One of the Guys (8 page)

“We need a little more than the usual Cole, I invited Sam for dinner.” Wendy announced as she made her way towards us.

“Sounds fun. I think I’ll hang around tonight.” He winks and I feel my knees almost buckle underneath me. What happened to Cole doesn’t stick around when there is company? Not that I’m complaining or anything but since the moment a second ago, I’m having a hard time getting my body back in control.

Cole got on his phone to order the pizza. Within a few seconds, the order was placed. He disappeared for a few minutes. My heart sank in my chest as I found myself wondering where he went and when he would be coming back. What a freaking loser.

“So Sam, do you think you’ll like it at the gym?” Wendy asked after nearly chugging a whole bottle of water.

“Um, I think so. It’s extremely new to me. I don’t want to look stupid.”

She rolled her eyes and laughed. “Trust me, you look anything but stupid. Just hang in there; this was just your first day.”

I smiled getting ready to continue our conversation when there was a knock at the door. Cole came running by out of nowhere to open it for the pizza guy. He barreled into my arm nearly knocking my balance off. Without any hesitation he turned grabbing my arm to steady me, “I’m sorry Sam, you ok?”

My face turned a crimson red as I tried to stammer out a response. Dammit, I’m trying to talk but nothing is coming out. He flashed a grin that could have melted a stick of butter and for that split second it felt like we were the only two in the room. I swear the look in his eyes is different this time, there’s something behind them that is begging to be noticed. The knock on the door repeats and just like that, we’re out of the moment. Bummer.

As much as I want to eat like a lady, I can’t help but stuff the piece of pepperoni pizza in my mouth and it tastes so freaking delicious. The cheese is hot but not hot enough to burn my roof of my mouth. Cole and Wendy joke around the whole time and she admits she’s going to miss him when she moves out. Watching their relationship is interesting, makes me wonder what it would have been like if I had a brother or sister. The love they have for each other can’t be touched, their closeness makes me smile. I help Wendy pick up the mess and she pulls out some leftover cheesecake from the refrigerator. I’m already stuffed but who can resist a piece of strawberry cheesecake?

“This isn’t anything special, I promise. It’s the no-bake shit. Wendy is no Betty Crocker.” Cole leaned over whispering loud enough to where Wendy could hear him. His voice sent shivers down my spine and I got that jittery feeling that I was wishing would disappear because it was going to be trouble.

“Screw you Cole. It’s good and you know it. You ate half the damn thing the first night.” She was practically shooting daggers in his direction but stopped and smiled handing me my piece. He reached his hand out for his own piece but she just glared at him. “Get your own piece ass since you don’t appreciate me.”

“Whatever you know I appreciate the hell out of you.” He smirked. Wendy just grinned and we all walked into the living room.

Cole smiled again, mesmerizing me and he knew exactly what he was doing. He leans forward and I can feel him taking over my space. My heart is pounding, oh my god, I’m dying here. I close my eyes, trying to focus on anything to get my breathing back where it should be. I want him to grab my hand again, anything to feel his touch. I open my eyes just in time to see him with my fork in his hand as he brings a piece of the cheesecake up to his gorgeous mouth.

My jaw fell to the floor along with my heart. How stupid was I to think he would actually be leaning in just to be closer to me? “Thanks for the bite Sam,” he whispered.

I smacked his arm appalled by his behavior and still embarrassed as hell. If he made any sort of comment about my actions, I would punch him. “You could have just asked asshole.”

“Now, where’s the fun in that?” He asked quizzically. I looked to Wendy for help, but she was so into something on her phone at the time that she didn’t even realize any of that just happened.

Cole turns on the TV and Grease is playing on VH1. He tries to hurry and change it but Wendy and I complain enough to where he leaves it on. He owes me anyway for leading me on and making me think he actually wanted to be near me and not just take a bite of my cheesecake. Every time they break into song in the movie, I can see him rolling his eyes and then staring holes into us. My grin is infectious, he’s practically acting like he had no idea this was a musical. He has to. Everyone has seen Grease at least once in their life. Once Wendy saw me smiling she couldn’t help but burst out laughing. He mumbled something and pretended to look elsewhere. Deep down, I bet he wanted to sing along to ‘Summer Nights’, I mean who doesn’t want to just break out into their best John Travolta voice? However he didn’t roll his eyes when he heard me begin to hum. I can’t help it, I love when Rizzo sings “There Are Worse Things I Could Do”. I’ve always loved this movie, it is a classic. Brenda and I used to watch it all the time which reminds me that I need to call her soon.

I can see Cole watching me out the corner of my eye and he’s smiling but it’s not cocky. It’s a genuine smile. Wendy didn’t sit by him like I hoped she would and he was right beside me. I left room to where he didn’t try to get any ideas but he inched his hand closer to where it rubbed against my thigh and I felt my skin instantly tingle. I never looked at him but slid a little further away and for every inch I slid away, his hand followed driving me absolutely insane. He can’t be just leading me on, would he do that? Of course he would, he’s practically done it all this evening. He doesn’t date though; I keep reminding myself of that.

When the movie ended I looked at the time on my phone, it was hardly late but I didn’t need Dad being in some sort of fit of rage when I came home past a time he wanted. Getting off the couch proved to be a chore. My limbs were all beginning to feel sore from actually exerting myself today. I sat too long and now I was paying for it.

I hugged Wendy and thanked her for the invite. This sure as hell beat sitting at home and the plus was I got to see Cole. Cole got nothing but a ‘see ya later’ from me and that apparently wasn’t enough for him. It wasn’t enough for me either, but it had to work. I’ve been fooled enough for one night.

“I can’t get a hug like Wendy?” That smile is back and as much as I want to slap it off his face, I just can’t even think of doing that right now. I’m a little too mesmerized by him.

“Um, no. Sorry. See ya’ll tomorrow.”

“Well that’s not nice Sam. Come here.” And he stepped right up to me pulling me in for a brief hug. A brief few seconds I could smell him and take him in. A brief few seconds that gave me nothing but a few seconds to think about how much I just wanted to stay right here a little longer. A brief few seconds that showed me he was no where near as arrogant as he first appeared to be. God, what is happening to me?

I pulled away slowly as I smiled, “I’ve got to go.”

Before he could stop me or say something else, I darted out the door and when I found safety in my truck, I couldn’t help but grin like a complete idiot. If this was what it felt like to truly smile again then I will take it and I’ll smile my little heart out.

To not see Dad’s vehicle in the driveway feels like the biggest blessing in disguise and I take advantage of that to run through the wooden red door and to my room. After a quick shower, I’m relaxed on my bed wondering if Cole is thinking about me. Yes, I’m that big of a sap but then I keep remembering that Trey told me Cole doesn’t date. Just because I have the hots for him doesn’t mean I want to date him though. Maybe we could just sleep together but then, I don’t do that without commitment. Cole doesn’t seem like the kind I could sleep with and leave, he’s the kind who could completely break you. He’s the kind you want to be around and possibly even love someday. He’s more than he’s leading himself to be. I’m not the kind of girl who throws it to whoever is out there. Marsh was the only guy I’ve ever been with. He was the only guy I ever planned on being with forever but things change.

Just as my eyelids are starting to get heavy, my phone starts ringing. I don’t recognize the number but I find myself answering anyway. “Hello?”

“Samantha,” the weary voice replied. The noise in the back was loud and I almost couldn’t understand him when he said, “This is Nate down at Janie’s Lounge, I’m sorry to call you but your Dad has had quite a bit to drink and well, is there any way you can come get him?”

“Yeah Nate, I’m on my way.” As I clutch the phone in my hand, I can’t help but be seriously aggravated and I mean why shouldn’t I be? He’s irresponsible and a damn drunk.

I cringed at Nate’s words but knew being the good daughter I am, this was pretty much my obligation. The whole way I drove there I felt numb. He’s a damn cop for crying out loud. I shouldn’t have to do this but I bite my tongue and try my best to forget any of this is happening.

The minute I walk into Janie’s, the smoke instantly fills my lungs and I know I will definitely be taking another shower when I get home. I already smell as if I’ve smoked several packs of cigarettes and I don’t smoke at all. It’s something I tried once when I was in high school and the gag reflex was enough to discourage me for life. The jukebox is blasting some tunes from the 70’s and it doesn’t take long before I spot my Dad half passed out on the bar. His body is slouched over, his head not quite resting on the actual wood topping of the bar. He’s awake, not totally incoherent but I know this is going to be a struggle.

“Samantha thank you so much for coming down here. I’m so sorry to bother you but well you see him. Is everything ok at home? He keeps talking about Christy.” Poor Nate looked tired and if he had to put up with Dad, I fully understand. He offered a smile showing his teeth, or lack there of. He really is a sweet man though. I return the smile trying to act like this isn’t fazing me when really it’s continuing to screw my whole world up.

I do see him. And I’m a little, no very embarrassed to admit that I know this man. I offer a smile to Nate and let him know things are good at home even though they aren’t. I almost want to know what he said about my mom but I hold that part back. It takes almost four grown men to help get him into my truck. I didn’t even bother buckling him in. If anything, I almost want to open the door and hope he rolls out on the freeway. Getting him into the house was what I was scared of the most. I can’t carry him.

“Dad, get up you have to get inside the house.” Shaking his shoulder violently isn’t really budging him like I thought it would but after the third shake, his head pops up and he’s suddenly so alert which takes me by surprise.

“Samantha what the hell? I’m fucking sleeping can’t you see that? Are you stupid?” And with one push, I landed on the driveway. My first instinct was to jump up and punch his face in but I was still sore and fear sunk in. Fear that he would do something worse than just put me back on the ground. Memories of his foot in my rib cage helped change my mind on that idea. He can sleep outside for all I fucking care, just not in my truck.

He grumbled a little bit then slowly drug himself from my truck. I didn’t say anything, I felt odd hiding in the shadows but it was mainly for my safety. Once he got into the house, I snuck in behind him and didn’t stop until I reached my room. With the door locked, I could rest easily.

These beige walls feel like they are closing in on me and my breathing feels constricted. This is nothing like I ever imagined it would be. I pull my purple and pink striped notebook from my nightstand drawer along with the blue ink pin and open it up. I want to pour my heart out but I don’t know what to say. I don’t know where to begin so I stare blankly at the tiny blue stripes on the white paper. The last thing I wrote inside this notebook said : I <3 Marsh. It was drawn in obnoxiously large bubble letters. Gah, what a nerd. I quickly rip the page and crumble it before tossing into my wastebasket.

With the pen sitting in my hand I continue to stare at the blank page and begin to write:

I’m going to train and bust my ass to be the best fighter I can. Cole better get out of my way.
Remember Sam, he’s nothing but a distraction. A hot, sexy distraction. Remember these words, he’s trouble and you have enough of that right now.

I stop for a second and laugh at how stupid that sounds but I don’t care.
Cole is nothing but trouble and getting anywhere near close to him is bound to do nothing but keep me from the reason I decided to start all this. It’s going to hurt like hell because for some reason that I can’t quite place my finger on, I’m so drawn to him it’s not funny. I close the notebook and place it back into the drawer before lying down and succumbing to a peaceful sleep.