Authors note:
First off, I am very grateful for how well received the first parts were. It truly warms my heart, and it inspires me to keep going. I never expected anything north of 4 stars.
Part 1-3, I'll call them what they are. They are introduction chapters. I've seen my plans for the next few and they are much longer. I don't know if that is something that will withstand, but we'll see. I have lots planned.
For now, I hope you enjoy the latest installment. Thanks for reading. Rate five stars and favorite.
And as always, feedback is appreciated, as I have lots to learn. When it comes to hate comments, it takes you longer to write them than it takes for me to delete them.
*
The following Thursday, I didn't hear anything from Mel. I didn't really expect to, either. I hoped, of course, but I knew shit had been a bit crazy as of late. I figured she needed space. Hell,
I
needed space!
It was a lot to take in after all. Would our last night's parking lot event change everything between me and Mel? Would it be awkward? More hot encounters? Less? Maybe she would quit and that would be it!
"God, I hope not!"
I thought.
Insecurity and doubt clouded my head. I lay in bed, twisting and turning. There was so much conflict within me. I had no idea how to process it all. There was no doubt that I wanted Mel, but there was this other feeling I had towards her. I had no idea what I could call it. I was afraid, afraid of what that feeling might turn out to be. And how hurt I'd feel if I miscalculated her. Or myself. Could I really have these feelings towards a grown woman such as Mel? She was so unlike anyone I'd ever hooked up with, the few times
that
happened. Being at her mercy had put me in a weird place.
Though, I have to say, being at her mercy sounded pretty good too.
It was still pretty early, but I should probably get up. I had barely slept that night. I just had too much on my mind. I hoped I hadn't ruined it all. Even if nothing ever happened again, I still hoped it would be possible to be friends with Mel. A sense of dread hung over me, thinking of how I'd carelessly jeopardize that.
But then again, when I thought about it, it was Mel who really pushed for it, even if we both had been teasing each other. So if anything, I wasn't the one ruining stuff.
Maybe we both sort of did.
Not that it made it better.
"Fuck it," I mumbled to myself and jerked myself up.
Laying in bed all day didn't help in any way. I could at least get back to the gym and get a decent, early workout. There were no boxing classes this early. Hitting the heavy bag... I was just not there yet, I felt, to be one of those guys who came in to do bag work. I had no idea what I was doing. I was still at a stage where I preferred group workouts.
So I went for some climbing instead. I did the V0s last time, and I was sort of desperate to advance into something that was not the bottom-tier levels. Maybe I could advance to the V1 level routes one day in the distant future.
A climbing workout is not the most exciting thing for anyone but the guys and gals actually doing it, but it's safe to say that I got sweaty and tired and my hands were all kinds of sore. I was sure to get blisters, but it felt good to tire myself out.
After hitting the shower I went to check on my phone. I saw one single unread message on the display. I picked up the phone, unlocked it, and there it was! Finally, after an entire day of not hearing a word from Mel when she shot me a text. I flicked open my phone and read.
"I'll ride my bike to work on Friday. See you at work."
And that was it. I was a bit baffled, and even slightly let down. I knew I didn't really have a right to expect anything, but I couldn't help it. I desperately wanted to know how things were between us. One way or the other.
I needed to know. I looked at my phone.
"Fuck it,"
I thought, and picked it up, dialed Mel, and called.
One beep. Two beeps. Several beeps. Then she picked up.
"Hey, Bran! What's up?" she asked in an urgent tone. The background noise made it sound like she had taken her phone outside.
"Hi. Is everything cool?" I asked. Silence.
"I, erh. I think I made a mistake. I'm sorry, but... I can't act like this. I have two kids and a husband. You're young, with so much potential. What I did was not okay," Mel explained, sounding apologetic.
A lump in my throat gathered. Rejection. I have faced it before, and it always sucked. This time it was worse. I did find some solace in her admitting she liked 'it', but it was just a small light at the end of a long, dark tunnel.
"You okay?" Mel asked, sounding a bit concerned. I had gone silent for a few, I realized.
"Yeah... yeah, I'm alright. It's all good, don't worry. I just sorta spaced out," I answered, not sounding all that convincing.
"Oyh! You gonna head out, or what? I need more pop and chips, babe!" I heard David yell in the background.
"Sorry, I gotta go. I'll call later, or we can talk on Friday, alright?"
"Sure."
We exchanged goodbyes and hung up. I would lie if I said I wasn't gutted by this. She never even called back.
"I guess we'll talk later,"
I thought, trying to shrug it all off.
*