I Stole Your Love

I woke the next morning to the bed shaking. I snapped up to find Stella jumping on Myra's bed, giggling. Thank god I was dressed in my t-shirt and boxers under the covers.

"Wake up, sleepyhead," she said as she bounced. "Mama says it's time to eat."

She rolled off the bed and bounced out of the room.

I sat up and wiped the sleep from my eyes. The clock on her nightstand said 6:30 and I groaned as I stretched my back.

As I washed my face, I wondered what the hell I was doing. I thought back to the previous night when lied to her and used her for a fuck.

There was no way I could conceive of dating her, let alone falling in love with her. She had shown no loyalty nor trustworthiness. She was good in bed and that was what I wanted, so I took advantage of her.

When did I become such a piece of crap?

After dressing, I walked into the kitchen where a plate of French toast was waiting for me along with a cup of coffee. I heard Myra and Stella talking in the living room, so I sat down and dug into my breakfast, dreading seeing her.

"I wasn't sure if you wanted bacon or not. I've got some in the oven," Myra said walking into the kitchen.

"I'd like some, thanks."

"Derek," she said, handing me the plate and sitting down. "You were different last night. It felt like you were just using me to get off. It was different than the other times."

I put my fork down and looked up.

"You can't get past what I did, can you?" She asked looking at me as if afraid of the answer.

I frowned and said, "I don't know how I can. You should have told me about George and Jill as soon as you found out. All that shows me is that you were thinking of your selfish desires and not about me. How can I get past that? If we try to build a relationship, the foundation is on lies, deception, and greed."

"I know it seems that way to you. I wish I could prove to you that I never meant to hurt you."

She took my hand.

"I love you with all my heart, Derek."

I shook my head and said, "Myra, do you love me or the stability and love I have to offer? You said yourself that you were jealous of the way I loved Jill. You're assuming I would love you like that. Maybe I'll never love anyone that deeply again?"

"I'll take that chance, Derek. Please try to get past what I've done. I know I look like a snake in all of this. If all I wanted was to break up your marriage, I would've done it years ago."

"I'm sorry, I can't."

She started crying and I hugged her. After breaking the hug, I kissed her goodbye. Six months later I ran into her at the store and she was in a relationship with a single dad from Stella's daycare and very happy. I wished her all the best and meant it.

****

Meanwhile, I was spinning my wheels. I stopped drinking like I was before and got back into the gym. I also cut my hair, grew a groomed beard, and started giving a shit about the way I looked again. What I didn't do was start dating.

I suppose I could've picked up any number of women to use for a night, but I didn't want to do that either. I guess I was hiding, but from what, I didn't know.

My friends tried to set me up, of course, but I dodged those attempts like Neo from the Matrix. I was deemed a project by their wives who felt it was a crime that I wasn't shackled to a woman. They made sure that every party had one or two single women vying for my attention. It became a game to me to come up with creative ways to blow them off.

That is until I was struck in between the eyes by that bastard Cupid's arrow.

I was at, of all places, Jill's friend Sara's house. She was having an engagement party (yep, a doctor) and for some reason, I was invited. For some other unknown reason, I went.

Jill was there with her fiancé and she was barely showing a baby bump. I wanted to run as soon as I saw her but Sara grabbed my arm and said, "Derek, my sister is going to be pulling up in a minute with some chairs for the party. Would you be a lamb and help her with them?"

"Sure," I said as I stared at the baby bump that could've been mine. I was feeling very shitty all of a sudden.

I walked to the front of the house and saw a large SUV pull into the driveway. The driver got out and my jaw dropped. The woman was more beautiful than Sara. I was frozen in place until I heard her sweet voice ask, "Are ya gonna help me or stare at me all day?"

She giggled as I shook off my stupor and walked to her truck.

"Hey there, sport. I'm Andi, Sara's sister. I suppose you're my next victim, huh?"

I was confused and said, "Sara sent me to help with the chairs."

She smiled wide and nodded, "Yep. Lemme guess, you're single and desperate. That's the type she usually sets me up with. When she told me she was sending a hottie out to help, I knew what she was doing. She thinks of me as a project for her amusement. Setting me up with every sucker or loser she thinks is my type."

"Uh, she didn't mention a set-up to me so I don't think that's the case," I said getting lost in her green eyes.

"Oh? That's too bad. I wouldn't have minded riding you for a while. Come on, big guy. The chairs won't carry themselves."

She grabbed her purse and walked to the backyard. I almost laughed at the absurdity of the woman. Ride me for a while? What a laugh. She sure was cute though.

After making three trips with the chairs, I walked over to Sara and said goodbye.

"You can't leave yet. The party's barely started."

"Yeah, I know. It's just..."

"Fuck Jill and her baby. You need to man up and get past what she did to you."

"I am past it. I just don't feel like looking at her all night and thinking about what could have been. I'm sorry."

I turned to walk away and Andi was walking up behind me.

"Where ya goin' Thor?"

"Thor?" I asked with Sara laughing and patting my shoulder as she walked away.

"Yeah, you look like the guy who played Thor. Well, the short hair is styled like his. You're kinda buff, but not too muscled up. You've even got the beard."

"Well, it's not my intention to look like him, but it works for me."

"You're damn straight it works for you," she giggled. Damn! What a sound it was.

"Everything but your sandals. Who the hell wears huarache sandals anymore? This ain't a Beach Boys music video, Thor."

I liked my sandals.

"Sorry, my footwear doesn't work for you. If you'll excuse me, I was just leaving before you walked up."

"Yeah, I'm sure. Sis told me about your ex-whore walking around here packing a baby. I just bet you're moping around like a lost puppy. Come on, let's get a beer into you before I change my mind."

Who the hell was this girl and why did she think she could boss me around and take shots at my sandals? Before I knew it, we were at the table of coolers and she was handing me a berry shanty. How did she do that?

"Ya look like a berry type of guy, Thor."

"My name is Derek, actually."

"Okay, good to know, Thor. So, what's wrong with you that you have to be set up by my sister to get a girl? Aesthetically, you're above average but there has to be something wrong with you that you can't get a girl on your own."

"You mean other than my choice of footwear?"

She giggled again and it was like a choir.

"Yep. I know that slut, Jill, is your ex, so you aren't a wife beater. Did she break you so badly that you can't be fixed or are you a worthy rehab project?"

"What makes you think I even like you?"

"Well, for starters you didn't leave. Next, you're drinking that awful beer because I gave it to you. Lastly, you didn't even notice you sat in potato salad while we were talking."

I jumped up off the seat and looked down at the chair as she laughed at me.

There was a small spot of potato salad on the chair. I patted my butt to try to get it off and she said, "Turn around, God of Mayo. I'll get it for you."

She wiped my shorts for what felt like longer than needed as I wiped the chair.

"Nice ass, Thor. You've got potential. You just might be worth it."

Jesus! She was brazen. I knew I had to put an end to it. I couldn't let another woman lead me around by the short and curlies.

"Alright, Andi. It was great to meet you but I'm gonna take off now. I can't walk around in this heat with potato salad drying on my ass."

She smiled and said, "Okay, I tell ya what? You go home and change your drawers. If you come back and talk with me some more, I'll stop calling you Thor, and I'll be nicer to you."

I laughed and said, "Why start being nice then?"

"My sister warned me that you were the kinda guy that was pure husband material, but your biggest flaw is you can't see when a girl is taking advantage of you. Jill did it by hiding her affairs and some chick manipulated you into divorcing her."

"I wasn't manipulated into divorcing her. She cheated and as soon as I found out, I was gone."

"Sure. Anyway, I wanted to test that theory and it's true. You let me lead you around here, disrespect you in several different ways, and you were in my clutches until you sat in potato salad. By the end of the night, I'd have had you massaging my feet and kissing my toes."

I wasn't sure whether to be pissed at her or thank her.

"Well, I'll see you around," I said as I walked away, leaving her wondering if I was coming back.

****

After changing my shorts, I found myself driving back to the party. I was strongly attracted to Andi and I wanted to see if she acted any differently when I returned. Was she testing me before or was that her true personality? I didn't think it would hurt to find out and I felt drawn to her.

I walked into Sara's backyard and the music was blasting. People were dancing, swimming, and eating, I was glad I went back.

I saw Sara by the coolers as I grabbed a Miller Lite.

"Hey, Derek. I'm glad you came back. She's been looking around like a lost child for the last ten minutes. I guess you took too long for her comfort level."

"Well, I'm not too thrilled about her little game of testing how pussy whipped she could get me. I may not seek her out at all."

She frowned and kissed my cheek.

"You're one of the good ones and so is she. Give her a chance and don't let yourself be whipped. You weren't like that when I met you."

She looked up, "Here she comes. I told you she was worried you weren't coming back"

Sara walked past her and said something that made Andi frown. She looked at me and smiled when she continued her way over to me.

"Hi," she said. "I'm Andi, Sara's younger sister."

I shook her hand and played along.

"I'm Derek. Nice to meet you. Can I buy you a drink?"

She giggled, at least that wonderful sound was real, and said, "Sure. I'll have a Lite also."

I grabbed a coozy with Sara and Dr. Jason's names on it, slid the beer in, and handed it to her. I thought it was odd to give out commemorative coozies for an engagement, but whatever.

"Thanks," she said. "I like your sandals. I have a pair just like them."

I laughed and she smiled.

"Would you like to sit out front where it's quieter? We could get to know one another better."

I agreed and took a step forward. She grabbed my hand and walked along next to me.

"I'm glad you came back," she said as we sat. "I hoped you would come to find out about the real me and forgive me for what I was doing before."

"We'll see. You're cute enough to keep my attention, but being called out and tested on being easy to manipulate is still sticking in my craw."

She was about to apologize but I cut her off.

"You're right, of course. I was blinded by my ex and Myra tried to cuff me to her bed. I know I need to have more backbone and keep my eyes open. I still don't think it's a fault to love and trust someone so deeply that you can't imagine them hiding a different life from you. I wouldn't in a million years have expected that Jill was cheating until Myra blackmailed her."

"Blackmailed?" She asked shocked.

"Well, yeah. Technically speaking. She did something that was out of character and I got suspicious. Not too long after Myra confirmed that she was cheating on me."

"I'm sorry, Derek. I don't understand the mentality of a person that thinks it's okay to cheat. I don't think I have it in me."

"I hope not. So, enough about that. What do you do for a living?"

"I teach high school science."

"Oh! You're the sexy teacher."

She laughed and shook her head.

"They call me the Ice Queen because I'm all business. I wear pants and long skirts, along with glasses. I give more homework on a nightly basis than any other teacher. I think I'm quite hated by the kids."

"Oh, I doubt that. They fantasize about you letting your hair down and whipping your glasses off. Don't think for a second that they don't."

We laughed and she asked, "How about you?"

"I own a company that handles hazardous recycling for businesses."

"Wow! How'd you get into that?"

"I was a garbage man when I graduated high school because my uncle got me a job where he worked. I learned about recycling and what we wouldn't or by law couldn't take. I did some digging and the only places in the area that handled it were the city or state facilities. It was actually a case of luck and being in the right place at the right time. I heard my boss say that the state was passing a bill that allowed private companies to contract it out and he wouldn't be going after it. I found a venture capitalist that would give me the start-up costs and I was off and running. Small at first but we're pretty large now. In a few years, I'll be able to buy out the money man and be 100% owner."

"I thought all that kind of thing was run by mobsters," she said with a raised eyebrow.

"Maybe in the big cities or decades ago, but so far no one's tried to break my legs."

She looked at her watch and said, "It's late. I need to get going."

I stood and said, "Are you free this Friday? My buddy's band is playing and I could use a date."

"I'd like to, but I'm not sure. Give me your phone."

She put her number in and said, "Give me a call Monday and I'll let you know."

I walked her the twenty feet to her truck in the driveway and said goodnight. As she backed out, I looked at my watch and saw it was only 9:00. I wondered why she had to leave so early.

****

She agreed to meet me at the bar where the band was playing. I waited in the parking lot for her and smiled when she pulled in.

She looked amazing, dressed in a short denim skirt and sleeveless top. She wore a pair of red cowboy boots and had her hair in a ponytail.

"Hi!" She said as she kissed my cheek and hooked into my arm.

"Hi, back," I said as we walked towards the building.

"Derek, I'm sorry but I have to take off early tonight. I've got to be up early to help my parents with a project in the morning."

"Okay," My spider-sense was tingling with her having to have an early night again, but I let it go.

"What kind of project?" I asked.

"Uh, painting. My mom's never happy with her decor."

I felt like she made that up. Why lie?

We watched the band and it was too loud for small talk, but we enjoyed ourselves. I was glad she liked the Classic Rock they played as it was my favorite kind of music.

At nine, she asked me to walk her to her car.

"Thanks for understanding about my early night. Can I make it up to you by seeing you again, say tomorrow night?"

"Sure, how about dinner and a movie?"

"Perfect," she said and stood on her tip-toes, planting a nice and tender kiss on my lips.

"See you tomorrow, I'll text you my address so you can pick me up."

I watched her drive away and headed back to the bar.

****

I opened my door the next morning and welcomed my maid, Connie, in.

"Connie, do you have time to give me an extra thorough cleaning today? I have a date tonight and might bring her back."

She started laughing. Connie had been cleaning my house weekly for several years. When Jill left, Connie took on more of a worried aunt-like demeanor.

She tried to make sure I had healthy food, fresh fruit, and she even made me some pre-cooked meals to have during the week. She only tried to set me up with two of her daughters. The other two were married.

"Well! Mr. Mopey finally has a date? That's fantastic and it's about time. Sure, I'll make you look like a bachelor with a good cleaning service."

She cackled as she walked into my kitchen. I picked up the rest of the grocery bags and followed her.

"Is it serious?" She asked.

"Maybe. I like her, but it's only our second date."

She gasped, "Only the second date and you're bringing her home? Tsk, tsk, Mr. Derek."

She laughed and continued, "Good girls wait for the third date."

I laughed and said, "Better girls, don't have rules like that."

I walked out the door to head to the gym with her still busting my chops.

****

I stopped at the barber on the way home and my usual guy, Sal, asked when I was going to get rid of the beard.

"You don't like it, Sal?"

"Not on you, Derek. Why don't you let me shave you again?"

I figured, "what the hell" and told him to go ahead. I hadn't had a shave since the divorce. It was one of my little splurges when I was married. Sal was a wizard with a straight razor and I liked the feel of the whole experience, from the hot towel to the soothing face balm.

When he was done, I liked what I saw. I was looking at the old me again and it had been far too long.

"So much for Thor," I mumbled as I rubbed my smooth chin.

"What was that, Derek?" Sal asked confused.

"Nothing, Sally. Just an inside joke. Looks great as always, my friend."

When I got home, Connie was finishing up and saw my new, well, old look.

"Dios Mio," She cooed rubbing my cheek. "Glad to have you back, Mr. Derek. This girl must be special."

"I hope so, Connie. Thanks for everything today."

"My pleasure. Good luck tonight."

I nodded as she walked out the door, thankful to have her.

****

I knocked on Andi's door and noticed the faux-shutter on the front window was loose. That made me look at the rest of my surroundings and I saw that she needed little touch-ups on several maintenance items. Then I saw a tri-cycle next to the house behind a bush.

I was shaken from my thoughts by the door opening. I spun and had my breath taken away. She took the cliche little black dress to the next level.

"You look amazing, Andi."

She was staring at me but wasn't saying anything. Then she touched my cheek.

"Wow!" She whispered. "I had no idea you were hiding that face under the beard."

I laughed. "Well, it works for me."

She ushered me in and said, "I have to put the finishing touches on my makeup. Can I get you a beer while you wait?"

"No thanks."

"Okay, I promise I'll be quick."

She hustled up the stairs and I walked around the living room. I saw a large indentation on the carpet in a corner and noticed a couple of empty spots on the wall with nails, but no pictures hanging.

That's when I realized what was happening. I walked into the kitchen and opened some cabinets. Seeing what I needed to see, I sat on her couch and waited.

"Okay, all set," she chimed as she bounced into the room.

"Please sit, we need to talk," I demanded, trying to hide my anger.

"What's the matter?"

"Is it a boy or a girl?" I asked.

"What do you mean?"

"Come on, Andi. You're not hiding the fact that you have a child very well. The early nights? The babysitter had to go, right? The tri-cycle outside, the pictures you took down, the toy box missing from the corner?"

"I wanted to ease you into it. I..."

"So, you feel starting to date me while hiding the most important part of your life from me is okay? That one day you would just say, 'meet my kid' and it would be alright? What kind of asshole do you think I am?"