๐๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ฆ๐ข๐ญ๐ฌ, ๐๐ก๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐ - ๐ฉ๐ญ.๐
๐๐๐ข๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐ : ๐๐๐๐ฎ ๐๐ซ๐ฅ๐๐ง ๐ฑ ๐
๐๐ฆ!๐ซ๐๐๐๐๐ซ
๐๐ฎ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐๐ซ๐ฒ: ๐๐ก๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐ ๐๐ซ๐ฅ๐๐ง ๐ฐ๐๐ฌ ๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ ๐ข๐ง ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ, ๐๐ฎ๐ญ ๐ก๐ข๐ฌ ๐๐ข๐ ๐ ๐๐ฌ๐ญ ๐จ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐๐ฅ๐ ๐ฐ๐๐ฌ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ฒ๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ข๐ค๐, ๐ ๐ฉ๐จ๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ ๐จ๐๐๐ข๐๐๐ซ ๐๐ญ ๐ก๐ข๐ฌ ๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง.
๐๐ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ ๐ก๐๐ฏ๐๐ง'๐ญ ๐ซ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐ญ ๐, ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ค ๐ก๐๐ซ๐
Beauโs hand resting on one side of my waist gave everything away. I hadnโt even noticed his hand there. I turned and saw Mike coming up the stairs toward the entrance, where Beau and I were standing. I felt him grab my waist and pull me toward him.
โGood evening, sweetheartโโthe emphasis on the term of endearment was like acid on his tongue, followed by a kiss that nearly suffocated me. Feeling his lips hadnโt been the same for a long time.
โMike, we need to talk,โ I said, not knowing what hurt more: Beauโs piercing glare at the two of us or Mike, who was about to explode.
โI agree.โ โLetโs go inside, honey!โ he says, pulling me into my own house. I look at Beau, my eyes screaming โIโm sorry,โ and just say, โIโll call you.โ He understands, but I donโt see him anymore as soon as I open my door and Mike slams it in his face.
โWhat the hell was that?โ
โ Do you really want to talk about the only guy I was with that night because you ran away from your responsibilities as a boyfriend yet again? God, Mike, Iโve lost count of how many times youโve let me down.
โ Great, change the subject like you always do, but Iโm not blindโand Iโm certainly not stupid! That jerk was holding your waist and looking at you like you were the last woman on Earth!
โ At least I have someone who pays attention to me, for the first time in the months Iโve been dating you. โ I say firmly.
I see him take a deep breath, as if the explosion had already erupted. โ Did you sleep with him?
โ Tell me now, S/N, did you sleep with him?
Things were already out of control, and what made it even worse was that he thought Iโd cheated on him. The worst part of all is that he didnโt realize what a mess heโd been making for months, and I was the one to blame for not putting an end to it. I gasp before answering:
โ Oh. Youโre a total asshole.
โ Is that all you can say?
โ Iโm tired of answering you, you idiot! Damn it, you show up here with that attitude and tone of yours, accusing me of doing the one thing Iโve been dying to do. Donโt you even want to know how the event I organized went? I spent weeks telling you about this opportunity, and all you have the nerve to do is accuse me?
โ You always do this! You want to accuse me of being this or that, but you donโt even realize when you tell me to my face that you want to sleep with my bossโare you crazy?
โ Yes, Iโm completely crazy for being with someone who, for months, hasnโt even noticed I exist! Youโre the reason for my biggest problems. And I couldnโt care less if youโre hurt. Iโm done with this! This relationship is never going to go anywhere.
โ So thatโs it? It all ends on just some random night?
โ No, Mike. All this shit ends after months of realizing how mediocre and selfish you are! Youโve never supported me in absolutely anything, and you never will. Iโm wasting my time with you.
โ Great, go ahead. I wasted a lot of time with you thinking weโd have a future, but spending your whole life grading books isnโt going to get you anywhere! If you think your failed life is going to get better after Iโm gone, youโre wrong!
All I can think about is throwing a vase within my reach at him. The vase broke, but his face didnโtโunfortunately. That was enough for him to yell that I was crazy and slam the door, walking out of my house and my life forever. I feel my heart racing and my hands shaking from the adrenaline of the fight, but a wave of relief also washes over my chest. Itโs over. Shit, itโs really all over. I see my phone with a message in the notification bar:
Beau Arlen: Iโm here if you need me! When youโre feeling better, letโs grab some coffee together.
And that was enough for me to sit down on the floor and completely break down.
I was standing in front of the police station. Iโd been sitting on a bench out front. Arms crossed, standing tall. Ever since I got a promotion at the publishing house, Iโve picked up a few new habits. I watch some police officers come out, laughing, others silent, just thinking about what to do when they get home. Until Mike comes out. I look at him, and he looks back at me. A smile spreads across his face. I no longer feel anything for that smile because, miraculously, it wasnโt meant for me. The blonde who was a few steps behind me runs up to him and jumps into his lap. The two of them smile at each other and head toward the parking lot.
I feel the evening breeze until I sense that familiar presence coming my way. Beau. There he was, with his broad shoulders and beautiful arms, standing tall, yet I can see his body is at ease. Itโs my turn to walk toward him, a wide smile on my face as I go to hug him. He pulls me into his arms right away, and I laugh
โ Good evening, Sheriff Arlen
โ Good evening, my favorite editor โ he says before planting the most delicious greeting kiss on me. Damn, thatโs what it felt like to be appreciated and desired. And I loved it every time he showed it in every little detail.