Page 36 of Trust Issues
Yes, even the one on the playground in fourth grade.
She was better than every single one. All of them. How the hell was I supposed to walk around knowing that the woman I loathed yet couldn’t stop hanging out with was the best kisser I’d ever had? The absurdity of it all was going to drive me insane.
Kyle was on my mind from the moment I got to work, through every meeting and client until I walked out of those doors at 6 PM. I was in such a daze I didn’t notice Tiana trying to get my attention. I breezed right by her in the parking lot and I knew I looked like a dick but it was kind of tough to explain how a single kiss was better than the entirety of our quick fuck in her car. So, I ghosted her. She waved at me from her car a few spaces down. She even called out to me. I got in my car and focused straight ahead.
Was it right?
No.
I had other shit on my mind though. Not only was I losing sleep over a goddamn kiss but Sadie was coming over and I wanted to make sure everything was right. I was finally going to fuck the shit out of her and maybe…just maybe that would help with the unhealthy obsession I’d grown for Kyle over the past twenty-four hours.
I needed something to cleanse my palate.
I pulled off and turned my music up. I pumped Biggie through my speakers and smiled a little thinking about how Kyle knew every word to the song I was playing. She had a serious nineties obsession.
When I got home, I pulled into my parking space and my eyes immediately looked for Kyle’s car. It wasn’t there. Good.
“Evening, Max,” Mark greeted me with a smile and tilt of his head.
“Hey, Mark. Has Kyle been through here yet?”
“Nah, not yet. She’s usually home around this time unless she has a date or something. That woman stays with a man on her arm,” he chuckled.
“She does. It’s always someone new. She must turn them to stone and use them to decorate local parks.”
“Jesus, you two are worse than my kids going at it.”
“It’s what we do,” I shrugged before heading to the elevator letting the doors close behind me. The moment I stepped off into the hallway my chest tingled. I realized I was standing there looking at Kyle’s fucking door like a creep. Like she would pop out and insult me or stare me down like I didn’t have good reason to be in my own hallway.
I was losing it.
I walked into my apartment and heard Owen in the kitchen immediately. I bristled as I turned the corner. “I told you not to be in here. I’m having Sadie over tonight.”
“I know. You said not to be here when she got here. I’ll be gone by then. Want a sandwich?” He offered me a plate that held a sandwich stacked high with deli meat and specialty cheese.
“Sure.” I reached out and took the one he was offering and bit off a huge chunk. “Now, get out.”
“You know how long I spent making that sandwich perfect?” Owen frowned, letting the plate clatter to the counter.
“You know how long I’ve spent paying rent here and buying groceries?”
He sighed and sat down at the kitchen table. “What time is Sadie coming over?”
“In about an hour so I’d like it if my apartment were mooch free.” I took another bite of the sandwich he made and he glared at me.
“Fine. I don’t need to be here anyway. You’re rude as hell and stingy.”
“Bye.” I walked into my bedroom and I heard Owen’s footsteps behind me. He stopped right outside my door. “What?”
“What’s up with you, Max?”
I started to tell him nothing was wrong with me but I realized this was Owen. He knew me well. I couldn’t hide anything from him. I also couldn’t tell him about Kyle. He’d never let me live it down. “I’m fine. I have a lot on my mind,” I told him. It was vague but I hoped like hell it would work.
“A lot on your mind? Like…” He folded his arms and leaned against the door unmoving. I wasn’t getting out of that shit. I had to give him something to chew on.
“Work stuff, man. I’m good though.” I grabbed a pair of basketball shorts and a t-shirt then went into the bathroom to change since my warden wasn’t letting me make a move without him standing guard.
“You’re full of shit. It’s about Sadie, isn’t it? You’re letting this girl get under your skin.”
