Chasing Fate (Dark Love 5)

“It’s a good movie, but not exactly memorable or worthy of repeating.”

Kate throws her hands up in the air, then pushes my arm, irritated by my response. “I don’t even know how to process that. You know what? The problem with men is their lack of emotions. Why can’t you guys just say how you feel in real time? Why do you have to act all butch and in the process, hurt the woman you love?”

The rant is uncalled for, and I feel somewhat attacked as she waits for a response, her face turning beet red from anger. I think the Valium has worn off.

“Okay, first… why are you looking at me that way? I’ve done nothing wrong here,” I remind her, trying to keep my cool not to anger the beast further. “Second… you need to eat.”

Her shoulders slump, defeated from the whole mess of trying to decode men’s behavior.

“Yes, father. But I don’t cook. You know, the whole living in a city of fine restaurants.”

“Takeout, baby.”

I order food, which arrives rather quickly. We continue to lay in bed eating and laughing. I notice the time, having not booked a return ticket but needing to get back home. If I can catch a flight out tomorrow, I will still make it back in time for work on Monday morning.

“Noah, you came all the way here,” Kate murmurs, digging her chopstick into the small takeout box but pausing while staring at the food. “No man has ever had my back like you.”

“Well, no one in my life has been a hot mess like you.” I smirk, lightening her mood to ease her guilt.

She slaps me softly before her face falls, and the realization kicks in. This whole thing with Dominic has affected her more than I realized. I’ve never been around a woman so vulnerable and exposed. Usually, I fuck them, then abandon the ship before it sinks around me.

“Hey, no more sad faces.”

I motion for her to come closer, wrapping my arms back around her. The smell of her strawberry scented hair reminding me of this soap my mom used to have in our bathroom. Reassuring her once again, I take a moment to just hold her without any words to ruin the moment.

“Why can’t it be easy?” she whispers. “You know, like what we have.”

“Because we’re special. A human experiment on how people should interact.”

I can feel her mouth widen against my chest, her smile unable to hide with my sarcastic response. We are easy, too easy. And slowly, the guilt of ignoring Kate the past week consumes me. Why do I have to choose?

“Noah, you should probably get back. I’m sure you want to spend time with Morgan.”

Morgan. I completely forgot. Fuck!

“Shit,” I mouth.

Kate pulls away, watching me dubiously. “You didn’t tell her you were coming?”

“I told her something came up.”

“Oh, bro,” she shakes her head with disappointment, “… such a rookie relationship mistake.”

“I’m not in a relationship,” I correct her. “We just fuc—”

“You fucked her?” Kate blurts out, shuffling away.

There’s a change in her expression.

Almost of hurt.

Why would she be hurt?

She’s the one pushing me toward her.

“Of course, you did.”

The two of us remain silent. I’m not sure what to say. In a split moment, things have become awkward, and to make matters worse, we’re lying in the same bed. It’s not exactly like I can go on continuing to ignore her.