Page 9 of Always There Bayou
It’s now or never, Cory…
“Look, I messed up…bad,” I say. “I let my feelings and my need to be a protector dictate how I approached you. I know I apologized already, but I genuinely am sorry for the way I treated you. I just…had a lot going on. I know that doesn’t excuse the way I acted, but I’m woman enough to admit when I’m the problem.”
“Do you like Harley?” she asks, and I freeze, caught off guard. “I mean, it would explain why you were always acting the way you did. It was more than just you wanting to protect her from more heartbreak. That day you flashed on me…it was almost like you were jealous or something. That shit hurt, you know? Being compared to Harley’s no-good ass ex that used toabuseher, mind you. I still want to beat your ass for even putting me in the same category as her, by the way.”
“Yeah, and it would be an ass beating I deserve, because I regretted that shit as soon as I said it,” I admit, scratching the back of my neck. “You’re nothing like her, and I will forever apologize forcomparing you to her. You do nothing but treat Harley with love and respect, and I feel like shit for assuming otherwise.”
“And I appreciate you apologizing, but you never answered my question,” she states. “Cory, do you have a crush on Harley? Or did you in the past?”
“Yes, I did,” I admit, never breaking eye contact. She doesn’t say anything, most likely waiting for me to elaborate. “It was back when we first started together for the Bayou years ago, but it only lasted for a couple of months, fizzling out quickly when I realized that I wasn’t her type. She doesn’t know. Hell, the only people who do know are Simone, my friend Denny, and now you. But it was more of a school kid crush, I promise. Me treating you the way I did came more from me being jealous of y’all’s relationship than from me having a crush on Harley.”
She sits and listens as I tell her the same truth that I’d told Simone. I explained that seeing them in healthy and loving relationships made me feel like a fifth wheel. I admitted that my mind made me feel like I would never have what they had, and it was hell. I even admitted that I was lowkey intimidated by her because she was so confident and sure of herself, and I…wasn’t.
“So, now you know like 90 percent of my insecurities,” I sigh once I finish telling her everything.
“Damn, only 90 percent?” she jokes. “I was hoping we could get that full 100 since you’re in here acting like I’m a psychiatrist instead of a physical therapist.” She chuckles, and I feel myself smiling. “Listen, Cory, I accept your apologies, and I’m glad that you tookthe time to talk it out with me. I’ll admit, it’s gonna be a while before I fully trust your ass…”
“Which is fair,” I nod.
“But…We could get there one day. As long as you can guarantee me that you’ll find a hobby and ease up,” she states. I cut my eyes, and she laughs once more. “You’re kinda mean, you know? And you have resting bitch face, so it doubles down on it. Loosen up. Get laid. Hell, go on a date. You keep talking about how you hate being a fifth wheel, but you’re not even trying to get out there?”
“I never said that I wasn’t,” I state, which confuses the fuck out of her. “I have a girlfriend…sort of.”
“Wait, what?!” she exclaims. “Now, I’m really confused. I thought…wait, how long have you had a girlfriend?”
“What day is it?” I ask, pretending to think. “Technically, it’ll be two years next month, but we’re currently on a break for whatever reason she feels is appropriate.”
“So…I assume it’s not going well?”
“It hasn’t been for a while now, but I guess I’m just a slut for toxicity,” I reply sarcastically.
She apologized, but I waved her off. I usually didn’t feel comfortable telling all of my business, but she just had a comforting aura that allowed me to spill out all of my feelings without fear of being judged. Even though this was not what this meeting was originally for, she listened as I explained the on-again, off-again relationship I’d been in for damn near two years.
I explained how my sort-of girlfriend, Christie, and I were fine in the beginning and how I thought that she would be the one, butthen I caught her cheating a few months ago. I could tell that stirred up some memories of her past relationship, and she quickly gave me a look of sympathy. But when I revealed that I’d taken her back, she was back to looking at me like I was some helpless, love-sick puppy.
“Ah, okay, now I get it,” she says after I finish talking.
“Get what?” I ask, confused.
“Why your jealousy started up when it did,” she says. “I forgive you because now I see you were just crashing out because your relationship was in shambles. I was just an easy target for you to get off your frustration. That jealousy, paired with that annoying ass big sister energy, you have probably had your feelings all over the place.”
“Okay, so you kinda ate my ass up,” I laugh, and she nods with a smirk. “But you’re right. You know, you’re really cool, Cheyenne. I wish I hadn’t let my feelings stop me from getting to know you.”
“Okay, okay, you’re cool too,” she admits, playfully rolling her eyes. “I mean, it’s not too late for us to try to be friends. Like I said before, as long as you ease up, we’ll be good.”
“You have my word,” I say, holding out my hand. She shakes it, and I feel peace wash over the room. “So, about that off-season care plan…”
“Oh, shit! I forgot all about that!” she exclaims, and I laugh. “I was so tuned intoThe Life of Cory Tatethat I completely forgot the whole point of this meeting. You know, you’re great at telling stories. Had me on the edge of my seat.”
“It’s cool,” I assure her. “My friend Denny always says the same thing.” I laugh, a smile gracing my face. “You remind me of them with the way you listened fully. They always give me their undividedattention. It’s cute. Whenever I’m having a bad day or feeling anxious, they hold me and listen as I lay out my heart. Even at our big age, we still do this shit. It’s comforting.”
“Aw, that’s cute,” she swoons. “From what I’m gathering, they seem to be the one that gets to see your soft side, right?” I nod. “Interesting…”
My eyebrows furrow as I look at her. “What do you mean?”
She smiles deviously before leaning closer to me. She observes my face, and I can feel my heart rate picking up. I felt like she was searching for something that I had yet to discover. I could see the exact moment when amusement registered on her face. She sat back, crossing her arms over her chest as she smiled.
“You like them, don’t you?”
