He's a Keeper

Chapter 11

           

Shane

She's been in the shower for over an hour.

I'm worried, so I wander into my bedroom.

I don't hear any water running.

I knock.

"Felicity?" I ask.

No response.

Worried, I walk into the bathroom.

It's empty.

What the fuck?

Confused, I walk into the living room.

She's not there. Her stuff is gone.

I check the balcony, the garage, the spare rooms.

She left!

What the fuck!

Part of me is actually pissed off.

What the fuck did she leave for?

Irritated, I grab the first set of keys I can find.

I push shoes on and walk into the garage.

The Ferrari chirps when I press the unlock button.

I don't even care.

I get in it after locking my front door, and I press the button for the elevator.

It opens, and I pull into it.

It opens up to the parking garage.

I shift into first and drive off.

I get to her apartment, parking next to her.

I shove my phone, wallet, and after locking the car, my keys, into my pocket.

I take the elevator to her floor.

I march down the hall to her door.

Tori opens the door.

"Did you guys get into a fight?"

I sigh, shaking my head.

"She's just complicated." I say.

She lets me into the house.

She's laying on the couch with the blanket over her legs, her feet on Lauren's lap. She's got one earbud in, and she's scrolling through her phone.

She doesn't notice me walk in.

Lauren looks at me, and then she reaches out, shutting her laptop.

"Stop." Felicity says.

Lauren gestures to me.

I shove my hands in my pocket, sighing.

She just looks at me.

"You won the game."

I've never really gotten angry with her, but I'm really pissed off.

I don't smile.

I just stare at her.

She realizes I'm pissed off.

She sighs slowly, setting her laptop on the table.

"Look," she starts.

"Can I just talk to you in the hall please?" I ask.

I don't speak rudely to her. I stay calm.

She looks scared.

Felicity

He's going to break up with me.

I take a deep breath and stand up.

He opens my front door.

I walk out, and he follows me, closing it.

He studies me for a long time.

"Why?" he asks. "We were doing good. You were okay. Your walls were down. Why?"

"I didn't..." I look down. "I was crying." I mutter. "And I didn't want to talk about it."

He stares at me, and then he looks down.

He's mad at me.

"I just don't know how you expect us to have a relationship if you can't communicate." He says. "You could've told me you didn't want to talk about it. I would've held you. I would've been there for you. I can't have a relationship with you if you don't want me to."

"I want you to." I whisper.

He studies me for a long time.

"Okay." He whispers. "I'm going to go back home."

I don't want him to leave, but I don't want to push him.

"Okay." I whisper.

Shane

I want her to take the initiative and ask me to stay.

She doesn't.

I kiss her forehead, and I leave.

<><>

"Bro..." Jake trails off, shaking his head. "You jumped on the relationship thing way too fast. She may love you, but she doesn't know how to show it. She's frightened. She needs to learn the ropes until you can call her yours. I know you're excited she's back, but guarded girls are different. They get distance when they need you the most. They feel things stronger. They break easier. I'm telling you man, she needs time."

"So I should break up with her?"

"You say that like you're done forever. You need to break up with her, but you need to explain why you're doing it. You need to take things slowly with her. You need to buy her roses and chocolates. Cuddle. Light candles. Dance in the refrigerator light. Don't have sex with her. Don't do sexual things with her. Kissing is one thing, but when it comes to the removal of clothes, the answer is no."

He's probably right.

"You need to date. You have to date before it turns into a relationship."

I nod, nervous.

He's right.

<><>

So I texted her and told her to meet me on Main Street where all the shops are.

She's already there when I get there.

I walk up to her.

She looks nervous.

I take a deep breath.

She just looks at me.

"We're breaking up, aren't we?" she whispers.

I shove my hands in my pockets, looking down.

When I look back at her, she's crying, looking anywhere but at me.

"Felicity..." I trail off.

"You're just like them!" she says, tears burning in her eyes. "You said you wouldn't hurt me!" she's yelling.

I've just broken her heart.

"You're a liar! You're just like my fucking Uncle!"

"Felicity," I start.

"I don't fucking care. I don't care. Thank you, you fucking dick. For letting me fall in love with you, asking me out, and then not even waiting twelve hours to break up with me!  Fuck you, Shane Beckett. Fuck you!"

She storms off.

I should've remembered her history with guys.

I should've been more patient.

I didn't even remember how much she had trust issues.

It takes me a second to realize she's gone.

I slide down the wall, burying my head in my hands.

I just destroyed my life.