chapter 20
Izzy
Mel and I sat in lawn chairs drinking our beers and watching the guys play football. I told her that she needs to stop bringing up the bad stories of when I hustled pool like she did last night. She had no memory of blurting out the story about that horrible night. We were followed home by the guy I hustled and luckily Brad and Mack were headed to our apartment for some drinks. Brad arrived just in time as the guy had me backed up against the wall and Melanie was trying to punch him to get him away from me. That was a scary night and I really had no desire to try to explain the whole ordeal to Z.
“That settles it! We have to call Brad and Mack now and have a reunion!” Mel exclaimed. She took out her phone and started texting him. She looked up and Flynn was watching her, looking a bit pissed. She huffed. “See that? That’s what he does! Like he’s positive I’m always trying to hook up with a guy! I haven’t even bothered telling him that Bill was transferred to our Chicago gallery.”
I was shocked as I glared at her. “What? Why wouldn’t you tell him that? That would settle a ton of questions he has in his mind. I would think you’d have jumped to tell him that!” I just didn’t understand their relationship at all.
“No, I’m not telling him. He’s never going to trust me regardless. What does it matter if Bill is here or not!” She looked like she was trying to pick a fight with me.
“Because, I thought the main reason you guys fight is because he thinks you’re still messing around with Bill.” I said, still in shock that she had some weird game going on in her head.
“That’s not the main reason we fight. He keeps trying to make me jealous too.” She said sadly.
“Wait. I’m sorry. Have you guys ever even gotten together? Or was there one day when you guys just started fighting?” I was totally confused.
“We kissed a lot and fooled around, but we’ve never gotten farther than that.” Mel said frowning.
“Why is that?” I asked, shocked.
“Because when we first started kissing, he had a girlfriend. Then he broke up with her so we could start something up, but then he found out about Bill and me and ever since then we’ve been going back and forth like this.” She said shaking her head.
I laughed. “You need to just take control and say screw it, because this is just getting ridiculous,” I said lowering my breath.
She laughed, “You’re probably right. I’m just afraid to take the first step.”
“Well, when you finally do, make sure you turn your phone off! Any text or call that comes in, he’ll think is a guy,” I joked.
She giggled at that, “Yeah, good thinking!”
We turned back to watch the guys. Z looked over at me; he pulled his shirt up to wipe his brow and winked at me. He mouthed hot and sweaty to me. I giggled and bit my lip. Matt hit him over the head so he’d pay attention. I giggled again.
“So, you two seem to be going pretty well, huh?” Melanie and I hadn’t really had a chance to talk since I’ve been at Z’s every night and working.
I beamed “Yeah, we seem to be doing really well.” I bit my lip smiling just thinking about the past week.
Melanie nudged me. “Good, I’m glad for you, really. You deserve it. And you can’t find a nicer guy than Z.” She chuckled, “Well, besides Flynn.” Then she turned serious. “Have you thought about what might happen if HE ever comes back into the picture?”
“What do you mean? I don’t think HE’s even looking for me.” I hoped. HE felt like some ugly green monster that kept rearing its head that I kept trying not to think about.
“But you’re done with him, right?” She asked with her eyebrows raised, almost coaxing me to say yes.
“Yeah, of course I am. I mean after what HE did, not to mention keeping you from me. I can’t ever go back to that.” I had no intention of going back with HIM. What I have with Z was something I never had with anyone. Even if HE had loved me, it was never anything close to what I have with Z. I know I was falling in love with Z.
“Okay…Good, I was just checking. I mean it was two years you were with him. That’s a long time. So, what really happened that last night that actually made you leave?”
“I...I can’t tell you here.” We’re in the middle of a neighborhood block party.
“Alright…but soon, you’ll tell me soon, right?” She pleaded. I just nodded, hoping to get her to stop asking. I wasn’t sure if it was more out of curiosity than anything else. After what I had told her so far, she would never look at me the same. She would only have pity in her eyes and I don’t want anyone’s pity after a life of having nothing but that. Z started giving me that look the night we hustled pool at his dive bar. I was hoping he wasn’t going to give me that look again.
The guys scored a touchdown and Flynn and Z’s moms came and sat on each side of us. Both mothers were very young looking for their age and seemed to stay in great shape. Both Z’s parents were good looking and I could tell where Matt and Z got their great looks. Z’s mom, Mrs. Williams or Sarah, as she insisted I call her, nudged me playfully. “Having fun, Izzy?”
I smiled, nodding my head. “Yes, actually a lot. This is a great neighborhood.”
“Yes, it really is.” She agreed as we watched the boys play.
I heard Flynn’s mom, Tania, start talking to Melanie asking her what’s going on with her and her son. I practically snorted. Melanie answered, “I have no idea what your son is thinking!”
Sarah leaned over to me and said, “Stubborn boys, aren’t they? Just like their fathers!”
Tania leaned over and snickered. “Flynn more so!” Then turning back to Melanie and said “Let me guess, he’s jealous all the time, isn’t he?”
I giggled at that. To say the least! Sarah looked at me lowering her voice, “That bad, huh?” I nodded, rolling my eyes.
Melanie whined, “I just don’t know what to do anymore!”
I laughed, “You know exactly what to do!” She turned and glared at me. I still giggled.
Sarah huffed, “I’m sure I agree with you right now, Izzy!”
Tania started laughing. “These boys sometimes need a good kick in the ass!” Tania and Melanie turned to each other and started discussing the issue.
Sarah turned to me and quietly said, “How are you really doing? Z told me a little bit about your childhood. Seems like you had your share of rough times so early, huh?”
I shrugged and pulled my chin up, not looking at her for fear she had that look of pity. “Yeah, I guess I have. But it’s okay, really. Things turn out for the better.” I had to believe that or all the shit I’ve been through would come crashing down and I’d really have nothing to hold on to. I refused to believe the last lesson HE gave me.
“I like your attitude, Izzy. Sometimes life hands you a shit deal, but you’re the only one who can turn it around.” She sighed deeply. I smiled at Z looking over and winking at me.
“He likes you a lot, you know. He doesn’t stop talking about you during our phone calls. Even when he was with that ex of his, he mentioned you.” Wow, it’s nice to know that he did have the same feelings I did even when we first met. “He’s had his share of troubles as a teen too. Those were some tough times.”
I looked at her curiously. “Why? What happened?” None of the gang had ever mentioned anything to me.
“Oh, he had more than his share of heartaches in high school. Then he started getting in trouble with the cops. He started in with the wrong crowd for a bit – stealing cars. He hooked up with some pretty scary boys. Took his Dad and Matt to really straighten his ass out!” I was shocked. I knew Z wasn’t an angel, but didn’t think he did stuff like that. “Matt was already in college, but came home all the time to kick his butt. The third time he was arrested, Matt decided to come home for a semester. He followed him around and when any of those idiots came near Z, Matt told them that Z wasn’t going to do stuff for them anymore.” She smiled and sighed again. “They’ve always been very close.” We watched the boys play for a little bit longer then she smiled. “I hope things work out between you two. You seem like a very sweet girl who could make him happy.”
I smiled. “I hope so.” I wasn’t sure what else to say. I didn’t know where things might go for us, but I could always be hopeful it would turn out for the better.
She breathed in deeply, “Well, I suppose I should start cleaning up.” She said standing. Tania stood up too.
“What can I do?” I asked as I stood up.
“No, you girls just sit here watching the boys. They’re getting all hot and sweaty! I used to love watching Z’s dad run around getting that way!” She laughed and winked at me. I giggled. I don’t think Z would have wanted to hear his mom say that! Melanie and I sat there watching while the game finished up.
“So, are you going to make a move when you get home with Flynn?” I asked Melanie watching the guys score the final touchdown. All the guys were high fiving and talking shit to the other team about how they beat their asses. It was funny to watch them.
She took a deep breath, “Yeah, I guess that’s what I need to do. What’s the worst that happens? I get thrown out into the street and have no place to live?” I laughed knowing that’s not what would happen; although it might be uncomfortable around the townhouse for a while, if things didn’t turn out for the better.
Z and Flynn came running up. I got a big sweaty hug and kiss on the lips from Z. “Hot and sweaty baby! What do you think,” he asked laughing and breathless from the game. I giggled and smiled at him.
“I love it! Too bad we’re not alone!” I teased.
He leaned in and whispered, “We could go up to my old bedroom. I’m sure I could clear off all the boxes off my bed!” He winked at me.
I started to consider it, but there’s no way I could face anyone if they saw us going up to the house knowing what we would probably be doing. “Let’s help clean up so we can get back to your place faster!” I teased and wiggled my eyebrows.
“Awww…come on. You considered it for a bit, though, didn’t you?”
I reached up to kiss him, “Absolutely! I’m loving you all hot and sweaty!” I whispered, giggling again. He pulled me into a huge hug and swung me around kissing me. He put me down and rushed to help clean up.
We helped clean quickly, said our goodbyes to everyone and hurried home.