The Rules In Paradise (Playing By The Rules) (18 page)

             
"Why would that be?" I asked, more confused now than ever.

             
"I don't know, it feels like this is how it goes in the movies. Maybe someone has been watching our apartment, waiting for us to come home so they could break in and kill us." I turned over on my back and looked at her strangely.

             
There was a loud knock at the door and we both jumped.

             
We both scrambled off the bed. Adrian took a old softball bat from her closet and walked slowly toward the door. We both let out a small yelp as there was another knock at the door. I stood close behind her, I grabbed a knife from out of the drawer. Adrian stood and looked out the peephole.

             
"They're standing out of range of the peephole," she whispered. "I'm going to unlock and open the door, I want you to be ready in case they charge us. Just stab them," she whispered and her hand reached for the deadbolt.

             
In a flash I heard the click of the deadbolt, another knock was interrupted by the opening of the door and a scream. I also heard the drop of the bat. My heart was pounding as my brain tried to take in what was going on. The door finally swung wide enough I could see outside and there was Adrian wrapped around Jason like a monkey. She continued to scream, tears running down her face. I took a few deep breaths and put the knife on the counter.

             
"What the hell were you girls doing?" Jason finally asked, his face showing that he was completely bewildered. He closed the door behind him and gave me a sad look, telling me everything I needed to know. I took a deep breath and ran my hands through my hair nervously.

             
"We just scared ourselves. We never get a call for packages so my mind started running wild. Stupid really. How did you get here? Why are you here? Not that I'm not excited," Adrian said, her smile was so big on her face. Despite my shattered hopes I was excited for her. She was truly happy. I slowly walked down to my room and closed my door. I guess it was a good enough time to unpack.

             
For the next hour I heard Adrian talk excitedly and loudly. I couldn't help but laugh, she was utterly crazy, but she was so happy. Shortly after I had unpacked half my suitcase there was a soft knock on my door. I told them to come in and was surprised to see Jason peak his head around the corner.

             
"Hey," he said.

             
"Hey there," I said, giving him a weak smile.

             
"He's really sorry, it was just impossible for both of us to get away. He told me to come." His voice was quiet.

             
"Hey, no biggie. I'm glad you're here. She's been going crazy without you."

             
"I've been doing the same without her." He paused for a few moments, his eyes falling anywhere but on me. "Look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it to sound like he shouldn't be changing anything for you, it's just, complicated. He's crazy about you. It killed him to not come. But he'll make it up to you he said."

             
"I bet you chewed your ass about it. I didn't mean to tell him. It wasn't like I went crying to him like a little girl."

             
"No, I know. And yes, he did. He gave it to me pretty good. But I'm sorry and I would be even if he didn't say a word."

             
"It's fine, really. Don't worry about it. I guess I'm sorry for the heel comment. Heat of the moment." I gave him a slightly embarrassed smile. He laughed.

             
"No you're not. It's ok. I understand." I smiled and shrugged to show, well maybe I wasn't kidding.

             
"Look, I want you to come to dinner tonight with me and Adrian. Not a totally awkward third wheel kind of dinner, maybe more like a peace offering dinner. Anywhere you girls want to go. Please?" He gave a pathetic smile.

             
"It's ok Jason. Go have fun with her, she missed you. I'll be fine."

             
"I won't take no for an answer."

             
I rolled my eyes, it sounded like someone I knew.
             

             
"What time?"

             
"We'll leave in about an hour. Nothing fancy, maybe some drinks?" I sighed.

             
"I'll see you in an hour," I said, none too excited.

             
I stopped putting away clothes and decided to use this time to shower and get ready. I was feeling slightly depressed and was not about to go over the top. I showered, blew my hair out straight and put on a pair of jeans, leather boots and a black, flowy top. Good enough. I splashed some make up on and met Adrian and Jason out in the living room forty-five minutes later.

             
Adrian drove us to a bar a few blocks away, we pulled up shortly after eight and the place was full. We took a high top table by the pool tables and ordered a round of drinks.

             
"So, I heard you guys scored big with your high profile meeting," I said casually as Adrian excused herself to the restroom.

             
"You can't even believe. I'm still in shock. This what we've worked so hard for all these years. I can't even begin to imagine what this will mean for our company. I feel like the sky is the limit now. There's so many more doors open than there were before. This is the best thing to happen to us," Jason spoke excitedly.

             
"You love it just as much as he does don't you?" I asked, smiling at his excitement.

             
"I really do. I've got a partner who is in it just as much as I am. We love it for different reasons which is what makes it work even better," Jason spoke.

             
"Why do you love it?" I asked.

             
"I love watching people light up when they see what I've done. It brings me a lot of happiness to get the feeling that I nailed it. I really enjoy what I do and that makes a big difference. On the other hand, Cole is good at setting it up. He is the deal man. He likes to go in and talk. He's the best at what he does. He's so good at knowing what to say and when to say it. I watch him sometimes and I think he's a genius. I'm amazed to see him do what he does. He loves it too." Jason took a swig from his beer and smiled.

             
"I'm sorry that he got on you. I know how he can be." I said. Jason waved his hand with dismissal.

             
"Don't worry about it. I can handle it after all this time." Adrian came back and took her seat next to Jason. They began talking, and I glanced around the bar. I had spent many nights in here over the course of my college education. I played tons of games a pool, drank tons of alcohol and ate tons of delicious bar food. But now it seemed so empty. I knew that it was missing his huge bubble of intensity to light the place up. I missed him. Seeing Jason and Adrian made me miss him so much. I slightly begrudged Adrian for getting to see Jason so soon. I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket and grabbed for it. I clicked on the e-mail icon.

Olivia,

By now I'm sure you're upset with me. I'm sorry I couldn't make it. I had too much work to do and couldn't get on that flight. I'm so sorry, I'm sure by now you're watching them maul each other like hungry bears. I miss you terribly. I will call you tomorrow.

C.C.

             
I closed my e-mail app and put my phone back in my pocket. I ordered another drink and decided that I was not going to sit here and pout. I was about to make my own fun. Two hours later and several empty glasses I was nearly spinning. Adrian and Jason were up playing a flirty game of pool. I had switched from regular mixed drinks to doubles. I had kept my phone safely in my pocket. Refusing to give in to the magnetic pull it had  begun to have on me. I would not make a fool of myself and drunk dial, text, or email him.

             
The bartender set another drink in front of me and I gave him a ridiculous smile. I knew it was ridiculous because it felt ridiculous and sloppy. Despite the fact that I knew I was pushing my limits I took a big sip. Was this what it was like to be with someone? When they weren't around you drugged yourself up so that you didn't have to deal with them not being there?

             
"Pathetic." I said aloud though it was meant for a thought in my head.

             
"You doll? I don't think so," said a voice from behind me. I turned much too quickly and saw a man, tall, extremely large arms standing behind me smiling.

             
"Who're you?" I said, trying my hardest to focus. He smiled and sat down next to me at the table.

             
"I think I'm about to save you from yourself. I've watched you drink yourself into oblivion all night."

             
"Nope. Still got some more to go." I raised my glass and took another sip. The cup came down with a splash.

             
"Why are you sitting here looking beautiful for nobody."

             
"He didn't come."

             
"Who didn't come?" Asked the large man.

             
"The man of my dreams."

             
"Did he say he'd meet you here?" This guy was genuinely trying to figure out what I was talking about.

             
"No. I just assumed the man of my dreams traveled with Prince fucking Charming over there." I pointed my thumb in the direction of the pool tables behind me.

             
"Ummm?"

             
"It's not fair. There is never supposed to be one without the other. I have to watch that hot mess go down while I sit and think about him. He did it on purpose. He wanted me to get the hint."

             
"The hint?" He asked.

             
"Yeah, that I was just his piece of Mexican ass and he wasn't going to see me again. I get it."

             
"Are you Mexican? You don't look like it."

             
"No you idiot, ass in Mexico. Anyway, I thought we were going to be together. Turns out that's not going to happen."

             
"So here you are drinking because he didn't show up?" The guy asked. I nodded my head in a very over-dramatic way. "I supposed his loss could be my gain. If you're up for it, in the United States that is." He laughed like he was the funniest guy in the room.

             
"I hope that you don't spend all of your days preying on intoxicated women in bars. Many a man has gotten in trouble for doing such things." I made a mistake as I spun around to see the disembodied voice. This time I nearly lost my balance on my stool. I felt my center of balance start tumbling toward the floor and then his arms were under my arms.

             
"No ma'am. You have no clue what or who has been on this floor. Can you sit up?" His voice was smooth and warm and it tingled every single part of me. He sat on the stool next to me. His hand still grasping my shoulders.

             
"I had to take a later flight, and I find you here beyond intoxicated chatting it up with some muscly stranger. Not what I envisioned for this evening Olivia." His face looked slightly worried and even a hint of anger was swept in there.

             
"I thought you weren't coming. I thought you didn't want to." I felt the tears starting to build. I wasn't a very stable drunk.

             
"Oh stop that Olivia. I was so upset that I could not fly in with Jason. There were things that had to be taken care of. I'm here now though. Come, let's get you home. You're starting to get sloppy." As he helped me stand my legs felt wobbly and the alcohol now had a real chance to travel through my blood.

             
"Starting?" I asked as I broke into a disgusting rendition of my own laughter.

             
"I'm taking her home. I will see you guys there." I heard Cole call as we walked toward the door.

             
I spent the cab ride home with my eyes closed, trying to push down the alcohol that was beginning to try to creep up. The cab finally stopped outside my building and I heard Cole shuffle in his wallet for money.

             
"Don't worry, he's got it," I said as I opened my door and nearly fell out into the street.  Quickly Cole was at my door, holding me vertical and walking me towards the front door. The elevator ride was less than fun as my full stomach sloshed around. The doors opened and I half walked to the door.

             
"Olivia, where are your keys?" Cole asked in a stern voice. I had to think about that question for far too long until I started trying to dig in my back pocket. I finally fished them out and Cole opened the door.