Love to Hate You

Chapter 7

EZRA'S POV
This morning I woke up to the smell of coffee. Jasper must be awake. I get out of bed and walk into my bathroom. I begin my morning routine of washing my face and brushing my teeth. I leave my bathroom and exit my room. There's something else lingering in the air but I can't figure out what it is. As I enter the kitchen, I see Jasper frosting a cake. It's messy and definitely looks like a child made it but it instantly puts a smile on my face. I cross my arms in front of my chest and decide to speak. "What are you doing??"
His eyes snap up and his hands stop what they are doing.
"Um, Making an apology. It's not perfect and I don't know if it taste great but I'm definitely sorry." He said. I know deep down that Jasper will definitely show up drunk again but I can tell he's still sorry. My dumb heart just doesn't want to stay angry with him. I like him too much.
"That's the sweetest apology I've ever gotten." I smile. He breathes a sigh of relief and smiles back. My dumb heart does a flip at the sight of it. I've got it bad. He has me wrapped around his finger and he doesn't even know it.
"I made coffee. Want some??"
"I'll never say no to coffee." I say, as I sit on a stool. He quickly gets two mugs and prepares the coffee. He hands me a mug. Suddenly his phone vibrates on the counter. He picks it up and starts typing.
"I have to go but I'll see you later. I'll call you." He said, as he puts his phone in his pocket. I'm a bit disappointed that he has to leave but he must have something urgent to take care of.
"Ok. See you later." I reply. I watch him leave. He closes the door and then he's gone. I drink my coffee, while thinking what I can do to fill my time. I walk into my bedroom and grab my phone from the nightstand. I text my friend, Mariana. I'm thinking a trip to the diner to catch up with her. She texts me back that she will definitely be there. That's my cue to get ready. So, I quickly finish my coffee and get dressed. I grab my phone, keys and wallet. Then I head out. I hop on my motorcycle and drive to the destination. A few minutes later, I arrived. I park my bike and go inside. A waitress sat me down at a booth. I looked at the menu, while I waited for Mariana. I couldn't decide on anything so I put the menu down on the table and looked out the window. To my surprise, I see Jasper getting out of his car along with a female. He holds her hand and kisses her lips. A million thoughts are running through my head but the one that sticks out the most is 'WHAT THE FUCK?!' but he isn't mine and I can't be mad. I have completely lost my appetite. To make matters worst, he's walking in my direction to the booth next to mine. He looks around and then spots me. He takes a double take and blanches.
"Hey, Jas. Fancy seeing you here. Who's this??"
"Ezra...um, hi...Uh." The girl steps forward and answers for him.
"I'm Cindy. His girlfriend. Nice to meet you." She extends her hand and I shake it. I force a smile onto my face.
"Yeah, nice to meet you." I said, politely. Just then Mariana comes in and waves at me. She comes over.
"Sorry, I'm late." She said. Mariana sits down with her messy bun high on her head and her signature red nails. "Que pasa??"
"Hey, Mari. This is Jasper and Cindy. They were just saying hello." I said. The situation increasingly getting awkward the more that they stand there saying nothing. Jasper and Cindy wave hello to Mariana and then leave to their own table.
"Was it just me or were those two kinda weird??" Mari asks, while looking at the menu.
"I don't know Cindy. So, I can't say if she was being weird but Jasper was definitely being weird." I replied. She glances at me.
"Well, weird or not. He was super hot." I roll my eyes at that comment.
"He definitely is hot. It's too bad he has a girlfriend now." I said, bitterly. Mariana puts down the menu on the table.
"You sound jealous, Gringo." She chuckles. She doesn't know how right she is. I am burning with jealousy and I don't like it. Jasper is driving me crazy. One minute he's cuddling me in my bed and the next minute he's parading around town with a girlfriend.
"I have no idea what you're talking about, Mari."
"Is it the pretty blue eyes or all the muscles??" She teases. I glare at her playfully. Just then the waitress comes around to take our orders. I just get a coffee and Mariana orders the whole entire menu. I shake my head. My thoughts are all about Jasper but I try my best to stay present and make conversation. I excuse myself to the bathroom. I walk across the diner to the door that says 'restrooms' on it. I push the door open and walk to the sink. Just then Jasper walks in after me.
"Ezra, I can explain." He said. I just continue to wash my hands.
"You don't owe me an explanation."
"You're mad at me again, E. I can feel it." He sighs. I chuckled and dried my hands.
"I'm not mad, Jas. I'm surprised." I turn to face him and stand right in front of him. I shamelessly let my eyes roam his face. I subconsciously lick my lips, when I longingly gaze at his. There's this magnetic pull between us. I can feel it. Can he??
"Alright. I gotta go back now but I'm still going to see you later." He said, while looking away.
"Ok, Jas. I'll see you later." We walk out the bathroom. He heads for the exit and I go back to the table. Where Mariana is happily eating everything she ordered. I sit down and prepare to spend the day with Mari.
                             JASPER'S POV
A FEW MONTHS LATER.
I don't know how it happened but Ezra became a part of my life. Best friends. We do everything together. Any time I get drunk off my ass, he's a call away. Which is often. Every day I look forward to seeing him at work or the coffee shop. It makes my day to see his face. It makes me feel weird though. Unsure of myself. So, I started dating Cindy. I don't typically date. In fact, I never do relationships. I needed to be sure of myself again though. So, She's my girlfriend now. We've been together for 3 months. A girlfriend doesn't change anything though. I still go out and get drunk. Only difference is now I don't go home with a stranger, I knock on Cindy's door. She's been getting mad at me lately though. So, I call up Ezra and he let's me stay on his couch. Though most of the time, I wake up in his bed. Which I happily ignore because all that ever happens is good friends falling asleep. Now I'm drunk again and knocking Ezra's door at three in the morning.
"Jasper, I thought you were joking when you asked for my number just in case you get drunk." He says, holding the door open for me.
I stumble inside his apartment.
"That was months ago. Besides, Cindy won't be happy if I knock on her door this drunk." I said.
"Jasper, go to sleep. I'm not in the mood to deal with your drunken-ness." He seemed annoyed. I don't like when Ezra's upset. He's a very calm person. So, if he gets mad then you just know you've fucked up and me being.. well, ME.. I fuck up everything. Like if fucking up was a product, my face would be on the advertisement.
"Aww don't get mad at me to, Ezra. I can't handle it when you're mad." I whine.
"I'm going to bed. Drink water before you die of dehydration on my couch." He moodily leaves me in the living room. I caught up and followed him into his bedroom. I have gotten comfortable around Ezra when I'm drunk. I know that I'm safe here. Plus, I like annoying him like the true best friend that I am.
"I don't like water. It takes like.. not good. Why are you mad at me??"
He stops in the middle of his room and turns to face me. His tattooed chest rising and falling slowly as he breathes, trying to find the patience to deal with me.
"I'm not mad at you, Jasper. I'm just tired of answering my door to find you drunk again. You never learn your lesson."
"Put a shirt on, you weirdo. Your nipples are staring at me." I say, walking passed him and jumping onto his bed.
Ezra rolls his eyes and gets into bed to. His back facing me. He's definitely mad at me. I'd be tired of dealing with my shit to. This is the only time I can feel ok about how I feel because the next day, I don't remember anything or I can pretend I don't remember anything. His friendship is important to me. Far more important than I'd ever admit out loud. Alcohol is the only way I can turn off my mind.
I don't overthink every little nice gesture from Ezra. I'm comfortable being numb. If I quit drinking, reality's cold hands will strangle me until I face all the pent up bullshit. That's a can of worms that I don't plan on opening. The alcohol is becoming a problem though. Cindy doesn't like when I drink too much and neither does my best friend.