Duke glances at Rob and me. “Do you know when he’ll be back? A few years ago I reached out to him, but it was no use.”
“I don’t know when he’ll be back. I actually told him that maybe one day he could come with me to visit you guys in Long Island. He wasn’t too thrilled about it.”
Rob huffs. “He’s still got a lot of anger inside after all these years, hence his fighting. My firm actually signed him on as a client because he kept getting into trouble, in and out of the ring. I’m keeping him out of jail 24/7.”
We continue to eat our meal, talking about the good times in high school. Raya keeps quiet throughout most of the conversation, only because it’s still emotional for her. It’s only been four years since she was saved and frankly her abuse started way before she was taken. High school was not easy for her and none of us even knew about it at the time. She kept everything a secret: the abuse, the alcohol, her murderous stepfather. I know for a fact her weekly therapy sessions help. She’s come a long way these past few years and I admire her for it. Her courage and determination is so profound and exhilarating. I can only imagine what she’s been through.
Raya helps me wash up the kitchen while Rob and Duke chill in the living room. “So, what was that look on your face that I saw earlier? Something about being preoccupied?”
“You saw that huh?”
“Yeah. Spill.”
Raya listens as I tell her everything about Easton, from the moment we ran into each other at Fusion to the all night dancing, the make out session by the bathroom, and the mind blowing sex. I divulge stories about that moment in the stairwell at the hospital and our daily sexcapades. Her face lights up with curiosity and concern all at once. She listens attentively as I talk about my concerns about Easton and what kind of relationship we have—or as Gia would call it, being fuck buddies. After I finish my spiel, she takes it all in. “So, do you want to take things further with him? Be a couple?”
I stare out, diving deep within to determine what I really want. After deciding, I glance at her with a smile. “Yes.”
Melanie
“I LOVE SEEING YOU NAKED.”
I smile as Easton trails kisses down my neck. Moans escape me as his kisses of pleasure soothe and tingle my body. He’s been here at my apartment for the last two hours and we have yet to leave the bed. I glance outside at the moonlit Manhattan streets and gaze into the darkened sky. Sounds from outside echo throughout the bedroom, bouncing off the walls. Car horns beep at one another, dogs bark in the distance, and a faint sound of someone playing the strings of a guitar trickles in. I love this city. It truly never sleeps. Glancing at the clock, it reads two AM.
As his soft kisses continue their path I whisper, “You don’t have to leave.”
He stops kissing and looks at me. “What do you mean? Like staying the night?”
I reach over and run my fingers through his hair. “Yeah, it’s already late. You don’t have to rush out.”
He lifts his head, looking at the clock. “What time is it anyway?” In an instant, he lets go of me and jumps out of bed, looking for his clothes on the floor. “Shit, I gotta go!”
Sitting up, the sheet falls off my chest, exposing my breasts. I grab the sheet to cover myself. In a weird way, I don’t want him to see me right now. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, I just have to…uh–I gotta go.” He rolls his t-shirt on, slides on his boxer briefs, and grabs his jeans off the floor. Pulling them on, he scavenges the floor for his sneakers. I reach out and touch his arm. “Why the rush? I kind of wanted to talk to you about something.”
He smiles, giving me a quick peck on the lips. “Promise we’ll talk soon, but I can’t stay tonight.”
“Okay, I can come over to your place tomorrow.”
As he bends to tie his sneakers, he hesitates. “Actually, I’m in the middle of packing all my shit up for the move. My place is a disaster right now.”
“You’re moving? Where?”
He loops his laces together and bends down to kiss my lips. “Sorry, I’ll see you at work.”
“But wait—”
With that, he grabs his jacket and races out of the room. Seconds later, I hear the front door slam shut. What the hell?
I hold on to the sheet, covering my naked body as I stand up and glance out my bedroom window. I notice Easton racing out of the building, crossing the street, and walking briskly toward the subway entrance. In a matter of seconds, he’s out of sight.
This is the first time he’s left my apartment so abruptly. I settle back on the bed and think about our last times together. For the past two weeks, he’s only been at my place. I haven’t been to his in about a month. Maybe he really is moving. But, that wouldn’t matter, would it?
Usually he’ll stay at my place for a little bit after we have sex. We’ll talk, have a few drinks, and then go for round two, but lately he’s been leaving right after, always ready to go back to his place. Racking my brain, I try to give him the benefit of the doubt, but there’s an inkling inside of knowing full well that he’s avoiding me, and I want to know why.
******
The aroma of the fresh ground coffee permeates the apartment as it’s brewed. I sit on the sofa, watching the morning news and waiting patiently for my warm cup. I glance at my phone, wondering if Gia is awake. It’s only eight in the morning; I doubt she’s up. Hoping she is, I grab my phone and send a text.