Fiendish: A Twisted Fairytale (46 page)

“Yeah, sorry about that.”

Seth walked out, giving me a kiss on the back of my head. “Good evening, Macy.”

“Hello, Seth. I ordered pizza. You two might be a little hungry,” she replied, giving me a wide grin.

I
’d been with Seth at the house before, but usually Mitch was over. The thought that she was unoccupied and probably heard us left me feeling slightly embarrassed. No one needed to say anything because I was most likely the only one that was finding this situation awkward.

“I
’m going to go grab my bag out of the car, that is, unless you prefer I keep on the suit.” He gave me a little wink which caused me to break out into a fit of giggles.

“Um, no.
A change of clothes would be advisable.”

I darted into the bathroom before I embarrassed myself any further. Grabbing the mouthwash, I quickly rinsed the stale taste out of my mouth. Macy had set out the plates, and we sat waiting on Seth to join us.

“I’m excited about tomorrow,” I said, trying to break the silence in the room. 

“So how was work?” Macy asked, since they both decided to ignore my comment.

“It started out good. Mrs. Graham was very happy about the rooms. I’ll pull up my email later and show you the pics.”

“That
’s great, Lee, this is just the boost you needed for Patrick to start letting you do more.”

My face fell a little when I remembered what he said today. “I highly doubt it,” I replied, with a heavy sigh. “When we got back to the office, he was in a bit of a mood. Even Kerrin didn
’t want to deal with him.” I glanced over at Seth who kept a stoic look on his face as he quietly ate his pizza. “Anyway, nothing I did was right today. He, um, said I was a mediocre secretary and should just stick to that after he looked at the pictures.” 

“What! Are you serious why would he say something like that? That man sounds like a real bastard. Why do you keep working for him?”

“I’ve wondered the same thing, Macy,” Seth stated.

I looked up, shocked that he and Macy agreed on something. He looked pissed, but this time I thought it was more directed at Patrick, or at least I hoped it was.

“Look, unlike the two of you, I don’t have parents that can support me. I need to work. Besides, I don’t think he really meant it. He had just told me I had to go with him to an event tomorrow.”

Seth settled back into his chair, staring at me. I tried not to fidget, but it was hard when he looked at me like that.

“Tomorrow? Wait, you just said you were excited about tomorrow, but now you are bailing? What gives?” Macy asked, sounding very annoyed. 

The look on Seth
’s face said he shared the same sentiment.

“I
’m not bailing. That’s what got him even pissier. I told him I had plans, and he said my priorities needed to be better focused. I tried to explain that they were focused, but it was too short of notice. He was
not
happy at all, but I did tell him no.”

Some of the tension that was in Seth melted away as he smiled at me across the table.
“It pleases me greatly that you told him no.” 

My face lit up when he said that, and Macy shot me a disapproving look which I tried to ignore.

“Well, you pleased me greatly when you talked to him today, but then again, you already know that.”

He gave me a wink, and I flushed all over.

“Yes, yes I do know just how much that pleased you.” His smile was devilish, and I broke out into giggles again.

“Do I even want to know?” Macy asked.

“Oh Mace, he was great. He came in because I was late, and he got to see Patrick in action being an ass, and Seth just shut…him…up. I wish you could have been there to see him stand up for me and to make Patrick squirm. It was like the best thing ever.”

Macy glanced over at Seth who sat back, looking cool, saying nothing.
“Really? How very interesting,” she said, sounding thoughtful.

“It was nothing. I just made him aware that things could go downhill for him quicker than he ever imagined they could.”

“Oh, don’t be modest. It was bad ass. And it means a lot to me that you would do that. Macy is the only other person that has done that. That’s how we became friends. She punched this kid in the nose for picking on me. It was so funny, her first day at a new school, and she winds up in the Principal’s office because of me.”

I smiled over at my friend, giving her hand a squeeze across the table. We didn
’t need to say anything; she knew what I was feeling and what I needed. The look she gave me told me she was willing to be open and try again for my sake.

“I
’ve been there through it all with her,” she said, looking over at Seth. “She deserves someone that will put her first. She deserves to have that knight in shining armor, sweep her off her feet, fairytale ending she romances about.”

Seth glanced over at me then looked back at Macy. I felt like battle lines were being drawn. This dinner could go south real fast, but then a smile broke out on his face.

“Duly noted.”

“Good, because my punch has gotten a hell of a lot harder since the third grade,” she said in a warning tone.

Seth just smiled, and looked very relaxed. “I’ll keep that in mind.

The rest of the evening went smoothly. Mitch came over later that evening, and we all watched a movie before retreating to our rooms. Tomorrow, we were going on a double date, and I hoped it would help to further mend fences between Macy and Seth.

“How in the hell did I let you talk me into coming here? I thought we were gonna see a movie,” Macy complained as we walked into the bowling alley. 

“Babe, it will be fine,” Mitch reassured her, putting his arm around her shoulders.

I stood with Seth, laughing at poor Mitch who was dealing with a very unhappy Macy. She was still fussing as we approached the shoe rental counter.

“What size?” The pimpled face teenager didn’t even look up from his iPhone when he addressed us.

“Hell no!
I am
not
wearing shoes other people have had their feet in. No way. No how!” she exclaimed, giving Mitch a very pointed look.

“Baby, it
’s all part of the experience,” Mitch replied, trying not to laugh.

“Experience?
Please. If you want to
experience
anything later tonight, you will buy me a new pair of shoes right now.”

“Yes, dear,” Mitch conceded, reaching into his pocket for his wallet. “So, my good sir, the lady needs a new pair of shoes.” 

“Dude, this is only for rentals. If she wants new, gotta head over to the pro shop.” He pointed to the corner of the building then went back to texting away on his phone.

Once Macy was satisfied with her new pair of shoes and after making sure we all got new shoes
, we settled down at our lane.

“So, Mitch you wanna be on my team?” I asked once we got to our lane.

Both Macy and Seth looked at me like I had grown a second head. “

You
’re probably the only one that won’t yell at me when I get gutter balls,” I continued, ignoring their looks. 

“Yeah, sure, Lee, no problem,” Mitch said, looking a tad confused.

Seth grabbed my wrist, pulling me into his lap. “What’s the deal?” he whispered.

I turned and smiled sweetly at him. “Whatever do you mean?”

“I mean what the hell are you up to?”

“Nothing,” I replied, trying to look as innocent as possible while wiggling out of his lap.

I got free of him only to have Macy drag me off to the ladies room. “Seriously, Lee? I know what you are up to,” she said, crossing her arms in front of her chest.

“I have no idea what you are talking about,” I replied, giving her that same innocent look I
’d given Seth.

“Like hell! This is a set up!”

“There is no set up. Both of you are way too competitive for me. Mitch is nice and easy-going, so I want to be on his team.” I gave her the same sweet smile, she wasn’t buying it either.

“Fine, but one round.
That’s all. One round!”

“Whatever. Seth just spent a hundred and fifty dollars on two pairs of ugly bowling shoes that we will probably never,
ever
wear again. Why? Because you were too good to rent a pair, and we weren’t allowed to wear ‘nasty, moldy, old shoes’ either as you put it. He didn’t complain or anything. He just bought them…to make
you
happy, so shush it! You are gonna take your ass out there and bowl with my boyfriend and like it!” 

She narrowed her eyes at me, and I did the same. “Fine!” she grumbled. “Ugh, you
’re so damned bossy.”

“Yeah, really.
Well, then you only have yourself to blame. Now let’s go.” We linked arms and headed back to the boys.

“Come on, partner. Are we ready to kick some ass?” Mitch asked. “We can
’t be seen consorting with the enemy.” He winked at Macy and she flipped him off.

We ended up playing five rounds, alternating teams.
Seth and Macy trashed-talked, high-fived, and got along. It was a fun night and it made me feel good to see them actually enjoying each other’s company.  They were two very important people in my life, my best friend and the man I loved. I needed them to be like this.

There had been so many times I wanted to express my feelings to him but held back. Part of me held back because I was scared that if they never got over their differences, I would have to choose. Even if they never made me, I would
’ve always felt stuck in the middle. The other part of me was and still is scared that he doesn’t return those feelings.

The drive back home was
mostly quiet. Macy and Mitch were snuggled up in the back seat and I kept stealing glances over at Seth.

“Good night, guys,” Macy called out, pulling Mitch behind her towards her room.

I took Seth’s hand and led him outside. It was a beautiful night, and I wanted to sit and enjoy it a bit.

“Thank you for tonight,” I said after we
’d settled onto the lounger

“There
’s no need to thank me. I had a great time.”

“I know, but I also know things have been rocky with you and Macy.”

He quieted me with a soft kiss. “I know it’s important to you that we get along.”

I snuggled down in his arms. We lay there in the quiet of the night; I listened as his breathing became slow and rhythmic. If not for the fact his fingers absently drew little patterns on my arm, I would have thought he
’d fallen asleep. I felt the happiest and most content than I had in a long time. Craning my neck up so I could look at him, I admired the peaceful expression on his face. My hand caressed his cheek, enjoying the scruffy feel of his beard. His eyes remained closed, but a small smile appeared on his lips when my thumbs grazed across them.

Shifting slightly, I leaned up so that I could give him a soft kiss. When his eyes opened, I got nervous. The whole car ride home,
I thought about this moment but now with him looking at me, I wasn’t sure I could go through with it. Taking a deep breath, I cupped his face in my hands and gave him another kiss.

“I love you,” I whispered against his lips.

Chapter 35

Feeling along the walls in the darkness, I can find no door. I keep walking in circles. My hands have touched every inch of these walls yet I have not found a way out.

“Let her go,” a small voice calls out in the darkness. “Let her go. Let her go. Let her go.” Over and over it chants. It sounds familiar, but I can’t be sure.

I woke up breathing heavily. It had been the same fucking dream starting shortly after Calida said she loved me. I never saw a face, only heard the voice. I didn’t have anyone to let go. The basement had remained empty since the whore.

She
’s no good for you. Look at what she’s doing to you. She’s messing with your head. 

“She
’s not. I have it under control!”

No, you don
’t. This infatuation with her grows stronger every day.
I massaged my temples as the pain started. Climbing out of bed, I headed to the bathroom for the Advil. After popping four pills, I lay back down in the darkness waiting on them to work. My hand slid over the empty side of the bed.

I now regretted allowing Calida to spend last night at home instead of keeping her here where she belonged. Knowing that I wouldn
’t see her until later this evening only added to my annoyance. I could see her hesitance when she mentioned wanting to go home after work. She had spent almost every night this week with me because that’s what I’d wanted, and last night would have been no different if I had denied her request.

Giving her the little things she wanted kept her happy. Swinging my legs over the side of the bed, I sat up knowing that I would not be going back to sleep. Without her here and with no Pet, there was only one other way I could calm my mind.