“Gee, I’m sorry that I made it so hard for you to seduce me,” I growl.
“The only thing you made hard was me, baby.”
“Oh God, stop with the juvenile jokes.”
“That’s just the thing. I think you need some of that in your life. On the flip side, I think I need you to remind me that there are areas in my life that I need to start paying more attention to.”
“Is that your roundabout way of saying you need to grow up?” I ask, snidely.
“Maybe I can stand to change a few things, but so can you. We’re young. We’re learning who we are, right?”
“We’re not that young. I don’t know another man your age who goes through women on a daily basis.”
“Then you’re sheltered. In the world I grew up in, that’s a normal thing, Jodie girl.”
“What kind of world did you grow up in?”
“The streets a lot, but later, the motorcycle world.”
“Like Sons of Anarchy?” I ask, not quite understanding.
“That’s television, but the club did both good and not good things, sure.”
“I don’t really know what you’re talking about because I’ve never watched the show, just saw the promo. The lead actor is kind of hot, but not enough to make me want to watch.”
He shakes his head. “You really are cute.”
“Thanks. I think I best leave. You need to sleep off your hangover, because you’re not making a bit of sense.”
“My headache is gone. Haven’t felt hungover since you walked in the door,” he croons. “Go out with me tomorrow night, Jodie.”
“Uh…” I respond, shock leaving me momentarily speechless.
“C’mon. Go out with me,” he coaxes.
“You and I don’t make sense and—”
“Give us a chance. I think we could balance one another out,” he suggests.
“Listen, Linc. I mean, sure I’m attracted to you.” I stop talking when I look to see him grinning down at me. “Why are you smiling?”
“You just admitted you’re attracted to me,” he brags, as if that’s something great.
“Oh please, I’m pretty sure that you’ve proven all of the female population in Cherry Falls is attracted to you.”
“You’re the only one I’m concerned with at present.”
“Then, you need to get unconcerned. I don’t really know what your game is, but—”
“I don’t play games, Jodie. Well, I’m not against playing some with you, but I promise you will enjoy them.”
“Okay, now I’m really going,” I mumble, my body feeling flushed. I walk quickly to the door, mentally kicking myself for coming here tonight. I turn the knob and start to open the door when it’s pushed closed.
“Stay, we’ll watch a movie. I promise I’ll be on my best behavior,” he says. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to, but I know better.
I know better.
“I don’t think that would be a good idea, Linc.”
“You might find I’m not as bad as that pretty little mind of yours thinks I am, Jodie.”
“I don’t think you’re a bad person, Linc,” I tell him, because I don’t—not really.
“Then, why won’t you stay?”
“Because you might be a good guy, but we’re too different. That makes you not a good guy for me.”
“Jodie—”
“And I’m not a good woman for you, Linc. I need someone more stable, dependable even.”
“Maybe—”
“And I need a man I can trust giving myself to. Our last go around was my fault for not reading the situation correctly and thinking you were as into me as I was into you, but I see it for what it was now and I’m just really not the girl for that kind of relationship. You’d be happier with one of your wave rabbits. Bella adores you,” I add, going up on my tiptoes and kissing his cheek. Then, I pull the door back open and slip out.
12
Linc
“Yo, asshole, thanks for the set up last night.”
I lean back against my couch, phone pressed against my ear, calling my buddy Zeke. I know he’s the one that set up my semi-date with Jodie last night.
“How do you know it was me?” he laughs.
“You’re the only one that would. What kind of flowers did you order her anyway?” I ask.
“Some shit the florist called their Spring Delight Bouquet. I just told them I’d made an asshole of myself and needed something to say I’m sorry. Oh, and I left a great tip.”
“How much do I owe you?” I ask him, trying not to laugh.
“Not a damn thing. I had it billed to your ass. Didn’t want it to blow up on you later if she found out you didn’t send them.”
“Gee thanks,” I mumble. “I don’t know what made you step in, but I’m glad you did,” I tell him, and I’m not lying.
“I stepped in because you wouldn’t have, and you’re strung out over that woman,” he says, and okay, now he’s getting annoying.
“I wouldn’t call it strung out,” I complain.
“Bullshit, you were drunk over a chick. You can’t tell me you’ve ever done that.”
“Okay, fine, I haven’t, but that doesn’t mean I’m strung out.”
“You haven’t had one woman since Jodie. If you don’t realize what that means, then you’re even stupider than I give you credit for.”
“Fine, I’m a little strung out. But I hate to tell you, Zeke, your plan didn’t work.”
“You’re shittin’ me. You blew it?”
“She admitted she’s attracted to me,” I mutter, sounding like a child.
“Gee, Linc—”
“Kiss my ass,” I laugh. “That’s all I got. I fucked up bad with Jodie. I’ll have to work to get her to forgive me.”
“Damn. Are you going to?”
“Work for her?”
“Yeah, Linc. No disrespect man, but working for a chick is not your strong suit.”
“It hasn’t been, but it’s going to be.”
Zeke whistles into the phone and I hold it out from my ear, rolling my eyes.
“What’s your next step?” he asks.
“I’m going to take a page out of your book,” I tell him with a smile.
“I doubt it. I don’t chase women, dude. They chase me.”
“Yeah, whatever. Talk to you later, man.”
“Later, Linc,” he says.
“Oh and Zeke?”
“Yeah?”
“Thanks man. Much appreciated.”
“Just make it count,” he says, hanging up.
I stare at the screen on my phone, hoping like hell I even know how to make it count. Then, I find my balls and call the flower shop.
“The Flower Patch, how can we plant your seed of happiness today?”
Yikes.
“I ordered flowers for my girlfriend yesterday and I kind of want to repeat the order today, only bigger.”