Four Fun (Four)

And then he stops.

I’m like a balloon that’s been deflated, or a dog that’s been put outside on a cold night. I’m lost for a moment, so maybe I should be grateful that Marcos is helping me get off of his lap, but I don’t want to go. I want more of what I just had.

How did I ever think Marcos was cold? That kiss told me something very different.

“Whoo, what a kiss!” Khalil says. He’s making a joke out of fanning himself, and he quickly brings me back to reality. “Did you see that, Shane?” Khalil asks.

Shane is muttering under his breath as he rises from his chair. “What the fuck,” he says as he passes by me on his way toward the hall that leads to his room.

“Why do you have to provoke him, Khalil?” Devin asks, getting to his feet as well.

Khalil comes over and puts his arm around me as I stand awkwardly in the center of the room. “I’m sorry, Becca. I know I shouldn’t have put you in the middle of things.”

I step away from his embrace. “No, you shouldn’t have. I don’t want to be the cause of problems between all of you.”

His expression has turned contrite, and he seems sincere. “You’re not causing any problems. Sometimes I just can’t help poking at Shane. He takes himself far too seriously. But I shouldn’t have involved you.” He gives me an endearing smile. “Do you forgive me?”

“It really wasn’t cool,” I say, not wanting to let him off the hook so easily, but still too stunned by Marcos’s kiss to think about anything very clearly.

“I’m going to bed,” I announce to the room before making my exit. I really need to find an apartment soon. This situation is not sustainable for so many reasons.

23

Sparks

As if my prayers were answered, the next morning I find two new rental listings. One of them is on Four Points; the other is close enough to be a feasible option.

I speed through my shower, wanting to get to the properties early enough to have first dibs. The men have already gone to work, except for Marcos, who’s working in the home office today.

“I’m taking off,” I say, leaning into his doorway, not quite meeting his eyes because I’m still trying to process last night’s kiss.

He nods silently and points to the screen in front of him, and I realize a woman is talking. I didn’t know he was on a video call, and I feel bad for interrupting him.

Outside, the air is still cool and the sky is free of clouds. It looks like it’s going to be a beautiful day, and my already hopeful mood turns even brighter. I toss my purse onto the passenger seat, set my keychain in the console, push the button for ignition, and … nothing.

There’s an initial click, as if the car tries to do something, but nothing happens. Repeated attempts yield no response at all. I know the gas tank isn’t empty because I filled it up before work yesterday, so it must be the battery. At least, I hope it’s the battery and not something even more expensive.

I grab my purse and keys and head toward the house, but then I remember that Marcos is on a call. I’ll need to wait until he’s free to ask for a jumpstart, and who knows how long that will take. Meanwhile, two potentially perfect apartment listings are out there, open for others who might be interested.

I lean against the car’s hood and pull out my phone, debating about arranging for a rideshare, and wondering if it will fit into my budget, assuming that I’m also going to have to replace my old battery.

The sky may be clear, but there’s apparently still a dark cloud following me around, because I cannot catch a break.

I’m about to put in the order for a ride when the front door of the house opens and Marcos steps out. “Everything okay?”

“My car won’t start. I think it’s the battery.”

“I can give you a jump. Where are you headed?”

It’s not like Marcos to make extra conversation, so I assume he’s asking for a reason. “Two new rental listings showed up today. I’m trying to get to them early.”

“How far away are they? After I jumpstart your battery, you’ll need to keep your engine running for at least half an hour. Preferably driving, not just idling.”

I bite my bottom lip. “One’s on Four Points; the other’s even closer.”

“Why don’t you take my truck, and we can do the jump when you get back? Can you drive a stick?”

I frown and shake my head.

“I’ll drive you, then,” he says. “Be right back.” Before I can object, he disappears inside the house.

He’s not gone long, but in the minute or so that I wait for him, my nerves build. The idea of sitting next to him, closed inside a vehicle, brings up a mixture of emotions.