Sleep-O

Chapter 5

“Uh… Hi?”  Of all the people she guessed could be at her door, Johnny was the last.  His sunglasses were hooked on his tshirt.  He must have been to his room already cause he wasn’t wearing his jacket.

            “Do you have a minute?”  His face was serious.

            “Sure, c’mon in.”  She stepped aside and Johnny walked in quickly.

            He sat down in one of the chairs.  “I know this is gonna be awkward cause we haven’t really talked since…”  he let the last word hang in the air, not knowing what to label that night.  He took a big breath, “Okay, so first I want to say it’s nice to see you again.”  He wasn’t sure how corny that was going to sound until he said it and saw Steph make a face.  “Second…”  he paused, stood up and started pacing, running a hand through his hair.  He must be nervous, she thought.  “I don’t think…”  He paused again and put his hands in his pockets out of frustration before letting out a growl.  “you’re not going to like hearing this… but I noticed you and Steve-O getting kinda chummy and… “  She looked at him, confused.  “Well, just know that he likes the ladies.”

            Steph shrugged before saying, “what’s your point, Johnny?”

            “Well, you should just know that he’s only after one thing.”  He hoped she would not make him say exactly what Steve-O’s motivations were.  He had known Steve-O for years and he wasn’t the kind of guy that was looking for “the right girl.”  Steve-O dated.  And women threw themselves at him.  It was an equation that worked for Steve-O.  Johnny didn’t want Steph to be a casualty.  Not to mention, what if it was actually something MORE than a hookup.  But, how could she love him?  His place was a disaster, he puked all the time and he lit his farts.  Steph deserved someone different… someone…. More like Johnny. 

            “And what’s that?”  She started to become irritated.  How dare he tell me who I can and can’t see?  What a fucking hypocrite. 

            “He’s friends with Jeff and all, but I’m telling you… he’s not for you…  he’s going to use you.”  His eyes met hers; he tried to read her expression.

            “Oh, you mean like YOU did?”  Enough was enough.  Johnny cannot have his cake and eat it too.  “So let me get this straight.  You’re worried he’s going to have sex with me and then ask me to pretend it never happened?!”  As hard as she tried to not freak out, her voice was projecting louder and louder and she could feel her hands grow cold – they always did when she got upset about something.

            Johnny looked down, defeat written on his face.  His hand absent-mindedly went to the back of his neck as he gently rubbed it.  He let out a sigh and closed his eyes.  Why was he even there?  Why did he care? 

            All those years of knowing her… of spending time with her and getting to know her…  they all built up and exploded that night.  At the time, he thought it was just for the sex; Steph was beautiful and sexy and funny…  He never got jealous over girls.  Ever.  He was Johnny Knoxville – he always got the girl.  Is that why this bothered him?  Because he was losing? 

            For a lack of what to say, he said, “yes.  I don’t want him to do that to you.”

            “You’re the only one allowed to rip my heart out, is that it?”  Don’t cry, don’t cry, don’t cry, she told herself.

            “That night never should-“ He stopped himself from digging a bigger hole, “It shouldn’t have happened that way.”  He stepped forward, his eyes pleading.