Page 39 of Right Place, Right Time (Second Chances)
Chapter Eighteen
Jay
Kate hops off the back of my bike after I park in my building’s small parking lot. It’s quite the contrast to the brightly lit, expansive lot at her complex considering the burnt out lamps and beater cars. She pulls off her helmet, and I’m pleased to see a smile on her face. This girl is almost always smiling. I hope some of her positivity rubs off on me. Shit, if I’m being honest, that’s not all I want her to rub on me.
I secure my bike to the lamppost I parked beside with a standard bicycle chain and padlock. It may not be the best way to prevent theft, but at least it deters thieves long enough for them to move on to easier targets. I’ve come out in the morning a few times to see it’s been tampered with, but the bike is never gone, so it’s working so far.
Taking Kate’s hand in mine, I quickly pull her towards the building and up the stairs to the third floor. I’m practically dragging her, but I don’t want her to get too good of a look around this hell hole, or for anyone to get a look at her. We get to my door, and the key jams in the stupid lock, as usual. After a few choice words and grunts, it finally turns and the door pops open. I quickly tug her inside and shut the door behind me, twisting the locks on the knob and deadbolt before engaging the chain lock.
I flip the light switch and watch as Kate takes in the small studio apartment I’ve called home the past few months. The entire thing is about the size of her living room, and it came fully furnished. At $400 a month, it was a steal for the area. The full-size bed has a brand new mattress on it, and the small loveseat has seen better days but it’s comfortable and doesn’t have too many stains, and the two-seater dinette set in the kitchen serves its purpose. Thankfully, I keep my place clean so that’s one thing I don’t have to be embarrassed about. The only thing, really.
It takes Kate all of thirty seconds to take in the entire apartment. “It’s cute,” she says, looking at me again. “But it’s not you…at all. Why haven’t you added any of your own personal touches?”
“I got the TV,” I say, gesturing to the twenty inch flat screen resting on top of the used and abused dresser. The building offers free basic cable so I’d allowed myself the indulgence shortly after I moved in. I’d opted for a small television since there’s a decent chance it’ll end up being stolen anyway.
She frowns. “You need to add pictures or some color…or something.”
I know exactly what she’s seeing. The depressive nature of this entire place. I get it. That’s just one of the many reasons I didn’t want her here.
“This is just a stopping point for me,” I tell her. It’s the truth. I don’t have long-term plans to be in this building. My goal is to save up enough money to afford a place in a better area. Maybe closer to Stanford. Although it would be farther from work, I’d do it for Kate. To be close to her so maybe we could see each other more than just once in a while. My schedule is pretty open, but between work and her school responsibilities, Kate is always busy. It makes it hard to spend time together, and if we’re going to make a go of this, time together is important. We need to do all that couple stuff chicks read about in romance books and watch in chick flicks.
“A stopping point?” She’s adorable when she’s confused. Her nose scrunches up, and I just want to kiss it.
“Yeah,” I say, stepping close to her and putting my hands on her hips. I smirk when her breath hitches. “It’s just a place for me to eat and sleep until I can afford something better. It’s not permanent.”
“So are you planning to stay in California? Or go back home?”
“I’m staying,” I tell her, taking a step closer.
“Promise?” she asks quietly, leaning into me.
“I promise.”
Her smile is huge, but I barely see it before she’s lifting on the tips of her toes and kissing me. Her tongue slips into my mouth, and I caress it with mine. She tastes sweet, like honey and whatever foo-foo drink she was sipping at the club. She wraps her arms around my shoulders and I tighten mine on her waist. If we’re not careful, I’m going to end up tossing her on my bed and forgetting all the reasons that’s a bad idea.
When we finally break apart, we’re both breathless.
“Bathroom,” she says, and I point her to the door. Yep, no frills here at all, unless you count the fire escape which I personally think is a hazard all in itself.
I grab a bottle of water from the fridge and try to get my shit together while she’s out of the room. What am I supposed to do with her tonight? And dammit, how am I gonna sleep with her in my bed? Even if I sleep on the couch, I’m going to know she’s there. Plus, my sheets will smell like her…sweet like strawberries and cream. I run my hands down my face, this was such a bad idea.
“Everything okay?” she asks, startling me. I hadn’t even heard the toilet flush. That’s what I get for being trapped inside my head.
“Yeah, I was just thinking there isn’t much to do here. I’ve got basic cable but no movies or anything. Plus it’s late so there’s most likely only infomercials on, or reruns of bad dramedies. I don’t have any games…not even a deck of cards.”
She steps over to me and sets her hand on my arm, and I instantly shut up. “Calm down. We don’t have to do anything.” She smiles, and I relax. “Like you said, it’s late. We can just go to sleep.”
I nod. Good idea. Sleep. Where I can think about her in my bed. G-R-E-A-T.
I put my unfinished water back in the fridge and realize I’m a terrible host. “I’m so sorry. Would you like something to drink?”
“I’m all right. But I could use something to sleep in,” she says, gesturing to her skintight jeans. “Unless you don’t mind me sleeping in my panties,” she brings her hands to the button of her jeans.
I freeze. I’m sure I probably look like a deer caught in headlights.
Kate laughs. “I’m kidding. Jeez, you’re so tense. Relax, Jay.”
I exhale. She’s going to kill me. “I can grab you a t-shirt and boxers?”
