After sitting at Claire's for an hour. We head back to our small two bedroom house me and Tara rent. I quickly change out of my now dry and ruined dress to take a shower and get the stickiness from Jace's drink off me. The thought of the fight with Jace ignites my anger all over again, the fact that he's so sexy just pisses me off even more.
Getting out of the shower, I quickly get dressed and start packing up a week's worth of clothes. It didn't take me long to pack everything I need for our trip.
Mike should be here to pick me up within the next few minutes. Staying at his house just makes more sense. I wouldn't have to get up earlier than I already have too. Heading into the kitchen I grab a cheese stick from the fridge and a pop tart from the cabinet. I never got a chance to eat at the wedding. I was too busy getting things for everyone else.
When twenty minutes go by and Mike never shows up it starts making me a little nervous Mike is never late. He's even got on me a few times when I was even a few minutes late. Maybe I was supposed to drive to his place? I don't want to be later than I already am. Grabbing my bag I hurry out of the house and lock it. Rushing to my Honda, I tossed my stuff in the back seat then got in.
The drive to Mike's only takes me about ten minutes. Pulling up to his one-story house. Mike lives alone but there's a car I don't recognize in his driveway. Maybe that's why he was able to come pick me up. He has people over.
I don't want to make Mike mad by being late. Jumping out I make my way to the door and knock. It only takes a few seconds before the door opens, only its not Mike, it's a girl I've never met before. I just sit there staring at her, its only when she speaks I get out of my shocked state. "Yes, can I help you?"
"Is Mike Here?" I lean my head to try and look around her to see if Mike is close by but she side-steps in my way. My eyes go back to her face. "Who are you anyways?"
She crossed her arms over her chest irritated. "Mike is busy packing for a trip. My name is Ashley, who are you?" That explains why he didn't come get me. She must be his sister. He said she was going to come stay for a while and watch his place when we're gone. She kind of looks like Mike. He has short blonde hair that hangs right above his ears and chocolate brown eyes. Ashley has long blonde hair but with light grayish eyes.
"My name is Ari..."
"What are you doing here?" Mike, sounds irritated. He came out from behind Ashley. Walking next to her I noticed he's only about an inch taller than she is. I watch him move her to the side and walk past her to me.
"When you didn't show up. I thought I was supposed to drive over so I came as soon as I was done."
"Why were you..." Mike stops Ashley's question with a look and pushes me back so he could close the door behind him.
Anger was radiating off him in waves now. "You didn't get my text? You're not coming with me." Sighing as he slid his hand down his face in frustration, his anger seemed to fade just a little. "Ashley's my fiancé, we're getting married next month. Why the hell would you come here when I didn't show up? This isn't going to go over well now thanks to you." He's actually sneering at me like I'm the bad guy?
"Fiancé! Are you fucking kidding me. How long have you been engaged?" I was shaking so bad in frustration. I was ready to punch him in the throat.
He sighed, "We've been together for over a year now. She wasn't supposed to move in until next week after we got back, but her roommate didn't pay her part so she had to leave. You were going to come until Ashley found the tickets."
"You're an asshole! I can't believe you!" stepping back, I took a slow, steady breath. "Did you really think you can be with both of us?" My hands were in fists in my jacket pockets.
"Yes, I do. We can still be together. I'll take you somewhere next month. We will just have to keep the tickets at your place, see no big deal." he must have lost his mind if he thinks that's going to happen.
"'No big deal' Are you out of your fucking mind? I never wanna see you ever again. Bye." As I was turning to leave he grabbed me. What is with guys grabbing me today? "Get your damn hands off me!" Pushing him away, he didn't let me get very far before grabbing me again.
"I still want to see you. When I get back we will talk about it. But right now I need to go calm Ashley down. She's probably freaking out right now."
"I don't want anything to do with you!" Mike's hand comes down across my face with a loud smack. Before my mind could process what happened Ashley opened the front door.
Getting the opportunity to run off and get in my car. I locked the doors behind me. After a minute I look up from my shaking hands and he's still standing with the same look on his face staring at me with determination. Ashley's giving Mike a nasty look as she's trying to pull him back into the house, yelling at the same time. Mike pulls away from her. He's still glaring at me. Then my phone pings.
Mike: Your not going to be able to come with me on the trip.
Now then stupid text comes in!
Putting my car into reverse, I back out of the driveway and head down the street. I don't want to go home. Even though I didn't know he was getting married I still feel embarrassed and ashamed. I need to clear my head and let the now red spot on my face go away before I go home. Tara is still there and I don't want her to see me like this. I can't believe he hit me.
Driving around town seems like the best idea right now. It's what I do when I need to clear my head and forget about everything that happened tonight. The ringtone I set up for Mike starts going off in the passenger seat. Pulling up to a red light, I turn my phone a vibrate and put it back in my purse. I can still hear my phone buzzing from my bag.
This is going to be a long night.
Walking into the house a few hours later, I'm exhausted. Dropping my bag by the door, I locked the door and kicked my shoes off at the same time.
I'm not in the mood to unpack or even move my suitcase from the spot I just dropped it. I'll get it tomorrow. I just want to go to bed. On my way to my bedroom I notice a bag by the bathroom door.
Must be Tara's, her dad is always buying her new stuff.
My mind's been overwhelmed thinking about Mike. He's calling and texting me so many times in the last three hours my phone is at 5%.
Mike: baby im sorry i didnt mean it
Mike: text me back okay since your going to make me say it… im really sorry for hitting you i was mad it wont happen again
Mike: Arielle come on I know you still love me you cant be that mad stop being like this!
Deleting them and the ten others just like them. I decided to open a new message and send a text to Kevin, my workout buddy. I might as well make the most out of not going anywhere this week.
Me: hey not goin anywhere this week... same workout days?
Kevin: y ain't u goin?
Me: tell u 2mor at workout ;-)
Kevin: ya sure 8 am the gym DONT BE LATE!!
Me: u got it :-p kiss Jaime (ur boy toy) 4 me
Kevin: lol its bf but yea I will xoxo nite
Me: night xoxoxo
Texting Kevin always makes me smile. He always knows how to cheer me up, until I get another text from Mike. My smile turns into a scowl at my phone. I wish he would just leave me alone.
Mike: come on you cant be mad forever baby i said I'm sorry
I turn my phone off while I walk into my room. Fumbling around for my changer in the dark. I find it quickly and plug it into the phone. Dropping myself onto my bed.
Turning on my side. I'm in the la-la stage between sleep and awake when a big arm wrapped around my waist, pulling to a warm body. At first it feels nice until I realize there shouldn't be a warm body in my bed.
Yelping, I push the arm off me and jump off the bed. Moving to the wall I flipped the lights on. It's Jace. He sat up rubbing his eyes.
"Jace! Why the hell are you in my bed?" He's only wearing gym shorts. I can feel the heat move up my neck and over my face as I stare at his face trying desperately not to look at his body. His dark brown hair with a curse at the ends, was messy. It's long enough to run your fingers through but it doesn't pass his ears. His arms are covered in tattoos from his shoulders to his wrists. All different styles and sizes.
A little secret no one knows, I love tattoos.
Mike hates them, and told me if I ever got one he would make me get laser surgery to remove it.
Since we're not together anymore I might just get one.
He Yawned stretching his arms above his head. "Tara said I could stay here for a few days. My aunt Claire's didn't work out." I Glared at him as he covered his mouth for another yawn then he finished talking. "Tara said since you, my bright eyes, would be out of town this week, and I could sleep in here as long I didn't touch anything." Jace stretched his arms above his head again, all his arm muscles flex. I can see his abs move, the lines of his six pack more defined, the more he moves around.
Quickly moving my eyes back up to his face and getting back into the conversation. "Yea, I'm not yours and don't call me that." Frustrated, I rub my hand over my face. "Why didn't your aunt's house work out?" As sexy as he is, I'm going to kill Tara.
"Let's just say she had an overbooking problem." He has an irritated tone to his voice and his jaw clenched as he closes his mouth. I Grabbed my phone off my nightstand, and turned it back on. I need to text Tara. Another text from Mike comes in.
Mike: I'm goin 2 come over 2 ur place when I get back friday. See u then xoxo.
Me: NO! LEAVE ME ALONE. DELETE MY NUMBER!!!
Mike: no I still love you and I know u love me 2
Me: YOU WILL NEVER TOUCH ME AGAIN.. BYE!
Changing to a new message. I send one to Tara. My anger must be showing on my face because Jace is looking at me with an eyebrow raised.
Me: y is there a Jace in My bed?
Tara: y r u not with Mike?
Me: long story tell u when u get home. now jace?
Tara: I didn't think u would be home...u can send him to my room I work all night.
Tara: I can take the couch. When I get there
Me: make jace sleep on the couch...
Tara: lol I'm sorry… I'll make it up to you… make u Breakfast?
Me: no deal.. He had his arms around me. WITHOUT A SHIRT!
Tara: OMG!! Oh come on! anything?
Me: I want a big breakfast for 3 days in a row
Tara: you got it… ;-)
Me: :-P night!! ill tell him take ur bed
Tara: ok. Nite
Setting my phone back where it was. I sat on the side of the bed. Jace has been staring at me the entire time.
He had an amused look on his face. "Tara said you can have her bed tonight. She'll take the couch when she gets home. She won't be home until morning."
A grin spread across his face as he spoke. "What? I can't stay in here with you?" I shook my head and glared at him. "But I'm such a good cuddler." he laid down and spread out across the bed. "And I already got it warm just like I like it." He gave me a devilish grin. He shrugs and continues. "I'm just playing with you, well kinda, but it looks like you want to kill me so I'll let you sleep alone." He got up and walked to the door but stopped before he was all the way out. "For now, anyways." I've had enough interaction with the male species for tonight.
"Go away Jace!" Giving up on trying to stay up right, I fell back. Jace stared at me for a long time.
"What happened to your face?" my hand flew up to my face where Mike hit me. It's still a little tender. I haven't seen it yet, I'm sure it's going to bruise.
"Nothing go away!" he stood there for a minute. Grabbing my blanket I threw it over my head. The second he closed the door I closed my eyes and was asleep right after.