Remembering Raimondo (Complete)

Picking The Lock

“Hello.” I blankly ignored his hand gesture and walked into my apartment. He followed.

I thought about shaking his hand, but after he arrogantly misunderstood my act of opening my apartment door I thought it was best to keep my distance from him. He stared at his friend and chuckled.

“He looks happy, what did you guys do?”

My jaw dropped for the second time since I met this man. Ignoring the promise to myself to stay out of arms reach from him, I slapped him in the stomach. He jumped at the unexpected blow and placed his hands over his stomach.

“Hey, what the hell was that for!” He groaned coughing.

“I didn't sleep with your boyfriend.” I huffed and put my hands on my hips in anger. “He barged into my apartment drunk and collapsed on the floor. So I dragged him onto the sofa.”

Jeff laughed and gave me the 'okay-I-believe-you' look. He really thought that something happened between me and Raimondo. He looked up from Raimondo and was taken aback by my serious expression. He stopped laughing. “Oh you're serious?”

“Look you have to help me take him back to his room. It's locked or I would've done it alone and never slept in the hall waiting for you!”

Ignoring everything else I said, he lingered on the last couple of words. “Waiting for me?” he asked confused. “How did you know that I was coming in the first place?”

Shoot. Should I tell him that I went snooping around Raimondo's apartment? My face flushed. I bent down to pick up a magazine from on the floor with the intention of having my hair fall and cover my face.

“It's a long story. Do you have the key to his apartment?” I answered with a question throwing the magazine onto my coffee table.

“No I don't...” He ignored my body language. “..but I could pick the lock.”

Before I could interrogate him on how he knows how to pick a lock, he was out of my apartment. I followed him. He studied the handle of Raimondo's room for a second and turned his attention to me. “Do you have any pins?”

I shook my head. He sighed and patted his pockets. He pulled out his keys and untwisted a thin metal ring that held some keys. He place the keys in his pockets and went to work with his back to me. I watched his muscles flex as he worked on the door. He was wearing a t-shirt and torn jeans. Jeff was thinner than Raimondo, handsome nonetheless. But just not my type.

Before I could look away, he caught me checking him out and smirked. “You want to take a picture? It'll last longer.”

“Whatever,” I rolled my eyes.

After a little more picking he swung the door open. He went into the apartment and flicked on the lights. I watched in amazement and studied the lock. Aware of my awe, he gave me a wide arrogant smile. “I know.” Was all he said and made his way towards my apartment. I followed him again. I'd make a wonderful shadow, I scuffed at myself marching into my apartment.

“Help me,” he ordered pulling off my blanket form on top of Raimondo revealing a half naked man. He gave me a mocking expression and laughed.

Shit. How do I explain how I managed that?

“What? He was too heavy to drag.”

He nodded and thought for a second. “Removing his clothes would make him lighter, I guess.” He joked sarcastically making my face burn.

He jumped away from me before I could slap him in the stomach again. I opened my mouth to continue my protest against his assumption.

“Come on, forget it. Just help me.” He spoke seriously.

I relaxed. Thank God he didn't linger on the topic.

“Just don't remove anymore of his clothes.” He finished chuckling.

“Jackass!” I blurted.

Jeff ignored my insult and picked Raimondo up. He placed Raimondo's hand over his shoulder and his own arm around Raimondo's waist. I didn't know how exactly he needed my help because he was able to move him just fine alone. I stared at him while he made his way towards the door half carrying and half dragging Mr. Sleepy head. I stood watching like I was paralyzed or something.

“Bring the covers,” he called over his shoulder.

Moments later Raimondo was on his bed, covered. I didn't want to mention the fact that he was using my covers. Oh well, they were just covers.

“He's one heavy sleeper.” I looked at Raimondo's oblivious face astonished.

“Yeah, come on.” Jeff pushed me out the door. “Make me dinner, I am starving.” He ordered. He followed me into my apartment and closed the door.

“Excuse me?” I choked.

Is this man serious. Who the hell does he think he is? I waited for him to hesitate but he didn't. He plopped himself on my sofa and smiled up at me.