Talk To Me

24

—Did I take too long? —Natali walked in and there she saw him, a ball dropping into her stomach —I'm going to leave these bags in the room. Bradley, will you wait for me for a few minutes? I'll bring what I told you.

What.

He just nodded. When Natali left, he stood in front of the already closed door while Stefani looked at him from the couch, puzzled.

What...was...he doing here?

He started walking around looking at the pictures that were hanging, with his hands in his pockets and his back to her. She rolled her eyes, he was so unserious, literally a few weeks ago they were moaning each other's names and now he couldn't even look at her. How ironic. And yes, the images of that night would not be erased from her mind, no matter how drunk she had been, which apparently wasn't enough because she remembered every exact movement and sensation.

But her head was only for that, for the past, not yet ready to question what she had done. The job was good for her to concentrate on that and not think anymore. Now that Bradley was near her again the memories came flooding back. She wanted to know what he was thinking, if he was in the same situation as her or if he had already erased that from his mind, again. If it would have meant anything to him, or nothing, that if they didn't have to rummage around so much and get on with their lives. Maybe it was just a drunken people thing, to release tension and anger, it was funny how many times she repeated that to herself. It was very thoughtful, but then remembering his confessions made her doubt his intentions, if there were any. Seeing him open and vulnerable had made her curious about him and that scared her.

—What are you doing? —he heard her voice and turned to look at her. She looked at him from head to toe, dark shirt and pants, making his eyes the only part of him that stood out and which she would never tire of admiring that sparkle. From day one she knew that.

—Looking at these pictures —he nodded toward the photographs on the furniture.

—I've already seen you, I mean what are you doing here —Stefani turned down the volume on the TV.

—Natali offered me pizza —he shrugged, putting it so simply that Stefani almost laughed.

—Just for pizza.

—Wouldn't you accept?

—What? —she didn't expect that answer, he was silent staring at a point in the nothingness and then at her —well, maybe.

—And maybe... —he muttered very low.

—Excuse me?

—Nothing —she watched him slowly approach the shelf behind the armchair where she was, now looking at the paintings on the wall.

—Are you serious? —she exclaimed loud enough to get his attention and I turned to look at her in confusion, which annoyed her more —Are we really going to be like this?

—Ah...

He knew what he was up against coming here, maybe was hoping Stefani wouldn't be home and everything would be quieter, but nah, that would be even more disappointing. He wanted to see her, just didn't think hard enough about how to relate to her without feeling awkward. Ridiculous thing since they had already talked after that night. Stefani frowned and got up to leave the room. Bradley noticed and walked quickly to grab her arm, stopping her from continuing on her way.

—No, wait —she looked at him intently, not waiting for him to react, he swallowed and let out a sigh while still holding her.

—Ready! —Natali made her appearance in the room, Bradley quickly let go of Stefani's arm and they both turned to look at her, Natali saw them close and narrowed her eyes —Stef, please, would you save me a slice of pizza?