Love Thy Neighbor (Friend-Zoned)(13)

Her eyes have lost focus. She stares vacantly into my chest.

Shit.

This is why I don’t talk to people. I usually say shit that makes people angry or upset. It’s not that I don’t have manners, I just don’t really understand emotions.

I run a hand through my hair and start, “Nat, I’m sorry-”

But she cuts me off with a shake of the head and quietly states, “You’re good at that. You should become a police profiler or something. That’s pretty much right. All of it.” She ends on a whisper.

I clear my throat. “I don’t mean any offence. I just call it like I see it. I don’t really know how to lie. I’d prefer to just get the truth out there. No beating around bushes, ya know?”

She smiles a small smile. “You’re the kind of friend I need, Ghost. Lying doesn’t fly with me. I hate it.”

Quick save.

Great.

I have no idea why I’m so relieved. When Nat told me we should avoid each other all those months ago, I was pissed.

And a little hurt.

That one passionate time with her was enough for me to think we had potential to be casual, but she obviously thought I was only worth a one-time thing. So when she demanded we stop talking, I thought screw her. But seeing her at the club and not being able to even sit close enough to hear her voice was wearing on me. I won’t ever admit it to her, but somehow, she soothes me. I used to sit next to her in the booth only to sit back, close my eyes and let the sound of her voice penetrate me. The sweet, smooth sound would banish any memories of my dad. So when she started dodging me, I was up at night a lot more than I used to be, and the only other thing that would help would be finding a random girl and screwing her til my mind was so exhausted all I could do was sleep, if only for a few hours.

Something about Nat makes me crazy. I can’t quite put my finger on what that is.

She’s something else.

I’ll tell you one thing, since we f*cked, all I’ve wanted to do is get another shot at her. After losing that chance, I promised myself if I ever got the opportunity again, I would take it nice and slow. I’d savor the experience. The last time was rushed, explosive and fierce. I wouldn’t change it for anything though. She came twice just from my cock. That’s never happened before.

It was phenomenal.

Just thinking about it makes me hard.

And… you’re getting hard.

Fuck. That’s just great.

Now that I think about it, there is one thing I’d change about that night.

I’d kiss her.

***

Ghost shuffles around on his chair.

“You okay there?” I ask.

He replies a choked, “Yeah. Fine.” He looks kind of flushed.

“You need some water or juice?”

He looks grateful as he splutters, “Water! Yes, water. Perfect. Thanks.” I place the water on his side of the table and finish up my breakfast. I pop the last piece of French toast into my mouth and moan.

How great is food?!

I look up just as Ghost swallows hard and gets up and walks stiffly to the bathroom.

What a strange man!

I love food. There’s a type of food to deal with any emotion.

Depressed?

Fried food.

Happy?

Baked goods.

Content?

Ice cream.

I could make a whole chart up.

Ghost exits the bathroom and trying to make conversation, I ask, “What are you doing today, friend?”

He grins. “I don’t really know. It’s the only day off I get, so I try to cram a whole lotta crap into it.”

I nod in agreement. “Me too. I need to go grocery shopping though. You would’ve noticed this morning when you broke into my apartment to steal milk that I only had a drop left.”

He chuckles. “Yeah. You need more milk.”

“You need anything from the store?” I ask cautiously.

He looks shocked at my offer. I mean, I am pretty shocked at my offer. Ghost has been back in my life for about twelve hours, but in that time, he’s revealed more about himself to me than what he had in a year. And I want to know about him.

That’s my reasoning and I’m sticking to it.

He finally responds, “Yeah, I do have to get groceries.” He looks unsure but asks, “Can we just go together? I normally browse around because I don’t write a list.”

He doesn’t write a list?

Sacrilege!

I’m kind of excited about going grocery shopping with Ghost. “Sure. No problem.” I shrug and respond in a bored tone.

He says to meet in the hall in a half hour. In that time, I shower and dress.

Then we’re off.

***

Nat tries to get us to drive to the store in her car.

Not happening.

No offence to women, but when I’m in a car with any woman, it could even be her car, I’m driving.

Might have something to do with the fact that my car is my baby. I worked my ass off and saved any spare cash I had to put towards doing her up. My 68 Chevy Impala. Black exterior with matching black custom interior. Leather sent over from Italy. Some would say I’m stupid to have spent so much on it, but f*ck. She makes me happy.

After arguing for ten minutes, I stroll over to my car, start it and drive over to her. I have to hide my smile.