Page 50 of Lucy
“Why do you have Nora’s phone?” I snatched it from her and looked it over to make sure it really was our sister’s phone.
It was.
“Don’t worry about it. She knows I have it.”
“Well, you already know I’m making it work with Lauren then.”
“It’s stupid, but okay. Like I said, I’ll support you but don’t ever think for a minute that I’ll like her or respect her. She’s a fucking bird, Abel. She doesn’t love you. She loves what you represent.
She looks like she can spot a good man from a mile away. Mark my words; she’s going to attach herself to you. She knows you’re going places and she wants to go too. If she can’t ride your coattails then she’s stuck being a fucking secretary.”
“Lucy, if not her, then who?” I asked.
“I don’t know. Just not her. You’re so handsome and brilliant, Abel. Any girl in the world, besides Lauren, would be lucky to have you.” She touched my face then pulled her hand away quickly. It was still dangerous for us to touch or be alone.
“Maybe I’m comfortable with her.”
“Maybe she’s trash.”
“Lucy…”
“I’m sorry. Comfort zones are pretty but nothing ever grows inside them. That wasn’t a euphemism for Lauren being pretty by the way. She looks like a fucking cockatoo.” I shut my eyes and massaged the bridge of my nose.
“Lucy…stop. You have to be in my corner if this is going to work.”
“Okay, okay. Keep her away from me though.”
“So, don’t invite you over?” I smirked.
“Oh…invite me over. I won’t come but invite me anyway. I want the opportunity to turn you down.” She stood up and walked out of the room like the conversation had long since ended.
“Where are you going? You wanna hang around and watch some movies?” I grabbed her hand and she looked down with sad eyes and a smile. She dropped my grip and shook her head.
“You know I can’t, Abel. We’d end up making love. I’d end up spilling my soul to you and we’d start the cycle all over again.”
“You’re right,” I cleared my throat and nodded.
“Besides, I promised a friend I’d hang out with him tonight.”Him? Did she say…him?
“Who’s this friend?” I quizzed, my hackles rising.
“A guy from work. The one that saved me.” Her face lit up when she talked about him and I felt it like a gut punch. She was happy. Maybe that’s what she meant when she said I wasn’t happy and if I were then she’d never interfere.
The look in her eyes told me she was happy.
“He’s just a friend?” I asked, clarifying.
“Yeah, absolutely. He doesn’t even look at me like that. He’s…different.” She shrugged with a smile that threatened to split her cute face in two.
“Is he gay?” I asked her.
“No, Abel.”
“Then how do you know he only wants to be your friend?”
“Because I know. He’s not thinking about having a girlfriend and I’m not thinking about a man right now so stop prodding.”
“He makes you happy though?” I leaned against the wall and studied her face for truth even though I didn’t need to. The answer was clear as a bell and it was written all over her. This guy made her happy.
