Pushing forty takes a toll on the body, that’s for sure.
“Yeah, yeah. Smartass,” I drawl. “You were right. Happy?”
“Very,” she says with a laugh. “Being right is good for the soul. You should try it sometime.”
I give her a one eyed glare, which she, of course, laughs at. “How about you drive around for a bit and let me enjoy these heated seats some more and then I’ll forgive you for that.” I nestle down further into the seat and shut my eyes tight. “Now hush. I need a nap before I take on all the crazy, possessed dolls at your place.”
I hear her snicker and then feel a light smack on my arm. Neither of us say anything further. Instead, I cross my arms over my chest and relish the feeling of the warm seat against my back while Rhea drives to her place. I don’t know how long this will last, but being with Rhea feels right. When she’s not mad at me, anyway.
* * *
Turns out Rhea didn’t drive directly to her place. She drove around for an hour and let me sleep.
“I’m sorry, I couldn’t wait any longer,” she says, rushing to undo her seat belt and get out of the car. “I have to pee so bad I’m about to burst.” She dances in place outside the car, motioning for me to go faster, but I’m still a little out of it. “Screw it. I’ll leave the doors unlocked for you. Just go around the building to the front.”
She sprints off as I finally get myself out of the car and grab my suitcase from the back. Looking around the back parking lot, I can’t say that I’m too happy Rhea has to park here. It is lit, but the lights seem dim, and there are lots of shadows where a person could hide if they were inclined to jump out and surprise her. And after that Martin guy surprised her tonight, I don’t like the idea of her being alone here either. I guess it’s a good thing that she insisted I stay here.
My suitcase isn’t very heavy, despite all the clothes I saw Rhea pack. I wonder if she realizes she packed me enough to stay here for a couple of weeks? That can’t possibly be her intention, can it? Does she really feel that strongly about the ‘vibe’ at my house? I never would have pegged her as a superstitious person, but she sure didn’t like my house after I told her about my dad.
I can hardly even believe that I told her that. I told her my darkest secret, and she didn’t look disgusted or anything. Well, she looked a little freaked out about the house, but not about me. How can she even stand to look at me, let alone invite me into her home now that she knows I have the potential to turn into such a terrible person? This secret has plagued me for so long because I was positive that everyone I love would leave when they found out.
Wait a minute. I wonder if it’s because she was a cop? She’s used to dealing with the dregs of society, so the thought that I could be a bad person doesn’t affect her as much as it would someone who wasn’t in law enforcement. That’s got to be it. Any normal person would be scared to death of the son of a potential killer. So I wasn’t wrong; she’s just particularly numb to it because she’s used to dealing with criminals in her everyday life.
But still… Just because she’s used to it doesn’t mean she’d want to be with a guy like me. I can’t read too much into this, even if I find myself liking her more and more as the days go by.
“You going to stand there and stare at the streetlights all night, or are you coming in?” Rhea’s voice snaps me out of my thoughts and I realize I’ve been standing out here with my suitcase at my feet, staring off into the distance. “It’s been almost twenty minutes. I had to come check on you to make sure nothing bad happened.”
I pick up my suitcase and make my way over to where she stands at the back corner of the building. It’s darker where she’s standing and I’m a little angry at how unsafe it is for her to have to do this every time she gets home at night.
“This parking lot is too dark. Can’t you park on the street instead?”
She gives me a funny look before turning to lead me to the front door. “I could if I wanted my car towed. There’s no street parking allowed overnight downtown. That’s why I walked all the way back to Marcus earlier. I didn’t want to deal with guys at the impound lot giving me shit over getting fired.”
I reach out and pull open the door before Rhea has the chance, motioning her to go ahead. Once we’re both inside, she stops to lock the door behind us and leads me up the stairs. Last time we were here, we were moments away from ripping each other’s clothes off and it’s hard not to dwell on the memory.
“Why would they give you shit?” I ask. “They have to be aware of the circumstances, don’t they? It’s not like it was really your fault.”
“I’m sure they’re aware, but I’ve always been a stickler for the rules. People must think it’s funny that I’m the one to get fired for something like this. Everyone knows I would never use excessive force or do anything out of line. So they’d be teasing more than anything, but I’m still not ready to deal with it.”
I open her apartment door at the top of the stairs and she enters ahead of me.
“So…” I say, after closing and locking the door behind me. “What now?”
“I didn’t really plan this out,” she says, walking into the kitchen. “I’m grabbing a water. Want something to drink?”
“No thanks, I’m good.”
I drop my suitcase by the door and look around her apartment. We were a little preoccupied, so I didn’t notice much last time I was here. It’s not a huge apartment, but it is a decent size. Big enough for a full size couch at least, and that’s where I plant myself now, hands clasped behind my head and feet stretched out to the coffee table.
“Are we going to watch one of your educational films? You know, to prepare me for when I go back to my house?” It was adorable how she jumped into high gear and started packing up clothes for me, but this clearly is not a very well thought out plan. I’m not sure what I’m even doing here, other than it seemed to make Rhea happy to have me go along with her. I really enjoy making her happy.
“Oh sure,nowyou want to benefit from the wisdom of the occult films, but at your place you were laughing and telling me I watch too many horror movies.” She sits on the couch near me, but not beside me, and it takes everything I have to stop myself from sliding closer. “What makes you think I want to prepare you to return home, anyway? Maybe getting you here tonight is part of my evil plan to keep you locked up in my basement to use as I see fit?”
Yes! That’s what I’m talking about. Use me!Shut up, dick. She’s not talking about that. She probably just wants someone around to help rearrange furniture and open jars and shit. There’s no way she’s talking about keeping me as a prisoner for sex.But what if she is? Don’t ruin this for me, asshole.I shake my head to clear the imaginary voice of my dick. It can’t be normal to hear the voice of an appendage as often as I do. Maybe I should see someone about that?
“You OK? You got lost there for a second.” Rhea moves closer, still not touching me, but now within my reach. “Don’t be scared. I wouldn’t actually keep you locked up in my basement.” She takes a drink of her water and adds with a wink, “I don’t even have a basement.”
I laugh. “Not scared, exactly. I am a little curious about what you would use me for, though. It could be a decent job if I decide I want to retire from the band. You know, something to keep me busy.”
