes because of it,” he said that day.

And I agree with him. It would be better if she was more aware of other people's intentions toward her, but I can’t say that I hate the fact that she doesn’t seem to give any of those guys the time of day. I’m a selfish bastard like that.

I pull into their driveway just as Damon is getting out of his Ford pickup. He gives me his usual chin lift and waits for me to get out of my truck to walk up to the door. We ring the doorbell and hear a muffled, “Come In.” Walking into the house you get a very homey feeling. You can definitely tell that a woman lives here just from the pictures on the wall. If you go left, you to walk into the kitchen which has an open floor plan. All stainless-steel appliances and a light gray slate floor. Walking further into the kitchen you end up by the door that takes you into the laundry room that leads to the garage. If you go straight, you’ll walk into a very nice sitting room with huge leather sofas and chairs surrounding an impressive fireplace. Again, with all the little nick-nacks and throw pillows it gives you a very welcoming feeling. If you go right from the front door you will walk into the living room with yet again huge leather sofas and a 72’ TV. I’m guessing Marc put some of his touches in here. I don’t really see her needing a TV this big, but it is nice. If you look to the right there is a hallway that leads to the three bedrooms and a bathroom. If you look left you’ll see a big bay window overlooking the deck and backyard. They have a nice set up here on a few acres of land. I’m not much into having neighbors. This place is like a little slice of heaven.

Damon and I both walk into the living room to see the rest of the guys are already here. Something smells amazing and I have a feeling that Mellie has been in the kitchen most of the day. Marc always talks about how if he ever moves out, that his sisters cooking is what he is going to miss the most. And just going by the smell, I can’t blame him, I would never want to leave someone who can cook something that smells so good. Right on cue, my stomach starts to growl loudly. Loud enough for the rest of the guys to look at me and laugh. Of course, Mellie walks in that minute and hears.

Smirking she looks at me, “Someone’s hungry I guess.”

“Umm yeah, a bit. It smells really good Mel.” The light blush that comes across her cheeks is one of the cutest things I’ve ever seen. I can’t believe I’ve never realized how much I actually affect her.

“Thanks, Morris. Hope you all like biscuits and chili. Foods ready and all out on the table for you guys.”

“Damn Mel, mind if I move in too?” Rocco asks, while practically sprinting into the kitchen.

“Jesus Roc, save some for the rest of us. Thanks, sis you’re the best!”

“No problem, hope you all enjoy,” Mel replies while walking down the hall toward her room. With everyone else in the kitchen, this is probably my best chance to ask her out.

“Hey, Mel hold up a sec,” I quickly yell. 

“Yeah, what’s up?” I’m momentarily speechless as she looks up at me with those baby blues.

“Aren’t you going to eat with us?” I ask.

“No, I’m not really a big fan of chili. I just make it for Marc because it’s one of his favorites. Plus, I can make a ton, so it was easy to do to make sure you all were fed.”

“You didn’t have to feed us. We all could’ve just ordered a pizza or something.”

She’s now smiling up at me like I just said something she finds very amusing.

“Well, my mom would kill me if she found out that I had guests in my house and didn’t feed them. It’s like rule number one with her. Always make sure you feed your guests, otherwise, you’re the world’s worst host. It’s just kind of ingrained in me to do so.”

“Oh well, what kind of stuff do you normally like to eat?” I ask taking full advantage of this opportunity.

 

****

Mellie

 

Holy shit, holy shit, holy shit…breathe girl…do not pass out in front of him!

“I’m kinda picky. I pretty much live off of seafood, pasta, and veggies. I’m not the biggest fan of meat so I’m a bit limited. Why?” Seriously my voice sounds like a squeaky mouse. So embarrassing. He’s smirking at me in a way that makes me want to blurt out everything that I would like to do to him. Why is it so hot when a guy smirks? Even if they’re being a total ass, they can smirk and make you mad and your panties wet at the same time.

“There’s a new seafood restaurant on Main Street that is always packed. Do you want to try it out next week with me?”

OMG! Is Morris seriously asking me out to dinner? I really need to stop staring at him like a freaking deer in headlights, but my brain and mouth are not working together. Shit, he’s going to think that I’m a total nutcase!

“Ahhhhhhh.” Way to go, shithead, very articulate!

“I mean if you don’t want to, it’s no big deal.” Morris rushes out and looks like he’s about to bail. Hurry brain hurry.

“I mean yes. That would be great! I’m just a little surprised that’s all.”

“Surprised?” His head is tilted to the side like he is confused. Yet another great look for him. Down hormones, down!

“Well yeah. My brother tends to make sure that every man in a 50-mile radius stays away from me. It’s just unusual to get asked out when he is in the other room. Sure, that you don’t have a death wish?”

He chuckles lowly and it goes straight to my libido. My BFF, BOB and I are going to be spending a lot of quality time together tonight!

“No, no death wish. If it makes you feel better about my safety, he knows that I’ve wanted to ask you out. He didn’t give me any death threats, so I took it to mean that I have his blessing.”

I snort very unladylike because I’m almost 100% sure that my brother did not give his blessing. But hey stranger things have happened.  

“So, dinner on Thursday sound good? I would say Friday, but I’m on call that night and don’t want to get interrupted.”

“Yup, Thursday works for me.” I’m sure my smile right now looks like a psychotic clown, but I just can’t help it!

“Alright, well if anything changes just shoot me a text.”

“Okie dokie.” Seriously…omg why do I open my mouth. He’s back to smirking at me like he thinks that I’m really amused or just dumb. Let’s hope amusing.

He leans over and brushes his lips against my cheek. I can feel the stubble he has going on and wonder what it would feel like on different parts of my body. He even smells amazing. He is wearing my favorite cologne ever, John Paul Gaultier. I swear just that scent makes my panties wet. That scent mixed in with Morris and I’m pretty sure that my ovaries just exploded.

He whispers, “Can’t wait until Thursday,” in my ear. Right before he walks out of view, he looks over his right shoulder and winks at me and then continues walking. Yup my ovaries are toast!

I walk into my room and close the door before doing my extremely geeky happy dance. I cannot believe that I am going out with Morris on Thursday night! Holy shit I think I’m hyperventilating! OMG, what am I going to wear? What if I say stupid stuff all night? What if he thinks that I’m a complete loser by the end of the night? Okay, really hyperventilating right now. Okay, okay I just need to calm down. I really wish that I would’ve taken a bottle or five of wine with me from the kitchen. Picking up my phone I call the one person who can always calm me down no matter what. Like a good bestie, she picks up on the second ring.

“What’s up, love?”

“I think that I’m in shock and that I might die. Like something so great just happened and now I’m sure that the apocalypse will happen on Wednesday. Then I’m going to miss out on one of the greatest nights of my life because stuff like this just does not happen to me. I mean omg, I’m not even sure if that was real. What if I’m dreaming? I am going to be so upset if I wake up to find out that the last couple of minutes never happened!” She lets me get out my whole speech, that I didn’t even take a breath for.

“Would you like to slow down and tell me what you’re actually talking about. I can usually keep up with you when you get like this, but all I made out was shock, apocalypse, dreaming and upset to be awake.” Taking a deep breath and slowly blowing it out I tell her everything that just happened with Morris.

“Good.”

“Good. That’s all you’ve got for me?”

“Well, I mean I think that everyone, but you saw it coming so yeah. Good thing that he finally grew a pair and asked you to dinner.” Wait what?

“What do you mean everyone else saw this coming?”

“Honey, I think that everyone in the whole town can tell that Morris has a thing for you. He’s always looking at you and following every move you make. It’s like other people don’t exist for him when you’re in a room. Really, I mean I know how oblivious to things you are, but come on, you really had no idea?” Huh, I guess I should start paying more attention to things around me.

“Umm, no I had no idea. But you know that I always try to avoid him so that I don’t say or do something to embarrass myself. What am I going to do? I turn into a total spaz when he is around. I know I’m going to screw something up on Thursday…I just know it!”

“Okay, well screeching like a banshee is not going to be helpful. And you’ll be just fine. I get that you are really introverted at times, especially when you’re nervous. But you cannot let this chance pass you by because you’re nervous about doing something stupid. Put on your big girl panties and own this date!”

“You’re right. I’ll be fine. I just need to get a grip. Do you think that I should make out a list of stuff for us to talk about that way there isn’t any awkward silence?”

“NO…just no…you need to throw all of your damn lists out the window!”

“What? I like being prepared.”

“Yeah, being prepared for work is one thing. Making a list for a date is bringing your OCD to whole new and very sad level.”

“Whatever,” I mumble a little pissed. I get it that I am a bit obsessive, but really isn’t it better to be prepared? I’ll make one and she’ll never know.

“I’m serious don’t make one. You really will look like a total basket case then.” I need to get a friend who doesn’t know me so well.

“Fine fine, I won’t make a list.” On paper.

“Good. Just let everything flow organically. And honestly, it’s not like you’ve never been on a date before. I know that with all the long hours you work that it’s been awhile, but you have had several long-term relationships. It’s just like riding a bike.” Easy for her to say.

“Okay, I’m going to go take a bath and try to relax. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Alright, goodnight. And seriously stop psyching yourself out! I love you!”

“Love you too shell.”

Slipping into my very bubbly bubble bath, I feel a million times better after talking to Michelle. Okay, so Morris is the guy I’ve been crushing on for months. No biggie. Shell’s right. It’s not like I’ve never been on a date before. Granted my last relationship was close to two years ago and if it wasn’t for that drunken night with my ex, it would be two years instead of one since the last time I’ve had sex. Ahh, I’ll be surprised if I don’t have cobwebs in my vagina at this point. I just need to treat this like any other date. I mean what if he is actually a total tool. Looks really can only get you so far. I don’t want someone with a personality of a snail. Right, that’s how I need to think about this. Logically, he is probably a complete ass, with a fine ass, yes, but someone who looks like him is probably too cocky to even deal with. So, I’ll just go on this date realizing that it will probably be a one-time thing because there must be something wrong with him. I mean why wouldn’t he be married or engaged or something by now. Yeah, probably a total tool…I hope.