“I’d rather you give me a show than watch anything on here.”
I smile, preparing our food, then grab him a beer from the fridge. I glance up to see what he’s put on the TV and notice light music crooning through the speakers. He’s turned sideways on the sofa just staring at me.
“Are you watching me?” I ask.
“Maybe,” he says and smiles. Something inside me melts, and I know I’ll never get enough of that smile no matter what.
“So you’ve moved on?” Roger asks me.
“Yeah, and this girl, she’s something else.”
“I can tell; this is the most excitement that I have ever seen from you. I trust that she’s single.”
“Absolutely. She went through a fucked up break-up with a lot of rejection and heartache.”
“So you can relate, that’s good. What about…Andrea?”
“I ended things with her, but she won’t leave me alone. I originally told her I didn’t want anything more than sex with anyone, but she’s relentless. Now, I can’t tell her that I’ve moved on with Elania ’cause that will make me sound like an ass.”
“But you could. You could explain that you’re not interested in a relationship with her.”
“I don’t want to hurt her any more than I have. She’s a sweet girl just stuck in a real shitty relationship.”
“There you go again, Nathaniel, always worrying about others before yourself.”
“Come on, Roger. Put yourself in my shoes.”
He laughs for the first time…ever. “No, thank you. I’ll stick with my wife. I’m not one to enjoy hopping around with different women.”
I laugh back at him, as it was actually kinda funny. “You know what I mean. I don’t want to hurt her.”
“Well, you need to do something to help her accept the reality of the situation.”
The timer dings, and in an unprecedented move, I’m not ready to leave. I actually enjoyed this session. “Same time next month?” he says.
I nod my head and leave his office grabbing a card with my next appointment on it. “Thanks,” I tell his receptionist, noticing he did schedule me for a month from now. In recent months, I have been coming every two weeks, but I guess not anymore. Finally, good ol’ Roger is seeing the progress that I am making. I shove the card into my back pocket and pull my phone out as the elevator arrives.
Of course, there are two missed phone calls from Andrea and a text from Elania. I open the text, ignoring the calls the same way I have been recently.
Lunch? My afternoon appointment cancelled.
I text her back, I’m having lunch with my mom, do you want to meet her?
She doesn’t respond and I wonder what’s going through her mind. The elevator doors open and I head towards my car. As I begin my drive across town my phone rings, and it’s her. “Hey, El,” I answer, switching lanes on the freeway.
“Are you being serious?” she asks. There is a clear concern to her voice.
“Absolutely, my mom wants to meet you. Why don’t we surprise her today?”
“I don’t know, Nate, it’s so soon.”
“Who cares? Just come with me. It’ll be better this way, not planning it, so you don’t have a lot of time to think about things and get yourself all worked up.”
The line is silent. “El?”
“I’m here. I guess…as long as you’re sure she won’t mind.”
“She won’t, trust me.”
“Where should I meet you?”
“Where are you?” I ask.
“My office.”
“I’ll pick you up. I’m just leaving an appointment.”
“Should I order any food? Since you have an extra stop now?”
“Nope, we’ll grab something. I can’t wait to see you.”
I can hear the smile in her voice. “Me too.”
“Yeah?” I ask, needing a little reassurance. I might be a guy, but we have insecurities too.
“Of course. You’re all I’ve thought about all morning.”
“Good,” I tell her, feeling horny the closer and closer that I get to her office.
“Well, I should get going.”
“Why?” I ask not wanting to end our conversation.
“I don’t want to keep you on the phone while you’re driving.”
“It’s hands free; talk all you want.”
“Is that what you’d like?” she asks.
“I like anything that you’re willing to give.”
“Oh, if you only knew.”
“Then come give it to me, I’m outside.”
She makes the cutest noise and hangs up. I pick my phone up and text my mom to give her a heads up. She’ll be happy that I’m bringing El, so I’m not concerned at all.
I glance up, looking for Elania and can see her talking to someone through the glass windows of her office. If I had to judge, I’d say she’s upset. She’s shaking her head, with her hands out in front of her and walking backwards.
I unbuckle my seat belt, adrenaline alone moving me to her. But before I can get three steps, she comes storming outside. She has tears in her eyes and I hold her face. She shakes her head and pushes her way against me. I wrap her in my arms, feeling terrible to see her this upset.
“What’s the matter?”