Page 29 of Faking it With the Player Next Door

Which made it easier for me to understand why women were so attracted to him. His dark brown wavy hair, which hung just past his shirt collar, and the perfectly placed curls that seemed even more prominent when he shook his head, made me think he could be a model on a romance novel’s cover.

He could wear a white shirt emphasizing his tanned skin, with the buttons open showing off his muscular and trim abdomen. Of course, a fan set behind the scenes would blow on him, and his hair would ruffle in the gentle breeze, allowing for a fabulous photo shoot.

By the time I had the vision complete, I was smiling, and laughter escaped my lips. I cuddled with the quilt, and as I did, I felt the anger, sadness, and hurt fade away. Envisioning Van as someeye candyon a sultry romance book cover was more than I could handle. While it was a stretch of the imagination, it helped me get over Van choosing the three women in the restaurant over me.

“Always a second thought,” I whispered into the darkness.

Keeping my eyes closed, I sighed and snuggled deeper into my bed. I vowed at that moment to never allow someone to hurt me again. Travis and Van were the top contenders for this, but there had been more along the way of my life, but no more.

“No more,” I mumbled as I drifted off to sleep.

***

Waking up the following day, my head hurt a little, so before even making my coffee, I downed a couple of aspirin. I sleptalright, so I’m assuming the discomfort came from all the tears I’d shed before falling asleep.

Glancing at my reflection in the bathroom mirror, I saw the dark circles under my eyes and how puffy my eyes appeared.

My hair, which I’d taken a painstaking effort to make presentable last night, had flopped all over the place, and the eloquent bun I had created now looked like I’d been through hurricane-strength winds, with more hair cascading down across my neck than were up in the clips and pins.

I thought about the three women from the restaurant and wondered if they appeared as such a disaster every morning.

They probably wake up with every hair in place, perfect skin, and no raunchy morning breath.

After attending to bathroom tasks, I went to the kitchen to make coffee and decide on my plans for the day. What I knew I wouldn’t be doing was seeing Van. I had nothing to say and didn’t care what he said.

While my coffee brewed, I looked out the window over the sink but saw no signs of life from Van’s place. It wasn’t too early, as I had slept in. I guess I was emotionally and mentally drained from last night, and needed the extra sleep.

Once the coffee was done, I poured myself an oversized mug and added some sugar and milk. I casually approached the back door and opened it. The sun was up, and I enjoyed my coffee on the back deck.

Stepping outside, I inhaled and sat in one of the chairs. Tuning my ears into the sounds surrounding me, I could hear birds chirping, a lawn mower buzzing around someone’s yard, and other familiar noises.

But nothing from next door.

Sipping my coffee, I shook my head. I need to stop thinking about Van and whether he was alone.

“Easier said than done,” I grumbled.

I sat there until I finished my coffee, enjoying the solitude. Running through my head what I wanted to do today, I know I have one phone call I’ve been putting off for a few days.

I need to call the HR lead and extend my leave. It’s been nearly a month, and I only requested thirty days. I recently realized this while online paying bills and glancing at the calendar. I must extend it by another month as I still don’t feel ready to return.

I knew Travis was no longer there, but my co-workers knew the truth and I wasn’t ready to see them.

I hoped extending my leave wouldn’t be a problem, but I was prepared to resign if so. I could find a job as a physical therapist anywhere.

“I can do it here,” I murmured, then smiled. “I could find a job closer to home…” I paused as I considered the possibility.

First, I considered Gram’s old house, my childhood home, as my home now. My second thought was that I didn’t need to return to my old job. I could just find a new one.

Before I called the office, I would scour the internet and see what job options were available close tohome.

Returning inside, I quickly grabbed my laptop and returned to the deck. I’d spend an hour searching, and then when I have a more concrete plan, I’d make the call.

Moving forward with my life seemed like the best decision, especially after all the confusion with Van.

The sunlight and quiet morning breeze offered peace, but my thoughts about Van kept circling back no matter how much I tried to push them away.

Then, just as I was about to open my laptop, I heard footsteps approaching the deck. My heart instantly sped up, and I didn’t need to look to know it was him.

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