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“You really, really like her. I thought it was just a sexual thing, but nooooo. You seriously like her.”
“She’s nice,” I shrugged and pulled the door open, disappearing into my house.
“Dude, she likes you too.” He let the chair fall and then walked in behind me.
“I doubt that very seriously. We have had exactly two,” I held up two fingers and shoved them toward him. “Two conversations that didn't involve shouting. She isn't into me like that.”
“Did you not notice how red her face got when you asked about the sheets?” Ryan cocked his head.
I had noticed, but I didn't think it was because of me. “No, not really. I figured it was because you had made yourself at home on her bed.”
“No, she expects that shit from me,” he admitted.
“It isn't like that, so stop trying to make it like that, okay?”
“Aye, Aye, captain. Whatever you say. Just don't miss something great while you're out here trying to prove me wrong.” He slapped me on the shoulder. “Put the rest of the beer in the fridge for the weekend, okay?” He pointed to the cooler. “I’ll see ya tomorrow. Think about what I said,” he added, and then I pushed him out the door and shut it.
“Be that way!” he called out before I heard his truck start up and then slowly grumble down the driveway.
I walked to fridge with the cooler and put all of the bottles in but one. I thought about how the warmth of her body felt when I had walked up behind her to place the pitcher for her. The memory of her flinching slightly when she felt me rippled through me. Knowing that I wanted her wasn't the issue. Figuring out how to want her was.
I’ve never been the kind to flaunt my sexuality, unlike Ryan. I wanted something with substance, something real. Unfortunately, most women treated me as if I were like Ryan. You’d think after all this time, they’d realize I’m not like him at all. Over the years, I’ve slept with a few, but my numbers were not even in the same ballpark as Ryan.
My phone rang as I shut the door to the fridge. I reached into my pocket and pulled it out. Ryan.
“Hello?”
“Dude, if you don't try to figure out how to make that girl yours—” I hung up on him.
He immediately called back, and I sent it to voicemail. It rang again and again until I answered.
“Seriously man, are you a fifteen-year-old girl?” I huffed into the phone.
“Nope, but you are acting like a twelve-year-old boy who really likes a girl. The only thing you haven't done is hit her or throw rocks at her.”
“What’s your point?” I dropped into my leather chair throwing my legs up on the ottoman.
“That you’re stupid. Like really, really stupid. That girl is ripe for the picking, and you're so in your head about everything that you can’t even see it. I get the competition schedule is hard and you’re all focused and shit, and I know you’re gonna say it has caused trouble in the past, but this girl... this girl isn't the same kind of girl. She is made to compliment you. I just don't want you to miss something that may be the best thing for you, is all.”
“When exactly did you grow a vagina?” I laughed.
“Yeah, yeah. I love ya, man. You’re my brother, and ya know it. I just want what's best for you.”
“Says the one that has never had a real relationship?”
“I guess I'm not good at those, but you are. What I’m good at is cutting some wood. What time are we leaving Wednesday?”
“Six.”
“Okay. I’ll let this go. For now. See ya in the morning.”
Popping a top on the bottle I pulled from the fridge, I leaned my head on the back of the chair and thought about what Ryan had said. Shaking my head, I finished the beer, got up, and tossed it on the recycling bin in the kitchen. Then, I climbed the stairs and headed to bed.
***
I stretched my arms over my head peaking my eyes open to the darkness outside. It was just after five a.m., and I needed to get that table finished before Ryan got here around nine. I’d gotten the news a few days before that the furniture company decided to hold off on a contract until after competition season when I was in a place I could produce several pieces a month for them. I only hoped they didn’t change their minds between now and then.
I got dressed, made my way to the kitchen, drank my protein shake quickly, and headed out to the shop. I’d been there about fifteen minutes when I was interrupted.
