SURPRISINGLY YOURS

Feelings

Jagger

I pulled away and smiled at her.

"Does that feel grade school?"

"N-no..."

"Bet it brought your blood pressure up.."

"Bet it brought your dick up.."

I wasn't going to hide that. She'd seen it all anyway.

"You do have the most kissable lips," I told her, "I wouldn't mind doing that for a long time."

"Not gonna happen," she sighed, "We're just..cordial."

"Cordial? Like a fucking cherry?"

"Well..."

"I think we're more than that," I said, "Not an item."

"You keep saying that."

"Does it bother you?"

"It bothers me if you're going to use me and this discard me when you're done."

I sighed, "I wasn't planning on it. I made my intentions known from the start. That doesn't mean we can't be friends, too."

"You never wanted to be my friend before."

"That's before...all of this."

Julia

What was all of this?

"So, parties, tests, and you going to be my friend?"

He nodded as if even that was a chore in itself.

"I'm an asshole, but I am a man of my word."

"I don't think you're an asshole," I said, "I think you can be an ass..."

"Touche."

"Want some more soup?" I asked, "It's really good. Do you like to cook?"

He nodded and stroked my cheek, "I do, but I like to cook for others. I don't get a chance to when I'm away."

"Well, I am not really into cooking so by all means cook whatever and whenever you want."

"She can't cure me, ya know."

"Who says anything about a cure?" I moved closer to him, "Is that what's on your mind?"

"What's on my mind is being called crazy."

I smiled, "She's not that kind of person."

"Do you believe in love at first sight?"

"Lust or love?"

"Love."

I studied him, wondering where he was going with this.

"I don't know," I shrugged, "I thought I loved my ex...seems I loved the idea of having someone around."

Jagger

I knew that all too well.

Julia had taken something away from me—my shell, my walls? I don't know.

I don't even know how she was able to do it.

My phone buzzed, catching me off guard and I excused myself.

She settled in while I took the call, stepping into the hallway before hearing my father's voice.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm eating and watching movies," I said, my eyes already rolling, "Why? Is everything alright?"

"I hear you're seeing someone."

I frowned, my pacing of the hallway coming to an abrupt halt.

Fucking Gloria.

"I'm not seeing anyone, Dad."

"You know the type of person she is," he snarled, "I've already looked her up. You need a better woman—actually you don't need one at all right now."

"This again?"

"Yes, this—AGAIN!"

I had heard all of this before.

Get the ass, don't worry about the girl and remember that her pedigree matters.

"Is that why you called? To check on this situation?"

"I'm just looking after you, son," he said, his voice still treading those angry waters.

"Why are you spying on me anyway?"

"Because if I have to come up there and handle things myself then I will," he said, "You can't catch feelings,-"

"I don't have feelings for her."

A silence—then I heard my mother in the background. She was just a victim of my father's wrath as I was.

"Honey?"

"Mom?"

"Your father is just trying to look after your well-being," she said, her voice shaky.

I knew he'd made her life well before getting on that call with me.

"Mom, I,-"

"Just be careful, alright?" She begged, "I'll keep your father in the dark while you pursue whatever this is with her. Is she nice?"

I thought about the woman resting in the room I'd just left and smiled.

"She's very nice.."

"Well, then that's all that matters right now," she said, "I have to go—your sisters are fine and I'll have them call you soon. I love you, Jagger."

Before I could say anything, she hung up.

That meant Dad had already gotten into the liquor cabinet.

"Feelings..."

I shook off the thought until I realized that I was angry about what my father said about Julia and I wasn't going to let anyone talk about her like that.

She mattered to me...