Temptation (NEW)

Chapter Thirty-Three

surprise! an update! i bet y'all thought i gave up on this 😏
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I had to do what was best for the current situation. I sent Sakura's call straight to voicemail and shoved my phone back into my pocket. Sasuke looked agitated. Maneuvering around the two of them would surely be impossible. Neither of them are stupid. However, I needed to worry about the problem in front of me. Seeing Sasuke in the light was jarring. I know it's him, but he's still entirely different.

He seemed frail. I think I'd actually have a chance at kicking his ass if I wanted to. There were deep bags under his eyes, too. I wanted to chalk it up to his late shifts at work, but I know it had to be something else. Looking further, I couldn't even read the emotions in his eyes. It was like he was going through so many at once. I wanted to break open his mind and just figure out what was going on. Picking apart every little nuance until I found the source of his change. Talking it out seemed like it'd be impossible, just like it always has been. He was more erratic right now than he has ever been.

"Tell me what is going on with you," I pleaded. "You can't expect me to jump in where we left off with you acting so different."

Sasuke frowned. "You wouldn't understand."

Give me a break.

"So explain and make me understand." I felt weird being the logical one for once.

"You're annoying," he groaned. Shoving past me, he went directly to my couch. He sank down into the seat and let out a sigh.

I could tell he was tired. Maybe he hasn't slept yet. He looked up at me with pleading eyes, but he still kept his lips sealed with the truth.

"You look horrible," I bluntly told him. I knew it shocked him from the way his eyebrows raised. "You clearly don't take care of yourself. That isn't like you."

"I told you—people change."

"God, weren't you the one who broke up with me?" I was becoming agitated. My patience and care had run thin. "Why are you even here if you're going to act like this? I thought we got over the secret hookup situation."

Sasuke rolled his eyes. His cheeks turned a little red, hinting that I had made a valid point. He didn't like to be wrong. At least that was still the same.

"I didn't come here to argue with you."

I crossed my arms with a huff. "It sure seems like it."

His eyes broke away from mine, falling down to look at his feet. He faded out of his harsh demeanor, revealing a more vulnerable side to him. I started to feel guilty for snapping at him, but it was the only way to get to him.

"I just wanted to escape for a moment," he softly said. "Seeing you...felt so comfortable. I want to hold onto that for a little while."

God, I was ready to jump into his arms. I wanted to kiss him until our bodies went numb. Hold him until our bodies melted together. Look at him until my eyes grew fuzzy and the last image I'd hold would be of him. How could someone so frustrating make me feel so soft? He was so bad for me, especially now that I've grown into a better man. But maybe this is exactly what we need. I'm better for him now. I could give my whole being into healing every ache in his soul. It could've all happened right here if I had been smart enough to text Sakura back.

Loud knocks at my door echoed in my apartment. It was enough to make us straighten up a little. For a brief moment, it felt like we were living in the past. Our secret rendezvouses were always done on edge. The fear of Sakura showing up felt all too familiar, but now the tables were turned. She was here for me. I'm sure Sasuke will have a million questions of his own, but it'd have to wait.

"Naruto!" she called out. "You better not have slept in! You knew I'd be here early! Open up!"

My eyes shot away from the door and back to Sasuke. He had straightened up at the edge of his seat, looking ready to run. A look of utter confusion and fear had morphed onto his face. There was really no reason to be scared, but surely she'd have an opinion about us being in the same room. This was the man that wrecked her world for a while, and mine, too. She had tried to beat it into me that he was a lost cause. It didn't help that Sasuke was a bigger mess than before. Neither of them needed to see each other.

"Why is she here?" he whispered with a sharp tongue.

I didn't have time to explain our whole blossoming friendship in our time apart. "We had plans for this morning."

"Are you seeing her or something?" he questioned in a accusatory tone.

I shot him a dirty look. "No, you idiot."

I tiptoed towards the door and peered through the peephole. She looked irritated that I was making her wait. It wouldn't be long until she was barreling down my door. I had to figure something out quickly.

"Just a minute!" I called out to her, hoping to buy some time.

"Naruto!" she nagged. "Hurry up!"

She knocked again, more impatiently and frustrated. I had to think of something to appease her. The girl was stubborn and wouldn't stop until she saw my face. I took the chance and opened the door just enough to still keep Sasuke hidden from view.

"I said give me a minute," I huffed, giving her a stern look. Sometimes she felt like the sibling I never had nor wanted.

She shot back an equal grimace. "You're making us late, doofus."

Without warning, she pushed the door and myself back. Panic started rise in me as she stepped into my apartment in a hurry. I was too afraid to look back at my couch. I could only watch her eyes scan around. My breath caught in my throat once I knew her gaze had landed on the couch. Her face contorted into confusion and she looked back at me. This was it—there's no turning back now.