As I reach the door, they back away and allow me to pass by. I hear Brighton telling her goodbye, and then he’s right behind me as we walk out the door. We walk in silence to the parking lot, climb in our trucks and drive away.
I pull into the drive behind him, but instead of going inside, I walk around back to sit on the lower deck. A few minutes later, he joins me, offering me a beer. I take it and take a long drink. We sit in silence for a long damn time, neither one of us wanting to talk about what’s going on in each other’s lives. We both know this shit is not us, not what we had planned. Hell, I was set out to seduce her and now all I want to do is make her smile. That shit is fucked up! So fucked up that I cannot even comprehend it.
After both of our beers have long been polished off, Bright finally speaks up. “First of all, before I say this, I don’t want to hear any of your shit. Just let me get it out. I need to say it to see how it feels putting it out there, not just the thoughts jumping around in my head.” He takes a deep breath. “I think I’m falling in love with her. The last few months spending the time to get to know her and now, after the time we’ve spent together, I’m… yeah…” His voice trails off.
I let his words sink in. He said think, but I pretty sure he already does love her. I think back and over the last three months; I’ve seen the subtle changes. Constantly on his phone, and he smiles more. He’s content. I’m glad for him, I really am. Nicole seems like a great girl. Just because I’ve swore off commitment doesn’t mean that he has to as well. “I’m happy for you, man.” He grins. “Although,” he groans and I chuckle, “I think you’re fooling yourself. You already love that girl.” I point out the obvious.
He breaks out in a huge grin. “Probably,” he says, not really committing. I know this is something he struggles with as well. We were both confirmed bachelors for life. I guess that’s how life is, nothing stays the same, you have to learn to live each day and roll with the punches.
He doesn’t mention Kensington or my erratic behavior when it comes to her and I’m grateful. I wouldn’t talk about it even if he did and he knows that. Knows me.
“All right, man, I’ll see you in the morning.” He climbs to his feet and head off toward the house.
I lean my head back and look up at the night sky. Six months ago, if Bright would have told me he was in love, I would have laughed at him. Tonight, watching him with her, watching them together, I see it. I may not understand it, but I can see it.
THE FIRST WEEK of classes was busy. Getting my new schedule down and adjusting to a new routine. I only have three classes this semester, and then I tutor at the library. They tend to give those of us who are in our last year less hours. Most of us have internships and major projects due. Not me; however, I do have to find a small local company to volunteer eighty hours of time for. This is for future job applications. My major doesn’t require it, however, my business professor does. She says that it’s an opportunity to give back to the community as well as get some on-the-job training. Nothing better to prepare us for the real world. Her words not mine. I haven’t even started looking, but I’m sure something will come up. Who doesn’t want free help?
I haven’t seen Maxton since the day he showed up to watch movies while I did laundry. I remember him carrying me to bed that night, but that’s it. I had a dream that he was caressing my hair and calling me baby. This is not something I would admit aloud. Nicole didn’t say much the next day. Her comment was that he insisted on carrying me to bed. She said he was sweet and attentive. I asked her if we were talking about the same person and she scowled at me. His sexy body and good looks have coaxed her to his team. She is most definitely Team Maxton as she continues to drop hints about how sweet he was to me. I don’t remember it; therefore, it didn’t happen. Besides that, Nicole is so wrapped up in Brighton; she wants everyone to be in the honeymoon phase right along with her.
She’s seen Brighton every night this week. He’s either at our apartment or she is at Cooper’s bar with him. They invited me to go, but I declined. Maxton owns the bar, and I’m not ready to deal with him. Deal with how my body responds to him. I need to keep my distance for as long as possible, and I’m sure that once I do finally see him again, this crazy intensity will just be a vague memory.
Today is Friday and I don’t have class. Tuesday’s and Friday’s are my free days. Nicole was grumbling this morning that she should have thought out her schedule a little better so she could always have a three day weekend. I took pity on her and made her breakfast. Well, I put her bagel in the toaster and filled her travel mug with coffee.
Now, I’m at the grocery store. It’s been a few weeks since we’ve been, and with Brighton hanging out more, we need more than just fruit and yogurt. He claims he needs real food. We both laughed at him. I told Nic I would take care of the shopping today while she’s at class.
By the time I reach the checkout, my cart is overflowing. I stand at my place in line waiting for my turn when I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket.
Nicole: How’s grocery shopping?
Me: Uneventful. Standing in line to check out.
I snap a quick picture of my cart and text it to both Nicole and Brighton.
Me: Does this qualify as “real” food? ☺
Brighton: Yes! Finally, I was worried I would wither away. LOL
Nicole: Wow! I’ll be home in 30 minutes to help put it away.
I slip my phone into my purse and start emptying my cart onto the belt. The cashier, God love her, is well into her seventies and her speed shows it. When I finally make it back to the apartment, Brighton is there waiting on me, and in the passenger seat is Maxton. I take a deep breath. I was hoping to be able to distance myself from him a little longer. Nicole pulls up on the other side of my car. I slowly climb out, grabbing my purse and popping the trunk as I do.
“After seeing that picture, I felt guilty, and since we were out and about, I thought we could stop by and help you pack it all in,” Brighton explains. He must have seen the questioning look in my eyes.
Nicole skips over to him and he wraps his arms around her. I turn my head, giving them a private moment to say hello.
I reach into the trunk to start pulling out bags when I feel his hand on the small of my back. “We can get this. Go on in; we’ll be right up,” Maxton says. He’s already reaching in and grabbing bags.
“I can handle a few bags of groceries, Maxton,” I argue. I load up with bags and head into the apartment. I can hear him mumbling behind me as we go. The only words I can make out are stubborn and woman. I smile.
Brighton and Nicole follow him in, both loaded down with bags. “There are just a few more; we can get the rest,” Brighton says. He kisses Nic on the cheek and walks back out the door. She’s all smiles.
“He is so sweet,” she gushes.
I agree. “Yes, he is. I was surprised to see them here.”
“He does that, you know? Just kind of shows up. Yesterday, when I was leaving class, he was sitting in the parking lot. He knew I was done for the day, but he had to be at the bar. He just wanted to say hi. He also brought me a pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks.”
“I’m impressed,” I say as the guys walk in.
“About what?” Maxton asks. That man misses nothing.
“Oh, nothing. I was just telling her how Bright showed up after class yesterday.” She wraps her arms around his waist.