I finally got to her exit and drove slowly down the side streets leading to her house. I parked across the street from the two family house where she lived. Once I looked up into her second floor window, I really started to freak out.
CHAPTER 15
ALLISON
Be certain to take your vitamins, as this is your low point of the month, my Gemini friend. It is a good day to curl up with your favorite book or video, sip herbal tea and avoid the world. Tomorrow brings new energy.
I couldn’t believe this was happening. Cedric was coming over…on Christmas night. We would be alone. This was so dangerous, but I was not about to stop it.
I didn’t care about his girlfriend right now. And why wasn’t he with her tonight anyway? The consequences of this couldn’t compete with the uncontrollable desire I had to see him. I just wanted to look into those beautiful blue eyes tonight. I wanted nothing more than to get lost in them and forget about the despair of being alone on Christmas without my mother.
Dinner with Danny and Paolo had been good. They actually invited a few other nice people and put together a Mexican buffet-style menu. Danny knows that Mexican is my favorite type of food.
But seeing Danny and Paolo all over each other and so in love only reminded me what I am lacking. I ended up making up a story about not feeling well and leaving early, because I wanted to go home.
Soon after I got in, I kicked off my shoes, went straight to bed and laid down staring at the ceiling.
A few minutes later, my phone startled me when the text came in.
Merry Christmas, Allison.
It was a Merry Christmas…now.
I needed to look better than ever before. After our texting exchange ended and I knew Cedric was coming over, I sprung up and ran to the bathroom. I tied my hair up while I showered, careful not to get it wet, because there would be no time to wash and style it before he arrived.
As I stepped out of the shower, I sprayed myself with a Victoria’s Secret fruity scent and walked over to the closet. I could not decide what to wear. I put on a cream colored lacy bra and matching thong…just to feel sexy. I wouldn’t be going there of course, tonight…would I? Clearly, I didn’t trust myself, or else I would have chosen the more comfortable granny panties.
I then picked an emerald green cotton fitted v-neck shirt and tight dark blue skinny jeans. I threw black leather high-heeled boots over the jeans and finished the look off by brushing my long hair, leaving it down. I gave myself a smoky eye and put some light gloss on my lips, puckering in the mirror. I had to admit; I looked pretty good for someone who was about to tur
n in for the night twenty minutes ago.
I went to the kitchen and took a bottle of cold Chardonnay out of the fridge. I hadn’t had too much to drink at Danny’s because I was taking the train home and didn’t want to be drunk and vulnerable on public transportation. So, I decided to pour a glass now to help loosen me up.
I suddenly started to get really nervous. I didn’t wonder if something was going to happen tonight…. I knew deep down, it would.
The only thing keeping us from each other last time was the fact that Callie was in the room. I could tell by the way he was looking at me that night and by the way he made me feel, that had we been alone, something more would have happened. And that scared me. Knowing what he later texted me that night…that I was beautiful…confirmed what I already knew in my heart. He wanted me. I wanted him. It was the reason I ran.
I figured I should have some kind of food to offer him when he got here, so I quickly put together a fruit plate since I had just stocked up at the market yesterday. I also cut some Cracker Barrel cheese onto Ritz crackers and arranged them on a plate. I nearly dropped the plate that I was carrying to the table when I heard a knock at the door.
My heart felt like it was thumping out of my chest and my armpits dripped with perspiration instantly.
Cedric was early.
“Just a minute!” I yelled as I gathered my bearings, taking in a deep breath.
He may not have heard me because the constant knocking continued and got louder as I walked toward the door.
I opened it and a wave of nausea and the smell of vodka hit me like a ton of bricks.
“Nate.”
***
I hadn’t seen Nate since I ended our relationship. The man I was met with at the door was nothing like the man I knew before I discovered his addiction. His eyes were bloodshot red and his hair was dirty and inches longer than I had remembered. I usually like longer hair on guys, but Nate’s was just messy and unwashed. It was clear that alcoholism had been taking its toll during the months since our breakup.
“What are you doing here, Nate?” I asked nervously.
“Allison…we need to talk,” Nate slurred as he leaned against the doorway.