He laughs and takes my hand in his. It almost feels like I’m cheating on Memphis, even though we haven’t sat down and talked about what we are yet. He asked me at the garage, but I couldn’t answer him. “I’m single because I work too much. I’m halfway around the world from all of my friends and family, and my phone and internet service are shotty on a good day. It’s impossible to maintain any kind of relationship. That’s why I was determined to not lose you.”
I take a deep clearing breath. “I can’t believe you came all this way.” We’re in front of my apartment building now, and I lead him to the door. I slide my hand into my pocket and pull out the keys, unlocking it. The moment it’s open, Noodle comes running out, straight to the yard to do his business.
“That’s Noodle,” I say, pointing in his direction.
“He’s cute.”
We wait a few minutes and Noodle comes in. We follow along behind him and sit on the couch.
“Can I get you anything? You’ve come a long way. You have to be hungry or thirsty.” I stand and move toward the kitchen, opening the fridge and digging around for anything. I haven’t been to the store lately, so a Coke and chips it is. I take the items back to the living room.
He takes the soda and takes a long drink. He waves off the chips, but I’m nervous and open the bag to stuff one in my mouth.
“I can’t believe you’re actually here,” I say around my loud crunching.
He smiles wide, showing me his perfectly straight, white teeth. “I know. I’m excited too.”
I roll my eyes. “I wish there was more around here to show you.”
“Your place will work just fine.” He winks and I get the hint. But there is no way I’m showing him around my place. I know we’ll end up in the bedroom, and I need to avoid that. But breaking up with him now, after he’s made such a long journey to see me, seems harsh. It has to be done though, especially if I want to give Memphis and me a real shot.
“Paul, I have to tell you something,” I start but stop when someone knocks on the door.
I take a deep breath and stand. “Hold that thought.” I move toward the door, but before I can get to it, it opens and Memphis walks in. He’s wearing a smile until he sees Paul sitting behind me. His smile falls as his jaw tightens. Anger fills his eyes and paints his features.
“Memphis, I can explain.”
Twelve
Memphis
I’m watching the football game when Pearl makes her way back from the bathroom.
“Where’s Jade?” I lean over and ask.
“Oh, her mom called and needed help with something. She said she would get ahold of you tomorrow.” She offers up a smile before diverting her eyes back to the field.
I wonder why she didn’t let me know herself but shrug it off and watch the rest of the game. It takes another hour before the game is over and the crowd is thinning out. I pull my phone out of my pocket and check to see if she’s left me any messages, but there’s nothing on the screen. Blake and Pearl take off back to their car, but I decide to head over to Jade’s to make sure everything is okay. After spending the night last night, the last place I want to be is back in my childhood room. I really need to find myself an apartment since I don’t plan on leaving anytime soon.
I get behind the wheel and make the short drive over to her place. I knock on the door and then open it, letting myself in. When I see that she’s here and in one piece, I smile as relief washes over me. On the short drive from the field to her place, I managed to convince myself that something was wrong, but here she is in one piece. Then my eyes find the strange man sitting on her couch.
I look back at her and she seems nervous. “Memphis, this is Paul. Paul, this is Memphis,” she introduces.
I lean over to shake his hand, a little confused. “Paul…isn’t that the guy you met online?”
She forces a smile and nods. “Yes, it is. They had a massive storm that knocked out the power, so we haven’t been able to talk for a while now. He didn’t want me to worry, so he made the trip here while they’re working on restoring power.”
I nod. “Can I talk to you? Privately?”
“Sure. Paul, the remote is right there. Make yourself at home, and I’ll be right back.” She walks with me outside.
The moment I’m on the sidewalk, I turn to face her. “Jade, what the fuck?”
“I know, I’m sorry,” she says, raising her hands to rub her temples. “Worst timing ever, right?”
“You’ve got to tell him.” I motion toward her apartment.
“I know. I just…feel so bad. I mean, he traveled halfway around the world for me. And I swear, I broke things off between us, but he just hasn’t seen it.”
“So what’s your big plan here? Are you just going to act like you’re still with him while he’s here, maybe kiss him and screw him while you’re at it?” Anger is getting the best of me. I shouldn’t have said that, I realize the moment the words leave my lips.
She acts like I’ve reached out and slapped her. “Are you kidding me right now?” Her black brows are drawn together in what I can only imagine to be amazement at how stupid I am. “If you wouldn’t have run off the way you did, I never would’ve started internet dating to begin with. Yeah, I know it’s a shitty situation, but I will deal with it how I see fit. And for you to imply that I’d sleep with him is far too mean to say, even for you. Now please leave. I have company.” She turns to leave. I can’t let her walk away right now, not while there’s a guy in there waiting for her, not in the middle of our fight.
I spin her around and pull her to my chest, pressing my lips against hers. I kiss her like I’ll never get another chance to kiss her—I might not after what I just said—and I don’t let her pull away until we’re both left breathless.
She looks at me with angry eyes as she wipes her mouth. She takes a deep breath, and her shoulders visibly fall. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow, Memphis.” Without another word, she turns and walks back inside.
I stand back and stare up at her door, wishing for her to come back out. I don’t like the way we left things. My stomach hurts and there’s a pain in my chest. Why in the fuck would I say something like that to her? If I was her, I’d do anything I could to hurt me as much as I’ve hurt her.
Not only am I afraid that I’ll lose her to him, I’m worried that this strange guy that neither of us really know is going to be staying at her place. What if he’s a murderer or something? Is she even safe in there?
I climb back into my car and look up into her living room window. I wonder what they’re doing in there. I wonder if she’s breaking up with him now. Hell, if she is, I’ll personally drive the guy to the airport just to know that he’s nowhere near Jade. I know I should leave and give them their privacy, but I can’t force myself to do it. I recline my seat back slightly and cross my arms over my chest, watching the window as their shadows dance across it. I don’t think I’ve ever been so jealous in all my life. I wasn’t ever the insecure type of guy. I had many girlfriends in high school before I started dating Jade, but once she came into the picture, she was all I saw. I never should have left her. I was determined to find my way through this world, find my own path. But now I’ve seen it all, and I still ended up back here. I did nothing but waste nearly ten years of my life trying to avoid the only woman I’ve ever loved. A woman that I left hurt and broken. A woman I somehow managed to win back only to lose her again.