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“She said she wasn’t really into him and that she’ll break things off…” I explain.
“Okay. Why are you calling?”
My dad knows me like the back of his hand.
“It’s Maya Jones,” I finally admit.
Ma explodes in cries of joy, and my father and I burst with laughter. My parents have long known about my soft spot for the youngest Jones daughter. Our families are close and I think they would have supported us. But we were too young back then. I was too young. Well, grown-ass Adam is ready to claim his woman.
Five
Home Sweet Home
Maya
One week. Seven entire days since my dinner with Adam, and not a call, a text, or a social media poke from the motherfucker! Nothing. The man has disappeared into thin air the same way he busted into my life.
I’ve debated with myself, Meeka and Amal a ridiculous number of times about contacting him, but it just doesn’t seem right. That wouldn’t sit well with my gut.
I was fine! Just living my life. I thought I’d forgotten all about that stupid boy with his soulful eyes. Thought he was nothing but a vague memory from my past. Some silly youth nostalgia. How could I have been so wrong? How did I fool myself into thinking I was over Adam? The second I saw him, it was like my heart came back to life after a long slumber, and the feeling has only kept growing stronger. His phone call sent a myriad of butterflies into full motion in my stomach. And our dinner was so much fun, so romantic, and crackling with the intensity of our mutual desire. Sitting across the table from Adam, so close that I could study all the changes on his face and body. Letting the deep bass of his voice fill my ears and vibrate through my chest. Laughing at his jokes, still amazed by this relaxed version of the closed-up kid from my memory. I started hoping. I let myself reopen a door I thought was sealed forever.
When Adam asked about Michael, I thought for sure he wanted to be with me. What an idiot! This guy never had any real interest in me, and now that he’s turned into some kind of player, I was probably just another girl he wanted to seduce.
I think I hate men. Not all of them. Michael’s a good guy. He just found himself entangled in my mess. I sigh deeply, mind filled with a combination of anger, self-loathing and sadness. I’m done wasting my time thinking of Adam… AGAIN. And I need to be honest with Michael.
***
“Just like that?” Michael asks in a glacial tone.
“Not just like that. It… I always had more friendship and affection for you than romantic feelings. I didn’t know if that would change, but we’ve been seeing each other for months now. So…”
Michael’s gaze is furious. His nostrils flare with the deep breaths he inhales. He clearly thinks I’ve been playing him.
“Well, we obviously were not on the same page. I was gonna introduce you to my family. Glad we had this talk now.”
I feel my eyes widen. What gave him the impression that our relationship had progressed to a meet with our families? I was always busy with work, not making much effort to see him…
“Again, I’m sorry. It was never my intention to lead you on.”
“It’s fine.” His lips pull up into a tight smile. “I wish you the best, Maya.”
“Thank you. You too, Michael.” I reply with earnestness.
He grants me a brief nod, then walks out of the small coffee-shop down my street. I sigh with relief, feeling lighter now that this is done, but I still have that knot in my stomach. The one from Adam’s disappearing act…
I’ll be okay. I got over him in the past, so I can do it again. Especially now that I’m not stuck in the same small town, school, or college as the rat bastard. My only concern is that he may be going home at the same time as me. So, I’m apprehensive about my vacation next week. But that’s silly. I’ll spend all my time with my parents, Amal and her family. Taking my nieces out and about, filling my belly with delicious home-cooked meals, there’s little chance I’ll even see Adam. It’s just one week, I’ll be fine! Uh-huh…
* * *
I’m standing outside our family home in Magnolia Point, chatting on the phone with Meeka.
“This is not okay, Meeka.” I tease her. “When was the last time we spent time together at home?” I whine, making her laugh-snort.
“We’ll come in a couple of months, when Mason is older. But for now, I’m not driving for hours with a newborn. No, ma’am. A trip to the store down the street is hard enough.”
I laugh.
“Okay, fine. Then, maybe I should come spend some time with you guys.”
