Xavier FINAL(73)

     “You’re out of your mind.” She closed her eyes. “I don’t think about him Xavier, not until you bring him up. I’m also not that desperate. Give me a little credit.”

     I didn’t know what to say to her. She looked so exhausted and I felt the same.

     “If you ever kiss someone in front of me again I swear to you you’re signing their death warrant.”

     “You did it first. Do you think I liked seeing the guy I was screwing this morning--?”

     “Here’s the deal. I don’t do this relationship thing. I don’t want someone to think they own my balls. I’m not some idiot who thinks they fall in love with a girl after two weeks. I never want to get married and I don’t like kids. I do like you. I like you more than I have ever liked a girl before. If we continue doing this, it won’t be fun anymore. My brothers are fucked up. Jase won’t touch his wife because he’s afraid he’s gonna break the kid growing in her or break her. Cyrus, well in seven months, he wants to get married and have kids. I have a fucking wedding to plan before they get back so he can surprise her. And Zandor, well let’s just say, he’s basically holding his chick up in Italy so he can -- I can’t even say it. I’m not like that. I wanna do this thing until it’s not fun anymore and guess what, it’s not fun right now.”

     I looked over and she was sitting with her hands covering her face.

     “I can’t see you upset either Taelyn. It does shit to me.”

     “You’re a mess Xavier. I’m going back in to try to show Memphis--.”

     “I don’t want him.”

     “He’s amazing--.”

     “He wants to fuck you. I’ll end up killing the guy.”

     She sat back and laughed. She laughed at me.

     “Give me my keys.”

     She got out and walked inside, with my keys.

     I walked into the bar and saw her standing at the edge of the dance floor watching the band. The song ended and she stuck two fingers in her mouth, whistled loudly and clapped. She was smiling and looked stunning. This wasn’t gonna end well. She was gonna be the one to break my heart.

     I forced myself to look away. That’s when I saw Angel looking at me. She smirked and nodded to Taelyn and shook her head. Then she stood and started walking in Taelyn’s direction.

     I wasn’t gonna let her near her. I walked over to Taelyn, took her hand and pulled her to the floor. I grabbed her hips and she put her hands on my chest.

     “Feeling better?”

     “No. I’m feeling something but better isn’t it. Don’t kiss anyone else but me.”

     I ran my hand up her back and grabbed a handful. I pulled her hair back so she was looking up at me with those beautiful green eyes.

     “You can’t pay his bills. You can’t live in a place that’s not safe. You won’t go back to him even when we’ve had enough of each other and you have to tell me if you see something that you want instead of me. While we’re hanging out you fuck only me, kiss only me, and let me keep you safe.”

     “Anything else?” She tried to joke but her voice wavered showing me she was as uneasy about this as I was.

     “Be patient with me. I have no fucking clue what I’m doing.”

     Then I kissed her.

     She grabbed my arms and pulled back, “Xavier?”

     “What is it Irish?”

     “Don’t hurt me.”

     “I don’t want to hurt you.”

     The song changed to Peace by O.R.E.

     I kissed her head and pulled her against me. “I like this song.” She looked up and smiled. “That smile, I like that too.”

     “You like me.”

     “You’re pretty damn likable.”

     “You’re pretty drunk.”

     “It’s your fault.”

     “Why’s that?”

     “You are pushing me out of my comfort zone.”