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The door was closed but that didn’t stop her. “Do I look like I was born yesterday? You may be the doctor, but I’m a stylist. I know people and the two of you are acting like middle school kids. What gives?”
Pushing past her again, I tossed my dress into the hamper, pulled my covers down, turned on my lamp, then went back to the doorway. “It’s just weird. It’s been a long time. I didn’t know he was moving back. Or living in our complex. It’ll pass.” I grabbed her shoulders. “Now I need to get some rest. Thanks for dinner.” I kissed her cheek then turned the overhead light off and climbed in bed.
She raised her eyebrow high but pulled my door closed.
Once she was gone, I blew out a breath and my shoulders loosened. I was tense all night long trying to maintain my usual composure. After turning my lamp off, I fell to the pillow, pulling and kicking at the blankets, unable to get comfortable. I tossed to my side, staring at the clock on the nightstand. This was going to be a long, sleepless night.
Chapter 6
Mike
I tossed and turned all night.I had her in my arms.It was already torture seeing her again, but to finally have her body against mine…my heart began rebreaking. My stubbornness kept me from continuing to try once she pushed me away, then ignored me on the last trip back here. I refused to go home for school breaks the rest of the time I was in college, fearing I’d see her. Eventually, my parents got used to visiting me occasionally as part of their vacation time and I never thought twice about it. Over time, the hurt subsided and I got used to going through the motions. I tried dating, but it never lasted long. The last couple of years I convinced myself I was too busy anyway and stopped trying. I thought it was because I was focusing on my career.
But when Jason called me about Lucy, something inside snapped. The tiny fire that lay dormant within me began to burn brighter at the mention of her name. The feelings that I pushed down for so long bubbled up again, along with all the questions I had. When I was offered a job back home, I took it as a sign. Until last night I didn’t know what sign; I just hastily went with my gut to take the job and move back. But after last night, I understood.
I want her back.
But it’s been so long. I wasn’t the same idiot twenty-year-old that went across the country. Surely, she wasn’t the same young woman that was confused, or maybe hurt? Scared? Who knows why she did what she did. But maybe I could have tried harder, fought harder. Either way, I couldn’t change what happened before, but I had another chance. Something led me back here, back to her. What are the odds of ending up in her apartment complex? Although, she probably thought that was on purpose. It was closer to the hospital and a lot cheaper outside of the city limits.
After only logging probably two full hours of sleep all night, I rolled out of bed and made some coffee. Luckily, since it was an apartment, getting utilities and cable was a breeze and everything was already up and running. I checked the weather then decided to go check out the workout facilities. It wouldn’t hurt to get some reps in and burn off some of the pent-up energy that had been stewing the past couple of days.
It was already over ninety degrees outside and barely nine in the morning but walking to the clubhouse seemed like a great way to warm up. When I got there, I was happy to see a smiling face.
“Mike!” Onyx yelled from one of the treadmills before she pulled her earbuds out.
“Hey, Sis. You use this a lot?”
She shrugged. “I try to make it a couple times a week at least. Work keeps me on my feet most days but it’s not the same as a real workout.”
I tossed my bag near the wall and nodded as I looked around. There was actually a decent number of free weights, a few treadmills, a stair climber, and a rowing machine. After a few stretches I added some weights to a set of dumbbells and started my reps.
“So, what’s up with you and Jaz?” Onyx asked out of nowhere.
I paused briefly, then got back to my reps. “I wish I knew. I kinda hoped you did.”
She shook her head as she pumped her arms opposite her steps. “I don’t know. She’s been out of sorts since you showed up. But she said it was just odd seeing you after all this time.”
“Do you think that’s it?”
She shrugged and threw her palms up. “Who knows. I think there’s something else, but she won’t say. I’ve asked her twice. She insists she just wasn’t expecting you and it’s strange, but it’s nothing. Seems weird. She never loses her cool, ya know?”
I pumped the dumbbells a few more times then moved my arms to work a different muscle before I started a new set. “So, she's still always cool, calm, collected?”
“Shewas, until you got here.”
I put the weights down and rested my hands on my hips. “I don’t get it. I don’t want her to be uncomfortable, but I really don’t understand why she acts like I have the plague.”
Onyx stopped the treadmill and sipped her water before putting it in the cupholder. “What the hell happened with you guys?”
“That’s just it. I don’t know. I thought things were fine. Well, strained, but not over. And she ended it. Then she wouldn’t return my calls or texts. Nothing.”
Onyx’s brows pinched. “She ended it?”
I lifted one shoulder and nodded.
“Well, you didn’t hear this from me but she said youbothsaid it was best to part ways. She said something about long distance and blah, blah, blah.” She rolled her eyes and mocked the words with her hand.
“No. That isnotwhat happened…at all.” I shifted my weight. “Why would she say that?”
