The Bad Jokes #1: The Redhead

Chapter 7: You Just Weren't Interested

"Xane, could I talk to you for a minute?"

At the sound of her voice, I stilled, then slowly turned around to face her. Couldn't she take a hint?

"Thought I made it real clear that I wasn't interested in anything you have to say."

She gulped. "I know. And I understand that. I really do. But I need you to hear me out. If you'll just listen, I promise to never bother you again."

"Can't pass up an offer like that," I bit out at her.

With a nod, Rory forged ahead. "I want to apologize for all of the trouble I've given you. I've been no better than a stalker this last month, throwing myself at you even when you made it clear you weren't interested in me. So, I'm sorry for -- for everything, really, and I promise that I'll leave you alone from now on."

I nodded once, then hesitated. After the way I'd cut her off at the knees the other night, it took guts to approach me. "You should find yourself a nice man, Rory."

She looked away, then back at me. "I did," she replied quietly. "You just weren't interested."

Before I could respond to that, she walked away and never looked back.

When I walked into the dojo that night, Wyatt's head lifted as if he could feel the tension rolling off me.

"Must be the redhead again, yeah?"

I grunted as I kicked off my shoes.

"You know, I still say you should give me her number. If you aren't going to nail her, I'd be happy to."

I didn't give him a reaction and I could tell he was dying for one.

"So, after I do her, you want a run-down of what you've been missing?"

My jaw tightened at the thought, but other than that, I didn't give him any reaction. We bowed to each other and assumed our sparring positions. 

"This redhead, is she innocent looking?" he goaded me. "Meh, no matter, I bet I can get her to act like a slut in bed. I'll just --"

BAM!

Wyatt grinned as he absorbed the blow to his chest and then the fun really began.

An hour later, we were lying on the mats covered in sweat, some blood and a lot of bruises.

"Why don't you ask this redhead out? Is she married or something?" He could never leave things alone suddenly?

"No."

"So what's the hold up? She dog-ugly? Stupid? Bad smelling?"

I thought of Rory's beautiful, intelligent face, her soft, subtle scent that reminded me of spring.

"No."

"So, she doesn't want to date you?"

"No, she does. That's the problem."

"My man," Wyatt said, "when a pretty, nice-smelling single lady wants to go out with you, and you're all tied up in knots, she's not the problem. You are."

I hesitated, then admitted, "When a woman like this one wants to go out with someone who looks like me, I have to be suspicious."

Wyatt rubbed his ribs where I'd hit him several times tonight. "If you're trying to get me to tell you how pretty you are, it ain't going to happen, buddy. But I will tell you this: it sounds like you're the only one who has a problem with your face."

"Who the hell are you?" I asked him. "Dear Fucking Abby?"

"All I'm saying is that it sounds like she's gotten to you. You've been off your game for a while now because of her. And since she's so interested, you should follow up. See if it goes anywhere." Wyatt shrugged. "It's up to you. That's all I'm going to say."

I liked it better when we were hitting each other.