Page 12 of Venus
I can’t help it. I know she probably forgot about me the second the post-nut clarity kicked in, but I haven’t stopped thinking about her for even a minute.
No name. No number. The only thing I have to go on is that I know she works in the maternity ward at the hospital. I could go there and try to catch her on a break,but the more I think about it, it starts to sound more stalkerish than romantic.
I know a few nurses in the ER…maybe one of them knows her. But would that be even weirder if I asked?
I rub my face and eyes to try and get that golden hair out of my mind.
Does she really not want to see me again? Could I really be infatuated with a woman who has no interest in me?
It was so…sudden. I’ve never had a fling, even a one-night stand, leave so suddenly after a night in bed. It was almost like it meant nothing to her at all.
And I can’t even be upset if it did, because who am I to her except the guy she met at the bar? She doesn’t owe me anything.
“Great work with that dog tonight,” Jackson says, nudging me on the way to his locker.
“Thanks,” I grunt.
“Are you good?” he asks.
I shrug. “Have you ever met someone and been so sure that there was meant to be more?”
He chuckles softly. “Still caught up on this girl? Damn. It must have been a great night.”
I shake my head. “It wasn’t just the sex. I can’t really explain it.”
He pats me on the shoulder. “I know, bud. I’m sorry it didn’t work out. Sometimes people come intoyour life for a second and shake everything up. Doesn’t mean they’re staying. Doesn’t mean it wasn’t real, either.”
“I just wish I knew why, you know?” I say. “Like…what did I screw up? What did I say? Why was she so eager to leave?”
“Have you ever considered that she was telling the truth and that she just wasn’t looking for anything serious? I know it sounds harsh but…maybe she really just wanted some fun. She works long hours like us. Sometimes you just need to take the edge off. I don’t think she wanted you to take it so personally.”
I sigh. “I know. I just need some time to let it go.”
We’re both dead tired and decide to end our conversation there. We say our goodbyes and head in separate directions. The weight of my exhaustion presses down on my eyelids as I drive home, but my mind doesn’t slow down for one second.
When I finally slip into my apartment and fall onto the bed, all I can think about is my Venus. I know she’s probably not thinking about me, but I hope she is.
But my last thought before sleep takes me, is that if I ever see her again, I won’t let it be the last time.
Chapter 7 | Vulcan
Three weeks. That’s how long it’s been since I’ve seen Venus. Since she walked out of my bed, my apartment, and apparently mylifewithout a name, a number, or a second glance.
I’m in my apartment, pouring a bag of chips into a bowl and pulling fresh-cooked burgers off the skillet. Trevor, Jacks and I are having a Sunday night football party.
Well, party is a loose term, since it’s just the three of us. But burgers, beer, and football. Sounds like a good time to me.
But I’m pathetic, because I’ve been stuck in the cycle of thinking about Venus, and it’s gotten to the point that I’m burning the burgers I’m trying to cook because my mind is elsewhere.
I just want to see her one more time. I’ve been back to Schooner’s three times a week since I last talked to her, and it’s like she’s vanished.
No name. No number. Just a memory.
As I’m putting another round of burgers in the hot pan, Trevor and Jackson barge in together. Trevor drops two six-packs of beer on the counter and I give him a disappointed look. That is not enough beer to help me forget Venus.
I take one anyway, cracking it open with a bottle opener and chugging it. Trevor takes one next, slumping into one of my recliners in the front room. “Dude,” he says as Jackson tosses two more six-packs on my kitchen counter. “This has to be some kind of record. Three weeks. That’s a high-level simp. Olympic-tier. Gold medal for the USA!”
I roll my eyes, but he’s not completely wrong. It is pretty pathetic, and long past due for me to move on. I flip the burgers then rest my hands on the kitchen counter. “So what do I do? Start swiping right again?”
