“Go
od. Let’s go to the kitchen.”
IT’S NEARLY MIDNIGHT WHEN KATHY and I finish talking, I debate staying, but if I’m being honest, I just want to get home to my little woman. I need to be with her, let her know I’m not angry with her, or running. She sounded beyond worried on the phone when she called me earlier that I almost turned around, but tonight was needed, I needed time with my mother. My real mother, the one who never walked away, even now.
Kathy didn’t have to stay, she could have easily walked away after Pops died, but instead she stayed right here, by my side, waiting for me to come to her. I wish she lived closer; in fact, I may try and convince her to move. She is way too far from Shayla and I.
I do need to apologize to Shayla. Honestly, I don’t know why I even asked her if she did the shit my mom was accusing her of, I guess I just needed to hear her say it. Have her ground me, remind me that she would never hurt me. I was vulnerable, weak—I can admit that.
I’m tired, my eyes blinking rapidly as I start up the car. I’m so fucking ready to get home to my bed, a bed I know Shayla will be waiting in. I plug my dead phone into the car charger and mess with the stations as I wait for it to power up. Not finding anything on the radio, I switch to my CD player. I have had Anthem Lights playing on repeat all week, they’ve got my creative juices going and tonight is no damn exception. The words meaning something much deeper tonight, speaking in volumes to my current situation.
Before leaving the house, my phone dings and I check it.
Little Woman: I miss you, Trey, please come home. I am so sorry for everything. Please be safe. I love you…
I read it a couple of times before replying.
Me: I fucking love you. I’m on my way home to you, angel. Don’t fucking apologize, you did nothing wrong.
Throwing my phone back into the cup holder, I hit the road, the empty highway leading me back to my safe haven. My mind filled with images of Shayla, her defending me and protecting me.
When I finish that thought, I strike a new one. A memory, my favorite memory of Shayla and me.
“Wake up, Shay.” I look down at Shayla’s beautiful sleeping form. Her head lying against the plush pillow, her burgundy hair a mess around her. The sheet, wrapped around her beautiful figure, feels cold against my hands. I lean over her, sweeping the hair on her face out of the way.
She stirs. “Trey?” Blinking a few times, she pushes up and looks around the dark room. The only light coming in is from the streetlight outside of her bedroom window.
“Yeah, it’s me. I’m sorry, I just wanted to go for a drive.” She squints at the alarm clock next to her bed.
“Trey, it’s 1:30 in the morning. What’s wrong?” She rubs her eyes. I don’t tell her the truth. Tonight, I heard my dad and Kathy talking about my mother. My dad was telling Kathy about the affairs, it had me fucking torn up. I need to get out and the only person I want to have next to me is Shayla.
“Nothing, but we’re wasting moonlight, so up, beautiful.” She shakes her head and smirks, she’s used to my craziness. However, I’m not used to that perfect fucking smile, the one that ignites the electricity in my body every motherfuckin’ time.
“You’re crazy, where’s Kingston?” I move aside so she can get out of bed, when her perfect little pink toes peek out and hit the floor, I admire her legs, free from anything. When she stands, that’s when I notice she’s wearing my football jersey. That’s where my extra one went! Sure, I graduated already so I don’t need it; I just never knew where it had disappeared.
I’m tilting my head and admiring her petite, tight body in my jersey, the pride in my chest swelling when she calls me out of my gawking. “Sorry, it’s comfy and you left it here after your last game. Hope you aren’t mad.” Looking up, I see the outline of her sexy plump lip between her white teeth. I could never be mad, especially with the sight in front of me.
“Never. You can keep it, baby girl.” Letting her lip go, she smiles and makes her way to the bathroom.
“Perfect. Give me a second, I need to get dressed.” I nod and sit on the bed, thinking about her in my jersey until she comes back out. In her skinny jeans and loose tank, she grabs her loose cardigan and throws it on. No makeup on and her hair a wild mess, she looks more beautiful than ever. I hate that I’m falling in love with my best friend, and I can’t have her. I can’t even fucking tell her.
“Ready, big guy?” I’m still too busy looking at her that all I can make my body do is a nod of my head.
“What? Why are you looking at me like that?” She slips on her Chucks and I smirk.
“Shayla, you’re fucking beautiful. Whoever gets to have you forever better realize he isn’t good enough.” Only half of her face can be seen from the bathroom light shadowing behind her silhouette. I see her lone dimple, telling me she’s smiling. I wish I could be that man, I really fucking do.
Breaking our moment, she brushes off my comment and starts walking toward me. “How did you get in here anyway?”
“Your brother gave me a key a while back. I used it since your dad sleeps like the dead. I knew he wouldn’t wake up.” Shayla snorts, chucking the jersey at me, hitting me. I laugh quietly with her, standing to meet her at the door.
“Is Kingston home? I know he was out at a party tonight, I actually thought you both were.” I shake my head, standing and righting my faded jeans.
“He’s out at the party still, I didn’t go this time, wasn’t in the mood. Now move it, we’re wasting moonlight, like I said.” I grab her arm and move us quickly but quietly down the stairs and out of the house. Jumping into my truck, I make sure she is belted in tight.
“I’m not a child, you know.” She gives me a stern look and I wave her off.
“No, but I like to keep you safe, call it cautious.”