Page 3 of Whatever He Wants
“Damn, that sucks.I’m sorry.He seemed like such a sweet guy.”
“He is, but clearly he likes giving away the sugar to other girls like he’s a candy man.”We share a laugh and then she continues in a sadder tone.“I was starting to fall in love with the jerk, but I couldn’t risk being with him.Not after seeing what my cheating father put my mother through for years.Even if itisjust sexting, it’s only a matter of time before he goes all the way.When you see red flags, you run.Don’t wait around and hope they disappear or that maybe you can paint them green or whatever.You know what I mean?”
We talk some more until we end the call when she’s at her stop.I recline on the sofa, my mind on June.We were in the same class in high school, but we ran in different circles.June and I became good friends when we ended up living in the same apartment building and started seeing each other regularly.
When you see red flags, you run.
June was talking about herself, but it feels like a warning too.Good advice that applies to my relationship with Matt even if I don’t want to accept it.I’m not ready yet.Matt and I depend on each other.He won’t survive on his own without me, and the thought of leaving him feels like abandoning safety for the scary unknown.
My phone beeps twice with text messages.They’re from Matt, as if he senses I’m thinking about him.
Baby wehee r u
wheree
In Isaac’s house, I text back, then immediately regret it.He might want to come up here.I should’ve told him I’m out on a walk instead.
Why u there
I’m collecting a delivery for him.
I got a big long delievry u cna collevt ;)
My face remains deadly straight as I reply with a laugh and a heart emoji, then silence my phone.
It’s my day off from work and I can’t enjoy it in my own space.Once again, Matt is jobless, so unless he’s out with friends, he’s always home.Alwaysthere.Making his presence impossible to ignore.
Isaac’s basement was a godsend when landlords kept rejecting us because of our poor credit scores, my low income as a new hairstylist, and Matt’s unemployment.Six months later, the studio feels like a prison cell, and I’m not sure if Matt is my cellmate or the warden.It’s terrible to think this way.If you love someone, aren’t you supposed to always enjoy being around them?
I close my eyes, letting my mind drift.The sofa is so comfortable, I barely notice I’m slipping into a light doze until loud pounding jerks me upright.
3
Denise
It’s coming from the backdoor.
Isaac’s house is on a corner lot, the kitchen door doubling as the backdoor which leads out onto the deck and the fenced backyard.A short distance from the last deck stair is the basement entrance.
It’s likely Matt who’s knocking.That’s why I don’t answer right away.When the noise persists, I get up from the sofa with a huff, march over, and yank aside the curtain.Matt grins at me through the window.Reluctantly, I open the door.
“What is it, Matt?”
He doesn’t seem to notice or care about the bite to my tone.He steps closer, propping his arm against the jamb and strokes my cheek with his finger.
“I’m here to keep my girl company.”
Who knew it’s possible for words to have a suffocating effect?The open door lets in air, but I suddenly feel like I’m not getting enough.
I force a smile.“You don’t have to do that.I’m not going to be up here for long.”
“I don’t mind.”
“Isaac minds.He doesn’t like strangers in his house after what happened to Camille.”
What I can’t tell Matt is that Isaac also doesn’t like him.He has never said that, and he’s never been rude to Matt, but I’ve always sensed Isaac’s negative feelings toward him.
“I’m not a stranger.I’m practically family.Besides, he won’t know I came in here, and I wanna see how my landlord lives.”He pushes past me into the house, looking around the kitchen in appreciation.“Damn.He’s raking it in.”
