Page 57 of The One I Need
Oliver
“Go! Go! Let’s go!”
I stand up and pump my fist as the horse I bet on crosses the finish line.
“You know that's not a real race?” Knox jokes.
“Yes, but the money is real. And that horse right there won me a crisp hundred bucks.”
Knox gets up as I head over to cash out my bet. “I never pictured you as a gambling man.”
“Why’s that?”
“I guess it’s the whole teacher thing,” Knox says. “I guess I could never imagine the teachers we had in school gambling or cutting loose.”
“Well, you have to remember, our first-grade teachers were Mrs. Eshelman, who had a pet skunk, and Mrs. Eaton, who had three dead husbands.”
Knox tips his beer to me as we make our way out of the sports book. “Very true.”
I’ve enjoyed hanging out with Knox these past few days. I’ve known him for years through Jake, and he’s fixed my car more than once, but we’ve never really hung out. He’s cool. His knowledge about cars is insane. I’ve learned more this weekend than I knew in my entire life. I also didn’t realize how big of a Nashville Fury fan he was, which provided us hours of conversation at the pool yesterday.
In a perfect world, Knox would be the best bro-friend ever. As in, the husband or boyfriend of the girl your dating’s best friend. I can see it now. Board game nights. Double dates. Concerts. Birthdays and Super Bowl parties. We’d be the best couple of couples that ever coupled.
And yes, we might still hang out as the four of us. I can see that happening. But I also know now that at the end of the night when Hazel and Knox head back home together, Izzy and I will be going our separate ways.
This weekend has proven how hard it is to be friends with a woman you’re attracted to. And while I love this friendship, and I want to keep it more than anything, I can’t deny that I still have feelings for Izzy. But I’m going to do what I promised I would. I’m going to put them aside.
Even if it might be the hardest thing I’ve ever done.
I let those feelings slip last night when we were getting ready in the room. I couldn’t help myself. Izzy is sexy in jeans and a T-shirt. But in a skin-tight black dress and her silky, long red hair calling to me like a siren? She’s the most irresistible woman I’ve ever met. It doesn’t help my peace of mind that I think something might have happened if Hazel hadn’t knocked when she did. Actually, Iknowsomething would have. I wouldn’t have stopped it, and I don’t think Izzy would have either. It also doesn’t help that I know for a damn fact I wouldn’t have had one regret. Not a damn one.
Though considering how the night ended, I’m glad it didn’t. I don’t know what Izzy and Hazel were talking about, but I know Izzy barely said two words the rest of the night. We got our ice cream before lying in bed and watching television the rest of the night. She fell asleep with her head on my chest, in that T-shirt I’m going to have dreams about for years to come.
I watched her sleep for hours, her holding on to my shirt for dear life, like she needed to hold onto me or I might go somewhere. I’ve figured out Izzy doesn’t have a lot of friends besides Hazel and I, at least people that she truly is herself around. I’m honored I’m in that small circle. Because I think that’s where she needs me. She needs me as a friend. As a confidant. As a pillow when she’s chasing away the bad dreams.
And if that’s where she needs me, then that’s where I’m going to be. For as long as she wants.
“I’m going to run,” Knox says, giving me a pat on the back. “Hazel and I are headed out for a helicopter ride, so I should probably be ready when she gets back from her last lecture.”
“Sounds good.”
Knox heads off to the elevators, and I find myself in front of one of the many bars around the hotel.
Hmm…
Izzy said she’s going to be done around two today, which by the look at my watch, is in fifteen minutes. She’s not let loose once since we’ve been here. And if anyone needs to let loose for a night, it’s that girl.
“Two margaritas please. And an extra shot of tequila in each.”
The bartender whips me up the drinks, I charge them to the room, and head off to her conference rooms. Just as I’m approaching a door, Izzy comes walking out, looking like the bad ass business woman she is.
“What are you doing here?” she asks, eyeing the two drinks in my hand. “Isn't it a little early to be double fisting?”
I hold out one of the drinks for her. “This, my dear, is for you.”
“Well, thank you,” she says, taking a sip of the blended beverage. “Shit that’s strong.”
“I got them with an extra shot. I thought you might need it.”
