I watched as she undressed in the corner of the room. I knew I would never get tired of those voluptuous curves and vowed I’d get to hold them tonight. She stood in front of the closet, wearing nothing but a black and white lace bra and matching underwear, deciding what to wear for bed.
“You won’t need any clothes when you come back from the shower.” I mumbled.
I enjoyed watching her flush. And secretly had always strived for it. I watched eagerly as she stepped towards the end of the bed and then slowly crawled up towards me. She bit her lip in anticipation, sending a smooth chill down my spine. She knew exactly how to drive me crazy and tip me over the edge.
Her lips caressed mine. My hands moved slowly over her thighs, wanting nothing more than to pull her closer to me. Instead I moved my hands up her hips, caressing her sides and then finally resting on a handful of black lace. She pulled away and smiled with her new kiss swollen lips.
“You do horrible things to me.” I shifted on the bed, trying to relieve some of the pain that had grown under the pressure of my zipper.
She slid off the bed, leaving me to wallow in myself pity. “Go see if Jorel is ok.”
“I can’t fucking walk out there like this!” I pointed to what her body so close to mine did to me.
She bit her lip and leaned in towards me, letting her lips trail over mine. “And if you keep acting like this I can’t promise that you’ll even make it to the bathroom.”
She pulled away again, this time a look of concern on her face. “You really don’t think that someone is working with…I mean was working with my ex? Do you?”
I sighed and rubbed my eyes with the palms of my hands. I really didn’t want to hear any more of this. “Hey…don’t worry. He was just fucking with your head ‘cause he knew he could. He slipped up and I’m glad he did; you’re back with me and that is all that matters. He was prepared that’s all. He knew that if you got away he would have to keep his voice in the back of your head. And what better way to do that than to pin you against your very friends. If you didn’t trust anyone…you know.” I had no idea what I was saying; I only hoped that it made sense to her.
She smiled, though it was uneasy, I was still grateful for it. “Thanks. I don’t know what I would do without you.”
“That’s what I’m here for.” I grumbled.
She kissed me gently on the forehead, “I’ll hurry. I promise.”
She quickly grabbed one of my t-shirts and scurried to the bathroom. I sighed, trying desperately to calm my hormones before confronting Jorel. He was exactly where we had left him, only half an hour or so before; sitting on the couch with his head in his hands. I cleared my throat and numbly he lifted his head. His eyes were swollen and the skin around them was blotchy, as if he had been crying. I ignored it and leaned against the doorframe.
“Need a beer? I think I have a coffee machine around here somewhere.”
“A beer…would be great.”
I walked to the kitchen and opened the refrigerator and lifted a beer from the shelf. But before I closed the door I heard a muffled sob come from Jorel. My shoulders dropped at the thought of him wanting to express his feelings. I was never good at that.
From my corner of the room I tossed the beer to him. He caught it and opened it quickly; greedily swallowing at least half of the can. I took my place against the wall once more and waited.
After a few moments of silence, he looked at me. “I can’t do this anymore man.”
“Do what? Drink your problems away?”
“No. I see the way she looks at you. I can’t do it anymore. I would kill to be in your spot. I just…I want her to be happy. And she is with you. But I can’t watch her be happy.”
“I know.”
“I think…I think it would be best if I stayed away for a while. Just until I can get my emotions in check. You know?”
“I understand. What do you want me to tell Ronnie?”
“She’s smart. So I’m sure eventually she’ll figure it out. I don’t know; just for now tell her…tell her I’m working. Working on songs or something. I really don’t care. Anything that keeps her from worrying about me for a…while.”
“I’ll do my best. But she’ll wonder why her friend hasn’t spoken to her.”
“I’ll send a few texts; I think I can handle those. That way she doesn’t think I’m avoiding her.”
“But you are?”
“Just for a little while.” He downed the rest of the beer and crumpled the can in his hands. Without pulling his eyes away from the dented aluminum he continued, “I really hope George didn’t have anything to do with her disappearance.”
I really didn’t want to hear any more of this. Why couldn’t we just talk about Jorel’s feelings for her? It would have been slightly easier than imagining one of your friends was trying to hurt the love of your life.
“I don’t think we should bring up this conversation anymore. It’s got Ronnie in a mess and she doesn’t need to be worrying about that. She’s got too much to deal with. A friend who thinks she doesn’t trust him and a friend who doesn’t even want to be in the same room as her for long periods of time.”
“Well, when you put it that way…” His smile feeble and wavering.
“Just take a few days off, try to work on some music or something. And before long all of this will be a thing of the past.”
“You’re very lucky.”
“Thank you.”
“No I mean it. She’s a great girl. And I’m envious of you.”
“No need to be. We’re still going to be best friends. Just remember bros before hoes, right?” My attempt at humor was worse than the awkward silence that followed.
At first Jorel stared at me, his face expressionless. And after what seemed like an eternity he finally released a gut busting laugh. “That’s the dumbest thing I think I’ve ever heard you say. And for that I am eternally grateful. Thank you.”
“Ya, don’t make me do that shit again.”
From behind me there was a small click, as if the bathroom door was opening. My arms fell to my sides as I turned to face a tear stained Ronnie. Her wet hair clung to her cheeks. She twisted her bare feet in the carpet; her hands clinging barely to my t-shirt, which hung down around her knees.
“Ronnie, sweetie…what’s wrong?” I moved for her, unsure if she wanted me to wrap her in my arms.
“Matt….”
“What about him?”
She started to sob uncontrollably. Her shoulders shaking up and down with each heavy breath. I was just barely able to make out the words that escaped her swollen lips. “He’s…..accident….very bad….”
I released her suddenly. “Let’s go.”
