Cautious (Sequel to Disastrous) (15 page)

Not able to take it anymore, I needed to be in control. I rolled
us over so that I was on top and pounded my hips into hers. “Oh, God.” She
cried out and continued to whimper as I kept pounding into her. Her mouth
opened in anticipation as she began to pant heavily. “Marcus.” She called out
my name as she dug her nails into my shoulders. Her nipples peaked with desire,
and I sucked one into my mouth again, twirling my tongue around, tugging with my
teeth. Her body arched into mine. She cried my name out again and it made me
insane. I drove my hips into hers profusely, until neither of us could take it.
Before I knew it, her body convulsed beneath me. I tightened my grip on her hips
and jerked my hips into hers a few more times until I released hard and long
for the second time.

Breathless, I sank on top of her as I left kisses along her lips.
With worn-out eyes, Mia smiled and rolled her head side to side in pleasure. I
adjusted us so that she was lying beside me under my arm. We lay in silence as
our breathing and heartbeats steadied. I traced my fingers up and down Mia’s
arm, and before I knew it, she was sound asleep.

***

I abruptly awoke from a dream. Sitting up, I tried to
collect my thoughts. I couldn’t remember the damn dream, yet I woke with my
heart racing and my skin beaded in sweat. Frustrated, I stood from my bed and
headed toward the bathroom. I rinsed my face with cold water and took a quick
glance in the mirror. I couldn’t help the uneasiness I felt from the mysterious
forgotten dream
.
I shook it from my head and decided to grab a water bottle
from the fridge.

As I entered the kitchen, I froze when I saw my mother at the
table, her head slouched as she sniffed and whispered into the phone. “I told
you no. You can’t do this to me. You need to leave it
alone.
If either of
my boys find out . . .” She shook her head as she sniffed a few more times. I
stepped in closer and she looked up. Her eyes widened. She didn’t say another
word. Instead, she ended the call, hanging up on whoever was on the other line.

“What was that about?” I asked sternly.

Swallowing a lump from her throat, she rose from the chair.
“Marcus, what are you doing up?”

Ignoring her, I continued to question her. “Who was that on the
phone?”

“No one. Are you hungry? I can make you something to eat.”

“Are you going to pretend I didn’t just walk in on your
conversation?” She pressed her lips together and then headed toward the fridge.

“I can warm you up some leftovers or make you a sandwich. Which
do you prefer?” She pulled out containers from the fridge. “I hope you don’t
mind if I sleep over. The guests left a couple of hours ago, and I was
straightening things up so you wouldn’t wake up to a mess.”

“God damn it, Mom.” I spat out frustrated.

She twirled around and gave me a cold stare. “You watch your
mouth, Marcus. I’m still your mother.” She continued to stare at me until her
expression softened. Letting out a heavy sigh, she leaned against the door of
the fridge. “That conversation has nothing to do with you. I would appreciate it
if you can respect my privacy.”

“Interesting you say it has nothing to do with me, but whatever
that conversation was about, it was about something you didn’t want either
Jimmie or me to find out. Why is that?”

Angry, her breathing became heavier. “Drop it, Marcus. End of
discussion.”

I gave a curt nod and turned to leave, not remembering the reason
I entered the kitchen in the first place. Before exiting the door, I turned
around and said, “I’ll drop it for now, but I will find out what that
conversation was about.”

Her nostrils flared as she breathed out. I turned to head back
upstairs.

CHAPTER TWELVE

MIA

As I sat in class, my mind drifted. It’d been a few
days since Marcus’s surprise party, and since then, he’d been distant. I
couldn’t put my finger on it. I thought we had shared a special moment. The
next morning after the party, I woke to a note that said he had to run off.
That was three days ago, and since then, we hadn’t seen each other. He’d sent
me a quick reply to my text or was short over the phone. I couldn’t help but
think I was responsible for whatever was troubling him. Although it kept
pricking my mind, I pushed it aside and focused on the professor’s lecture in my
Ethics class.

As the class ended, I packed my laptop and textbook. I took a
quick glance at my phone, but there was still nothing from Marcus. Sighing, I
dialed my mother’s number and put the phone to my ear as I exited the room.
“Hello.” She answered on the second ring.

“Hi, Sara. Are we still meeting up for coffee?” I exited the building
and walked down the cobblestone pavement.

“Yes, I should be at the cafe shop in about ten minutes.”

“See you soon.”

As I entered the shop, I spotted an empty table by the far right
corner. I made my way there and settled in by placing my laptop bag and
textbook aside. Marcus tugged at my thoughts again, and I couldn’t help but
reach for my phone. Screw the waiting around; if he didn’t call me, I’d call
him. I needed to hear his voice, so I dialed his number.

“Marcus DeLuca. Leave a message.” The greeting for his voicemail answered
after the second ring. He ignored the call. My heart sank a little at that.
What could have been so important that he cut my call short? Not wanting to
think the worst, I assumed he must’ve been on a job and left it at that.

A beep after his greeting sounded, and I left a message, “Hi,
baby, I was just calling to check up on you. I hope you’re doing okay. I’m
having coffee with my mother in a bit.” Sighing, I finished off saying, “I miss
and love you. Call me tonight. Bye.” I tucked my phone in my pocket at the same
moment my mother approached.

“Hello, honey.” She reached in for a hug. With my arms wrapped
around her, I felt a sense of comfort. I always did when she was near. Sara
untangled herself from our embrace and sat in the chair across from me, smiling.
“Let’s grab our lattes and then catch up.” I nodded and we both stood and
headed toward the counter.

After we ordered, we sat back in our chairs. “So how was Marcus’s
surprise party? I’m sorry I couldn’t make it. I was needed at the office.” She
shook her head, annoyed, as she took a bite of a blueberry muffin.

“It was fine. I’m sorry you weren’t there, but I understand. It
was fun. He enjoyed himself and he was surprised. It was a good night.”

“Oh, I’m happy to hear that.” Brushing a strand of hair behind
her ear, she leaned back in her chair as her expression softened. “What’s
bothering you?” I looked up from my cup of latte with wide eyes. “Come on, Mia.
Spill the beans. I think I know you well enough by now to realize when
something is on your mind.”

Damn it. Was I always that predictable? She was right. I had
something on my mind and I couldn’t concentrate. I let out a deep breath and
caved in, telling her everything that I was feeling. I told her about how strange
Marcus had been acting the past few days and about the message I had just left
him. “I don’t know what’s going on with him. It’s frustrating.”

Her expression filled with compassion, and I was grateful she
didn’t think I was an over-possessive girlfriend. “Isn’t this week the
anniversary of his father’s death?” I nodded in response. “Well, maybe this is
his way of coping with it.”

“Maybe. I just wish he let me in on things like that. I want to
be there for him.”

“And you will. He’ll come to you when he’s ready, honey. Men
don’t like to be pressured into anything, especially when it comes to dealing
with their feelings. He’ll come to you when he’s ready.

She was right. I decided I should leave it alone. “You’re right,
thank you.”

“No problem, honey.” She reached for my hand and rubbed it as a way
to comfort me. “It’ll be fine. Hey, I’m going this weekend to visit my parents
in Philly. You should come. Megan and Jeremy are tagging along. And your
grandparents are dying to see you.”

Philadelphia? My grandparents? Was I really ready for that?

“I’m not sure. Can I get back to you on that?”

“Of course, we’re driving there. It was Megan’s idea. She thought
a five-hour road trip would be fun. Oh, that girl . . .” She rolled her eyes.
“I’m not sure what to do with her sometimes.” I laughed at that comment. Megan
could be a bit over the top.

We finished our lattes, leaned in for a hug, and said our good-byes.
She insisted on driving me home, but I wanted to walk to clear my head a bit.

During the entire walk, of course, my mind drifted toward Marcus and
the upcoming anniversary of his father’s death. Even after fifteen years, I was
sure it wasn’t easier. I knew how Marcus must feel. I lost my father when I was
only fourteen years old. I missed him every day. He had made such a huge impact
in my life. I wondered at times, if my father were alive, what his opinion would’ve
been of Marcus. My thoughts were intruded upon by the sound my phone ringing. Thinking
it may have been him, I quickly picked it up without looking at the screen.
“Hello?”

“Hey Mia, Megan and I are ordering Chinese tonight for dinner, is
that cool with you?”

Disappointed that it was Jeremy, I answered, “Yes, that’s fine.
Thank you.”

“I’m ordering our usual and Megan wants to add some fried
dumplings. You cool with that?”

“Yeah, that’s good.” After I agreed, we ended the call.

What the hell. I needed to listen to my mother’s advice and wait
for when Marcus was ready to talk, but if he wasn’t ready before the week was
over, I was definitely going to reach out to him. I could only take so much of
the growing distance between us.

When I arrived at the apartment, Jeremy and Megan were on the
couch, cuddling and watching TV. They had already ordered the Chinese food. I
told them I was going to get settled in before coming back out to eat with them.
I went into my room, put all of my things away, and then entered the bathroom. It
was just what I needed— a long hot shower to rid myself of the insecurities
planted in my head.

After forty minutes, I was dressed in sweats and a t-shirt, and
my hair was tossed up in a messy bun. When I left my room, I saw Megan and
Jeremy eating at the bar. I sat on a stool to join them. “How was school?”
Megan asked.

I groaned as I reached for a plate. “It was okay. I met with Sara
afterwards for coffee. How was your day?” I asked as I filled my plate with
steamed chicken and vegetables, white rice, and fried dumplings.

“It was good. Ooh, did she mention Philly this weekend?” I
responded with a nod. “Well, are you going? You should bring Marcus. Jeremy is
going.”

“I’m only going to judge the so-called famous cheesesteaks I’m
always hearing about.” Megan shot him a dirty look. “Also, to meet Megan’s
parents and grandparents, of course,” he added and then flashed a huge charming
smile.

I laughed and shook my head at Jeremy’s goofiness. “I’m still
thinking about it. I’ll let you know by tomorrow.”

Megan shrugged and dug into her plate. I played with my food due
to the lack of appetite as we continued to talk. “You want to hear something
funny?” Megan asked.

“Sure.” I answered as I sipped on water.

“Jeremy and I were out to dinner last night, and one of his
exes
approached our table. She asked how his
fiancée
was doing.”

I about choked on my water! Bursting into a laugh, I wiped a tear
from my eye. “Oh my God. Was it one of the girls I kicked out?”

“Oh, there was more than one?
Interesting
.” Megan turned
her eyes toward Jeremy.

Jeremy gave me a look before he charmed Megan. “There was. But
you’re
the
one.” He winked at her. She blushed at that, and I couldn’t
help but roll my eyes.

“You’re weak, Megan.”

Jeremy tossed a dumpling at me. “Dude, you’re supposed to be on
my side. Remember? Bros before hos?”

Megan and I burst out laughing even harder. He just shook his
head and continued to eat his food. As I tried to calm down from my laugh, my
cellphone rang from the bedroom. I hurried off the stool and practically ran
toward it. When I reached my room, I was shocked to see Theresa’s name on the
screen. “Hello?” I answered a bit out of breath.

“Mia?” Theresa’s voice cracked over the phone.

“What’s wrong, Theresa?”

“It’s Marcus.” She sniffed. My heart dropped and my knees buckled
in weakness. I knew something had to be wrong. Numerous thoughts flashed across
my mind.

“What happened? Is he hurt? Where are you? Where can I meet you?
Where is he?” I blurted out all the questions in one breath.

“No, no. He’s fine. Well, he’s not. Mia, he found out about my
secret.”

Relief rushed through me that he wasn’t hurt, but then fear crept
in just as quickly. “How did he find out? I promise I didn’t say a word,
Theresa.”

“I know. I know.” She took a few calming breaths before
continuing. “He overheard a conversation I had the night of his party. He
wouldn’t let it go. Over the last few days, he dug for information and asked
around until he had enough to question me. By that time, I couldn’t deny it. We
just had the biggest argument. He’s extremely angry. I’ve never seen him so
angry before. He stormed out of my house about forty minutes ago. He won’t
answer my calls. I don’t know what to do.” She burst into hard sobs. I couldn’t
take the pain. I wished I was there to comfort her.

My head snapped up at the sound of the doorbell. I hurried toward
the entryway of my bedroom. Peeking out, I watched as Megan looked through the
peephole. “It’s Marcus.” She yelled out as she reached to open the door.

“Theresa, he’s here. I’ll call you later, okay?”

“Okay, and, Mia, he doesn’t know that you know. I kept that from
him. This is my mess, not yours. I didn’t want him angry with you as well.” I
closed my eyes as another rush of relief ran through me. I quickly told her I
would keep her updated and tossed my phone on the bed. By the time I headed
toward the entryway of my bedroom, Marcus had stormed in and shut the door
behind him.