7. I do care

MICHAEL

I was watching some lame TV show, hoping that I would not think of her. I cared for her. And not in a coworker kind of way. I liked her ever since she came to my shop to ask for a job. I must be blind or stupid to not see how beautiful she was. I mean really hot, but also so confident, smart, and friendly. I saw the potential in her cat-like green eyes from the first time we talked and my mind went to some very intimate places as I took in her appearance. I could remember what she was wearing that day. Some dark red top with no sleeves which revealed her round breasts, showing me what I couldn't have. Her amazing ass was hidden in her black tight jeans that she rarely wears. Her hair was falling free around her back and part of her shoulders, hugging her like a blanket.

I knew since the first time I saw her that it would be difficult to be around her and not grab her and take her upstairs to my bed. I knew that I would suffer from that and I hired her, ignoring my gut feeling. I couldn't be with her. I couldn't be with anyone. At least not at the time. I bet she wouldn't even want to be near to me if she only knew what my secret was, the reason I sold my house and left my hometown to come here.

My phone rang and I wondered who it was at such a time. No one in this town knew me enough to call me this late. Those from my old life who had my number didn't call me anymore. Maybe Aunt Eva needed some time off work to help with her grandchildren or was sick. Maybe Alex was sick...Or acting like that, because she was mad at me for ignoring her. I didn't really ignore her, though. Just that crap thing took my whole day. I picked up my phone hastily from the bed, where I was laying shirtless, watching TV.

"Hi, I am at the bar. Would you finally come over here? I am waiting for you." - Alex.

I get up from the bed and looked at the message again, not believing she sent that to me. Reading it two more times, I just stared at the wall in my room, not knowing what just hit me. She was waiting for me? At the bar? We had never talked about such a thing. We hadn't seen each other, called or even messaged since my damn slip up the other day.

I scratched my neck in confusion and plopped at the end of the bed, reading her message again. Another buzzing sound from my phone announced a second message from her.

"If you care for me - you will come fast!" - Alex.

Should I respond? What should I say? That I can't because I am hiding something? Maybe I should write to her that I don't care. No, I do care! I care so much! The message was a bit unclear and different from the first one. I couldn't decide if she wanted to just have a drink and chat, maybe make out... or she was in some kind of danger and called me for help.

Without wasting any more time, I put my jacket on my bare skin and walked out the door.