Out of Control (Losing Control Series Book 2) (9 page)

Chapter 13

Ethan

As much as I hated to, I loaded Gia’s things into the truck. If there was something I could do or say to get her to stay with me for even one or two more days, I wish I knew what it was. I kept thinking about Vince and what he’d said. He’d watched her walk away when she went to make her phone call.

“Hey, man,” I said to him. “Do you mind?” I didn’t like the way he was looking at her. I didn’t like it at all.

“What?” he said. “Oh, she’s like your girlfriend now?”

“Actually, yes, she is,” I told him and hoped it was true.

“Sorry. I must’ve mistaken her advances toward me the other morning. Good for you, man. She’s hot!” And he took off.
What the fuck was he talking about? When did he see Gia in the morning? What did she do that made him think she was making advances toward him?
Whenever he talked about women, it irritated the shit out of me. If he ever talks bad about Gia, he’ll wish he hadn’t.

I didn’t want to upset Gia by telling her what he’d said. I didn’t believe she’d done anything that would’ve made Vince think she was coming on to him. He was one of the best Entertainment Managers I knew, but the way he treated women made my stomach turn. It seemed like he always wanted to be in competition with me when it came to women, too. Every time he found out I slept with someone he’d go after them. It always bugged me but since I didn’t have actual relationships with them, I couldn’t say much.

I had to quit thinking about it. I didn’t want to let Vince get in the way of living in the moment with Gia.

I hopped in next to Gia and she leaned against me. Maybe I could pretend the truck won’t start or fake a heart attack to buy more time. Maybe if I started sobbing or begging she’d feel sorry for me and stay.
Wow, I’m really reaching here.
I knew we’d shared a lot of fun and had some intense emotional connections but I was afraid she’d get back into her life in the city and forget all that we’d shared. I couldn’t let that happen. I had to make sure I stayed as close to her as I could without smothering her.

I kissed her and asked a question I already knew the answer to. “Are you sure you have to go back today?”

“Yes, Ethan, I’m sure.”
Well it was worth a try.

I pulled onto the road and Gia seemed a little sad as she looked back and watched The Lock get further and further away. I was sad, too. As we drove I thought about how I’d felt on Friday when I saw Gia at the bar and knew she was going to be there all weekend. I knew I was going to meet her but I had no idea how fantastic she’d be or what a connection we’d have. She was physically, emotionally, and sexually the woman of my dreams.

I caught her staring at me. “Penny for your thoughts.”

She leaned her head against my arm. “I was just thinking about how awesome you are,” she said. It warmed me.

“Then why don’t we just turn around and go back to The Lock? You can stay with me. I’ll take care of you.” I wished so badly she’d say, ‘okay,’ and I’d be the happiest man in the world. But she didn’t.

She laughed. “I have a job and responsibilities. Besides, you can’t take care of me. I can’t even take care of myself.”

Didn’t she realize that was why she should stay? She wouldn’t have to have a job or responsibilities if she didn’t want them and I could get her some help so she
could
take care of herself emotionally. And I knew I could take care of all her other needs.

“Yes, I can take care of you. If you’d let me then I could prove it to you,” I told her.

She kissed me and hugged my waist. “I have some things I need to do. I’m going to get some counseling and deal with stuff like we talked about last night.” I was happy for that.

“That’s great, Gia. But you could do that and still stay with me.” I wanted to make sure she knew she had options. “I’m having separation anxiety if you can’t tell,” I admitted.

“I know you are and it’s really sweet. It’s hard for me too, but I’m trying not to think about it until I have to.”

“Okay, I’ll lay off. I just want to make sure you know you have options and I’m here for you no matter what you need. All you have to do is call and I’ll be there.” I squeezed her thigh and she snuggled against me.

“Now, what was your favorite part about the weekend?” I wanted to get all the information I could so I’d be able to line up some fun dates she wouldn’t be able to resist.

“Meeting you,” she said matter-of-factly.

I was hoping for some specific details, but how could I possibly be disappointed with that answer? “I’m glad about that,” I told her, “what else?”

“Hmmm…besides the unbelievable sex and orgasms?” She loved teasing me and I loved that.

“Yes, besides that.” I chuckled.

“I loved being carefree. Like I told you, The Lock has always been my escape. This weekend was no different. As soon as us girls started heading that way I made the transformation. But now, well, now I have to make the transformation back. And I guess that would be my least favorite part.” She sounded down.

“Why can’t you be that carefree person all the time? Why do you have to make that transformation at all? I don’t understand.” I knew she had things she didn’t want to tell me but since she didn’t have Lex holding her down anymore, why couldn’t she just live?

“It’s complicated, I guess.” She changed the subject. “I loved the sunrise and the sunset. I also loved the picnic and sitting on your countertop while you cooked for me. Oh, and the dancing and the music, that was nice. It was all really great and I’m looking forward to doing them all again with you, and more.”

“I loved all those things too. I’m also looking forward to future time with you, Gia, more than you know.”

We talked about the concert line-up for the summer and I was trying to get her to commit to coming every weekend but she wouldn’t. I knew it was a stretch but I was trying to make as many plans with her as I could.

We pulled onto Dana’s street and Gia pointed to a Camaro parked out front of a pretty decent house and told me to pull in behind it.
Shit, that must be hers.
I thought about how hot she must look in it.

“You really are a Chevy girl, aren’t you?” I remembered the comment she made that first night we met.

“Of course. Did you think that was just a line I was using to try to get you into bed?” I laughed. “Don’t laugh. It worked, didn’t it?” She laughed. She was such a flirt.

“Can I buy you some late lunch or early dinner?” she asked.

“No. But I’d like to buy you some.”

“Nope. Either I buy or I’m not going. You just fed me for three days and drove me back to the city, so it’s definitely my turn.”

“I don’t want to take turns,” I told her. “I want to take care of you.”

“Too bad,” she said as she hopped out of the truck.
She is stubborn!
“Follow me.” She slid her hot self into her hot car and I followed her. When we stopped at a light I watched as some guys were checking her out. She wasn’t paying any attention. She had the windows up all the way but you could still hear
Def Leppard,
which she had cranked up. She was in her own little world. I liked the fact she didn’t seem to care about anyone around her but it also made me feel a little sad that she seemed okay with being alone. I remembered what she’d said the other night when she thought I wanted to play cards with the guys, “I’m used to entertaining myself.” I didn’t want her to be alone anymore. I wanted her to be alive and happy.

I pulled up behind her in a little driveway next to a nice brick building that said,
Bridget’s Beauty Boutique
. The neighborhood seemed very nice. It was lined with little businesses and this looked like the only building with an apartment above it. I didn’t like the idea of Gia being alone here at night. I grabbed her things and met her at the door. I was happy to notice that her entrance was locked at the street and you had to ring the buzzer to gain access.

I followed her up the stairs. When we walked into her apartment I was impressed with the way it was decorated. There was every color under the rainbow and it was inviting and cozy. “This is really cool, Gia,” I told her. I noticed its neatness then and how every item had a perfect spot and the books, CDs and movies were lined up exactly perfect and in alphabetical order. “You’re a neat freak, aren’t you?” I had to add.

“I like to keep things organized, if that’s what you mean.” She was putting some things away.

“Yes. That’s what I meant. Did you decorate?” I loved the flow of it. There were pillows everywhere and it looked like no matter where you sat you’d be hugged by comfort. I felt better about her being alone after I’d seen her place. At least it was bright and cheery.

“Yes,” she said. I thought she had a real talent for it. “Do you want some iced tea or should we just go eat?”

“You did a really nice job, Gia. I’m going to use your bathroom and then let’s just go eat.” As I went down the little hall to the bathroom, I snuck a peek at her bedroom. It had plain white walls with nothing hanging on them. A small bed with one flat pillow and a plain light colored bedspread. There was a dresser along the big wall with nothing but a little jewelry box on it. That was it.
How could she have decorated her living, kitchen, and dining areas so brilliantly yet her bedroom looked more like a prison cell than a place you would actually chose to be?

I walked into the bathroom and it was beautiful. More colors, fluffy towels, expensive soaps, body washes, and perfumes. I didn’t understand. Maybe she hadn’t decorated her bedroom yet for some reason. Or maybe that’s how she wanted it. That thought made me feel so sad that I dismissed it immediately and convinced myself she just hadn’t gotten around to it yet.

***

Gia

We walked across the street to a little deli where I ate all the time. When we went in, Shane was working the counter. “Gia! Good to see you. Your usual?” he said. I nodded. Everyone who worked here knew me by name and most of them knew what I always ate. Shane had sat with me a couple of times when I’d come in during their slow time and visited while I ate. He was real sweet.

“What’s your usual?” Ethan asked me.

“Club on whole wheat, veggie salad, and a bottle of water,” Shane answered for me. I smiled at Ethan’s expression. I didn’t know if it was because of what my usual was or the fact that Shane answered for me, but the look on his face made me giggle.

“Make that two then,” Ethan said to Shane and I swiped my card before Ethan even knew what happened.

We sat at my favorite little two top right in front of the window where you could look up and see my apartment. Ethan took both of my hands and held them while we waited for our food. He was smiling and shaking his head at me.

“What?” I asked.

“Why’d you give me such a hard time about eating healthy?”

“It’s called flirting,” I said. “It’s when you have a crush on someone and you joke around and tease them. Kind of like what I’m doing to you right now.”

“I love when you flirt with me,” he said. “It makes me feel young again. Don’t ever stop.” He leaned over the table and kissed me.

Our food came and we flirted more while we ate. Then we walked down the street holding hands and I pointed out all the little businesses and different places I go. It was nice to share part of my little home with him. When we got back to my building and were just about to go up my stairway, I heard Bridget call my name and we turned around.

“How was your weekend, Gia?” she asked and then she saw Ethan. “Oh, hi, Ethan,” she gushed. “It’s been a while. How are you?” Ethan looked surprised to see her.

“Good, Bridget, how are you?” They shook hands. I let go of his other hand.

“Oh, I’m good. Busy, but good. I hear The Lock has some great concerts this year. My girlfriends and I are planning on coming up. Maybe we could get some more of those VIP passes you promised me?” She never took her eyes off him. It was like I wasn’t even there.
He promised her and her friends VIP passes?
I feel really stupid right now.

“Yeah, sure,” Ethan told her.

“Thank you, Ethan! See you soon.” She rushed into her salon.

I started up the stairs and Ethan followed me. I was picturing the two of them together and it was making me sick. My phone beeped. I had a message from Mr. Evans.
That was ironic
. He said that the building would be closed again tomorrow and didn’t know about the rest of the week yet. He was hoping to have more information soon and would let me know but asked me to send a companywide e-mail ASAP.

“Everything okay?” Ethan asked me.

“Yeah. I have some work I need to do for Mr. Evans,” I told him. “You should probably head back anyway.” I turned on my computer.

“Gia, I know you’re wondering about Bridget. It was nothing and it was a long time ago.”
Wow, is that what he’s going to say about me someday?