From My Love to My Life (MXM) (sequel to From My Enemy to My Love)

Chapter 16

Gareth Scoville

I was at my computer working on the movements of one of the main characters for my game. Working on how it would look from the front, both sides and from behind. It was just walking movement for now, but eventually I would need to add running and whatever else was needed. I was so focused on my work that I jumped, startled, when my phone rang.

When I picked it up to answer it, I saw the time and realized how late it had gotten. Pete's name came up on caller I.D. I kinda didn't even like him, but he was someone I knew from high school. When I moved back to town, he had seen me at one of the parties Kannika had invited me to. It was easy to talk to him because we used to know each other. Although, that was also why I kinda didn't like him. He always talked about the high school days as if those days were so great. He would have said we were friends in high school, but I would have put him on the bottom of that friend list. He was nothing like Chet or Mateo and being in his presence just made me miss my friends more. But hey, I didn't have to put in the effort of making new friends this way.

I always went to the parties with Pete now. I could have gone with Kannika, but for some reason it felt better to meet her there rather than ride with her. Maybe because riding with her would remind me that we weren't on a date and that she had no interest in me anymore while on the other hand, she grew more attractive to me every time I saw her. It just felt different meeting her at the parties rather than riding with her. And knowing someone else at the party - like Pete - gave me an excuse to leave Kannika temporarily if my emotions were growing too intense. Sometimes I just wanted to take her in my arms and kiss her to make her old feelings for me come alive again. Although, I always imagined her smacking me after that so it probably wasn't a good idea to just go in for a kiss unless I knew she reciprocated my feelings. Probably good advice for anyone. Don't go randomly kissing people.

"Hey, Pete," I answered.

"I'm here," he said.

"K. Give me a minute and I'll be out."

"You always say that and then you take at least a half hour..."

I set my phone down on my desk so I didn't have to keep listening to him complain. I decided to change my shirt because I looked better in blue than in gray. Then I decided to change my pants. I glanced at my phone as I walked past my desk. At some point, Pete realized I wasn't listening to him anymore and had hung up. I went into the bathroom, brushed my hair, brushed my teeth and then headed out the door grabbing my phone along the way.

"Hey," I said to Pete as I got into the passenger seat of his car.

"Hi," he said. If he was angry with me, he didn't show it. "Were you working on your game?"

"Yeah," I said. "I got lost of the track of time. Sorry." I wasn't really sorry, but it was something to say to be polite in society so I said it. My game was important and Pete could have called me to tell me he was on his way instead of calling when he arrived so I could have been ready when he arrived.

"It's alright," he said. "Just give me a free copy of the game when it comes out and we'll call it even." He said it as if it had been the first time he had said it and as if he was joking neither of which were true.

"Sure thing," I said.

When we got to the party, my eyes automatically scanned the party for Kannika. I didn't see her. I grabbed a drink and found a group of people to hang out with while Pete went around trying to flirt and dance with some of the women. My spot gave me a good view of the door. I couldn't stop the smile that came to my lips when Kannika walked in. I made my way to her.