Take It (Sinclair 1)

“No. Thank you. My sister is picking me up after work.” She continued typing. “And my car should be fixed by Monday.”

Nick nodded and turned to retreat. Well, at least she doesn’t look angry anymore, but she wasn’t giving him any signs of a possible future. Game over.

“Nick?” He turned. Her full attention was on him now. “I’m not blowing you off. I really am busy right now. I am not an unreasonable person. I am aware that despite the filter issue between your brain and your mouth, you were there when I needed you. Yesterday with my tech issues, and this morning with my car issues. And, I do appreciate your help. Thank you. However, our conversation isn’t over and will be continued later.”

Nick started to speak, but she raised her hand to stall him and continued as if reading his mind.

“I cannot hold you responsible for the things that came out of Dex’s mouth. Your secret is safe with me.” She gathered her things and started to leave her office. She paused a little after she passed him and turned to face him. “Besides, it’s better to be a virgin than a whore. Don’t you think?”

Nick knew a verbal jab when he heard one, but the grin voided anything she said.

Nick was starting to feel hopeful. He just might have a chance to redeem himself. His face broke into a smile as he watched her retreat. He scribbled a note and left it on her desk. His day was looking better.

The next day and a half was uneventful. Nick was able to focus on his work and even interacted with his tech team after lunch. He didn’t see Kalilah for the rest of the day. He slept in Saturday morning and finished some of his work items that he’d neglected Thursday after having a late breakfast. He’d halfway hoped that she would contact him after he left his cellphone number and they could have shared a meal today, dinner if he was really lucky.

That window slimmed and passed as his dinner time arrived. It was 8:00 PM, and he still hadn’t heard from Kalilah. He knew it was a long shot. He couldn’t help but feel disappointment wash over him as ate the pizza he’d ordered. He had friends. He’d even turned down a few invites, opting to spend time in solitude. Nick needed a game plan to make Kalilah his. He was in some ways closer than last week, but still not close enough to ask her out.

He was grateful she didn’t seem to mind that he was a virgin. However, it wasn’t any less embarrassing that she knew. The memory still made him flush in embarrassment. Dex made him sound like a socially awkward geek that clammed up in the presence of women. Nick dated in high school and college.

He was even in a committed relationship a little over five months ago. In the six months he was with Meg, the timing never felt right. Not to mention, she berated him constantly because he was a virgin. She was the only person that knew at the time, and she’d never let him forget. Everything he did wrong was because he was a virgin, even when it wasn’t related to sex. He remembered one of the last things she said to him at his old apartment.

She was upset that he’d backed out of sex again. She’s pushed her blonde waves out her face and sneered at him with her light brown eyes flashing with anger.

“Why don’t you do us all a favor and come out of the closet. It’s obvious you don’t like pussy.”

She grabbed her stuff and stormed towards the door. She looked over her shoulder and threw one last punch.

“I should have fucked your brother when I had the chance.”

She hurt his pride more than his heart. Nick knew she was a mean person, but she was beautiful. He’d figured that he could make himself like her, but despite his efforts, those feelings never surfaced.

Nick smiled to himself as he remembered his siblings’ faces as he came clean. He told them in order to complain about Meg, instead they were more interested in him being a virgin.

“Damn.” Dex shook his head. “I thought you were hitting that daily.”

DD punched him in the shoulder and asked her own question. “Do you just not feel ready? Do you want to be in love or married?”

Nick shook his head in response. “See, that’s the thing. I don’t think I have those requirements, but the timing always seemed…off. I can’t explain it.”

Dex leaned forward and whispered, “Are you sure you’re straight?”

Nick rolled his eyes. “Yes. Of course, I’m sure!”

Dex tried again. “Are you sure everything works?”

That earned Dex another jab from DD. Nick mouthed, “Thank you.” He loved his little sister. “Yes, Dex. I’m sure.”

The chime of his cellphone bought him back to the present. He glanced at the display. It was a number he didn’t recognize. The message told him exactly who it was.

Kalilah: Call you if I need a ride? If I didn’t know your secret, I would consider that a double entendre.

She added a smiley face. Nick sat up straighter on his couch. He reigned in his excitement and typed in a quick reply.

Nick: WYD?

Kalilah: ?

Nick: What ya doing?