Authors: Melissa Phillips
Tags: #Literature & Fiction, #Contemporary, #Romance, #Contemporary Fiction
“Stop.” I barked back. Right now wasn't the time.
“Just sayin'.” She smiled with her eyebrows arched. She was never ashamed to speak her mind and many times she spoke without thinking first. Well maybe she did think, but she didn't bother to hold it in.
Davien didn't make a single move. He continued watching the movie like nothing ever happened completely ignoring all comments from Natalia. I followed along him.
When the movie was over Natalia and Scott walked to the kitchen to grab each of us another beer and refill our shared bowl of chips. Davien instantly reached for my body, pulling me closer to him. “I want you so damn bad right now, Avery.” He whispered into my ear, his hand moved between my thighs where he cupped me tightly.
I looked over his shoulder, making sure that Natalia couldn't see us well. She was busy laughing with Scott and continued refilling our junk food. “We can't.”
“I want.”
“Me too.”
“Follow me to the basement. I'll tell them that you wanted a nap.”
“They wont buy it.” We whispered short comments to each other.
Scott and Natalia returned and we pulled apart. Scott dropped the beers in front of Davien and I and Natalia placed the bowl back to the coffee table. “Hey Natalia wants to go upstairs for awhile... you guys cool?”
Holy shit, nothing like being put in another awkward moment. “Yep, sounds good. behave yourself.” Davien stood up and slapped Scott on his shoulder. “I don't hear any bumping around from upstairs.”
Natalia looked at me and bit her bottom lip. She held onto Scott's hand and followed him to the stairs. She mouthed quiet words. “Be back in a minute.” And jiggled her eyebrows with excitement. They really were cute together. And I could hear their fast steps up the stairs.
“Now what?”
“Nap time, I guess.”
I looked around the corner even though I knew the two had gone upstairs and they had no intention on returning anytime soon. “You're bad... what is this another set up?”
“Maybe.” I nudged his ribs with my elbow. “What? C'mon... you looked tired”.
☼
After hours of so-called napping we finally made our way up the stairs only to find Natalia and Scott sitting in the living room waiting for us. My heart was racing at the sight they would see when Davien and I appeared together. “Tired?” Scott asked with a smile that Natalia couldn't see.
“She was.” Davien pointed to me. “I watched some TV downstairs... jeez all the banging from upstairs, I couldn't hear shit in the living room.” Natalia laughed with amusement making it obvious that she knew what he was talking about.
“I tried to get her to be quiet but she insisted on doing jumping jacks.” Natalia pushed Scott across the couch. “Oww.” He reached for his upper arm.
“Hey, Natalia, do you mind bringing Avery around to Martin's a little before noon tomorrow?” Davien asked.
“Yeah sure. Why what's up?”
“I'm working on her car in the morning and I'd like her to stop through before my lunch.”
“Sounds good.” She smiled at both of us as Davien gripped my knee in his hand. “Well I'm heading out for the night. I guess I'll see you around 11:30ish, Avery.”
“Thanks... see you then.” She gave Scott a final kiss good-bye.
“Hey, where's mine?” Davien joked, but Natalia still ran to him and kissed his cheek. “Aww, see someone loves me.” If only she knew all of the 'loving' he was getting last night.
☼
It was Monday morning when I woke up to a half empty bed. Davien was already at work and I didn't have school that day. I decided on a long shower before heading upstairs. The apartment was quiet with the guys both gone but Natalia would be picking me up in the next hour. I did my hair and found a new outfit that Davien had bought for me.
Natalia dropped me off at the front door of Martin's garage. I was expecting a run down, dirty building but to my amazement the building was modern and spotless. Martin's garage was well kept up with lines of high-priced cars waiting to be repaired. I walked into the neat garage and waited for someone to come to the desk. An elderly woman scared me, when she came from the bathroom. Can I help you ma'am?”
“Um Yes. I'm hear to speak with Davien..Davien Dodge.”
“You must be Avery.” I nodded my head to her question and she led me to the back room. There were many loud noises with drilling and yanking of auto parts. A few guys yelled to each other with directions. I searched the room for Davien as I stood ignoring the elderly lady. In the corner, I spot my car. Little old Chevy Malibu, with the hood up and Davien stood wiping the sweat from his forehead as he examined my car. His elbows were covered in grease and his face was dripping from heat. He looked amazing though. His short sleeves were rolled to his shoulders, leaving his biceps to flex as he bent over the Malibu. “Sure there he is. Let me call him over.” She cupped her hands around her mouth. “Davien, your friend is here.” She yelled over the crowd of cars.
He looked up and saw my face. He instantly smiled and his eyes sparkled with pleasure to see me. Davien reached for my hood and lowered it down. When he came within arms reach of me, the lady left the area. He wiped his forehead once again with the back of his arm .“I think I got it fixed.”
“Are you serious?” He had only worked on it for a little over 2 hours. “What was wrong with it?”
“Ah nothing.. just needed some of my love.” He smiled. He looked around the room and quietly spoke. “You know the magic my love can do.” He winked, causing me to blush from his words of truth.
“What is Martin charging me?” I questioned as I thought about my empty bank account.
“Don't worry about it. I got it.” He smiled mischievously. “Ready for lunch?” I nodded as I watched his incredible,delicious body. “Let me clean up real quick, then we can leave.”
When he returned from the bathroom, he still looked amazing with his short sleeves still rolled to his shoulder, but the grease was wiped away and from the slight dampness to his hair, he must have rinsed his face. “Thanks, Davien. I promise I'll pay you back when I get the money.”
“Whatever. Hey guys I'm taking off. I'll be back in an hour or so.” Everyone yelled back with approval. Davien's bike was parked in the back lot and each time I saw it, sent chills up my spine. I thought of the first time I rode with him. A mixture of emotions that night. From the tense feeling when I first pulled my arms around Davien, the feeling of disrespect before we made it to his place when I found that the whole ride was a set up and the many times that we laughed together as I held him from behind. More than anything I thought of the day I sat trusting him as we waited in Anthony's driveway. In the short time I knew Davien I was beginning to believe that our relationship was stronger than the one I had with Anthony. “What's wrong, Avery? You look like you've got a lot on your mind.”
“Nothing really. Just been thinking about how blessed I am to have you guys in my life. I never expected this. Especially since it was never your job to have to watch my back”
“Is it really
anyone's
job to do so?” I shook my head “Alright then, you see that I'm doing it cause I
want
to, not cause I have to.”
We stopped at a small burger joint and Davien and I talked about my car. He said it should be good to go when we got back. He also asked me a few questions out of no where that left me searching for answers. “Where do we go from here, Avery?”
“From where?”
“You know what I mean.” His eyes met mine and I really did know what he meant but I was speechless .“What are we to each other?”
“I know as much as you do, Davien. I just don't know what I want.”
“I want you, I don't want to lose you. But more than
anything
I don't want to lose our friendship.” He stopped and stared into my eyes, then looked at the ceiling as he fought his feelings. “I can't just go to bed every night and not have feelings for you.”
“I understand, Davien, but I can't be hurt. Not yet. Not ever again.” I dropped my head to my hands that were resting on the table. “We can talk later, okay?”
☼
When we got back to the shop, Davien pulled my car to the parking lot and I was thrilled to jump in my junky car. It drove perfectly, better than it had since Anthony bought it. I gave Davien a quick thank you before he had to get back to work.
When I made it back to the guy's place, I dropped my purse at the couch and walked downstairs. I walked into the bedroom, and immediately saw a black desk with a laptop sitting in the corner. I sat at the chair that was facing the desk and looked around. My backpack from school was placed next to the lap top. Somebody had purposely moved this desk into Davien's room while I was gone for the short time with him.
A note was folded half way below my belongings. I opened it carefully:
I'm sorry that we couldn't get everything, but I hope this helps. Please continue with your schooling.- Davien
Next to the chair sat the box that Davien had retrieved from Anthony's house. I opened the box and realized that Vince had packed it with everything I could have actually
needed
. My homework, all of my personal papers including my title and insurance. My passport and even a few photos from my childhood that I could have never replaced. Not everything was there that I really wanted but what I truly needed was packed.
I was overwhelmed with joy when my phone rang. I looked and it was Davien “Hi.”
“Thanks for joining me for lunch. Just thought I'd give you a quick call before I start on this new bike”.
“Well I'm gonna take a nap. Nothing else to do.” I waited, knowing he was making a crazy facial expression. He was most likely questioning to why I hadn't mentioned that desk and lap top. “Oh and by the way some psycho is forcing me to continue with school.”
The laughter took over his voice. “Do you like it?” His words were energetic and joyful.
“It's awesome.” I paused between each of my words. “Thank You, put please stop. I don't want another Anthony.”
“Don't compare me to the ass. I'm simply making sure you have no reason to quit school. It's important for you. The job at Martin's is always available to you. Don't feel like I'm trying to control you, but please, Avery, make sure you finish your school.”
☼
The next few nights seemed awkward with Davien. Some nights we cuddled throughout the night, well almost every night. But he never made a single attempt to have sex with me. I needed to wait. I knew he was there, but he held back. Instead of getting closer, I almost felt like we were being pulled apart and it made me regret everything I had done. I continued with school until Friday when the guys were ready for CJ's again.
I was getting dressed in the bedroom while Davien showered. I looked at my dress that he had insisted I wore. I remembered that it wasn't a question when I showed him the dress. It was simply a demand when he told me to wear it. Now that our relationship had changed I felt curious whether or not to continue wearing it.
The door opened and Davien stuck his head in partially. “You dressed?” He asked quietly.
“Yeah, you can come in.” Everything felt out of place. I was scared to show off my body to a man that I had made love to twice. He walked towards me, his eyes never leaving my dress but he never spoke a single word, which made things even worse, he only shook his head and sighed. He looked amazing though. He sport a long sleeve black shirt which had the same texture as 'long underwear'. The sleeves were pushed slightly and his jeans were purposely faded with intended shreds on the thighs.