Page 27 of Right Place, Right Time (Second Chances)
Chapter Twelve
Jay
Fuck.
I tuck myself back into my pants and sit up, looking over to where Kate is pacing the kitchen on her cell phone as I put back on my t-shirt.
“I’m sorry. I have to get it. It’s Casey’s ringtone” She’d told me before quickly tugging on her tank top and scampering off the couch to get her phone from the kitchen counter.
We were so close.
But it’s just as well, we shouldn’t be doing anything anyway. A momentary loss of control on my part, but at least we didn’t go all the way. At least I hadn’t allowed her to reciprocate. That would have likely been the point of no return. I send a silent thanks to her roommate for calling at just the right time.
I rest my elbows on my knees and run my hands over my head, clasping them behind my neck. I guess I need to face the facts…Kate and I are probably never going to be able to bejustfriends. God knows I’m attracted to her, and I know she’s attracted to me, too. Is it too late to try to set those feelings aside? Maybe I can help her realize it’s in her best interest to do so.
“Sorry about that,” Kate says, walking back into the living room. “She’s stopped for the night, and I made her promise to call me when she did.”
She sits beside me, and I turn to her. “It’s okay. I should probably get going anyway.”
She frowns as I stand up. “You don’t have to leave…”
“It’s late,” I tell her, pointing at the clock on the DVR. 2:37. I know it’s a lame excuse, since it was late when I followed her back to her apartment to begin with.
“Right,” she says, getting to her feet. “Thanks for watching the movie with me, even though we didn’t get to finish it.”
“Maybe some other time,” I offer.
She smiles. “That would be nice.”
She walks me to her door and frowns again when all I give her is a soft kiss on her forehead. “Good night, Kate.”
“Good night,” she says quietly as she watches me walk away.
I hop on my bike and fasten my helmet, feeling like a total asshole. Taking a quick look up at her apartment, I catch the lights turn off one-by-one. I’m caught between wishing I was still up there and knowing that I shouldn’t be.
She deserves better than you, I remind myself as I start my bike and pull out of the lot.
Maybe if I repeat that mantra enough, it’ll keep me away. Maybe if I say it to her enough, it’ll keepheraway. Somehow, I doubt that though. Kate’s too stubborn—too good—to see just how bad I am for her. Doesn’t she realize she doesn’t have a future with someone like me? She can’t ever take me home to meet her parents. She can’t take a guy like me to those fancy banquets and shit doctors and other rich people attend.
She has no future with me.
None.
The sooner she realizes it, the better.
***
I’m wiping down a custom chopper I’ve just changed the oil on when my phone vibrates in my pocket. I let out a frustrated sigh, certain that it’s probably Kate calling me for the third time today. It’s been two days since I left her at her apartment. I’m trying to stay away, but she’s relentless…calling a few times each day. I feel bad letting the calls go to voicemail, but I’m trying to put distance between us. I’m no good, and she needs to get that. Tough love or whatever. I know I came to California to see her, but not with the intention of starting something physical…just a friendship. At least initially.
I look at my phone and am relieved to see it’s not Kate but Sean, my best friend from back home.
“Hey, man, what’s going on?”
“Nothing, bro. Just checking in, seeing how things are going.”
“Everything’s all right,” I tell him, dropping the cloth on the work bench and stepping outside the garage. My boss, Leroy, knows I’m a decent worker, so he doesn’t mind when I take a quick break here and there. Mostly because I never take them.
“How’s Kate?” I let out a sigh. Leave it to Sean to go for the jugular. “That good, huh?”
