chapter 1
Katie
“Hey Terry!” I yelled, waving frantically hoping he saw me. I knew he’d never been to my house so I stood outside waiting for him. My brothers Shawn and Rob were too busy to help me move so I asked if Terry could help. I’m glad he said yes because there was no one else that had a truck. As he got closer I could tell he saw me so I stopped waving and adjusted my sundress. Although I had a little crush on him growing up it had been so long since I’ve seen him so I wasn’t sure if the attraction was still there but I made sure I looked good just in case.
Even if I wasn’t too attracted I still wanted him to be anyway. Don’t ask me why, maybe because he never paid enough attention to me to notice how much I got flustered just from him looking my way. I’m pretty sure he had no clue. He was the son of my mom’s best friend, as well as being my brother’s best friend. He pulled right up to the curb just in front of my apartment building. He stepped out of the truck and when he came over to give me a hug.my heart stopped the second he stepped out of the car. taking me right back to high school. I was the same girl that wrote my name as Mrs. Katie Black all over my notebooks.
He was much taller than I remember. He easily stood over a foot taller than me and I’m 5 ’3. His chocolate skin was flawless and when he smiled I knew I was in trouble. Those dimples made me want to grab his face and kiss his full lips. The hug was nice. He pulled me close, taking in a deep breath. I relaxed into him, wrapping my arms around his shoulders. After a while it felt like it lasted a little longer than it should have so I quickly pushed away from him hoping he didn’t think too much of me holding onto him for so long. It took a moment to realize, he didn’t stop the hug, I did. I pushed the excitement building inside down and tried not to overthink it.
A hint of a smile played on his face as his eyes raked over me. “I missed you kitten”. His nickname for me since we were kids. My name is Katie but when we were toddlers the boys thought my mom was saying kitten and that name stuck for a while. The nickname never sounded when anyone would call me that, except Terry. His velvety voice always sounded like it dropped an octave when he said it, causing my heart to skip every time. I looked up at him with a warm smile.“It’s been forever since anyone’s called me that.” I said, giving him a light punch on the shoulder. He dramatically winced laughing as I started going up the stairs “ Come on” I said pulling the door open.
I looked back to make sure he was following me and I caught him checking me out. He snapped his eyes up at me realizing I saw him and gave me a sheepish grin. He started up the stairs, rubbing the back of his neck. Aww, he’s embarrassed. My heart leapt in my chest. I forced back a smile when he walked up to me. Not really knowing what to do I just acted like I didn’t see anything and said “I have to hurry before Mike shows up.” He stopped and turned to me “Mike?” he asked, catching his confusion I shrugged. “Yeah he’s my Ex but I haven’t told him that yet.” I explained like that’s an everyday normal occurrence. Terry just smiled like it was nothing and said “then lets get moving.”
I sighed relieved I didn’t have to explain too much. Although I knew eventually, there would be questions. I hurried up to my apartment and grabbed 3 huge bags and headed towards the stairs. As I passed his outstretched hands he yelled “whoa, wait a minute.” I looked up at him bewildered. “What?” I asked in a bit of a hurry. Annoyed, he took the bags from me. “ Give me those, You asked me here to help. I know you know I’m stronger than you so why would you grab the heaviest things.” I rolled my eyes and said it’s not a question of strength, I’m just trying to get it done fast.” pressing my lips in a line and raising my eyebrows. He scoffed “if you want it done fast you should try to be efficient, use me for heavy things and you take lighter things” talking to me like I was a two year old child. He turned to run down the stairs.
I didn’t want to admit it but he was right. Good thing too because that was all I had so I ran down behind him. Throwing my bags in the back he looked in the front at me realizing he did all the work. I just shrugged my shoulders, giving him a smug grin as I buckled up. He climbed in the driver’s seat then stared at me folding his arms. movement near the car caught my attention. I looked up to see Mike going towards the building with some tall blond on his arm. He was holding her ass like she would fall without him.
Terry followed my gaze and asked “is that the Ex?” I nodded and looked down hoping he wouldn’t see me. I scooted down in my seat a little and said “ Let’s go” As he pulled off he put his hand on my knee “I’m sorry.” he murmured. I furrowed my eyebrows, puzzled by this interaction. Then I realized he must’ve thought i was devastated but i was over it really it wasn’t the first time. I had already checked out of this relationship . The only reason I stayed is because my name is on the lease and I didn’t want to mess up my credit.
I tried to go through the motions thinking I just needed time to get over it. Once I stopped looking at him through those rose colored glasses, I realized he wasn’t my type. Physically he was, but he wasn’t all I hyped him up to be in my head. Not to mention, Terry was touching my knee and even if I was heart broken, His deep velvety voice still had the ability to make me lose my train of thought. I couldn’t focus enough to care about his proximity. Normally I would’ve acted like I was devastated but I thought better of it and just said “it’s fine really.” He seemed a little confused that I wasn’t too upset.
He chuckled and the sound sent a wave of heat straight to my core. I started to think maybe I had deprived my body way too long. I shook it off and tried to focus on what he was saying.”This must not be the first time” I shook my head and answered “Nope” popping the p. He looked annoyed. “He’s an idiot.” I heard him say under his breath. Playfully I asked “oh, and you’ve never cheated huh” raising my brows knowingly. He smiled and looked me up and down then his eyes wandered out the window, then his smile dropped “ No, and I’ve never had someone like you.” he said unvarnished.
It was uncomfortably quiet for a few minutes then my phone buzzed causing me to jump from the feeling. I looked at my phone and sighed audibly as I put it on silent. “Is that him?” he looked at me angrily. I nodded and his knuckles went white on the steering wheel. He said “look I know i can’t tell you what to do and i won’t but just know if you do go back to him I’m going to break his nose or something.” I laughed a little looking at him, causing him to laugh. In between laughs he said “I’m serious, I’m going to have to draw blood before I can be okay with that. Or I don’t know he needs to know hurting you has consequences.” “aww, my hero.” I said sarcastically.
