Scratching Her Vinyl

All those happy memories attached to it, but now every time I look at this dress, I know last night will be the only memory that comes to the surface, and part of me hates him a little bit for ruining it for me.

I strip down the rest of the way and head back into the bathroom. Once the water is steamy hot I step inside, pulling the curtain closed behind me.

I just want to relax and feel better. It can be a real pain having emotions at times, but that's what makes us people, I guess. But I’m just so sick of hurting. I stay in the shower as long as possible, soaking up all the steam and warmth until my fingers and toes are pruny and wrinkled. Afterwards, I pull on a robe and settle on the couch, putting on an old favorite movie of my grandfather’s.

I did what I set out to do. Now I just have to figure out how to deal with the aftermath.Chapter 15 - DominicIt has been a few days since the auction and I still feel like shit. I can't believe I just ghosted Juliette like that. She probably thinks I'm such a dick for running out on her like that. Not that I’d made such a great impression before that.

I sigh and stare out the window of my office. It looks like I'm daydreaming, maybe I am. Ever since that night I haven't been able to stop thinking about her, my raven-haired beauty. It's almost like she turned my whole world upside down.

Our night together was great, but when I woke up the next morning and saw her laying there splayed across my bed with the morning sun glowing lovely against her pale skin, I felt a stirring of feelings that I never felt before. I didn't think it was possible to feel those things.

I spent all my life without anything like that happening. I thought I was one of those people that was so well guarded, I was practically immune to stuff like this. I guess I was wrong. I feel like I'm going to go crazy trying to figure it out.

I will admit now that it honestly scared me shitless, to feel like that. so like a little coward I ran off and hid from them instead of dealing with everything. I have tried so hard these past few days to forget everything. I've thrown myself into my work, never leaving my office.

I can't even eat because everything tastes like dirt. I can't sleep, think or concentrate. Its maddening. It's like my entire life has come to a complete standstill and I can't do anything about it. How could one night have turned into something like this? It's crazy. It just came out of nowhere and hit me like a fucking freight train.

The phone rings pulling me from my reverie. I grab it and answer it. "Yeah?" I try to control my emotions.

"Hey, Dom…." Kevin says. "I was wondering if you have seen these files I need for work? I think I left them in your office, but-" He starts to ask, but I interrupt him by snapping at him.

"No, I haven't seen your damn files. Keep better track of your stuff and maybe this wouldn't happen."

My words shock Kevin into silence for a moment. "What the hell is your problem? I thought you'd be better by now, ditch the giant pole up your ass. Didn't you go home with that brunette chick from the auction?"

I sigh, I can confide in him because he's my friend. "Yes. We had a great night,” I admit, “Amazing. But I did something horrible and now I feel like a dick."

I tell him the whole story about our night together, including how nice Juliette had been and just how much she’d gotten to me. "And then the next morning I ghosted her. Just up and left,” I finish.

Kevin is silent as he processes and tries to understand the whole story. I look out the window again as we talk. "Okay, here's what I think…" he finally says.

I wait with curiosity. "You should go apologize to her." He says bluntly.

His answer is so simple I don't believe it. "Apologize? That's really all you came up with?" I ask in disbelief.

"Yes, just hear me out." He pleads, so I stow my annoyance and listen again

"Okay, she’s a nice girl, that you had a great night with. You're used to the auction thing. She's not. Maybe that's why you feel so bad about this. You have a guilty conscience because this was her first time. You probably thought you should have at least told her goodbye or prepared her for something like this." He explains.

I'm sure in his mind this sounds like a reasonable explanation. I wish this whole situation was as easy as he thought it was. But how can I tell him just how deeply she’s gotten under my skin? Won’t I sound insane if I tell him the truth?