Inconsolable (14 page)

“Anna? You’re dating Blake?”

“Mmm hmm, did I forget to mention that?  Kinda like you forgot to mention you were seeing Garrett?”  Anna replies haughtily and I can’t help but laugh.   I love that my girl has a spit fire attitude about her. 

“I just… wasn’t sure how you would feel about it.  I thought,” Mary-Beth stops her words and looks at me.  “Well, I thought you liked him. I was obviously wrong on that front.” 

“Even if I did, it wouldn’t matter. I mean it’s been three months since you and Jameson broke up. So I understand it Mary-Beth. You just need to learn to trust me. I am a little upset that you don’t.”

“Well, I could say the same thing. You’re dating Blake. You didn’t tell me.”

“I was worried about what you would say since he’s Jameson’s friend.  Come on, let’s cut your hair so I can go on my date.”

“It’s okay.  We can do it another day.  I’m glad you’re happy, Anna,” she smiles and turns to leave, but turns back to face me.  “If you hurt my best friend, I will cut your balls off and shove them down your throat.  Got it?” 

“Got it, but I don’t plan on it.”

“Good.  She’s a virgin.” 

“MARY-BETH.” Anna squeals out. She turns redder than I have ever seen her before and pulls her out of the room. I sit there in shock, but turn when I hear one of the ladies behind me.

“I will never understand why that girl puts up with that heifer.” 

“I agree with that.  She’s a bitch.”

“Now, I would normally reprimand a man for saying that.  I think that fits her quite nicely.” 

I smile at the blonde lady and laugh as she crosses her arms over her chest. She might be growing on me, a little. At least she isn’t checking me out like she normally does. Maybe she realizes it doesn’t get to me.

“You remind me a lot of my husband.
I just hope she’s strong enough to put up with what your past is putting you through,
now.”  She puts her hand on my arm and pats it.
I just stand there, shell shocked, as she meets my gaze.  There is an understanding there and I wonder how in the hell she knows what I am going through.  “You will get through it.  She will help you.  I get why you call her Sunshine.  She tends to light up any room she walks into.  I just don’t want to see that side of her fade.”

Anna comes back in and Diane walks into her room like nothing at all just transpired. Today is just a weird day all around the board. 
Make sure you remind yourself to not bring up Anna being a virgin again, I don’t think she likes that.
 

“I’m sorry about Mary-Beth.”  Anna says not meeting my gaze, like she’s embarrassed. 

“Come on, let’s go. I’ll walk you to your car.”

“Okay.” She replies, her voice shaky. She lets out a deep breath and I turn to look into her eyes. Eyes that are on the verge of overflowing with tears. I grab her hand,
pull her out the door then out of the way of prying eyes.

“Baby, why are you about to cry? What Mary-Beth did was uncalled for. If you’re upset because you think I am worried about you being a virgin, don’t be.” I put two of my fingers under her chin and lift her face up to mine.

“It’s embarrassing.  What twenty-one year old hasn’t lost her V-card?”

“It is not. It’s pretty damn amazing to me. I wish I could say I waited for you to come along. I would give anything to go back in
time and make sure that the woman I wanted to take my name was the same one that took my v-card away from me,” I give her a cocky smile as I use her words back as her.

“I really do love you.  Is it crazy to love someone I’ve only been dating for such a short time?” 

“Not at all because I am head over heels for you, too.  Now let’s get you home and then go out on our date.”  I walk her to her car, open the door for her and kiss her on the forehead.  “I’ll be right behind you.”

She nods and starts her car. I smile as I walk to my vehicle. I’m pretty sure that my inner caveman is beating on his chest knowing that I am the only one who will get to know Anna as intimately as I am going to be able to. It’s an incredible feeling to know that she has never been in love with anyone else. I’m going to do my best to make sure she never knows what a broken heart feels
like. 

Driving home from the shop I can see nothing but red.  It matches my hair and is burning a hole in the pit of my stomach.  How dare Mary-Beth say something like that!  I have never once embarrassed her the way she has done me today.  I try so hard to be this amazing friend to her, but I can’t keep doing it.  She is kind of like a parasite that sucks all the joy out of someone just because she can’t be joyous.  She can’t stand for someone else to be happy.  I hope she needs something very soon because if she does she’s going to come to find out just how unhappy with her I am.  I wish I was some vindictive person because that shoulder length hair would end up in a pixie cut if I was.  

I try to calm down,
but I can’t.  I grab my phone and call Mary-Beth.  It goes straight to voicemail and I smile.  She knows I’m pissed and a pissed red-head is not a good time. 

Hi,

You’ve reached the voicemail of Mary-Beth. If you would please leave a message with your name and number I’ll be sure to return your call! Have a nice day.

“Don’t bother coming to the shop to get your hair cut next week. If you show up you probably won’t have any hair left. I don’t know what I did to deserve what you did, Mary-Beth, but we aren’t friends anymore. I can’t handle you doing things like this. You are a bitch at times and I am finally happy. I won’t let you ruin that for me. I love you, but right now I don’t like you. Bye.”

Well, that felt better.  I can’t believe I just told her that, but it feels like a weight has been lifted off of my shoulders.  Being friends with someone who has as much baggage as she does is a heavy burden.  I have pitied her for years, but now I can’t pity someone who wants to ruin what someone else can have.  I have run out of any pity I have for her.  Now I just have to make sure I can be immune to everything she tries to use to get me back. 

I pull into my apartment complex and smile when I see Blake pull in right beside me.  I study his Rover for a few seconds.  For some reason it looks different.  It couldn’t possibly be different though because he was just here with it.  I get out of the car, turn to the stairs and walk over to Blake standing there. 

“So, what would you like to do tonight, Sunshine?”

“How about I cook some dinner and we can watch a movie?”

“Sounds perfect. What are we having for dinner?”

“I’m thinking baked chicken, roasted potatoes and asparagus?”

I smile when he groans his approval.  I took a couple of cooking classes with Mary-Beth while Jameson was gone so we could pass the time and both learn necessary skills when we got an apartment together.  Thank God I didn’t go through with that living arrangement.  We get to my door and I slip the key into the lock.  I open the door while motioning for Blake to come on in. 

“Make yourself at home. I’m just gonna go change and start dinner. The remote is by the television.”

He grabs my arm, pulling him to me before I’m able to get very far. “Before you do that, I’d like to do something.” His lip curves up on the right side and I’m pretty sure I just made a very unattractive sound. He lets out a chuckle as he leans down and kisses me. I whimper as I slide my hands into his hair and pull my body flush with his. He wraps his arms around my waist, pulling me even closer to him as he slides his tongue over my lips. I open my lips slowly as his tongue invades my mouth. I can taste mint and a hint of whiskey on his breath. My knees start to go weak, but he pulls me closer holding me up; giving me his strength. I’ve never had this before, someone who gives me as much as he takes. He pulls away and smiles. “Now, you can do whatever it was you were talking about doing.”

I stand there for a moment, my fingers on my lips.  I have never experienced anything like that.  There is a fire roaring in my belly.  I never thought I had an inner goddess, but I am pretty sure Blake Johnson just woke her up.  I’ve touched myself plenty of times and I have never brought out anything like that kiss just did.  I walk into my bathroom and grab my yoga pants I wore to bed the night before, shedding my dress to slide them on.  I grab a tank top out of the closet in my bedroom, sliding it on before walking back into the living room. 

I blush as I see Blake sprawled across my couch watching the television.  He looks over at me and our eyes lock.  I hate that I can’t control the tinting of my skin.  It’s something that I have always had to deal with.  It was a big indicator to Momma when I was lying about a lot growing up. 

“Whatcha thinking about?”

“Your lips,” I reply as my fingers trace my lips again.  They feel like they are still on fire from his touch.  If a kiss is this good, I can only imagine what it will be like when we make love.  I shake my head as he motions for me to come over to him.  I walk over as he sits up, grabbing my hips and pulling me down to where I am straddling him.  I gasp as I feel his erection against my core. 

“I would apologize, but I’m not really sorry,” he says as he pulls me closer to him.  I lick my lips as he runs his hand up my back, cupping my head and pulling my lips down to his.  This kiss is different than the first.  It’s almost as if he’s branding me; claiming me.  I feel a heat intensifying in my core and I let out a moan of approval.  My body starts to move with his, moving my core against his growing erection.  I keep moving against him as his tongue slips into my mouth again and I can’t help but moan.  I feel the pressure building inside me and for once I don’t want it to stop.  I want to keep doing this, but I have a feeling it’s because it’s with Blake.  

“Oh my God!” I gasp out as I pull away from his lips and shake from the tremors going through my body.

“That’s it, Sunshine. Come for me.”

I lay my head on his shoulder panting, trying to catch my breath. That was the best orgasm of my existence. I shake my head as Blake laughs, softly.

“Don’t get bashful on me now, beautiful.”

“I.
..
I can’t believe I did that,” I stammer and he chuckles again.

“Well, I’m glad you did because that is the hottest thing I have ever seen.”

I blush and put my head back on his shoulder. I feel his hand on my chin, cupping me gently as he pulls it up so that I can
meet his gaze.

“Please, don’t be embarrassed.  I’m glad I could give you that, Anna.” 

“I love you, Blake.”

“I love you too, Sunshine. Now, I believe someone owes me some chicken.”

I smile a huge grin, climbing off of Blake and walking into the kitchen with him hot on my heels. 

“Can I help you?” 

“Hmm, nope.  You just sit right there and talk with me as I cook,” I reply as I start pulling all of the stuff out of the refrigerator and cabinets.  We sit in the kitchen talking and cutting up, just enjoying each other’s company.  We eat dinner and talk about all the things a couple talks about while getting to know each other more.  After dinner, I’m shocked when Blake helps me clean up the kitchen and return everything to the pristine order I keep it when not in use.  After the kitchen is completely clean, he grabs my hand and pulls me to the couch where he pulls me down in front of him. 

“Let’s watch a movie and cuddle.”

“You cuddle?” I question, surprised. 

“Not really, but with you I want to cuddle.”

“Oh,” is all I can say as he pulls the remote out and puts on Eagle Eye.  I smile at his choice because it is something I would have thought he’d like.  He wraps his arm around me, pulls me into him and within thirty minutes of the movie I am out like a light.   

~~~~~~~~~~

I wake up the next morning alone in my bed.  I stretch out and my hand hits a note. 

Sunshine,

I hope you slept well. You looked so peaceful last night I didn’t want to wake you. I tucked you in good and tight though. I will call you tonight. I love you.

~ Blake

I can’t help the
one hundred watt smile that takes over my face.  I slide the note into my nightstand to keep in my box of things.  Even if we don’t work out, this is something I will forever cherish.  It is after all my first love letter.  Unless you count the one Luke wrote me in second grade, which was a complete joke.  I climb out of bed and make my way to my bathroom for my normal morning routine.  I use the restroom, then strip off the rest of my clothing before stepping into my shower.  I turn on the hot water, letting it wash out the remaining tension in my body.  When I get out of the shower my skin is as red as my hair and I welcome it. 

I throw a towel around my hair, pulling it up above my head. I walk into my closet, grabbing a pair of turquoise shorts and a white lace tank. I slide on my coral bombshell bikini bottoms
from Victoria Secret before sliding into my shorts and tank.  Walking back into the bathroom and grabbing my phone I send a text to my cousin, Maci.  She lives about an hour from me and an hour from the beach. 
Beach today?
  I undo the towel from my head and grab the spritz I use to make my hair curly.  As I finish spraying the concoction of stuff into my hair, my IPhone dings. 
Yep, I have Freddie. That ok?