Ever since Cacey learned the full extent of our relationship, she’s been throwing out ideas of criminal charges, blackmail, self-defense classes, concealed handgun permits and even getting her dad or brother involved. That’s a last resort. I don’t know why she thinks Chance would be bothered, but I let her go on and on with her little rants. I’m hoping I can ignore the issue all together and pray it’ll just go away. It’s just wishful thinking on my part. I conceded to the mace and bear spray she suggested, adding that in a pinch the bear spray was way more effective but possibly illegal and harmful to use on humans. Honestly, I couldn't care less because Pearce deserves much worse.
By the time I make it home, it's around 10:30 pm. Cacey’s not home, and all the lights are out at Chance’s house. His townhouse is the opposite end unit. It’s similar in size toCacey’s and directly next to mine. I guess he’s asleep or out for the night, which was his usual M.O.
When I run up to my door, I do so in the same manner I had done when leaving work. Only allowing myself to relax once I was safely locked inside. Right now, my townhome was pretty sparse. I had painted and furnished the bedroom, my master bath and bought some supplies for the kitchen. But I hadn’t bothered to do anything else. I had planned to cheat a little and do some internet shopping while at work but there has been no time. Chance wanted to push everything on me, hoping I’d drop the ball. I couldn’t let that happen. I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of watching me fail.
Too tired to even boot up my computer, I decide to look for living room, dining room, and office furniture in the morning. I haven't even eaten since this afternoon when I had a late lunch, but I’m too tired to think about food at this point. I pass the kitchen all together and head straight upstairs to quickly run through my nightly routine. As soon as I lie in bed, I get this second wind from somewhere that’s refusing to let me sleep.
I’m up… watching old Friends reruns waiting for sleep to take me when I hear the faintest rhythmic knocking on the wall. Confused and slightly groggy, it takes me a full sixty seconds to figure out what’s going on. I’m mortified when the knocking gets louder, more staccato, and starts to getdrowned out by the moaning and screaming that begins.
Sighing heavily, I resign myself to the fact that I may not get any sleep for the night. I share a common wall with Chance, and I knew it was only a matter of time before something like this happened. Tonight, I just don’t know whether to be angry or amused about the late-night entertainment. In the end, anger wins out and I bang back on the wall twenty minutes into the ridiculousness, as the noise turns to laughter. I can imagine Chance right now poking fun at me, even through the walls. Thankfully, the noise stops or at least moves to another part of the house that did not share a wall with my bedroom. I focus back on the TV, trying to coax myself to sleep and not think about Chance or whoever is in his bed, almost slipping into a slumber before the banging starts again. This time it's at thefront door...that bastard.I rush to the door prepared for a fight, albeit a little underdressed, but prepared all the same. As soon as I open the door, I expect Chance to confront me about banging on the wall during his little love fest. But instead of finding a pissy little smirk on his face, I see a worried expression.
“Case still here?”
“Um...no.” I try to close the door on him, but he blocks it with his foot and pushes his way past the threshold. “What are you doing? You’ve already kept me in the office till 10:00 working on yourprojectsand then up longer than I’d like, with your little fuck fest.”
“Whatever. It’s Friday for God’s sake, and not even midnight yet... do you know where Cacey is?”
“Once again, no. It’s Friday, remember. She’s a grown woman last I checked.I’m sure she’s fine minding her own business. Now if you’ll excuse me.” I usher Chance back to the front door.
“Not happening, sweetheart. Something is wrong. She hasn’t returned my calls and I distinctly remember her telling me y’all had plans tonight.” Obviously, Cacey was out doing something she didn’t want Chance to know about. Far be it from me to intervene. So I do the first logical thing I can think of... I lie.
“Yes, we had plans. But I had to cancel because some jackass decided I should do enough work for three people my first few weeks on the job.”I had to throw that little dig in for authenticity.
“I don't know what you were used to in New York…” Chance begins. But I put my hand up, stopping him from going any further. I’m done for the night.
“Bye, Chance. I’ll make sure you're the first person Cacey calls when I talk to her. Oh, and do you mind using a different room in the house toentertainyour late-night company? I can’t take another repeat of tonight.”
He bursts into laughter, going from serious and concerned to playful and annoying in the span of a second. “What, you didn’t enjoy it? I mean, I remember how much you liked to watch. How is listening any different?” I can’t possibly bring myself to respond or stop from cringing as I recall the couple of times during high school when I walked up on Chance and some unfortunate girl. More so because he was a bit of an exhibitionist than me being nosy. Then, let us not forget the shameful night that changed everything, where I watched on purpose. I felt so many things that night, curiosity, shame and an aching that quickly turned from lust to a familiar pain that finally allowed me to get out of the room. Back then I thought that was the worst thing that could ever happen to me, but little did I know.
I walk him out before I get caught up in any more negative thoughts and notice a blacked-out SUV parked across the street as I open the door. The sight puts me on edge, but I push back my fear and I see Chance out.
Once he’s gone, I eye the vehicle while closing the door, making sure that all my locks are secure before going upstairs to trade out my short shorts for yoga pants. Just in case. I know it’s silly, but the added layer of clothing makes me feel secure while I go to the nearest window and eye the vehicle outside of my house. There’s no way I’m getting any sleep now, so I decide to fix a sandwich and tea before powering up my computer to get some shopping done.
As soon as I pull up IKEA’s website, the ding of the laptop draws my attention to my email queue. It’s showing that I have ten unread emails. One from Cacey, telling me she’s going out and that she would see me tomorrow. But to tell anyone who asked that we were together. Oh well, I guess I need to call her before she talks to Chance. Eight of the emails are advertisements and as I open the last email I freeze when I see a not so anonymous email from Pearce.
It’s a slideshow of me walking to my car at SWG, another of me going into the townhouse, and then another of me at the door in my tiny short shorts, talking to Chance. There are even pictures of Chance and a darker-haired female as she’s getting into her car. I jump up and go to the window, seeing that the SUV is gone. I get a sick feeling in my stomach knowing that I’m being watched and that it’s only a matter of time before Pearce makes his move. Shaking off my nerves, I pick up my phone to text Cacey to tell her about my slip up with Chance and possibly try to get any advice from her without throwing up any red flags. But when I open mytext message, I see a message from Pearce.
Pearce: When are you going to stop this charade and come home? - P
I look at the text, trying to decide if I should respond and eventually give in. I figure as long as he’s preoccupied chatting, he can’t do something like jump out at me unexpectedly from somewhere in the house. Besides, it’s only fair I tell him it’s over, since I’ve failed to do so up to this point.
Alex: U R a sick fuck n lucky I don’t press charges. We R over. Take my leaving as a kindness.
I quickly send the message before losing my nerve and then send Cacey a text.
Alex: R U still out and about or have u made it home yet?
Cacey: still out... what’s up?
Alex: I fucked up sorry. Your brother knows that we’re not out together, just wanted to warn you.
Cacey: NP he’ll live!
After closing her text, I get a response from Pearce.
Pearce: If you say so, I know different, and I'd watch my mouth and the company I kept if I were you ;) -P
Frustrated, I put my phone away. I clearly shouldn’t have responded to him. He has no concept of remorse or reality at this point. I may have bitched out and broken things off via text… since my leaving wasn’t a clear enough message, but at least I communicated to him what I needed to.
