Raw [#Wattys2015]

Chapter 6

I have spent three agonizing days anticipating this moment, The moment when the man who occupies my every thought officially moves his belongs beneath the same roof mine are. And of course because it's Monday, and because the universe hates me, I'm missing it while I sit here at work. My mind couldn't be farther from work as I occupy my time texting Maggie about every detail I'm forced to be missing.

Holy bulging biceps batman!

I can imagine Maggie's squeaky voice saying it as I re-read the words she texted me, imagining him carrying a large piece of furniture. With a cheeseball smile plastered on my face, I text her back.

Send me a picture!

Not happening, I'm keeping this memory for myself.

Jerk!

When I told Maggie that James would be moving in, I seriously wondered if she was going to pee her pants in excitement. Then, I commenced in my newly acquired middle-school behavior and jumped up and down squealing while holding her hands. Yes, I've dove head first into LoserVille and have no one to blame but myself and my stupid heart for making me feel things I shouldn't.

After we finished squealing and jumping, we set to work deep cleaning the house, you know since guys care so much about the cleanliness of the home they're living in. I spent the rest of the weekend doing laundry and considering how I should act around him. I literally sat in the middle of my bed, fretting over what I should or shouldn't say, what I should or shouldn't wear, if my hair should be down or up and the likelihood that I'm going crazy.

"Rory, you doing okay?" Alex's voice brings me back into the now.

"Of course," I lie.

He leans his excessively hair arms against the top of the cubicle wall that separates our work spaces. "You sure? You've been pretty glued to your cell today."

Rolling my eyes at his blatant nosiness, I put my cell into my top drawer of my desk. "Yes, I'm sure." Turning away from him, I wiggle my mouse to wake up my sleeping computer and get to work.

"Alright. Well, you want to grab lunch with me today?"

Not in a million years, buddy.

"I'm actually not taking a lunch today. I need to leave a little early." I say, seeing the light blinking on my phone as it begins to ring. My dad and Maggie are the only two people with the number to my desk, so I grab the receiver like it's the key to a box full of money grateful that not only am I now provided a reason to avoid continuing this conversation with Alex, but that the reason has nothing to do with work.

"Rory Patterson speaking," I answer, turning in my chair so that my back is to Alex.

"Rory girl!" a familiar voice exclaims much to loudly in my ear. A deep cringe scrapes down my spin as I realize the voice belongs to Mr. Dress Jeans.

"Uh... Hi, Ian." Focusing on keeping my voice kind, I pull my phone out of the drawer I just put it in and text Maggie while contemplating the many different ways I could kill her with my bare hands.

You are so dead!

"I thought I could take you to lunch today. I haven't heard from you since Matthew's party, so I figured I'd call you myself." His voice makes my lip involuntarily curl up. I can't believe Maggie gave him my work number.

"Actually, Ian, today isn't really a good day."

I assume prince charming called?

"Tomorrow, then." It isn't a question, it's a statement and it makes me want to gag out loud so that he knows exactly how it makes me feel. Does this guy really think he is that smooth?