Love In Between(14)

“Have a good time,” I said as Sam headed out the door.

I strummed a few more chords and waited for Lily to strum back, but she never did. I decided to try and write a new song. It’s been a year since I’ve written anything. Ever since...





6

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Lily



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“Hello,” I said as I answered Gretchen’s call.

“Guess what I’m doing tonight,” she said.

“I don’t know, taking a bubble bath and shaving your legs?”

“No, Lily, stop it! I’m going on a date with Sam!”

“Ah, so he finally called you. That’s great, Gretchen; I’m happy for you.”

“Try it sometime, Lily. You might surprise yourself and like it.”

“No thanks. I’m happy with my life as it is. I don’t need a man to be complicating things. Have fun on your date with Sam. You better call me tomorrow and let me know how things went.”

“I will, Lily, and try not to have too much fun in that apartment all by yourself.”

“Goodbye, Gretchen.”

“Goodbye, Lils.”

I smiled as I hung up the phone and picked up my guitar. I could hear Luke trying to play something. He kept strumming and stopping. The little game we played just before Gretchen called was fun. He would play a tune and stop, and I would play it back. I couldn’t help but wonder how his hand was doing. Something about him bothered me. On one hand, I couldn’t stop thinking about him. On the other, I couldn’t stand him. I got up and put my guitar back. I had a corner in my living room that sat empty, so I moved my guitar there. That guitar holds a lot of memories for me; some bad and some good.

***

The next morning, I stumbled out of bed, tired as hell, and made my way to the kitchen for some coffee. You’d think I’d be used to only getting a couple hours of sleep a night since it’s been over a year. I poured a cup then headed to the bathroom for a shower. I stepped out of the shower and heard my phone beep from the next room. I walked over to it, and there was a text message from Sam.

“Good morning. I need to see you before I leave for work. Can I stop by?”

I smiled because he probably wanted to talk to me about his date with Gretchen. I replied back.

“Sure, the door’s unlocked. Grab a cup of coffee, and I’ll be right out. I’m getting dressed.”

I quickly ran to the door and unlocked it then ran back into my bedroom. As I was putting on my black pants, I heard Sam come in.

“Hey, Lily, it’s just me.”

“Hey, Sam, I’ll be right out!” I yelled.

I put on my shirt and walked out to the living room, rubbing my hair with a towel.

“You look very professional today.” I smiled.

He was wearing a three-piece black suit with a light green shirt and matching tie. Needless to say, he looked hot.

“I have a meeting today with a big client, and he’s the uptight, everything needs to be professional, type of person.”

“So, what brings you here for a visit this early in the morning?” I asked.

“Being a teacher, I knew you’d be up getting ready for work.”

“Follow me to the bathroom. I need to start getting ready,” I said.

Sam got up from the table and stood in the doorway of the bathroom while I put on my makeup.

“I had a great time with Gretchen last night. She’s an amazing person.” He smiled. “I think the four of us should go out.”

I was leaning over the sink, putting on my mascara. “The four of us?” I asked.

“Gretchen, me, you, and Luke.”

“I don’t date,” I said as I looked at my eyes in the mirror.

“I know you don’t, and I’m really sorry to hear that.”

I instantly looked at him. “Gretchen told you, didn’t she?”

“Yes, she told me all about your ex and what had happened at the church.”

“Damn her. Just wait until I talk to her,” I said in anger.

“Don’t, Lily. She’s worried about you. She told me that she’s happy you moved to Santa Monica because then she can keep a closer eye on you. She doesn’t want you to be lonely.”

“I like being lonely. Did she say anything else?” I asked as I ran a brush through my damp hair.

“She told me that your family isn’t dead and that they’re still living in Seattle.”

“My family’s dead to me, Sam. What my sister and mother did is unforgivable. I want you to forget about that conversation, and don’t ever mention it to anyone. Do you understand me? I’m starting my life over, and that’s my story. I never plan on seeing either of them again.”

“Ok, I’ll forget about it, but I want you know that Luke isn’t a bad guy like you think he is. He’s hiding himself, just like you are.”

“I don’t care about Luke, Sam. I’m not interested in men, period. I don’t care who they are. They’re all lying, cheating bastards who break my heart over and over. I refuse to ever let it happen again.”

He put his arm around me and held me tight. “I understand, and don’t worry; your secret’s safe with me.”