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She moved onto writing her number on Willie’s arm, and it looked like we both struck out tonight. Two beautiful girls running outside to the same man. I let out a loud sigh; Willie mirrored mine. I smacked his back guiding him back to our faithful table.
“Bizarre, right?” I began.
“Fuck, dude. Eve is so hot. Finally, someone matches my crazy.” This lovable bonehead looked smitten as he watched Eve leave.
“Yeah, you can say that again.” I laughed, chalking off my pool stick to go another round.
“Fuck you.” He scowled.
“Ah, you know I mean that with love, Romeo.” I chuckled, hitting my stripe into its pocket. “You seem to know her both inside and out.” Willie’s eyes were as wide as the balls on the table.
“More fun than you two!” He scoffed. “You and Julia looked more like study buddies, chatting away.”
“You’re right,” I replied, popping another stripe into a pocket, “I should of just fucked her on the table.” I smiled. “But then Eve would have seen what she’s missing, and probably would have wanted to join.” Willie laughed, absorbing the sting, but letting the image sink into his delayed thoughts.
“Hey!” He shouted, realizing the visual. It made me laugh. As he walked away, I goosed him with the pool stick. “You better call her.” He pointed at my arm, scurrying out of my way. It was the most ink I’d ever had on me, popping out like an odd tattoo.
“If it’s there after my shower, I’ll consider it.” I acted tough, but already planned on avoiding water as much as possible. Still, after tonight, I wasn’t sure if it was the best move. “What about Mr. Barney shoes, the ones with the barf? Think he would mind?”
“Weird, shoes named after that purple dinosaur?” Willie was clueless. “That’s kids’ stuff, she needs a man.” He was right and wrong at the same time. She needed a man, and that thought tempted me the rest of the night.
* * *
I woke up groggy the following morning, exhausted from my and Willie’s late night. My arm was slung over my bed, and the moment my eyes opened, I was reminded of Julia, of our fleeting moment. Her soft lips pressed upon mine last night as she tugged firmly on my hair. Her kiss was needy, but not desperate.
I was not sure if this was all just a game. I mean, she was engaged. I would never have guessed.
All I could think of was her eyes and how they locked onto mine. Such a deep dark green. Emerald pools, hypnotizing me to her body. There was something there. If nothing else, the need to touch her, to be inside her was strong.
I slipped into my pants with a big hop and zipped up. I saw Julia’s number staring right back at me when I faced the mirror; my arm covered in the scratchings of black ink. My phone silently collected dust on my dresser.
Tempting.
Would Julia remember our hot moment? Was it a good idea to message her? Maybe she’d freak about Eve giving me such a personal detail of herself. I was sure Eve would have clued her in by now. But Eve’s words, I couldn’t shake them.She needs you now more than ever.The message was as clear as a bell.
I left my phone alone, contemplating the choice to call while cooking a ham and cheese omelet. Anytime I made this back at the firehouse, the men fought over who’d have the first omelet. Willie normally gave me shit about cooking when a rookie could be doing it for us, but cooking was something I picked up over the last year to relieve stress. I wasn’t half bad either.
Quiet mornings like these were only filled with thoughts, that and the sound of popping hot eggs. It’s easy to be so introspective while alone, and I found myself back again to the place I visited often in my mind. The pale ring line on my finger has almost faded completely, reminding me of the woman I once loved and lost. I couldn’t believe it had been three years.
Fuck. Seemed like ages ago now; far from the time where I used to drink myself to death or purposely pick fights to feel the pain of a punch. Anything to numb her absence from my life. I just couldn’t do it anymore—the drinking and fighting were killing me, in more ways than one.
I’d never even bothered to look at another girl until now — Julia. Never was it a thought that I’d meet a girl at a bar, let alone an engaged one that I was tempted to steal away. Something told me with the free spirit I saw last night, she’s not interested in anything other than exploring the world on her own.
Winston barked while I cooked. I glanced down at his begging eyes. He loved ham.
“You want this huh, Winston?” He barked and nodded yes; his tail wagged so furiously his bum shook. “All right, one piece.” I tossed a healthy size of sliced ham, and he jumped to catch it. This dog saved my life, so naturally spoiling the shit outta him made sense.
I placed my omelet onto a plate and cut into it with my fork; the steam rose up, and the smell of cheese and meat twisted together into the perfect scent that made my mouth water.
After breakfast, I laid on my bed, throwing one of Winston’s old toy balls above my head, thinking of what to do. I reached for my phone, but it surprised me, vibrating off my dresser from a message. Shit.
Willie: Yo bud Eve wants to know if you’re gonna be texting Julia?
Nathan: wow how fast she’s got your balls tied in between her fingers
Willie: shut the fuck up dude. Obviously Julia has a thing for you
Nathan: It’s complicated, don’t you think?
