Color Me Blind (A Divine Love Story Book 1) (5 page)

Th
ey walked into the pizza parlor.

“Pizza’s on me guys,”
Damon said and headed to the counter. 

Blake, Jasmine and Rachel grabbed a booth.  Jasmine and Blake sat with their backs to the door and Rachel slid in on the other side.  They were making small talk
when Damon came over carrying drinks. 

Jasmine asked, “Okay guys, seriously
, what was the tension in the parking lot about and Blake why did you grab me like a child?” 

Blake rolled his eyes, “Jaz, can you let it go for me please?  All you need to know is that I
handled it.” 

He kissed her nose.
  She saw the plea in his eyes and decided to let it go. 

Rachel changed the subject,
“So do you think you guys are ready for regional’s coming up.” 

Damon
smirked, cocky as usual, “Of course we are.”  He slid an arm around Rachel smooth as always, “You wanna be my personal cheerleader?” 

Blake and Jasmine both rolled their eyes as Rachel began to blush. 
Jasmine would have to remember to tell Rachel to run because Damon was the ultimate ladies’ man.  They ignored the now private conversation that was starting between Rachel and Damon.

Blake
asked, “Hey, did you take good notes in Economics today?” 

Jasmine responded, “I sure did, but it will cost you.” 

“Come on Jaz, you know I’m good for it.” 

She laughed, “No
boo, boo, you still owe me for the last set of notes from Anatomy.” 

He gave her his best puppy dog face and then kissed her nose
again. 

She giggled, “Okay fine, I’ll make you copies
, but the next two sets of notes are on you.”

“Deal.”
 

They were in their own world and were oblivious that Melissa and a couple of her friends had just walked in
and witnessed their
friendly
exchange.

One of Melissa’s friends
said, “See that Melissa, I told you they had a thing going on.  I know you’re not going to let him get away with that.” 

Melissa couldn’t hide the embarrassment creeping up on her face.  S
he thought Blake was a good guy.  She didn’t have a reason not to trust him when he said they were just friends, but the way he was carrying on with
her
in public was not cool. 

The other friend asked, “So what are you going to do?” 

Melissa wanted to cry.  She wasn’t the confrontational kind, but she didn’t want to lose face in front of her friends.  She and Blake had been dating for almost a year and they had real feelings for one another.  She was so tired of hearing about Blake and Jasmine. 

“He is making a fool out of you. 
If I were you I would confront them both.” 

Melissa took a deep breath and walked over to their table with her two friends in tow
giving her a boost of confidence. 

“Blake what the
heck is going on?” 

Her shrill voice caused everyone to stop their conversations and stare at her. 

Blake was genuinely surprised to see her, “Hey babe, what are you talking about?” 

“I’m talking about you sitting here flirting with “your best friend” like
I don’t exist.” 

Blake was genuinely lost.  He
was trying to avoid losing his temper.  However, Melissa causing a scene for no good reason didn’t sit well with him. 

“Okay, you need to calm down.  I really don’t know what you’re talking about.  I’m not flirting with
anybody. We’re just having a pizza.” 

Blake
could feel Jasmine about to say something.  Without looking at her he laid his hand on hers and shook his head.  Jasmine rolled her eyes and sat back.  Melissa didn’t miss their unspoken communication. It only made matters worse. 

“Whatever Blake
. I just saw you kiss her!” 

He looked at her like she was missing a screw. 

He stood up, “Let’s go outside Melissa. You’re causing a scene.” 

He reached for her hand
, but she snatched it away from him and that put him on the defensive.

She left her two friends and followed Blake outside.  They both gave Jasmine dirty looks. 

Jasmine said, “Y’all better back off. I’m not the one.” 

Damon
laughed, “Girl you are crazy.” 

Jasmine just rolled her eyes. 

Rachel said, “I got your back Jazzy.” 

Jasmine
gave the two guard dogs the once over and said, “Thanks, but I won’t need it.” 

Jasmine had gained a reputation freshman year after she decked a junior
with her right hook when he grabbed her butt at lunch.  With the dismissal they walked off to find their own booth.

Outside
, Melissa stopped just beyond the entrance door. 

Blake said, “No
, in the truck.” 

She spat, “I’m not getting in your truck.” 

“We are not about to have this conversation in front of all these people.” 

He wal
ked off and headed to his truck. Melissa reluctantly followed.  When she got in the truck she slammed his door. 

He snapped, “What is your problem.  I haven’t done anything.” 

“Don’t try and act so innocent. I saw you with my own eyes Blake.” 

“What did you
see?” 

“I saw you kissing Jasmine in public like she was your girlfriend.” 

He wanted to scream.

“You can’t be serious Melissa.  You saw me kiss her on her nose.  You have seen me do it before
, so why are you throwing a fit all of a sudden.” 

“This is not all of a sudden.
I told you I don’t like how close you two are.” 

“And I told you that you were just going to have to get over that.  She is my best friend.  I’ve known her since I was two.” 

“So I’m just supposed to accept how humiliating it is that you’re being seen with her in public making me look like a fool?” 

“You look like a fool because you’re
going around yelling at me in public places like you have lost your mind.” 

She looked as
though she wanted to slap him. What was with everybody today pushing his buttons?

∞∞∞

In the pizza parlor, Damon asked Jasmine, “Are you gonna eat that?” 

She p
ushed her plate toward him, “No you go ahead.  I’m not hungry anymore.” 

Rachel asked, “What’s wrong?” 

“People suck, so I lost my appetite.” 

Damon
laughed, “That’s cool, ‘cause I found it.” 

Rachel laughed a little too
hard. Jasmine rolled her eyes as the two continued to flirt.  Her mind was on Blake.  She didn’t want to be the cause of problems between him and Melissa.  She knew Blake genuinely loved Melissa and she hoped they could work out their differences. 

Damon
eyed her as she pouted.  He wondered if she understood why Melissa was so mad.  He knew there was nothing going on between her and Blake.  He didn’t really understand why though because he couldn’t imagine any two people more perfect for each other than his two friends.

∞∞∞

Inside the truck it had been uncomfortably silent for several minutes. 

Blake said, “Look Melissa, I love you and I want to be with you.  Can you please stop trying to make something out of nothing?  Jasmine is my friend, you’re my girlfriend.” 

If tonight was the only incident maybe Melissa could forgive it and move on, but it wasn’t.  Countless people had told of her seeing Blake and Jasmine somewhere together.  Though she never heard about anything physical between them the fact remained that he spent too much time with another girl.  He had more than enough opportunity to do whatever he wanted, she was his neighbor.  She was exhausted with trying to defend herself against the rumors.  She had no idea what took place when she was not around and she was tired of wondering. 

With tears in her eyes she looked into Blake’s, “I love you too
, but it’s time for you to prove that you love me.” 

He looked at her confused, “What do you mean prove it?” 

“I mean make a choice. It’s me or Jasmine. You can’t have us both.” 

For the second time that night his temper returned.  He punched the
steering wheel.  Melissa jumped. His sudden reaction scared her.  He was heated. Melissa had been the first girl he was in love with.  It hurt him deeply to know she had such little faith in him and that his word meant nothing to her. 

He had always treated her with kindness and respect
, so this demand that he sever ties with his oldest friend caught him off guard.  He found himself in unfamiliar territory.  There was no doubt in his mind that he loved Melissa, but he absolutely could not see himself not being Jasmine’s friend because Melissa was insecure.

Blake said, “I’m really sorry you feel that way
, but I’m begging you to please reconsider what you’re asking me to do.  I don’t want our relationship to end, especially over such a stupid reason.  Please don’t make me choose.” 

She couldn’t stop the tears now, “Well looks like you’ve made your choice.
” 

“
Jasmine and I have been through things that you could never understand.  She has always been there for me.  What kind of friend would it make me to just abandon my best friend because you told me to?  She’s my friend. I care about her.  She is not a threat to you so I don’t understand why you’re doing this.” 

“I hope you and Jasmine are very happy together.  Goodbye Blake.” 

She opened the door and slid out.  He called her name. She turned to face him. 

Against his pride, he begged
, “Please don’t do this.” 

Her response was the click of
the door shutting in his face.  It disturbed him that he wanted to cry.  He hadn’t cried since he was a kid. He wasn’t about to open that door back up.  Something inside him broke and contempt for the opposite sex began to take root.  This was the last time a woman would ever stomp on his heart.             

Minutes later h
e saw Jasmine, Damon and Rachel heading towards the truck.  He was really mad now because he just realized he didn’t even get to eat any pizza and his hand hurt from hitting the steering wheel.  Damon opened the door and they climbed in. 

Jasmine touched his arm, “Hey B, are you okay?
  Melissa didn’t look too happy when she got out.” 

He shrugged her hand away, “I’m fine.” 

She knew him well enough to let the offense go.  The car ride to drop off Damon and Rachel was filled with silence.  He dropped off Rachel first and then Damon.  When Damon got out of the truck Jasmine climbed into the front seat.

She said, “Okay Blake cut the BS and tell me what’s going on.” 

He looked at her.  He
wanted to tell her to leave it alone, but he knew it was pointless.  Besides she was the only person he could tell anyways. 

“She told me I had to choose.” 

Jasmine was confused, “Choose what?” 

“Choose between you and her.” 

She sucked in her breath, “Oh.  But why?” 

“I honestly wish I knew.  I mean if this is because she saw me kiss you on your nose then to hell with her.  I don’t have anything to prove.
  I have never cheated on her or disrespected her in any way.” 

Jasmine felt
sick, but what could she do?  She understood his side better than hers because she would never choose someone over him either. 

“I am so sorry Blake.  Is there anything I can do?” 

“No, I think you’ve done enough.” 

That offended her, “Okay, whoa!  I haven’t done anyt
hing to deserve your attitude.” 

He mumbled
a curse word in anger. 

“You’re right Jaz, I’m sorry.  I’m just not a big fan of your gender at the moment.” 

She softened because she knew he was really hurting so she swallowed her pride.  She pulled his right hand off the steering wheel and held it.  He squeezed hers, and somewhere in his heart he knew he’d made the right choice.  He wouldn’t regret it, but it didn’t help with the pain.

He pulled into Jasmine’s driveway
, put his truck in park and turned off the ignition.  She looked over at him puzzled.

“You wanna come inside or something?” 

He shook his head, “Maybe we could just sit here for a little while.” 

She knew they both had serious homework to do
and it was getting late, but she said, “Sure.”