And Then It Happened: An Unexpected Romance (22 page)

“Goodnight, Jane.”

“Night,” I replied, as I pushed my way into the empty house. I could do this for two days. If I could make it through the break up with Craig, I could do anything.

***

I tossed and turned that night, unable to fall asleep. I missed Adrian terribly, missed how he felt wrapped around me, missed his sarcastic remarks, missed everything about him.

I punched my pillow, hating my stubbornness, hating that it made me insist on a cooling off period when I really didn’t want one.

Blah. I sucked big, fat balls.

I picked up my phone and shot him a text.
You asleep yet?

He responded two seconds later.
No. Can’t sleep without you remember. The next two days will be incredibly daunting.

Wishing for the first time you were Edward Cullen and didn’t need sleep?

Yes and I love his perfect hair.

I smiled at his comment.

Can I come over and sleep with you if I promise not to do anything?

I itched to say yes…so for once in my life I said what I wanted.

Yes.

Ten minutes later Adrian was sliding into my bed. I snuggled into him and he sighed deeply.

“This is where I want to be,” he said, pressing a kiss to my head.

When I didn’t say anything, Adrian brushed a strand of hair from my face. “Jane, I know you have trouble admitting how you feel, but if I…if I say something will you promise to be honest with me?”

I glanced up at him and bit my lip. “Is it bad?”

“No, I mean…I don’t think it is.”

He looked as nervous as I felt, so I nodded my head. “Sure. I can be honest.”

Adrian ran his thumb up and down my cheek as he inhaled deeply. “What would you think about being exclusive?”

“What?” I asked, not sure I’d heard correctly.

“What would you think about the two of us being exclusive? And be honest, Jane. I want to know how you really feel deep down.”

I felt my heartbeat quicken as I tried to make sense of this whole thing. “I’m sorry, but I just don’t understand. You want me to be your girlfriend?”

“Yes, Jane,” Adrian said with a smile in his voice. “I want you to be my girlfriend. So what do you say?”

“I…I mean…I just…we just met…”

“A simple yes or no will suffice,” he said, his thumb stilling on my face.

“I can’t say maybe?”

“No.”

I glanced up at him and saw anxiety written all over his features. “Okay.”

“What?” he asked, his brow furrowing. “Was that a yes?”

I nodded, “Yeah, I guess we can give this a go…on a trail basis.”

Whew. Finally!

“Holy shit,” he said exhaling loudly. “I didn’t think you’d say yes.”

“I didn’t think I’d say yes either.”

He laughed loudly. “That was fucking scary, like I thought my heart stopped beating for a whole minute.”

“Well, for someone who hasn’t had a girlfriend in a long time, then yeah, I could see how that would be scary.”

Adrian pressed a kiss to my forehead as he smiled down at me. “I’m going to be the best fucking boyfriend you’ve ever had.”

“Yeah?” I replied, not quite letting myself believe this was actually happening, but being incredibly excited nonetheless.

“Yeah and you’re going to so damn happy that you’ll never leave me, but Jane?”

“Yeah?”

“You have to learn to trust me. You have to trust that I’d never go out on you.”

I peeked up at him. “It’s hard for me.”

“I know, but I can’t have you running away every time you see me talking to another woman. I have a history and if we’re going to make this work then you need to trust me. I’d never, ever purposefully hurt you.”

“Okay,” I managed to say.

“You trust me and promise to give me the benefit of the doubt?”

“Yeah”, I said. “I’m sorry for overreacting.”

“It’s okay. I get why you did.”

I snuggled into him, feeling an overwhelming affection for him. I did not want to leave
him tomorrow.

“I wish you didn’t have to go tomorrow,” Adrian said, seemingly reading my thoughts.

“I wish I didn’t have to either, but I need to see Sadie. She’s my only friend.”

“You going to tell her about us?”

I shrugged. “Maybe.”

“You worried it’s not going to last?”

“A little.”

“Well, don’t. I won’t treat you like Craig. I promise.”

And I wanted to believe him, but it would be hard to when I knew his past. But I didn’t admit my fears out loud. I didn’t want to ruin the moment. We’d discuss my expectations when I got home from LA. Then we could sit down and really discuss where this was going.

“This is so fucking awesome,” Adrian murmured into my hair as I felt my eyes grow heavy. “You’re my girlfriend.”

And despite all my trepidation, I fell asleep with a smile on my face.

Chapter Fifteen

Do you miss me yet?

Adrian’s text had me smiling as I help Sadie set up her booth. Her business partner Julian assisted her, his beard and flannel shirt hiding the fact that he was as equally artistic as Sadie. The eclectic assortment of clothing and jewelry they sold was always interesting to me. Being an artist I really appreciated how creative they both were. When they put their minds together, they really created some cool stuff.

“You brought some of your art work, right?” Sadie asked, as she organized the t-shirts.

“Yeah, they’re over there.” I pointed to a few canisters that housed my oil paintings before texting Adrian back.

Nope. I don’t miss you at all ;)

You are a terrible liar.

“You texting Adrian?” Sadie asked, peeking over my shoulder. I still hadn’t told her about the two of us being exclusive. It still wasn’t real to me, so I kept it to myself. I didn’t need something bad to happen and then have to break the news to my friend about what a pathetic loser I was once again. It had been hard enough admitting that Craig left me for Rachel. I didn’t need to add Adrian to that list. 

“No,” I said, shielding my phone from her eyes. Even though I had told Adrian no sexting while I was away I doubted he would actually follow through with it. Now that we were together
, I figured he thought he was exempt from my previous request. And I really didn’t need my best friend getting a glimpse of anything perverse.

“Liar,” she replied with a smirk. “I can tell you’re texting him because you blu
sh like a sixteen year old girl and you can’t stop smiling. So you two dating yet?”

I glanced up at her and shook my head. “No. Just friends,” I lied and hating myself for doing it.

“With benefits,” she added with a knowing smile. “You told me, remember? So why isn’t he here right now making out with you in the corner?”

“He’s busy with things,” I replied, glancing up at my best friend as Julian returned with coffee for the three of us. The way he looked at Sadie had me wondering if there was anything going on between the two of them. Because he looked pretty hot for her at the moment.

Or maybe that was just me seeing things because I was head over heals for someone myself.

“Well, I wish he was here so I could meet him. He really has done a number on you and not in a bad way. You look more alive…happier. I like what he’s done to you.”

“I like it to,” I replied as Sadie leaned forward and took a sip of her coffee. I couldn’t help but notice Julian’s eyes drifting toward her chest before he grumbled and made his way to unpack some more boxes.

“So you love him?” Sadie asked, oblivious to Julian’s stare.

“No, I mean…I don’t know.” My shoulders slumped in defeat. “I hated him two weeks ago then he wormed his way into my life and now I can’t imagine it without him.”

“You’re so in love with him,” Sadie said with a smirk.

I shot her a look before whispering to her, “Enough about me. What’s up with you and Julian?”

Her eyes widened. “What do you mean?”

“I mean he looks like he wants to eat you for dinner.”

Sadie glanced back at Julian and her brow furrowed. “He’s always hungry and I’m not into him that way.”

I hummed my disbelief. “No, he’s not hungry for food. He’s hungry for you.”

I left her with that thought as I strolled over to the packages that housed a few of my paintings. Sadie was chewing her bottom lip and glancing over at Julian, confusion in her eyes.

Perhaps she was going to meet the love of her life organically after all.

***

Besides the text from Adrian the previous day, I hadn’t heard from him. Not that I’d actually texted him. I’d been busy with Sadie and Julian. But when I hadn’t heard from him by the next morning, I was starting to worry. And to be honest I missed him badly.

“Why don’t you just go, Jane? You look like you just want to go home,” Sadie said, as she organized some necklaces.

“Is it that obvious?”

“Yes, you just stand around and stare into the distance. So go.”

“But your stuff…”

“That’s why Julian is here. You go home and get your guy.”

I contemplated leaving my best friend for just a few minutes, not feeling right about leaving before my allotted time when she pushed me toward the exit.

“You go,” she kept reassuring me and I finally acquiesced when she said Julian and her would be taking a trip to San Diego in a few weeks for another fair. So I’d see her soon, which made me feel less guilty about bolting out of the warehouse and into my car.

I drove home in afternoon traffic, frustrated that it had taken me two hours to go twenty miles. But that’s the price you pay when you live in Southern California.

I wanted to text Adrian to let him know I was coming home, but decided against it. Surprises were always better anyways. Or so everyone told me.

When I finally arrived home, I barreled through my door dropping my duffle bag on my bed. I saw Adrian’s truck parked at the curb so I knew he was next door and I couldn’t help but smile in excitement. My boyfriend was next door waiting for me. Perhaps I should text him and let him know I’m home early, I thought as I reached for my phone. I imagined his face lighting up with joy as I strolled through his front door when my phone fell through my fingers and slid under the bed.

“Damn,” I muttered as I got onto my knees.

And that’s when I heard it.

Groans and banging against the wall. Just like old times. Adrian was fucking another girl while I was away. That’s why I hadn’t heard from him. He was sneaking around on me already and we hadn’t even been together two whole days.

My stomach churned and I felt myself grow hot from anger. I couldn’t take one more second of this. I grabbed my keys and dashed out the front door. I needed fresh air before I fainted. This was déjà vu. First Craig and now Adrian. Was I ever going to meet a guy who actually found satisfaction with just me? Or was my future destined to be plagued with backstabbing cheaters?

***

The long walk around town did nothing to curb my humiliation. I had willingly gone into this arrangement knowing full well what type of guy Adrian was. But he had fooled me into thinking that he was different, that he was changing. That I should trust him. My mom was right. People don’t ever really change. I hadn’t believed it until now.

And so, as I strode through my front door, my heart dropped in my chest
. Adrian was in my kitchen, making a sandwich like he belonged there. Like he was mine. And the knowledge that I wasn’t…that he wasn’t satisfied with just me tore me apart.

“Hey, babe,” he said with a smile, looking somewhat nervous as he made his way toward me. “I’m glad you decided to come home early.”

“Are you?” I said, trying to play it cool, but feeling my restraint starting to slip.

He arched an eyebrow at me as he pulled me into him. “Yeah. I was happy as hell to see your car outside when I got home.”

I remained stiff as a board as he pressed a kiss to my lips. So he was going to try the ‘I-just-got-home’ tactic, I thought bitterly. Too bad for him I was well versed at catching cheating bastards in their lies.

When I didn’t respond to his kiss with my usual gusto, Adrian leaned back, his eyes analyzing me.

“Didn’t meet someone else while you were away, did you? Because remember you’re my girlfriend now.”

Insecurity flashed through his eyes and for a moment I wondered if I had been mistaken earlier when I’d heard the moans and slapping skin through my bedroom wall.

I shook my head, dislodging those thoughts from my mind. I heard Adrian exhale in relief and my eyes widened. He sounded relieved. How come I couldn’t have someone else, but he could?

“I didn’t meet anyone new, but it seems you have. I heard your little exercise stint when I got home, so cut the crap, Adrian. Who is she?”

His brow furrowed and he looked genuinely confused, so I decided to help him along.

“Which girl were you fucking when I got home?”

His face drained of color as he stared at me. Busted. Totally busted. This was exactly what Craig had looked like when I caught him with Rachel.

“Was it Greta or maybe Lila…or some other girl I haven’t yet met, but whose legs you’ve been between?”

“I can explain,” he began, but I cut him off with a wave of my hand. I didn’t want to hear more lies.

“Don’t bother. I was over this before it began,” I snapped.

Adrian took a step toward me, not seeming to understand the severity of the situation. “Babe, don’t say that.”

His term of endearment caused my restraint to snap. I shoved at his chest, hating the tingle that spread through me from merely touching him. Hated that I still wanted him even after all of this.

“Don’t. Mess. With. Me.” I rammed my palms against his chest.

“You bought me gifts.”
Shove
. “You stayed the night.”
Shove
. “You cooked for me.”
Shove.
“You made me like you.”
Shove
. “You said we were exclusive.”
Shove.

I successfully pushed him against my living room wall and all he did was stare at me. Just looking into his eyes made my heart twinge and I suddenly felt exhausted, all of my energy leaving my body at once.

My shoulders slumped as I fought to catch my breath. “You win, okay? You win. Just leave me alone.”

“I don’t want to leave you alone. I can explain. That wasn’t me,” he insisted and because I was too tired to hit him, I just shot him my death glare.

“Too bad for you I’ve heard that lie before, only this time I’m not stupid enough to believe it.”

“I’m telling the truth,” he said, growing frustrated.

“Just stop, Adrian. Let’s face it. We weren’t ever really together. You were nothing but a hired whore and I’m done with your services,” I said.

His eyes widened and I watched his nostrils flare in anger as he took a step forward, causing me to stumble back.

“Enough. I said it wasn’t me that you heard. Why don’t you believe me?”

Before I could snap back he continued, “Oh that’s right. Craig. Pathetic Craig who you dated for eight years. He ruined you and now you’re ruining this.”

“This?” Now I was screaming. “There was never any ‘this’, Adrian! It was sex. Just sex.”

“Fuck that. I don’t believe you. We were exclusive two days ago. You were happy! You’re just too stubborn to admit that you like me.”

“I don’t. I think you’re disgusting.”

His head snapped back as if I’d physically slapped him. “Do you really?”

I nodded sharply. “Yes.”

He rubbed his hand over his face and for the first time that night he looked defeated.

“Fine. If that’s what you think of me…then fine. I’m glad you told me before I exposed way too much of myself.”

“Oh, don’t make me feel sorry for you,” I began but was cut off by his glower. “Don’t make yourself the victim when you were obviously screwing someone else.”

“I’m not the victim. You are. I feel sorry for you, Jane,” he said as he pulled my front door open and strode outside.

B
ut before he left, he turned and verbally punched me. “I really loved you too.”

His comment made me cringe as he stepped into the night air.

It was only after he left that I saw the package on my kitchen counter.

And after picking it out of the trash two times, I finally opened it.

The beautiful silver necklace inside only made me cry harder.

***

I was miserable. Like not-shaving-legs-let-my-eyebrows-grow-out miserable. I spent the next two days drinking wine on my couch while I watched the Discovery Channel. Everything seemed to remind me of Adrian, which only made me do weird things like sitting in the old Victorian chair and staring at Adrian’s unfinished painting. And buying Wal-Mart underwear. And not the cute kind either.

I was
going nowhere fast. At night, I would pull the vibrator out of my bedside table and stare at it, remembering when he had bought it for me and when he had showed me how to properly use it. The low point was when I cradled it in my arms and cried as I fell asleep.

Needless to say, I needed to get on with my life. I took up boxing once more. It got me out of the house and it did help to envision Adrian’s face as I punched the bag. But at the end of the day I would curl up in bed and just stare at the wall that I shared with Adrian and cry.

I knew he was at home too. I saw his truck parked on the street, but I rarely heard him next door. Thankfully he hadn’t brought women home. I don’t think I could have stomached that.

My phone had also remained eerily silent and I hated the disconnection I felt from the world and from Adrian.

This wasn’t even a break up. We’d been officially together for two days, but I was more broken up about this than I ever had been about Craig.