A Tale of Two Pretties (9 page)

Fifteen

Van Mayer Department Store

Friday

7:51 PM

Mac

I went from day shifts for weeks on end to getting saddled with at least a week of night shifts. The only perk was that the job was mindless. Folding clothes was mechanical, requiring almost no brain effort. And after spending the last few days writing, staring at the damn computer screen, willing the words out, I found the new job kind of relaxing.

I always wanted to write. Of course, when I was in high school, I wrote love poems and my own song lyrics, but even in college, I kept a writing journal, a place to keep my thoughts. It was my own personal safe zone. Publishing a book was a much bigger deal than just journaling, but I was ready to take the next step. I wasn’t a huge fan of B-Rad, but he was wiser than he looked. Our conversation last week about moving forward to the next chapter of life stuck with me. I found myself surprised that he and I had anything in common, and I was even more shocked when his wisdom showed through. I was sort of in awe of him.

I tried not to let myself get my hopes too high, but I was hopeful about the books Darcy and I were writing. Realistically, I knew we wouldn’t make any money, but the truth was, getting excited about a book I’d written was easier than staying calm about it. Acting nonchalant was like my life-motto, but with my book… Every passing chapter had me more on edge, more stoked to make my mark on the world. Even if only one person read my writing, I would be happy. Well, that’s what I told myself, anyway. And the book was almost done already, which was a definite plus.

I felt a buzz in my pocket. I glanced around before I pulled it out. There were no customers in the section, and I saw my manager far across the store. I decided to go ahead and text. It wasn’t as if I was a cashier.

B-Rad:
My buddy said yes for hog-sitting. He’s gonna do it for free, too.

Me:
Who is this?

I knew who it was; Darcy gave me his number last night, for
emergencies
, she said.

B-Rad:
Seriously? It’s B-Rad.

Me:
I know. What’s up? Lol

B-Rad:
You’re so mean-sprited.

Me:
Sprited? Last time I checked, I was a woman, not a sprite.

B-Rad:
F-you. It was a type-o, obviously.

Me:
hahaha You don’t wanna F-me… You want to F-Darcy.

B-Rad:
So what if I do?

Me:
Go for it.

B-Rad:
Yeah, right. Anyway… My buddy is gonna come to your apartment next Friday morning so you can give him the ‘tour’ and show him Spiky Satan.

Me:
Stop calling Heath that! He’s totally lovable.

B-Rad:
Mmhmm… Sure he is. Just keep him away from me.

Me:
Will do. How are you going to live without Darcy for a whole weekend?

B-Rad:
Lots and lots of masturbation!!!

Me:
You are so gross. Back to work. Ttyl.

I tucked my phone back into my pocket and resumed folding the junior tees. I remembered when I could get away with the cutesy clothes… A long ass time ago.

The manager appeared, letting me know I was needed in the children’s section. I groaned inwardly, but kept my face smiling. At work, everyone thought I was all sunshine and rainbows, but in reality, I was a mega-bitch. Being two people kept me balanced, though. I took the escalator up to the third floor and promptly ran into a table.

Instead of remaining upright, I tumbled over the table, flat on my face. I closed my eyes and rolled to my back with a groan. When I opened my eyes, there were several people standing around me, peering down at my tangled limbs.
Fuck.

“Are you alright?” An older woman on my left asked, concerned.

“Just peachy. I swear, I could break sand,” I muttered, which elicited a few chuckles from the moms around me. Obviously, they had similar children.

One of my co-workers, a guy in his mid-thirties and graying hair, helped me up and walked me over to the bathrooms. He looked me over and proclaimed I was fine.

“Right as rain,” I agreed.

He offered to walk me to my section, but I told him that wasn’t necessary. I made my way, ever-so-cautiously, to the newborn section. I sighed when I saw how messed up the stand was. People were pains in the ass. They just
had
to undo every single onesie to see how cute it was. So annoying.

With a deep breath, I dug into the pile to start re-folding and organizing the stand. An hour later, the manager walked over to let me know it was my break. Instead of meandering through the mall, I made my way to the ladies lounge, the sitting room of which was larger than my apartment. It also sported nice furniture. The couches were gorgeous and comfy, so I took a seat. The area would be a perfect spot for writing, actually.

I would have to remember to tell Darcy about it, so we could come work in the ladies lounge together. There were even outlets so we could plug in our laptops. It was kind of perfect.

With nothing to eat, I pulled my phone out again. No messages, so I clicked my Facebook app. Nothing but drama filled my newsfeed. I was so sick of it all. I wanted to unfriend everyone and start fresh.

I scrolled through the feed for a full ten minutes before I came across something that caught my eye.

Darcy Pepper and Preston Bentley are now friends.

What! She was a bitch for being his friend. Well, maybe that was harsh. She wasn’t a
bitch
, per se. But she was definitely on my list. How dare she think it was acceptable to friend the guy I despised? Well, sort of despised. Mostly, I was afraid of how well he could manipulate my emotions. Pete did that shit, which is how I ended up letting him walk all over me. I didn’t need another man like that.

I clicked on Preston’s name, stalking his profile page. He didn’t post often, but one post in particular had me fuming.

Can’t stop thinking about a girl I met tonight. Don’t even know her name, but it doesn’t matter. I have to see her again…

Who the hell wrote statuses like that? It was unnerving, especially since it was timed and dated the same night we almost made-out, just after I left him downstairs. Was he as affected as I was? Because I couldn’t stop thinking about him, no matter how much I told myself to stop. Thoughts of him consumed me. Even when I was writing, I’d slip into daydreams about him, wondering what it would be like to actually kiss him. I bet his tongue would be soft and hot against my own, our mouths dueling passionately.

Snap out of it, Mac!
I scolded myself. Between working and writing, and still trying to figure out what the hell to do with the rest of my life, I didn’t have time for a man, especially not one like Preston. He was bad news. I could feel it.

Willing myself not to think about him, I pulled a notebook out of my purse, intent to write some notes for my story while I was on break. Instead, I jotted down some lyrics to a song that popped into my head. Hopefully, the writing thing would work out.

***

Sixteen

Darcy and Mac’s apartment

Friday

8:00 PM

Darcy

The only good thing about Mac working nights was that without her at home I could finally get back into doing yoga. And with as stressed out as I was about money, I needed something to take my mind off things.

I put on a tank top and some yoga pants and laid a blanket out on the floor. I usually just used the mats at the gym, but since I no longer had a gym membership, the small apartment would have to do. I breathed in
lotus
position for a while before getting into some simple stretches.

The more I cleared my mind and stretched, the better I felt. Like all my worries went away as I moved. I bent down into a downward facing dog position when the door opened behind me.

“Whoa, hello, that’s a nice way to greet me,” Brad said.

I turned toward him, moving into eagle pose. “I thought you were still working?”

“I was, but I thought I’d come up and see you. I just didn’t expect you to be doing whatever this is.” He tilted his head, his eyes roaming over my body. It made me acutely aware of myself, so I bent away, trying to avoid his eyes.

“It’s called yoga. It relaxes me.”

“Think I can get in on that? I could definitely use some de-stressing.”

I sat in lotus position. “You want to do yoga?”

He shrugged. “Sure, why not? If you’re into it, I could get used to it.”

I stood up. “Well, I guess there is couples yoga and we could try that.”

“Oh, so now you’re calling us a couple?” He raised his eyebrows.

I rolled my eyes and took his hands, pulling him toward the blanket. “No, I mean, not exactly. It’s just the term for a guy and a girl doing yoga together.

“If it involves you bending like that then I’m definitely down for it.”

“Oh my God! Shut up!” I hit his arm and he caught my hand, brushing his lips against my knuckles.

“You know I like to tease you, but really, come on. Let’s do this.” He kicked off his flip flops.

“Uh, it might actually be easier if you took your shirt off too. Less loose clothing to get in the way,” I said, trying not to stutter.

He grinned, stepping back and pulling his shirt off before tossing it on my couch. “I knew you were just trying to get me naked.”

“If I wanted to get you naked I would have just asked.” I stuck my fingers in the waistband of his jeans and pulled him closer, biting my bottom lip.

“I like it when you’re kind of forceful with me.”

“I’ve got moves you haven’t even seen. You may have the dirty talk thing down, but you’ve got nothing on my yoga positions.”

“Yeah?” He raised an eyebrow. “Prove it.”

“Okay. Lie down on your back.”

“Already getting me on my back? I like it.” He kissed me lightly.

“None of that yet. First on your back.” I shook my head, pulling back slightly.

“Aye, aye, captain.” He mock saluted me before laying down on the blanket, his hands behind his head. The view of him spread out gave me a better look at all of his tattoos. He had so many, from the chest piece to the full sleeve and of course the crosses that always taunted me, just poking out of the top of his jeans. All the guys I usually dated were extremely clean cut and didn’t have tattoos or piercings or anything remotely interesting about them. They were all the same cardboard cutouts. But Brad was definitely different than anyone else I’d ever been with.

“Okay, are you ready?” I asked, standing at the other end of the blanket.

“Lay it on me, Peach. Or lay on me. Whichever you’d like.”

I crouched down and lowered my body until I was practically sitting on his sternum with my legs on either side of him. “Okay, now grab onto my waist so you can help support me.”

“I’m liking the view already.” He did as he was told, his hands clasped on my hips.

“You ain’t seen nothing yet. Just hold on.” I put my hands down, splaying my fingers on each side of his head, right above his shoulders, and hopped up, flipping so that my legs were straight in the air, doing a complete handstand with his hands still firmly gripped on my waist.

My lips hovered just above his and I didn’t even strain as I whispered. “How’s this?”

I arched my back and curled my legs in to the back of my knee.

“Really fucking hot,” he said into my lips.

I smiled and pressed my back against the bed for extra support before I ran my tongue along his bottom lip. He pulled me closer and kissed me fully, making my whole body shiver. I had to drop my feet to the bed so I didn’t lose my balance as he moaned into my mouth, causing everything between my legs to heat up. I never thought of yoga being so hot, but with Brad it was a whole new mind blowing thing.

I broke the kiss, since I felt myself wobble and flipped off the bed so that I was sitting on his stomach. “How about another move?”

“Definitely,” he said, the grin so wide on his face I thought it might split.

“Okay, put your legs up,” I instructed.

“Like I had yours the other night?” he teased.

I swatted his chest. “Not like that. Just bend your knees and put your feet up.”

“Fine.” He groaned and I stood up.

“Wait, where are you going?” he asked, his eyes widening with worry.

“Just trust me, okay?”

“You know I do.” His eyes met mine and I had to look away. No one trusted me like he did and I was constantly taking advantage of him. Even though he really did seem to enjoy it.

“Okay. I’m going to crouch down now.” I bent down at the end of his legs with my back to him and kept my hands on the floor beside me for support. “Now put your feet on my lower back and slowly lift up.”

He did as he was instructed and I went airborne, arching my back and stretching my legs as soon as his were completely straight. I then curled my right leg in, pointing my toes toward my knee.

“The view from here is great. Too bad you weren’t facing me,” he said, his voice barely strained. Maybe he wasn’t such a bad yoga partner after all if he could do the moves without much effort.

“You’re such a perv.”

“Only for you, Peach.”

The door opened and Mac stood there, her mouth gaping open. “What the fuck are you guys doing?”

“Yoga,” I said, trying not to speak too loudly or I was afraid Brad might drop me.

“This looks a lot more sexual,” she quipped, closing the door and dropping her purse on her bed.

I pushed my feet forward and stood up, stretching my arms over my head. “It’s just a relaxation thing. I thought you were working late.”

“It is late. I’m so ready to just pass out, but if you guys want to keep doing whatever it is you’re doing, you can go to B-Rad’s. He has way more space.”

Brad stood up and put his shirt back on. “Naw, I should probably get going anyway. Don’t want to mess up the roommate dynamic or anything. See you ladies around.”

“Bye, B-Rad,” I said, doing a one finger wave.

“Laters, B,” Mac said.

As soon as Brad was out the door Mac spun around and arched an eyebrow at me. “Are you sure there’s nothing going on between you two?”

I rolled my eyes. “Seriously. I was doing yoga and he asked if he could join, so I thought ‘why the hell not?’”

She shook her head. “I’m glad that’s all it was because whatever his giant boner was saying, I’m never going to be able to get that mental image out of my head.”

I widened my eyes. “Were you seriously staring at his dick?”

“Kind of hard not to when the dude always has a boner for you.”

“Shut up! He does not.”

She groaned. “Okay, whatever you say.”

I shook my head, biting my lip. Part of me wanted to tell Mac everything about me and Brad, but a bigger part of me didn’t want to ruin anything. Not with our friendship or with whatever was going on with me and Brad. For now it just had to stay what it was. Whatever
that
was...

***