Page 40 of My Anchor (Trio Series 1)

Slinging my purse onto my shoulder I make my way out the door. When I get half way to the car I'm shocked to see Lee Standing in the middle of the sidewalk. Thought he was done with me after our last conversation. I'm really not too happy to see him.

“What do you want Lee? I thought that you were done with me.”

“I just want to talk Linn, please.” He says with a pleading look in his eyes. I’ve been haunted by his damn face every night and day since we broke up. Rick made it bearable but that’s all, bearable, and that is the only reason why I'm going to listen.

“Fine talk, but do it fast Rick is waiting for me.” He really isn't but I wanted to make the dig. I'm not sure if he knows Rick and I are together.

“Rick? I guess I did hear you two were together or something.” Or something?

“Been talking to Shane hmm?” Little meddling bitch, didn't think she liked him much.

“Just a little, asked about you. She reluctantly told me that you two were… seeing each other.” Oh, I love how he puts it that way. Insinuating that we are just fucking, well I guess we are but shit we are friends too. I just roll my eyes.

“You had something to say.” I make a continue gesture with my hand urging him to get on with whatever he is going to tell me. He takes a deep breath in.

“I miss you.” He starts with and I try to stop him right there because I can’t go through this again. I turn to walk away but he stops me with his hands on my arms with my back to his front.

“Please just hear me out. After you left the other day I realized I rather have you half in than not have you at all.” He says holding me tighter and pulling me closer. God, it feels so good to have his hands on me. Holding me close. I get lost in that feeling and melt into him for a moment. Then realize what I'm doing and jerk away. Caught off guard from my moment of surrender he loosens his grip and I’m able to break his hold. When I do I drop my purse and it falls to the ground spilling the contents out all over the sidewalk. Makeup, tampons, a couple quarters, my wallet, condoms, and two of Shana’s ultrasound pictures are now scattered on the cement. Crap. The first thing he sees is the strip of condoms and I hear him growl a little. Then his eyes zero in on the pictures, the look on his face turns murderous.

“I thought you were on the pill. Are you fucking pregnant? Fucking hell!” He steps back and then starts pacing. Kneeling down I start shoveling the contents of my purse back in and don't even bother to correct him. When I'm standing again he stops and looks at me. “Guess condoms don't work all this time do they?” He sneers at me. I just roll my eyes and hand him one of Shana’s ultrasound pictures then walk to my car. I really don't want to deal with him at the moment, even if at first he wanted to try and work things out between us. Before that happens I really do need to talk to Rick anyway. He deserves that much.

When I get to the car and inside, only then do I look his way. That is when I see the realization on his face that the name on the picture is Shana’s and not mine. I back the car out of the spot and leave for Rick’s place dreading the conversation we are about to have.

When I pull up to Rick’s house there is a pickup I don't recognize parked out front by the curb where I usually would park. So I park a couple spots down and walk to his door. He gave me a key a while back so I let myself in. For some reason, I try to be as quiet as I can. Slowly shutting the door I walk inside and listen. I hear voices coming from upstairs in Rick’s room.

“You need to quit this shit I know you fucking want me just as much as I want you. Quit using that girl as a cover up.” This voice comes from someone I don't recognize, a guy’s voice.

“I'm not using her, believe it or not, I love that girl she’s amazing.” That voice is Rick’s.

“But she isn't what you want is she?” Mystery man says, his voice getting low and husky. I hear heavy breathing now and I do believe some kissing.

“Come on, you know how good it is. Last night was amazing, we would be great together just let go Ricky.” Ricky? I let out a little giggle, the nick name breaking the seriousness of the conversation that is happening in the next room. Leave it to me to ruin a moment. Even if that moment means that my, boyfriend? Is screwing around with someone else. We never did put labels on things but we did say we would tell each other if we were done or sleeping with someone else. So I guess that means exclusivity. They must hear me because next thing I know Rick is looking at me with the saddest face I have ever seen.

“Linn, shit, how much did you hear?” I give him a reassuring smile.

“It’s all good Rick. I knew we weren't really something. Will you just do me a favor?” He sighs.

“Yes.”

“Accept who you are, please. You are a good person you deserve to be happy.” He walks forward and engulfs me in his big arms.

“I love you so much, you know that right?” I tear up and all I can do is nod. “I promise I will try my damnedest to accept who I am but you need to promise me that you will be happy too. I know how much you love Lee and regardless of being a stupid ass I know he loves you too. Open up to him Lin, tell him how you feel.” This makes me cry even harder. Lee must have talked to all of my friends. He squeezes me tighter for a few more seconds that seem like hours then pulls back. Taking his thumbs to my cheeks he wipes away my tears. “No more of these. Beautiful girl like you shouldn't cry. I'm so sorry I'm causing them, so sorry.” He cups my cheeks and kisses me softly. When he pulls back he drops his arms to his sides. That’s when I remember we aren't alone. Looking behind Rick I see a man a little taller than him, if a person can get any taller. He looks like he may live at a gym, his arms are testing the seams of the navy blue Henley he is wearing and I can see how thick his legs are under the warn out jeans that are hanging loose on his hips. Damn my Ricky did good. I smile a little to myself at the name. Rick catches me looking behind him and realizes that his house guest didn't stay in his room.

“Ah, Linn this is Check. Check, Linn.” He makes the name exchange. Check, that’s a different name. His eyes are the bluest blue and his skin is a deep Olive color. Mc. Avery anyone?

“Nice to meet you Check. Take care of this man okay? You might be a lot bigger than me but I can still kick some ass, or at least put out a hit out on you.” This gets a chuckle out of the Adonis.

“Will do Linn. He is one hell of a guy.”

“Truer words,” I say then give Rick one more quick hug. “Don't be a stranger. This only changes who you are sleeping with not our friendship okay?” I say to lighten the mood.

Rick shakes his head.

“Jesus Linn you are always so damn blunt.” With that, I make my way out of the small house leaving his spare key on the kitchen counter when I walk out. He is a good man and although my heart is breaking just a little because whatever we had is now over. I am still happy for him because I have a feeling that this Check guy is his Lee.

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