Page 11 of The Heart You've Borrowed

After we eat the best tacos of my life he shows me where I’ll be working and living. It’s a small but cute little apartment, it’s exactly what I need. And that bathtub, oh my lord. I will be spending a lot of my time there. It is fully furnished which helps me a lot so I don’t have to worry about buying anything.

“This place is perfect, Lio.” I turn, smiling at him.

“I’m glad you like it, you can stay here as long as you need. Tomorrow we can go downstairs and review what you’ll be doing for work if that sounds good.”

“Sounds good to me.”

“I’m going to make a call outside real quick. Make yourself at home.” He kisses my temple before he walks past.

Once he leaves the little apartment I keep looking around. This place is exactly what I would have pictured for myself. It makes me wonder if it always looked like this or if he had someone design it just for me. That seems impossible though, it’s not like he knew I was coming until yesterday. But I wouldn’t put it past him to do something like this for me on short notice.

The bedding is a light pink and gray pattern, the walls have beautiful paintings of wildflowers, and there are bookshelves full of books in the living room. It’s perfect. I smile to myself, I can see myself making this place my home, it just feels right. I take a deep breath and start to unpack my bag. I don’t have much, but since I don’t have to pay rent, I will have money for anything I need.

“Sorry about that,” Lio says as he enters the bedroom.

“No worries, everything okay?”

“Um, yeah. All good.” He gives me a tight smile.

“You sure?” I laughed.

“Yeah, everything is all good. I bought your favorite shower stuff for you, I figured you might want to shower as soon as you got here, I hope that’s okay.” He awkwardly puts his hands in his pockets, and I smile.

“Yeah, that’s perfect thank you.”

“Of course.” He nods, looking away.

“Well, I’ll go shower now if that’s cool with you?”

“Yeah, yeah.” He leaves the bedroom. Lio is never awkward or weird around me. What the hell is up?

Chapter Eight

Lio

I don’t know why all of a sudden I’m being so weird around her. Usually, I’m cool and collected but when she’s near me it’s like I can’t even remember how to breathe. Sometimes I hate that even after all these years she still has this hold on me. I know I don’t have a chance with her, especially now after everything she’s been through but I can’t help how I feel about her. Ever since we were kids I had a thing for her.

And now as I sit on the couch and hear the water turn on, I know that she is naked behind that door and I have to readjust myself in my pants. Jesus dude, get it together. I turn on the TV and try to distract myself. My phone rings on the kitchen counter and I make my way over to it. The name that flashes across my screen makes my mouth dry. Jett. I debate on if I should answer it. I know why he’s calling but I don’t know what I’ll say to him. He shouldn’t know that Charlie is with me, the only person that knows is Kelly and I doubt she would tell him. I pick up my phone and answer it.

“Hello?” I try to control my anger.

“Hey man, long time no talk.” He laughs.

“What do you want Jett?”

“Just thought I would check in on an old friend.” I can tell he’s trying not to snap.

“It’s been two years, it’s a little random for you to be calling me to check in on me.”

“You’re right. I was wondering if you’ve heard from Charlie?”

“And why would I hear from her?”

“Because you’re her best friend and she’s missing.” He sighs. I hold back my laugh.

“Missing huh?”

“Yeah, I think she went off her meds again. I’m worried sick she hasn’t been home or at work and I think she might be in trouble.” He tries to convince me he actually cares.

---