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?"
