Page 40 of Let Me Love You
Chapter Ten
After his encounter with Stacey at Mahuffer’s, Ren sobered quickly. He hadn’t been wasted, but had a good buzz going. Seeing that English professor with his paw around her almost sent him through the thatched roof of the dive bar.
Holy!
He’d almost lost his shit completely. If he hadn’t already had a few shots of whiskey, he might have handled the situation better. Even his two friends couldn’t keep him from confronting her or the professor.
The jealousy hadn’t surprised him. Any thought of Stacey with another man turned him greener than a shamrock on Saint Patrick’s Day. The possessiveness rocked him to his core. He’d never had that sort of feeling for a woman before. It wasn’t just seeing Stacey with someone else. She owned his heart and soul, carrying both with her, and he wasn’t sure he could survive the rest of his life without either.
“You wanna get in on a game?” Tyler asked, perched on the edge of the tan plush couch with a Xbox controller in hand. He and their friend, Simon, were battling out inGrand Theft Auto.
“Nah.” Ren shook his head. He’d never been a video gamer, and instead had grown up more of an athlete, always participating in one sport or another. His time had been consumed with practices and games, then school, that his schedule hadn’t allowed for much video game time. Plus, he’d preferred doing active stuff with his friends: Surfing, going to the beach, picking up girls, partying.
“You sure?” Simon inquired. “You can pick up a hooker and get a blow job in this game.”
Ren chuckled. “I’d rather not pick up a hooker, for starters. I’m not into that sort of thing. And if I’m going to get a blow job, I’d prefer a real one.” Even if he were into video games, this one wouldn’t appeal. He’d be more into Madden or FIFA Soccer, something sports related. Stealing cars and picking up hookers didn’t do anything for him.
“Yo, me too, bro.” Simon guffawed. “Me, too.” Their focus went back to the game.
Ren had moved in with Tyler a little more than a week ago. They shared the two-bedroom apartment above Tyler’s parents’ four car garage. It wasn’t huge or his own place, but it was a start. Though Tyler said he didn’t have to pay rent, Ren insisted. He made good money at the firm and needed to pay his way.
His mother had been upset when he moved out. She believed, at least initially, that his moving had something to do with Stacey andthe incident, as she liked to call it. He and Tyler had planned these living arrangements before Ren graduated from college, but it was more important now than ever that he not be under his parents’ roof.
He didn’t argue with his mom because in some ways, being on his own did have to do with Stacey. Living with his parents wasn’t exactly a sign of independence or responsibility. He’d spent the last three weeks trying to prove to Stacey that he was the right man for her. This was just one step in the right direction.
Ren’s phone dinged in his pocket, signaling a text. He thought about ignoring it. Probably Carla checking to see if he’d changed his mind about hooking up. Even after several weeks of denying her advances, she hadn’t given up. He lifted his pelvis off Tyler’s couch and pulled his phone out of his pocket, ready to text her once again that hooking up wasn’t going to happen.
Ren’s eyes widened. The text notification flashed with Stacey’s name. His heart raced, pounding out an erratic beat. She hadn’t responded to the text he’d sent her, let alone initiated one in the last three weeks.
Fear and hope rippled through him in an ebb and flow that might make him dizzy if he were standing. He feared their encounter this evening would make her want to close the door on any possibility of a relationship. He knew he took that chance when he confronted her. And hope—he hoped that she listened to his words and opened her mind and heart to him.
“I’ll be right back.” He rose from the couch, slapping Tyler on the back as he did so.
“Sure thing.”
Ren slipped through the sliding glass door and onto the small balcony, his hands sweating in anticipation. All the words that could be in the text swam through his head. He swiped across the screen and sucked in a breath.
Stacey: Love me.
He blinked once, twice, three times. He had to read it several times before he believed he had read correctly. What did it mean? He knew what he wanted the words to mean. He did love her. More than he could ever express in words. He tapped out two words.
Ren: I do
He paced the balcony of the apartment in three steps. Back and forth, waiting for her response. What if she’d fallen asleep after she sent the text? Should he call her? Head to her house? Every second felt like eternity.
Finally, his phone dinged
Stacey: I’m going to let u
Ren inhaled and blew out the breath, dropping his head back and staring up at the night sky. Stars twinkled and the moon hung low. He wanted to throw up a fist pump. Dance across the balcony. Scream at the top of his lungs. Cry. Tears filled his eyes.
Relief replaced the weight that had been sitting on his chest for the last several weeks. All he wanted was a chance. He was finally getting one.
Ren: R u home?
Stacey: Yes
Ren: I’m on my way
