Page 20 of Love Triangle
“Hey Crystal, if you can hear me, I hope you’re okay. That was fucking weird. Does that always happen? Was I supposed to see that? I’m so confused. Uh, I’m feeling really weird right now like I should come closer and that’s freaking me out so I should probably go. I’ll text you. You look really pretty, by the way. Very shiny. Okay, bye.”
I take off back down the path, so distracted that I forget to turn my flashlight on, and I stumble on a stone, falling and turning my ankle.Fuck.It doesn’t break or anything, but it hurts and I’m probably going to have a little limp for a couple of days. Annoying. Crystal is going to “I told you so” the shit out of me.Ugh.
I limp back to my bicycle and ride back home. When I pass Cliff’s house the lights are off, and I can’t tell if he’s still out or if he’s sleeping. I wonder if he knows anything about Crystal.
This is the weirdest day I’ve ever had.
Chapter Twenty-One – Cliff
Once again last night, I ran. Once again, I felt drawn to the clearing. I’m ashamed of what happened there. I stayed awake far too late because of it and this morning I’m now tired. Which is unfortunate as this is the day of my date with Crystal.
I have an extra cup of coffee this morning to ensure I am as awake as possible. The worst thing I could do is yawn and have her think I find her boring. Certainly, Trig did no such thing yesterday.
Trig.I must stop letting him get into my head. This is my date with Crystal, not his. I won’t let him ruin it. Sipping the last of my morning beverage, I clear my head of all negative thoughts. Coffee consumed, Trig out of my head, I leave my home and head to Crystal’s.
When I arrive, I intend to knock at her door like a gentleman should, but she is already outside waiting. She looks glorious. Her white hair is down in soft curls around her shoulders. A pale green summer dress highlights the adorable wrinkles of her knees.
Who knew I would ever find knees adorable?
She scurries to my vehicle before I can even get out to open the door for her and hops in. Her smile is wide, her lips glossed and pink. I want that gloss left in rings around my cock.
“Hello Crystal. Are you well?” I ask.
“I’m great! We still going out for breakfast?” she replies in her perky way.
“Yes. Please buckle your safety belt.” I’ve known too many lost to accidents and I refuse to move until she’s secured.
“Yes, sir!” She salutes before buckling in.Sir. Fuck.
“And we’re off. I hope you enjoy Spanish food. A traditional Spanish restaurant opened in the city and it’s quite delicious. I think you’ll like it. You seem like the type to try many types of things.” I offer her a quick smile before returning my attention to the road ahead of me.
“Oh, I love trying new things. I admit I haven’t had a lot of traditional Spanish food, but I’m sure I’ll like it because I’ve enjoyed what other new foods I have eaten quite a bit.”
I’m glad she enjoys trying new things. That gives me hope for other parts of the relationship.
“Do you go to the city a lot?” she asks.
“Only on the weekends. To visit friends,” I quickly add. I’m not quite ready to tell her the real reason I visit the city so frequently, and it’s notreallya lie anyway.
“Oh, that surprises me.”
“Why? You don’t think I have friends?” Well that’s a bit insulting.
“No! That’s not it! You just seem more like the type that likes to, I don’t know, spend his time alone most of the time. Like reading or something. I’m not even sure what I thought!” She stumbles through her words.
“Technically, I do. I spend all of the weekdays and Sundays, as well as most Saturdays, alone. But I’m not quite what everyone in town seems to think I am. I know everyone thinks I dislike people. I admit they’re not entirely incorrect, but I do enjoy the company of some; you for example. I’m particular about the company I keep, but I do keep company nonetheless.” I hope that settles things.
“I get it. Honestly, I don’t really have any friends. There are some issues I have that make it difficult to keep people close. You and…well, you know who, are the only people I’ve let this close in a very long time. So please don’t think I was judging you when I thought you were a loner. I wouldn’t judge you either way. I like you.” She sets her hand on the arm I’m using to shift gears and even through my cardigan I can feel a bolt of energy go through me. I like her so, so much.
“Thank you, Crystal. We’re here.”
We go into the restaurant and take our seats. It’s a cozy new place run by a friend of a man I spent a night with once. I’ll leave that minor detail out of the conversation. Crystal and I order our drinks—her orange juice and I coffee.
I tend to have a difficult time trying new things. Thankfully, Spanish food was common in my household alongside the unpalatable traditional American beige mush, and there are a few things I can comfortably enjoy. Crystal orders huevos rotos and I order tortilla de patata. While we wait for our food, we talk more.
“Tell me about yourself, Crystal. What do you do when you aren’t running the shop?”
“Oh, I like to garden. I have a dog named Plato and take him for walks around. I like hiking in the woods. I like reading.”
