Tormented - James Barnes

Chapter Four

|  Good For You |

Bucky had planted some small seed of hope inside her for a chance with Steve. He knew what a man looked like when he wanted a woman. Steve didn't look at her that way. He was too busy off in his own world. James thought he was an idiot. Clearly, she'd do anything he wanted to make him happy. A girl like that intrigued him to no end. 

"Nat, what happened?" Meadow asked when she saw her friend, quickly running to hug her. Bucky took notice of how her breasts bounced as she ran, her skin appearing soft. He could only imagine how smooth it would be under his touch. Natasha sighed.

"Some girl accused me of flirting with her man. I wasn't. Ugly ass mother fucker." She scoffed. "She pushed me, so I pushed her back. And then things got worse." The red head girl said, making her brunette friend chuckle.

"I'm glad you're okay. We can head home and have a girls night, okay?" She offered, to which her slightly drunk friend nodded and smiled.

"Okay. Fine. But I had hoped you were... distracting yourself from he who shall not be named." Nat said, but Meadow blushed deeply. Bucky was standing right there.

"Nat, this is Mr. James Barnes. He owns the club. Mr. Barnes, this is my friend Natasha." Rosie said, turning to face Bucky, who was staring down at her tiny form. 

"Pleasure to meet you. You have quite an adorable friend." He said, referring to the short brunette standing in front of him. He held his hand out to shake Nat's. Natasha smiled, shaking Bucky's hand.

"Yes, she is. Nice to meet you." Nat said, grinning Meadow. Meadow turned back towards Bucky after giving Natasha a look.

"Mr. Barnes, I am so sorry for all the trouble we've caused you tonight."  She apologized. He had told her to stop apologizing, but she just couldn't seem to help herself. 

"Again, Flower, it's not a problem." He grinned. Nat looked at Meadow with a look that was just screaming at her little friend. She seemed to think Rosie had landed the jackpot. Clearly, by the way James was looking at her, he was interested.

"Remember to call me. I hope to hear from you soon, doll." He whispered, leaning down into her ear. He kissed her cheek softly and then left. Her cheek was tingling and red hot. Her redheaded friend walked up behind her and smacked her on the ass playfully. She chuckled as Meadow shrieked softly. 

"He likes you. He's like, really hot. And the richest guy in here. And clearly, he wants you." Nat said suggestively, making her short friend shake her head. 

"No, no. He was just being nice. He seems very sweet. I think he just felt bad that I was off on my own." Meadow said softly.

But that wasn't true at all...

***

The wind ran through Meadow's hair, brushing the brown locks off of her shoulders. She sat at Steve's steps outside after texting him that they needed to talk. It was late, the sun could start to rise at any moment, but she found herself unable to sleep after what she and Bucky spoke about at the club. Steve's 'date' had left, leaving him asleep by himself. The front door opened, revealing Steve in his sweatpants as he worked on pulling his t-shirt over his head. 

"Hey, whats wrong?" He asked, watching as she stood up. She, still wearing the dress she had been wearing at the club, pulled down her skirt and smoothed her hands over the fabric. 

"Nothing is wrong. I just really need to talk to you." The girl said. Steve smiled softly, jumping down the stairs to go talk with her.

"Well go on. You're making me nervous." He chuckled. Meadow brightened up. She was taking that as a sign that he knew what she was here to say. He seemed excited. He seemed really happy.

"Okay, I'll try. I just... So basically..." Her voice trailed off. He looked really happy. Too happy to see her...

"What is it? You look really excited." She smiled. Did he know what she was here to say.

"I know you wanted to talk to me, and I want to hear what you have to say. I'm just a little excited. Sharon, the girl from the club.  Well, if I'm honest, thats not the first time I met her. She works with me. Tonight was just special. She's my girlfriend now." He was beaming. Meadow was crushed. But she just couldn't hurt him. She couldn't tell me what she wanted to tell him now. Because she knew him. He'd apologize and try to force himself to feel something he clearly didn't to try to make her feel better. He was the perfect guy. He deserved to be happy.

"Steve... That's so great. I'm so happy for you." Meadow said, forcing herself to smile for him. She wanted so badly for him to know what she was feeling. But James was wrong. Steve didn't reciprocate.

"I know you might be worried about things changing..." He said, but she interrupted him.

"Don't worry about me. You two will be great together. I just want you to be happy, Steve. So if you're happy, then so am I." Meadow hugged him tightly, closing her eyes. He hugged her back, not seeming to pick up on how tightly she was holding onto him. She felt like it was some kind of goodbye.

"You're always so great, Rosie. I love you." He smiled, hugging her again before letting her go. She nearly cried right then and there, but she didn't. She stopped herself.

"Love you too... I should let you go... You have work tomorrow." She said, backing away from him. He seemed confused.

"I thought you had something you wanted to talk about." He said, to which she shook her head. She wasn't going to tell him now. She might not ever.

"It was nothing important. I just wanted to tell you about what happened at the club. Nat got into a fight. You know how she is." She said, making him chuckle.

"I'll call you tomorrow after work and you can tell me all about it?" He suggested. Meadow agreed, telling him goodnight. He watched her go out to her car and drive away, wanting to make sure she was safe. But she ended up pulling into a nearby parking lot and crying. She felt like an idiot. She couldn't seem to help crying. It was a natural reaction to her. All that love that she felt for him, the fact that he couldn't see it drove her crazy. She finally worked up the courage to tell him, and she was too late. 

Meadow sat there until sunrise, watching the sun come up. She didn't feel well at all. She had made herself feel sick by crying so hard. Eventually, she stopped, looking down at her phone when she realized she missed a call from Natasha. Nat was supposed to meet her for breakfast, and when she realized Meadow didn't make it home last night, she was panicked. However she ignored Nat's messages. It was her she wanted to talk to at the moment.

It was James Barnes.

A/N:

Little bit of a filler chapter, but how are we feeling?? Sorry this chapter took so long. Life has been hectic. More will come soon!