Page 37 of Quiet Chaos

Thanksgiving at the club reminded me she’s not mine. Anyone can talk to her. She can go on dates. Their lips can touch hers. Hands exploring her curves, dips, and erect nipples.Fuck! I press my forehead into the pillow as I prevent my hipsfrom circling her ass. The want and desire is building each day, and seeing Influencer and Rocker make a move on her spiked it up. Still, I remind myself Sky’s only twenty-one and I’m twenty-seven. The experience alone doesn’t fit, and when you top it off with her white soul against my blackened one, she should remain untouchable to me.

She stirs underneath. I freeze, not wanting her to get up yet. Sky’s head turns sideways to me, bearing a content smile.

Her tender, smoky voice says, “Good morning.”

My hand pushes the hair away from her face. I tap the tip of her nose. “Reed and Patsy are coming over today.”

She snuggles into the bed with a slight tip of her head. I rest my head back down. My hand automatically draws light circles on her back. Armstrong jumps onto the end of the bed, turns a few times until he finds a comfortable position pressed against Sky’s side. The drapes are open. Large, white snowflakes float down. I drag the covers over both of us, and by accident, fall back to sleep.

***

I overslept and I’m in my home office, finishing overdue projects. In the living room, I hear Sky rummaging through the Christmas bins. I kept all my mom’s Christmas decorations as reminders of my childhood and her. It was her favorite holiday.

The doorbell rings, a sign Reed and Patsy have arrived. I make piles on my desk and grab a bottle of bourbon. Patsy and Sky are in an embrace. Reed and I bump shoulders while shaking hands. I pour us a drink and head into the lounge area. He drops into the chair while I take the couch, stretching my legs, and putting my feet on the table. The bourbon is going down exceptionally smooth today. It must have been the cozy morning waking with Sky beneath me. Unfortunately, clothed. I light a cigarette and take a deep inhale.

Reed places his drink on the table when he asks, “What was going on with you on Thanksgiving?”

My shoulders rise and fall in response. I turn the TV on, scrolling through the channels while still muted. The thing about hanging with Reed is he knows me too well. I can’t dodge questions if he wants answers. Many times, he serves as my conscience and pushes me out of my comfort zone. The guy has been there for me in the hardest of times without judgment. Now, a lecture is coming.

“Don’t give me that shit, Cade. Something is going on between you and Sky.” I keep my attention on the TV. “She was basically eye-fucking you.” This gets my attention.

“Huh?”

He shakes his head and laughs. “The woman followed your every move.” Reed takes a sip and continues, “When Josie came up to you, Sky saw her hands run along your body, and honest to God, you can tell it hurt her.”

“There’s nothing going on with Josie.”

“I know.” He pauses. “You want Sky, except you’re too damn stubborn to admit it.”

I snort ano. “We don’t belong together.”

Sky and Patsy come into the lounge with cheese and crackers, dips, and cut vegetables.

Hands on her hips, Patsy looks from Reed to me. “You guys need anything else?” We shake our heads. “Sky and I are going to hang decorations, garland, and lights around the inside of the house.” She points her finger at both of us. “One or both of you will have to do the outside lights.”

Sky plunges a radish into a spinach dip before leaving. I know Reed is waiting until they’re far enough before talking again.

He reaches over for the cheese and crackers and smacks my leg. “Why do you think you don’t belong together?” I give him a fixed gaze.

“Yeah, she’s religious and you’re…you. So what if you’re different?”

I toss the remote on the couch, fold my hands in my lap, and ask, “And what about us makes sense, Reed? Her wholesomeness and my carousing? Or her Bible quotes and my cursing. No, I got it. It’s her ‘I just turned twenty-one and can drink with my twenty-seven-year-old bourbon lover.’”

He spreads his arms out and says, “You’ve always liked a challenge.”

There’s a sports game on. Both of us watch my favorite team make a wrong move.

Throwing my hands in the air, I yell at the TV. “Fucker!”

I split the silence and say, “I’m no good for her. Sky’s forbidden fruit.”

My lips purse together. I can kick myself for continuing this conversation. There’s no point in talking about my relationship with Sky.

Reed tips his glass. “You’re right. Influencer is a better match.” I clench my jaw and he laughs. “Cade.” He waits until I face him. “If you don’t talk to her and find out how she feels, you’ll regret it. She’s good for you.” I turn away. “And you’re good for her.”

“Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice.” Proverbs 27:9

Sky

---