Page 5 of Love is Strange
Takingthe test into the bathroom with me, I sit and try to hold it together. I’ve been here before only last time I wasn’t alone. Breathing in and out, I pee on the stick and wait, reminding myself that things happen for a reason. No matter what that test says, I know Luke and me were meant to be parents to our child.
Knocking on the door startles me; the bitch is waiting to get inside to shower for her date. Groaning, I grab the stick and put it in my pocket, I’ll look at it later. This could be the answer to everything but she had to ruin my moment. Shoving the test in my drawer, I turn on my phone and stalk Isabel’s Facebook for pictures of Luke. Finding one of him kissing her forehead, I think of how he would do that to me each night when he dropped me off. Swiping the screen I move past that image and find one of him alone. Luke is wearing the hoodie I bought him the last Christmas we spent together.
Saving the picture to my phone, I set it as my wallpaper when Isabel comes out dressed in a sultry outfit. I can’t believe her, using her body like that to lure him in. I can’t wait any longer for her to trap him the way she plans. Using a fake email address, I send the image of our night to hers. Unless she remembers that outfit then she won’t know it’s me. I just hope she sees it before she fucks my man.
When she leaves for the night, I snatch off my watch and throw it at the closed door. Screaming into my pillow loud enough to rival Melanie Martinez, I stand up and look at my reflection as I wipe away the tear streaking down my face. Leaning close to the mirror, I repeat the words that my father told me before he left,I won’t let anyone get in my way when I have happiness in sight. Picking up my lipstick, I smear the bright red on my lips. I plan to make an impression tonight. I know where they went, now I just have to make Luke jealous.
Slipping on a pair of jean shorts that barely pass my ass, I tug on my favorite white halter top and Vans. Walking out of the dorm, I cross the road with a swarm of other girls. These girls are gossipy, airhead types, only here for their Mrs. degree. I roll my eyes as they talk about which guys are hot and available, it makes me sick to hear them discussing it like vultures. One of the blondes near the back of the group says Luke’s name. Apparently, she didn’t get the memo that he is very much taken. Slowing, I drop back behind her, shoving her into the road.
Squealing tires sound and the car stops just before it hits her. Just my luck. I don’t stop as the crowd gathers to be sure she is fine. I know she is. She isn’t dead, her fairy godmother was looking out for Barbie. Making my way inside, I spot Luke’s best friend Connor and head towards him. Connor has made it known he only fucks and never dates which is exactly what I am looking for. Reaching for his cup, I pretend to drink the warm beer while his eyes track the movement.
This might be the easiest part of my entire plan. I say plan but at this point, I’m winging it. When Luke walks into the room withher,my world stops spinning. Both of them are all smiles as if she won. Pulling Connor to me, I push my tongue into his mouth, my eyes never leaving Luke’s brown ones. Shifting on his feet, Luke clears his throat loud enough to startle Connor.
“So, I see you know Natalia,” Luke clips out through clenched teeth.
Ah, it seems I have made an impression on him. Giggling to myself, I lean into Connor’s side as he puts an arm around my shoulder.
Nodding, he looks down at me before responding, “Something like that.”
Leaning down until his breath warms my neck, he whispers, “I know what you’re doing. I’m game to play it.”
Winking at me, Connor grabs a handful of my ass. I want to cut off his hand for that. I won’t though because Luke’s glare at him sets my heart on fire.
Connor’s breath warms my neck as he whispers, “I know you aren’t who you say you are. I just haven’t figured out what your endgame is yet.”
Fucker. “What do you mean?” I question a hint of innocence and warning in my voice.
Placing his nasty finger on my lips, he smirks, “I’ll tell you later.”
I want to bite off his finger like a rabid dog, not even my own mother silenced me like a child. Contemplating all the ways I could keep his mouth shut, I wink and walk away from the group. I need to plan for this new obstacle. It won’t end well for Connor, of that I’m certain.
Chapter Ten
I lookcalm on the outside but inside is a raging fire threatening to consume us all. A fiery inferno that wants to claim its victims starting with the bitch with her hand on Luke and ending with Connor who doesn’t know how to keep his mouth shut. Deciding I will worry about him first and her after, I motion for him to follow me out the back door. The night will make it seem as if we are just a couple of lovers when in reality I would be his death.
“Mystery lady, where are you taking me?” Connor questions, his palm sweating in mine.
Disgusted, I giggle and pull him further into the yard. “My name is Natalia.”
Wagging his finger in my face, he chuckles, “I went to high school with her. So who are you really?”
Circling around me, he grabs a lock of my hair, “I think you might be the infamous Ashley. Luke wouldn’t stop talking about his ex that he left behind when he came out here.”
My breath hitches and he notices the change, “Want to know how I know?”
Clearing my throat, I give him my pageant winning smile, “I don’t know what you are talking about. I just wanted to hook up with you. Are you game or not?”
Grabbing my hand, he tugs me across the street to my dorm, seems as if he wants to play. Too bad he doesn’t know I only play to win. Opening the door to our dorm room, I push him ahead of me and I make my way to the small bathroom. I mentally thank my best friend from high school for being slightly deranged; Ari told me that you can order Chloroform online in minutes. It’s true. Pouring the liquid on a washcloth, I tuck it into the back of my shorts. Taking a deep breath, I open the door to see Connor already lying on my bed waiting for me.
Straddling his thighs, I pin his arms under my legs, “No touching.”
Pulling my shirt over my head, I throw it next to his head while I reach for the cloth. His eyes go wide with panic when he realizes what I’m doing. Cocking my head to the side, I lean down until I’m less than an inch from his. Connor’s limbs are going slack as he begins to lose consciousness. I know if it wasn’t for my constant running and workouts this would have never worked the way I wanted.
The last thing he hears is my voice. “I am his ex. Game over.”
I’m glad that everyone is out of the dorm tonight, either at the party or off in town. Otherwise, me dragging a man to my car would be suspicious. Driving out to the woods near the cabin I’ve had Natalia at, I calculate the days since I last went by to see her. It’s been a long time and I really should stop by to check on her. I’ll bring her food in the morning as I don’t think there is any reason to stop right now anyway. Parking the car, I pull Connor’s still form into the woods near the cliff I found my first day here. Putting him near the edge, I head back to the car to find a rope so I can tie him to a tree nearby. If he can find his way back then he can live.
On my way back to him, I hear someone moaning and grunting. Connor must be waking up. Rushing to the clearing, I still as his body rolls off the patch of grass. Well then, it’s not my fault he died, he was safe when I left him and it’s not like I pushed him. Peering over the edge, I take in his form, his body contorted in the strangest way. Turning away, I walk back to my car, rope in hand, my stomach is uneasy but I don’t know if it’s from the way his body looked or if it’s something else.
