Page 1 of Blind Date

Chapter 1 – Daniel

I let out a deep sigh and focus on the wall, not wanting to look at anyone else in the room. This is why sleep overs are never a good idea, because it always leads to awkward mornings. Normally, I am good at getting rid of women before the sun rises or I make the effort to go to their place, but this red head is different. I didn’t see it in the haze of last night, but she has the potential to become a bunny boiler if I let her.

“I have an early morning,” I tell her coldly. “I think I must have told you last night that I have to work early.”

“Yeah, you did.” She makes no movement to get up, I can feel that without even looking at her. “But it doesn’t matter to me. I am cool to hang out with you no matter what happens. I can even stay, if you want me to.”

“I don’t need you to stay,” I shoot back in a hurry. “I don’t know how long I am going to be in work. I could be there until late in the evening. I’m not comfortable with you in my house until that moment…”

“Why?” She shoots up quickly which causes me to turn and look at her. “Don’t you trust me? Do you think that I am some kind of gold digger who will steal from you? That isn’t me at all.” She pouts out her puffed up lips playfully, not that I am in the mood to play. “I like you, Daniel. I want to stay because of you.”

I resist the urge to roll my eyes. “I understand that, but at the same time I told you last night that it was only going to be a one-time thing. Me and you aren’t going to end up in a relationship…”

“And why not?” Now it’s her turn to be cold. “Am I not good enough for you? What’s wrong with me?”

“I’m only twenty-seven years old, I’m not looking for anything serious at the moment. I don’t want a woman on my arm. I’m too busy focused on my business. I’m a career man, so no relationship for me.”

“That is really sad.” She slides out the bed and slips her shoes on. A weird item of clothing to put on first but I’m not about to get in to that conversation. “You must be so lonely. Imagine cutting yourself off like that just because. It seems like a sad turn of events to me, but if that’s how you want to live your life, so be it.”

Is this some kind of reverse psychology shit? If so, I’m not about to fall for it. I have places to be other than here, so I rise off the bed and grab my carefully laid out suit to get dressed in the bathroom. If this woman wants what’s best for the both of us, then she will be gone by the time I am showered and dressed. There is absolutely no need for any more awkward conversation. We have both said our piece. It’s done.

“You are a cold asshole,” I tell my reflection in the mirror as I wait for the shower to heat up to optimum temperature. “Your brothers are right about you. You are a real piece of work.”

Mind you, it’s mostly my two younger brothers that say this to me. Tim who is one year younger than me, and Lance who is two years younger. My older brothers don’t have much to say about my behavior, but I suppose that’s because they are so wrapped up in their own lives. Ryan and his own business which keeps him as busy as me, Ben who is living the cowboy farmer dream in our home town, Artie who… well, I don’t know what Artie is doing with his life to be honest. I do speak to him, but he’s mostly cut off from us. He rides his bike a lot… that’s all I know. I want to do more for him, but I don’t know if he wants me to.

Anyway, I don’t have freaking time to deal with anyone else’s problems. I have so much going on with my business. I have so many people who need me at all times. I’m doing my best, that’s all…

By the time I come out of the bathroom, I find my bedroom empty, much to my relief. I’m almost ready to let the smile spread across my face but then I see her, sitting on my couch staring out the window.

“Don’t worry, I’m waiting for my cab to arrive,” she tells me glumly. “I get the point. I don’t want to be one of those hanger ones. I’m out of here, you can get back to your sad little existence.”

---