Fight With Me (Fight and Fall) (11 page)

             
He smiles, nodding his head in agreement. He goes over to her, wrapping her in a hug. His back is turned towards me and I see her face over his shoulder. She gives me a, “Ha! He’s hugging me not you, bitch” look. I smile in amusement. I will have to pull her aside soon and tell her that Lucas and I are just friends.

             
“Okay, so I’m going to take some pictures on my phone. I’ll see you guys in a bit,” I say, letting them have some alone time.

             
I smile, proud of myself. Okay, Emma. Let’s get some good shots of the house.

             
I snap a few from different angles, accidently hitting the camera button before I can focus.

             
“Fucking iPhone!” I curse under my breath.

             
I really need to get used to this thing.

             
They make their way over to me, laughing and smiling. Well, I guess they kissed and made up, so to speak.

             
“You dare me to go up the house and do the truffle shuffle in front of the gate?” Lucas laughs.

             
“Uh, fuck yeah I do! Get to it, Chunk!” I say laughing.             

             
He looks like he’s about to do it but quickly changes his mind.

             
“On second thought, I better not.”

             
We all laugh. I can’t picture him doing something so degrading.

             
“So where should we go now?” Lucas asks.

             
“Well, I need some more clothes. There was this one thrift shop I went to when I first moved here. It was pretty cool,” I say to them.

             
“Which one was it?” Leslie asks.

             
Is she finally warming up to me? I hope so. I tell her the store and she shakes her head sideways.

             
“There’s an even better one just around the corner from that one. It’s even cheaper and has more vintage stuff. That’s where I get all of my clothes,” she says.

             
I look at her cute flowery dress, admiring the cut and design. Yeah, she obviously appreciates fashion like I do. I nod my head in agreement.

             
“Sounds awesome, Leslie,” I smile at her.

             
I’ll find a way to get her alone at the thrift store, telling her all about my relationship with Lucas.

             
“We can walk there from here,” she says.

             
“Ladies?” Lucas says, holding out both elbows for us to link our arms through.

             
We both laugh at him but readily comply with what he wants.

             
“Lucas, you’re such a man-whore! Now everybody in town will think we’re in a weird relationship,” I say.

             
“And that would be a problem why?” he asks innocently.

             
“Douche!” Leslie yells, playfully elbowing his stomach.

             
“Damn, woman, watch the abs. They bruise easily,” he smirks.

             
I see Leslie stick out her tongue out at him. I laugh at how easy going she seems with him. They are always fighting and on each other’s cases at work. I think its way more than just friendly bickering. Sexual tension maybe?

             
We reach the thrift store and I finally have the perfect plan to get Leslie alone.

             
“Okay, girls go this way, boys go that way,” I say pointing to opposite sides of the store.

             
“Awe, c’mon, Em. You know I want to watch you try on clothes. I’ll help you into them if you want. I can even zip you up if you need it,” he says.

             
“Shut it, Lucas. We’ll be done soon and then come and get you. Ten minutes tops, I promise,” I say.

             
“Fine,” he huffs, walking away pouting.

             
“So, am I wrong in thinking that you have a thing for Lucas?” I ask her right off the bat.

She looks startled by my
abrupt question. I feel sorry for the poor woman but not quite enough because I want an answer.

             
“Does it matter? You guys are together now,” she says, looking at clothes, avoiding eye contact.

             
“We’re not seeing each other. Not even close,” I say.

             
She looks at me confused.

             
“I like him as a friend but nothing more. I won’t lie and say I’m not attracted to him and at one point, wanted to jump his bones. I’m not Helen Keller, for God’s sake. I can see that he is a fine piece of ass, plus he makes me laugh. I just wanted to tell you that we’re roomies and that’s it. He knows where we both stand now.”

             
“That being said, I think you like him. A lot. I want to help you get him,” I say truthfully.

             
She looks straight at me now, a pained look on her face.

             
“Yes, fine. I like him. I’ve liked him for a few years now, since I started working at the bar. But he’s way younger than me, Emma. I’m seven years older than him. I feel like a pedophile just having those feelings for him,” she says embarrassed.

             
“I think you’re making a big deal out of it. If two people like each other and get along, what’s the problem? Age is just a number, Leslie. Don’t let that hold you back from having something worthwhile. Lucas is worth taking a chance on. I just know it,” I say, defending him.

             
“He doesn’t like me more than a friend. I mean, we’re barely that. This is the first time he’s even asked me to hang out outside of work. We’ve always casually texted each other but that’s it,” she says frowning.

             
“Wait…he’s texts you? Um, if he didn’t like you he wouldn’t do that! You need to break that friend-zone barrier. I think that he might have never tried anything because he doesn’t think you’re into him. Lucas is a good guy but…let’s just say he can be a little dense when it comes to the opposite sex,” I say laughing.

             
“Yeah, I can definitely agree with that,” she laughs. “What should I do to get him interested in me? I’m not big on flirting.”

             
“Lucas is not one of those subtle guys. He likes dirty talk. You know how to do that, right?” I ask her.

             
Please tell me yes. I want to help her but I’m not a miracle worker.

             
“Yeah, I can talk dirty but I’ve only ever done it when I’m in relationship with a guy,” she admits.

             
“Okay, well, we’ll just ease you into then. Start sexting him. Guys love that shit and I think you’ll like it too. It’s exciting and fun when you do it with someone you aren’t dating. Trust me on this. Try and see what happens.”

             
“I guess I could give it a try,” she says sighing. “I do have a few pics that I saved on my phone that I sent to old boyfriends.”

             
I smile, proud at the work I’ve accomplished.

We look through racks of clothing and I pick put a few skinny jeans, some t-shirts
, and vintage dresses for the hell of it. I don’t bother trying them on because I know my body pretty well. Leslie picks out a few things too and we grab our finds, making our way over to Lucas.

             
“When you shop, you really fucking shop, Em” he says looking at my stack of clothes.

             
“Damn straight,” I say proudly.

             
“Well, let’s go and pay and then we can go and get groceries. Do you need to get some too, Leslie? You can come with us if you want,” he says.

             
“No, I’m…” she says as I give her a knowing glance.

             
“I mean, yes, I need to stock up on a few things. I meant no, I’ll just take my own car,” she says finally.

             
“Okay, we’ll meet you down there then,” he says smiling.

             
We both pay, saying our goodbyes and that we’ll see her shortly.

             
“Can I drive your car?” I ask him sweetly.

             
“Yeah, I guess, Em. Just don’t crash her. She’s the only woman in my life that actually likes me,” he says smirking.

             
“That’s what you think,” I say under my breath.

             
I get in the driver’s side while Lucas gives me directions.

             
We sing along to bad eighties songs in the car, when I hear a ping sound coming from my phone. I think it was a text or something. The only people who have my number are Lucas and my mom. It was either her or one of those annoying as hell updates or alerts for my phone. I’ll have to check it later.

             
I look over at Lucas and notice that he’s stopped smiling. He’s looking at his phone, shell shocked.

             
“What is it? Is something wrong?” I ask worriedly.

             
“Well, I’m not really sure,” he says now smiling.

             
“I mean, it was nothing bad, just surprising,” he says.

             
“Well, spit it out, Lucas!” I yell.

             
“I just got an unexpected text from Leslie. I think she might have sent it to me by accident. It was of her in her bra and panties,” he chokes out.

             
Oh my God! She really did take my advice to heart. I’m proud.

             
“I’m just…I guess I’m speechless,” he says.

             
“Well, text her back. Compliment her or something,” I say.

             
“What if it isn’t for me? That would be really embarrassing for her, Em.”

             
“Just respond to it, dumbass. Take a chance. That is, if you like what you see,” I ask curiously.

             
“Fuck yeah! I mean, I’ve never seen her body like that before and I’ve always thought she was sexy,” he says clearing his throat.

             
I swear, if we get out the car and his pants are shorter, I’ll know why. Way to go, Leslie.

             
“Make sure the text is hot but also classy. Don’t sound all pervy, Lucas. Don’t be like, “Oh, man, that’s hot but it would be even hotter if you sent a close-up of your sweet pussy”. Ugh, I hate when guys do that. It’s like, um, do you know how difficult it is to get the right angle and lighting to make it look remotely attractive?” I rant.

             
“Okay, boss. Are you sure you’re okay with me texting her back?” he says asking for permission.

             
Does he think I’ll be jealous or angry? The green-eyed monster only comes out around Aiden sadly.

             
“Of course I am. I want you to move on and be happy, Lucas. Don’t feel guilty,” I say.

             
He smiles at me, obviously pleased by my response. I knew Lucas would get over me. I honestly only think that he had a thing for me because I reminded him of his mom. That and the fact that we both have dirty minds and like to tease each other.

             
We finally get to the store and we find Leslie near the entrance, anxiously waiting for us. She looks shy and uncertain, with an underlying excitement radiating from her. I notice Lucas look her up and down, probably trying to imagine her naked. Ugh, men!

             
“Okay, I’m going to get anything that isn’t Ramen noodles and then I’ll meet up with you guys,” I say.

             
I think they need a little one on one time to discuss that text. I don’t wait for a response or acknowledgment. I just haul ass towards the groceries.

             
I walk through the isles, grabbing some ingredients to make spaghetti and other easy dishes. I debate getting coffee but decide against it. I’ll just grab some at the coffee shop that way I can go and visit Riley. I’ll have to hang out with her soon. I have a feeling that I’ll be going solo now that Leslie and Lucas have something going on.

             
I grab everything I need and after I pay, I make my way to the entrance. I look up, noticing that Lucas and Leslie haven’t moved, not even an inch from where I left them. They’re both smiling and laughing and Lucas is being kind of affectionate. He keeps touching her arm and I smile secretly.

             
Fuck yeah, Emma! You should get a salary for your matchmaking abilities. I mentally pat myself on the back, pretty impressed with my mad skills. It’s like I’m Lucas’s secret wing-woman. When I walk up to them, he’s still touching her, a smile on his face.