A Friendship Or More

Music & Bikes

Some weeks had gone by, and being with Norman was back to a regular rutine. He was my morning wake up call, and my ride to work, basically he was my every waking moment. Of course I didn't mind becaue it was Norman. He was my best friend and the only one I really did want to be with.
Norman and I were still going back and forth with the vacation he and Mingus were taking. He still wanted me to go and I told him there was no way. I couldn't let him pay for such a trip. He of couse argued that money was of no importance to him. He also told me Mingus would love me. Then I remebered how he smiled after that, like he was thinking of saying something else, but he didn't.
Today we were at work and it was lunch time. I went to go find Norman. He had told me to meet him at his trailor. I was almost there when I saw him with a girl. Instantly I was jealous. She was tall, thin brown hair, in a short skirt and heels. Looked more like a hooker, then the intern I recognized her to be. Norman of course was smiling like an idiot, and flirting with her. I wanted her to go away, as I walked up and waited for Norman to realize I was standing there. That by the way took too long. I wanted slap him, his tongue practically hanging out of his head. I saw, now that I was close,r her shirt was as bad as he skirt.
"So am I going to lunch alone?" I asked annoyed. Norman never bothered to keep his jealously under control about Travis. So I didn't feel the need with any girl he felt the need to flirt with. Norman's head snapped to me looked in suprised to see me..
"Baby girl," he said sounding as suprised as he looked. I raised an eyebrow. "I just..." he sputtered. I waited.
"I'll talk to you later Norman," the girl said, sounding as annoyed as I was. She walked away. I looked after her.
"She's cute," I said. I heard Norman grummbled.
"It's not like that," he grumbled lowly. I looked at him.
"Why not? She's cute, hell, with as short as her skirt is I was even looking," I told him. He smiled.
"She's not my type, " he said. I scoffed, I couldn't help it.
"She's tall, thin, pretty, looks pretty easy to me. Bet she'd have casual sex with you," I said still looking ahead. I felt Norman come behind me and pull me in to his arms.
"Steph," he said in to my ear. I rolled my eyes.
"You are single, you can date who you want," I said pulling away and going inside. Norman fallowed me.
"Stephanie please, I'm not looking for anyone," he said, sitting beside me on his couch. I rolled my eyes again. He pulled me in to his arms again.
"Norman, you can do whatever you want," I said. He had made my head lay on his chest. I turned to look up at him. He looked down at me. He smiled.
"I can?" He asked, getting an evil smile. Suddenly I was on my back and Norman was hovering over me. "Then we aren't going to lunch," he said lowly, still smilling. I made a face.
"You arn't looking for anyone," I repeated what he said as I pushed him off me. He smiled after me.
"But you said, I could do what I want," he repeated my words. I smiled. I ment with getting a girlfriend. He rolled his eyes.
"I'm good, got all I want right here," he smiled. I looked at him, what did that mean?
"Huh, well I mean, she looked easy anyways. If you wanted my opinion. That wouldn't have been any fun, I wouldn't think," I said. Norman looked at me.
"Why?" He asked.
"I mean don't guys complain about girls being loose? I doubt you'd of felt anything. Hotdog down a hallway," I said. He laughed.
"Ohh, yeah I've delt with that. I assuming though, your not like that. How many guys have you been with?" He asked I looked at him.
"Norman!" I yelled shocked he had asked. He smiled.
"Come on, just tell me, I've told you about my shitty love life," he reminded me. I sighed and bushed, I guess firends did talk about their sex lives. It was just kinda embarrassing admitting I to Norman.
"Four," I finnaly said not looking at him.
"Four!" He rsounded suprised, I looked up, he was rubbing his chin with a smile on his face.
"I've dated more guys then that, I just don't jump in to bed with all of them!" I tried to make myself seem like less of a loser. He smille smiled.
"Mmmh, I bet that would be really fun," he finnaly said. I looked at him shocked.
"Shut up you pervert!!" I yelled pushing him. He laughed.
"Baby girl, you can't tell me something like that and exspect me not to think of the possibilities," he said. I was so embarrassed my face was red.
"Fuck you Reedus!" I yelled getting up and trying to leave. Norman was quick to catch me. He pulled me back to the couch and held me. I couldn't look at him.
"Don't be embarrassed, I lIke that you don't jump in to bed with everyone," he said kissing my head. I still didn't look at him.
"Friends don't think about sleeping with their friends," I said. I felt Norman shift. I then realized I was sitting on his lap and, oh my god! I could feel him, and he was hard.
"They do when they are beautiful women that tell you they have a really tight.." he didn't get to finish that sentence, because I cut him off.
"Norman!" I yelled as I strugged to get up. He laughed and let me go.
"Steph, it's normal," he said. I still couldn't look at him.
"It's not normal!" I said knowing I had felt what I did. Then I wondered how long it had been for him. I knew it had been a while for me. So if had been as long for him as it had me, then it could be normal to get turned on by the though.
"When was the last time you had sex?" He asked. I looked at him.
"None of your business," I was suprised, again he really was crossing this friendship line.
"Like I thought, sence what's his name. You can't tell me that in almost a month of nothing you don't just get horny," he smiled. I could do nothing but look at him. Did I? That was dumb ofcouse I did. I didn't have thoughts about Norman for no reason.
"When the hell did you last do it?" I asked, if he could know I wanted to.
"Before I broke up with the last one, before you broke up with him," he said. I looked at him. Why was it so easy for him to tell me that. "I'm not embarrassed to admit that I get horny. I do easily and your tellin me about tight things," he stopped. I couldn't help but notice the discomfort on his face.
"Then we shouldn't talk about such things," I said lolwy. Norman looked at me, I could tell he didn't like that answer.
"Let's go to lunch," he finnaly said. I nodded. He came up to me and grabbed my hand. I smiled. It was something new he had been doing sence Travis and I had split, but I liked it. Well walked by the girl he had been talking to. I saw her make a face as me walked by, I smiled. I loved that she though Norman and I were a thing. We made it to the Jeep and Norman led me to my side. I got in and he was quickly in too.
"So I got a new cord, you plug in to your phone to listen to music. I had one before but it broke, so I got another. It occurred to me that we never listen to music and I know you've said you love miusic. I know I do so, if you wanna plug your phone in, I figured we could listen to some," Norman said, kinda shy. I smiled. He could talk about sex with me easily, but when it came to a simple thing like a cord to listen to music he was shy. I giggled.
"Sometimes you're too cute!" I said as I plugged my phone in. He smiled.
"Like a good cute? Or like a, Norman you're stupid, so I'm gonna tell you your cute?" He asked. I shook my head.
"Like your adorable and I wanna punch your cheeks," I laughed. He smiled.
"Really?" He asked still smiling. I giggled.
"Really," I said. We had started going and I hit play on my phone.
"I have no idea what's going to play, it's on shuffle and I have evrything on there from Elton John to Eminem and everything in between," I warned him. He smiled.
"I love that your music tast is so vast," he said with a laugh. I smlied. Then as if by some strange force in the universe, an old song came on but it described everything I was feeling. 'The Right Kinda Wrong' by LeAnne Rimes. My eyes went to Norman and he smiled over at me. Could he read my thoughs?
"What's this one?" He asked. I kinda took a second to answer him, I was too buy relating to the music.
"The Right Kinda Wrong," I said. He chuckled. I smiled.
"Who do you think about when you listen to this one?" He asked. I froze. How did he know I was thinking about someone?
"No one," I said. I was lying, could he tell?" I went back to listeing to the song. He didn't say anything. Pretty soon I was humming to the music.
"Sing it girl!" He said. I looked over to him, embarrassed.
"I don't sing," I laughed. He shook, his head.
"Let loose," he told me again. I looked at him with a stupid smile on my face. It was true he was my 'Right Kinda Wrong' I shouldn't love him, but I did. I shouldn't want to spend evey waking moment with him, but I did. I should take more care of my heart, I knew he couldn't keep a relationship. I knew all he wanted was a fuck buddy. I didn't care though, I loved him, I always would. He was my mistake and I would make it a thousand times, because I had no power around him. They way he looked at me, the way he said my name. Norman was my everything. I realized this all while staring at him with a dumb smile, and aparently singing. Because the smile on his face never faded.
"Am I?" He asked. I blinked. The song was over, I couldn't figure out what to say. 'Crazy Bitch' brought be back to reality with Buck Cherry screaming. Norman laughed. "Fuck yeah!" He said odviously liking the song. I smile, being saved by the music.
"I told you, evrything," I said with a smile. Norman smiled back.
"Of course you have everthing," he said. I wasn't sure what that ment, but I liked it. That song played threw and another song started.Of course it be all these love and sex songs. It was like my phone was living to embarrass me. Norman smiled again.
"I'm so addicted to all the things you do," Norman sang along. I smiled. He liked my music, he was also a horny guy. "You are one of a kind," he said I smiled.
"Is that a good thing?" I finnaly asked, he had said it before and I wondered.
"Oh yeah," he said. "Addicted to you," he sang lowly. I giggled. Next it was "Animal's" by Maroon 5, and I wondered if he'd get why. Finnaly threw me a sideways look. "Mac, you really do like that character," he said raising his eyesbrows. I gigled.
"If I wanted to be chased down by a phycopath, he'd be the one. I wouldn't even run that fast," I laughed. Norman laughed too.
"You wouldn't make that chase any fun," he laughed.
"I'm sure the sex after would make up for it," I smiled cocky.
"Oh hell yeah!" Norman agreed. I smiled. "Why is Mac allowed to get away with it?" He then asked. I looked over at him.
"What?" I asked. Looking at him.
"Mac is not the type for a relationship," he said. I shrugged.
"Maybe I'm just crazy," I finnaly said. He looked over to me.
"What's that supose to mean?" he asked. I smiled.
"How many girls are willingly gonna let Mac catch them, I mean come on. Any girl can say it, but they are gonna want to be loved in the end, not beaten. I'm ok with the sick twisted ideas he may have," I finnaly admitted I might be a little weird. Norman had stopped at a restrant looking over at me.
"Baby girl has a dark side," he smiled, it was almost evil. I shot him a sideways smile and got out. Norman was quickly behind me. "So is that just Mac or can I catch ya?" He asked, grabbing my hand. I looked up at him.
"Mac," I said with a smile as we went in. Norman grummbled as we were greeted by the waitress. Norman never let go of my hand untill we were shown to our table and we sat down.
"Why does he get to do all the fun things?" He whinned, after we ordered. I giggled.
"It's Mac, you tell him no, but you know, with the bad, comes the good. My other man is Murphy," I raised my eyebrow and smile. Norman smiled and shook his head.
"Murphy and Mac? They'd kill each other," he said.
"Good and Evil," I said smiling. "I mean what complements rape like sex?" I aksed still smiling. Norman chuckled.
"Something slow and sweet," he said like he was having ideas. I made a face.
"No, just something a little less life threatening," I laughed. He raised an eyebrow at me.
"What?" He asked, with a laugh. I shurgged.
"Murphy may fight for good, but all that pent up aggression has to go somewhere. I think Murph could be one kinky mother fucker," I laughed. Norman laughed.
"I think your one kinky girl," he smiled. I shrugged.
"I could be," I said. Norman was still smiling, but then looked at me.
"But do you have a sweet side? One that just wants to be loved for a slow short amount of tme?" He asked. I giggled.
"Short amount of tme?" I asked. He smiled.
"I don't last that long," he kinda laughed. I smiled.
"Bullshit!" I called him out. He chuckled.
"Guess you may never know," he finnaly said. I shugged.
"You either," I said. He looked at me, he wanted to say something I know he did, but our food showed up. The waitress tried her best to flirt with him. Norman wasn't paying her much attention though. I kinda laughed. She was blond, maybe that was it? I really didn't think that he was that piky but he might be.
"Not your type?" I asked, when she had left. He looked up at me from his food.
"Told you I wasn't looking," he smiled. I rolled my eyes.
"Ok," I agreed. He smiled at me.
"I'm serious!" He kinda laughed. I smiled.
"Me too," I said. He looked at me.
"Good, because them dumb asses have been gawking at you sence we showed up," he nodded tward someone. I looked behind me and two guys smiled at me. I giggled. They were not Norman, but then again he had no problems flirting infront of me.
"Humm," I hummed turning back to my food and smliing. He raised an eyebrow at me.
"Your type? Despreate," he growled. I rolled my eyes.
"No, and you don't knew that, why is it when a guy is in to me it's because he's desperate? I'm I that bad looking?"I was pissed. Norman looked shocked.
"No! Your beautiful, but guys know girls don't think that. So losers like that, will try smooth talking beautiful girls like you. Then you end up with a loser," he aparently just explained to me men. I looked at him, and smiled. I loved when he called me beautiful.
"Ohh, is that how I ended up with losers?" I asked. He nodded.
"It's the way you dress, it's safe. Nothing wrong with that, I'm not telling you to dress like a whore, but I just mean, no cleavage, no leg," he shrugged. I looked down at my shirt and jeans and boots.
"Oh, I thought I looked god," I bit my lip. Norman smiled.
"I love it, it's like a sexy biker babe look, all in black. They see a girl who's got insecurities, they will play off that," he nodded behind me. I sighed.
"What would you have me dressed in?" I asked maybe this is why he wasn't intressed. I dressed boring. Norman smiled.
"Mmhm, depends on what your letting me do," he smiled.
"Ok pervert! Mind outta that gutter," I said unimpressed. Still wondering how that would go though. He smiled.
"I like the black. I also like them shirts you got that look cut up, a little more cleavage, maybe a skirt," he smiled. I shook my head.
"I'll take you shopping with me next time, might be nice to have a guys opinion," I smiled. He smiled.
"Buy a skirt," he said. I shook my head with a laugh. "And a bikini and come hang out at my pool," he threw in. I giggled and slapped his arm playfully.
"No way I'm all pale," I said. He smiled bigger.
"Better yet, because I live out in the middle of no where, you can just tan naked out there. His smiled only got bigger. I rolled my eyes again.
"No," I said flatly. He huffed.
"Fine, just have to use my imagination," he said. I slapped is arm again.
"Why are you imaginin me naked?" I asked shocked. He smiled.
"I haven't been laid in like a month," he said. I looked at him shocked.
"Buy a hooker!" I told him. He stood up and got his wallet out.
"How much it gonna take?" He asked with a smile. I looked at him embarrassed. I watched him open his wallet.
"I'm not a hooker!" I growled lowly. He smiled.
"I know I'm just fuckin with ya," he laughed. I looked around to see who was watching us.
"I'm going to the ladies room! " I said getting up.
"I'll be here," he smiled. My head was spinning. Norman didn't seem to care anymore if I knew he wanted to sleep with me or not. I mean I was flattered, but did he have to be so blunt, and why? Why could he have relationships with other girls, just not me. I mean none of them worked out, but he wanted to sleep with me so why was a relationship unrealistic? I was on my way back to the table when I was stopped by someone standing in front of me. I looked up.
"Excuse me," I said lowly. The man smiled.
"No excuse me miss, I saw ya come in with your dad and you are just so beautiful," he said smiling lIke a jackass. He said more but, when he called Norman my dad, he was clearly being an asshole. I looked at him annoyed he thought I was falling for this shit.
"You mean my boyfriend? And let me tell you something, he'll kick your ass, now back the fuck up," I said putting my arm or and he stepped aside. I walked back to Norman. He smiled at me.
"What happend? That guy looks pissed," he laughed. I smiled.
"He still watchin? I asked. Norman nodded. "Play along," I said as I walked over to him, and what got in to me I have no idea, but I kissed him. It was a deep passionate and agressivery one. We parted and he smiled.
"What did he say?" Norman asked with a smile. I smiled and sat down. Still suprised I just kissed Norman, and he let me.
"Douchbag!" I said losing my smile. Norman smiled bigger at the ashole behind me.
"Can I bring him over here?" He asked. I looked at him.
"Why?" I asked, I didn't understand why Norman would want him over here.
"To thank him for piss in you off, I just go kissed," he smiled like a school boy. I giggled.
"Oh god Norman, you act like you've never been kissed before. Your an actor, for god sake, think if I as acting," I said. Norman frounded.
"Baby girl, no actress has eve kissed me like that!" He said. I looked at him.
"Like what?" I aksed, unsure of what I really did. He smiled again.
"I'm missing out," he finnaly said. I tilted my head.
"On what?" I aksed Iwas so confused. What had I done? He still smiled and shook his head.
"Ready?" He asked. I smiled.
"Yeah," I agreed, we went to pay and Norman threw his arm over my shoulders and pulled me close as we walked out. All eyes were on us. I did my best not to smile, untill we passed the ashole that tried to flirt with me. Then I smiled, big. I left Norman to pay as I went outside.
All i could think was, It was true, a guy just tried to ask me out and I ran to Norman for protection. He was the only man that didn't want to date me and I should be trying to get away from him, but I'd run to him. As much as I hated it, he had me. He came out and we got in to the Jeep again.
"Music?" He asked. I smiled.
"Ok," I said as I looked threw my songs this time.
"Picking one? I liked what's been played so far," he smile. I blushed.
"My phone lives to embarrass me," I laughed. He looked overy at me, we hadn't moved yet.
"How?" He asked. I smiled, shyly.
"Every song that played was about sex, I'm not some sex crazed maniac," I said. Norman smiled.
"Mac would like if you were," he said. I shook my head and smiled.
"Well things could change for him," I pointed out. Norman made a face.
"Why him?" He asked. I looked at him.
"It's Mac!" I said. Norman looked at me
"Yeah he's the bad guy! The one who breaks in to your house. The one you supose to be afraid of, the monster," he explained.
"Growing up, is not being afraid of the monsters anymore, it's wanting to sleep with them," I smiled, quoting something I had seen on the internet. He looked at me. I was still smiling, and turned on the msuic. 'Rihanna's shut up and drive came on' I smiled. We started to go an I mumbled along to the music.
"Will you sing already?" He asked. I looked at him.
"I'll be quite," I said lowly. He looked at me quickly.
"Let me guess, someone told you you couldn't sing," I said. I bit my lip.
"Yeah, " I sais lowly. He sighed.
"I'm telling ya you have to tell someone to fuck off! Even I can see you like singing," he pointed out, I smiled
"Wanted to be a singer," I knda laughed. "I have horrible stage fright though, I couldn't be in the public eye," I said. Norman kinda chuckeld.
"You odviously don't check the internet," he said. I looked over at him.
"What do you mean?" I aksed confused again. That seemed to be the theme of the afternoon. He smiled.
"I check to see what people say sometimes, threw like Twitter. Your a hot topic," he smiled. I looked at him I never even though of the fan attention I would get from hanging our with him.
"Oh," I said lolwy. Norman laughed.
"Don't stress it baby girl, a lot of them love ya," he smiled. I looked up at him.
"They think we are dating," I said knowing what he was getting at. He smiled, bigger.
"Yeah, they do," he said, he sounded happy. I would never understand that. Why did he always want people to think we were dating or didn't care if people did.
"You ever gonna correct anyone?" I asked, he lost his smile.
"Why?" He asked. I was about to say something but I heard the roar of a bike and wached it speed by us. I was lost, I had always loved motorcycles. It was only with Norman I had been able to ride one. "Earth to Stephanie!" He said as my head fallowed the bike.
"What?" I asked half listening. I heard him laugh, as I lost track of the bike.
"You really do like them don't ya?" I smiled.
"Always, sence I was little," I told him. He nodded.
"You told me, my next step is teaching you to drive," he smiled. I looked at him horrified.
"I don't think so, riding with you is one thing. I can't drive one of them, I'd kill myself," I said I was scared. He laughed.
"No you wont," you have a real love for it, I can see that," he said, I shook my head.
"You are trying to kill me," I told him he laughed.
"Naw," he laughed again. "Teach ya to ride and maybe fix it youself, bet you'd look good covered in grease," he hummed rubbing his chin.
"Ew! I don't like getting dirty," I said. He looked at me with a smile.
"Such a girl," he said. I rolled my eyes.
"I am a girl!" I told him. He looked at me with a smile.
"Thank god, because with the way I check you out on a daily basis, I was going to really be upset if you admitted you were a dude," he laughed. I rolled my eyes.
"I am a dude, stop checking me out," I said sarcastically. He laughed again.
"Pretties dude ever, I might be gay," he siad. I laughed.
"No comment," I laughed. Norman looked at me.
"Shut up!" He laughed. I smiled as we pulled in to the parking lot.
"So how late are we going to be today?" I asked. Norman parked and smiled at me.
"Don't know, but your comming over tonight right?" He asked. I made a face at him.
"Norman, when don't I come over?" I asked. He smile.
"Well you might have wanted to go home and do something," he said. I looked at him with raised eyebrows.
"Like what? You had to of figured out, I don't have much of a life, if I can spend every waking moment with you," I said. He looked at me.
"Becuase you don't want a life besides that," he said. I smiled, I could have a life, but I did like Norman being my life.
"So could you," I said. He smiled.
"I already do," he smiled. I smiled, I knew I was part of it, and I like it.
"So come find me?" I said. He smiled, with a nod. I unplugged my phone and we got out. I went to the make up trailor and it wasn't long before Norman and eveyone came in again. Dressed in full Daryl. He found my chair and smiled at me.
"What are Daryl's rules?" He asked. I smiled.
"Well, Daryl, mmmh, he," I didn't finished I just raised my eyebrow at him.with a cocky smile. Norman smiled.
"I'm pretty sure I can get an break," he smiled. I gigled
"Not happening," I laughed I went to work on his hair. Noman hummed.
"I think you just like playing with my hair," he said, I smiled and grabbed a fust full playfully pulling his head back.
"Ohh yeah," I smiled. He smiled.
"Come here," he laughed grabbing my hair and playful pulling it. I giglged.
"Norman!" I laughed. We were both laughing when I heard someone clear their throat. I quickly looked up to see Greg. I quickly moved out from infront of Noman and back to my work.
"Having fun?" He asked with a smile. Norman smiled.
"Mmh," he smiled. I was embarrassed, he was kinda a big deal, and I could get fired for goofing off.
"Well I hope your not distracting this poor girl," Greg said. I looked up at him, and smiled shyly.
"Hell yes! Becuase she's distracting me," Norman laughed. I held my breath. Greg laughed.
"Norman if your find her pretty that's your own distracton," Greg told him. I smiled more. Norman sighed.
"I can't win around here," he said. I smiled more. Greg laughed.
"When you get done flirting with this nice young lady, come find me," he said. Norman agreed and Greg was gone. For the whole conversation I had been doing nothing but playing with Norman's hair, it was solft I couldn't help it.
"That feels amazing, you gotta stop that or I'll fall asleep," Norman told me. I stopped. He looked up at me.
"I'll play with your hair later," he smiled. Not a good idea, I thought. Playing with my hair had one of two affects on me, I would either fall asleep, or becaue it was Norman, I'd probably get turned on.
"No a good idea," I said with a small smile. He smiled, mischievious.
"Now I really wanna he said. I giggled..
"I'll just fall asleep on you," I giggled. He smiled.
"It's ok, I'll tuck you in, in my bed," he said "And I'll keep you warm all night," he added. I giggled.
"You want that, you know how to make it happen," I said. He looked at me with a smile.
"Have to be later," he said getting up and giving me a hug. He headed out and I was left to my thoughts. It would, later as in never, I thougt. As the day went on, Norman came in a couple more times to visit. Mostly it was to have make up touched up, but I enjoy his visits, and I think he did too. At the end of the night when he found me I was All to happy to see him. I frowned though, pushing his hair outta his face.
"You need a hair cut," I told him as I played with it, moving it out of his eye's, he smiled, and then frowned.
"You don't like it long?" He asked. I smiled, happy with my work, with just my fingures.
"No, I do. I just ment the ends, give it some life back, it looks like a dead mop," I laughed. He smiled.
"I think your ok to cut it," he said with a smiled. I looked at him, eyebrows raised.
"What if I mess it up?" I said. I wasn't going to but the fact that he trusted me so easily made me wonder.
"Your a hairdresser I don't think you'll mess it up," he said I laughed.
"No I mean, what if I cut it too short and the producers don't like it" I said. He smiled.
"I don't think they will mind to much, just like ya said, the ends," he smiled. I smile to.
"Guess we'll have to go by my place if you want that done tonight or I'll bring my stuff tomorrw," Norman smiled.
"I'll bring ya home, to get it," he smiled. I smiled back.
"Alright," I agreed as we walked to his Jeep. Norman's phone rang as we got in and I lit a ciggarette and handed it to him. He smiled, as he answered it I checked my phone, trying to stay busy. Whatever he was talking about was none of my business. Then I remebered, I had no life, so there was nothing on my phone.
"So aparently I'm going to LA, wanna come?" Norman asked. I looked over at him my eyebrows pulled together.
"What? When?" I asked, he cuckled.
"Friday, for a movie reading. Evey been to Cali?" He aksed. I shook my head.
"Nope," I said. He smiled.
"Oh. You'll love it!" He said excitedly. I looked at him, my eyebrows still together.
"I didn't say I was going," I told him. Norman looked at me, now pulling his eyesbrows together.
"Why not?" He asked grumpy. I looked at him.
"Your going for work, not to take me sight seeing," I reminded him. He huffed.
"We can do both, spend the weekend out there, I know a bunch of cool places," he said, already making plans. I shook my head.
"It's not a couples retreat, you are going for work," I reminded him. He grumbled again.
"Why won't you come with me?" He asked annoyed. I looked at him.
"Umm let's see I don't have the money to go running off to Cali," I said. Norman threw me a dirty look.
"I never asked you if you had the money! I'll pay for you, come with me," he said. I should have known he would say that.
"I can't let you pay for me to go to Cali, like I'm not letting you pay for me to go to Aruba," I said. He growled more as we pulled up to my apartment.
"Why?!" He growled again. I look at him.
"Because I'm not your girlfriend, you can't just bring me everywhere," I said as I got out of the Jeep. He fallowed me.
"Why do you have to always look at it like that? Why can't it just be two friends going somewhere for the weekend?" He asked.
"How many of your friends do you take on weekend get aways, and pay for them?" I aksed. He looked at me.
"A lot," he said as I opend the door and we went in. I rolled my eye's "I'm serious!" He said as he fallowed me threw the house. I stopped, at my bedroom door.
"It's a mess you can't come in here," I said embarrassed. I had a few posters and things of his I didn't want him to see. He huffed.
"I don't care about if your if your rooms a mess," he said. I held my hand up.
"No," I said. He growled again but stepped back. I went in and looked around for my bag of hair stuff. I found it and then looked at my clothes. I remeber Norman telling me at Lunch I played it safe with my clothes. I smiled I grabbed one of my shirts I had labeled for going out. It was low cut and deffenatly showed some cleavage. I smiled, as I added a skirt, I felt crazy, but did it anyways, and paired it with some heels. Norman would die, I smiled. I would enjoy this. He knocked on my doork.
"Hurry up!" He yelled impacent as always I smiled and opend the door. He stopped and looked me up and down. "Your trying to kill me?" he asked with a smile. I smiled.
"No just showing you I dress, safe, for work," I said turning around. He had me by the arm pulling me back to him.
"No, no, no. Lemme look," he smiled, looking me up and down a couple times. I giggled.
"Can I go put clothes back on?" I asked chickening in out. He laughed.
"Fuck no! You are wearing that come on!" He said as he pulled me threw the hosue. I giggled.
"Norman!" I squeeled, but we were already outside and at the Jeep. He turned.
"God I wanna take you somewhere and show you off, but at the same time I wanna lock you in my room," he smiled, looking at me again. I.giggled.
"Did you at least lock the door?" I laughed. He smiled and nodded.
"I like the second idea more. Them clothes look really good on you baby girl, but I bet they look even better on the floor," he smiled moving closer to me. I shook my head.
"That's not how friends talk to each other," I pointed out.
"That's not how friends dress for each other either, but baby girl you started this one," he smiled. I shook my head.
"I was making a point, now let me go put pants on," I said trying to head back to the door. I heard Norman growle but let me go this time. I returned moments later in my original outfit and feeling better.
"Ya didn't even leave me the shirt?" He asked. I shook my head.
"Ya wanna see that outfit again, ya know how," I told him with a smile. He grummbled, pulling me into a hug.
"Come on we"ll get some pizza on the way home," he said. I smiled. He knew how to kill me and make me feel special all at once. His holding me, told me he cared, changing the subject ment he didn't care like that.
"Alright," I agreed with a small sigh. I really didn't care what he did to me. He hurt me every day and I kept going to him. We got back in the Jeep and started to go. I looked out the window. I missed Travis, it was times like this when I knew Norman didn't want me like that. When I wanted to be loved. Not just physically, but all the away.
"You ok baby girl?" I heard Norman ask as he grabbed my hand ans squeezed it. I smiled.
"Yeah," I said lowly. He looked at me. Norman knew me I don't know why I tried to lie to him sometimes.
"Stephanie," he said. I sighed.
"Girl stuff," I said trying to throw him off. He sighed.
"I'm here, even for girl stuff," he looked at me quickly, then back to the road. I smiled. I couldn't talk to Norman about Norman.
"I know, it's just dumb," I said. He huffed.
"Is it about what's his name? Do you still miss him?" He asked. I looked at him.
"Sorta," I answered. It wasn't really Travis himself, yes I did miss Travis, but more of the things we did. I wanted them with him. I looked over at him.
"Well what does that mean," he askes, I sighed.
"It's dumb, just things in general, I miss about being in a relationship," I told him. Norman nodded.
"The sex?" He asked. I laughed.
"No you pervert! The intimacy, the cuddling the kisses, for no reason," I smiled. I wished so much to have them things with Norman. I looked over at him, he smiled.
"Just being with someone," he said lowly. I smiled, he got it.
"Yeah, rainy days in pj's cuddling on the couch or in bed, watching tv. Late night talks in the dark, about nothing. Just being close to someone," I smiled. Norman looked at me.
"Your a romantic," he smiled. I had to laugh.
"A hopeless one. Travis was the only guy I have been with so far, that liked all them things," I said. He grummbled
"Like I've said you date the wrong kinda men. God I'd love to do things like that," Norman said. I looked over at him.
"Aparently the right ones don't want me," I said lowly. Mostly referring to him. He sighed.
"The good ones don't want to hurt you," he said. I looked up at him, did he mean him, or was he generalizing again.
"If their the good ones they shouldn't," I pointed out. Norman stopped at a pizza place.
"Shouldn't and do are two different things. They are only human," he said.
"Everyone makes mistakes," I said. He nodded.
"Come on let's get some food," he smiled. We got out.
"Was my cooking that bad? You have never asked me to again" I lauhed. He chuckeld finding my hand. I smiled at him, I loved this.
"No, just actually kinda figured you'd tell me no , becuase your not my girlfriend. It seems to be your favorite thing to say," he said, with a smile. I slaped his arm playfully, with the hand he wasn't current holding.
"Fuck you Reedus!" I said with a laugh. He smiled. I was sure he wanted to say more, I know I did when the waitress came up to us.
"How many?" She aksed.
"Just two," he said. She smiled and we walked to a table.
"Can I start you off with something to drink?" She asked. I smiled, I quickly looked over the menu.
"Strawberry lemonade, " I smiled. She nodded with a smile and looked at Norman.
"A beer," he said. She smiled and then left.
"Your driving," I remind him. He smiled
"One beer won't hurt me," he said. I rolled my eyes.
"So no, I'm not gonna tell you that I won't cook for you because your not my boyfriend. I should with the smart as you are, but I won't," I said with a smile. Norman laughed.
"Then what other food ya gonna cook me?" He asked with a smile. I shook my head.
"Might slap you," I grummbled. "I don't know what do you lke? I asked. He smiled.
"Food," he smiled. I sighed.
"Now I am gonna slap you," I told him, reaching over and slapping his arm. He laughed.
"I like food, doesn't matter what kind, I like to try to try healthy," he said. I smiled.
"I mean, I don't know anything fancy, but I can fallow a book or the internet," I smiled. He did to.
"Maybe we could cook together?" He asked. I looked at him skeptical.
"What's that code for?" I asked. He smiled.
"I don't know, but I'm sure I can find a way to make it dirty," he laughed. I shook my head.
"Reedus, I'm about ready to not cook for you," I said. He frowned.
"Fine I'll behave myself, " he said. I laughed.
"Not likely," I said. Just the the waitress came back with our drinks.
"Are we ready or do we need a few more minutes?" She asked with a smile. I looked at Norman.
"Just the pizza?" He asked. I shrugged.
"Sounds good," I said. I wasn't paying so I just went with what he wanted.
"Like hot wings?" He asked. I nodded. He ordered the pizza and hot wings. then we resumed talking.
"So no LA this weekend?" He asked. I shook my head.
"No, go work, I'll be a distraction," I said. He smiled.
"My favorite one," he smiled. I giggled.
"Norman, if I dint know you any better, I would swear you were flirting with me," I smiled.
"It's harmness," he said, still smiling. I sighed. No it wasn't it wasn't harmless at all. It killed me to know he didn't really want me, just my body.
"Maybe," I said lowly. Norman sighed.
"I'm really not that great," he finnaly said. I looked over at him confused. "I suck at relationships, I'm stubborn, and childish, kinda selfish," he listed things. I tilted my head, I was confused.
"What?" I asked, confused.
"You need someone better then me," he finnaly said. I blinked, was he telling me reasons not to date him?
"Norman," I said lowly.
"No, I don't know why you think I'm something I'm not," he said.
"Norman, I've known you a little while now, unless your acting around me all the time, I'm pretty sure I know the real you," I pointed out. He sighed.
"Then why?" He asked. I looked at him. Because I loved every little thing about him. I was about to answer when a girl approached us. I sighed, I knew she was a fan. So I pulled out my phone. She dribbled on about what I have no idea, I tuned her out. Norman was his perfect self and let her talk. I was about to get up and excuse myself when she turned to me.
"And you! I just think you two are the cutest!" She said. I looked at her.
"Thanks," I said unsure. I knew she though Norman and I were dating, but she wasn't my fan
" A lot of the girls I'm in thi group with, they don't like it, but I have seen so many pictures, of you two, laughing and stuff," she turned back to Norman. "I'm so glad you're happy," she smiled. I shook my head. Norman smiled at her.
"Thanks ya see I knew my fans would understand," he said. I almost laughed.
"I'll be right back," I siad lowly. The girl turned to me.
"I'm sorry, I hope I didn't scare or offend you. Norman said in an interview how your shy," she smiled. I smiled at her and raised an eyebrow at him
"No sweety your fine, just going to the lady's room, have fun" I smiled as I walked away. In an interview? He asked talked about me and told people what? We were together? Why? Why did he want eveyone to think we were dating? Or did he just let them say what they wanted? I took my time thinking, I really didn't have to go to thr bathroom. I just wanted a distraction from Norman's fan. I didn't want to be one of them girls that people said was rude or anything, I just wanted to be outta the way. I headed back out to see Norman alone with pizza and wings. He smiled and waved me as I reachrd thr table.
"So food came, and Amber, said to give you her best," he smiled, then took a bite of pizza.I looked at him. He really was too adorable to be mad at but I did want to know about this interview.
"That's sweet of her," I said while taking a pice of pizza. "So what's this about an interview?" I asked, before taking a bite. Norman smiled, mouth full of pizza. So his cheeks were puffed out like a chipmunk . He looked adorable, as always. Then he took his time chewing and answering. I waited though, I really wanted to see what he had to say.
"Well you were brought, up, ya see, and I just told them the truth. You're amazing and funny, a wonderful person to be around, and it may have slipped about how shy you are," he said with a cheesy smile. I giggled at him I couldn't help it, he was to adorable.
"So in telling the truth you forgot to mention I'm not your girlfriend?" I asked keeping my voice calm. Norman stuck up a hand.
"No, I told them you were a great friend," he clarifed. I looked him almost unbelieving.
"So why do people still think I'm your girlfriend?" I asked. He shrugged.
"Maybe because I use the word 'friend' a lot, I don't like using the word girlfriend, when it comes to the media," he said. I sighed.
"Alright," I gave in, there really wasn't anything to it, a misunderstanding. We finished eating and Norman was ready to go. I smiled as he was quick to find my hand again, before we left the table. We went to the Jeep and both got in, I turned on the music as Norman started drivig. He smiled over at me. It wasn'ta long ride and there really wasn't much to be said. I loved it though that Norman felt the need to hold my hand the whole way, it wasn't just in public, it was when it was just the two of us too. We arived at his house and he parked the Jeep. We went inside and EITD greeted us.
"Hey Fatso," Norman said as we headed to the kitchen. I smiled and picked up the plump cat.
"Hey baby," I said kissing the cat on the head. He seemed happy to be held. When EITD and I reached the kitchen Norman was pouring him food. The cat looked up at me as if asking me to take him to his.dish. I laughed at him and brought him to his.food.
"Lazy fucker! Get the pretty girl to lug you're ass around," Norman said as he went to pet EITD. The cat aparently didn't like the comment because he turned around and bit Norman, I couldn't help but laugh.
"That will teach you to be mean," I told him, Norman looked up at me.
"Fuckers, always is mean to me when your here," he grumbled. I smiled, petting EITD.
"Don't be mean to him!" I said still petting him. Norman threw me a look. "Go wash your hands, cat bites can get infected," I said standing up. Norman grummbled under his breath but did as I said.
"So hair cut then tv? Or tv then hair cut?" Norman asked. I looked at him. Making a face.
"Hair cut then tv, becaue once I'm comfy and warm you know I'm gonna pass out," I laughed. Norman gave a half smile.
"Mmmh, yeah and I'm not moving all night if it kills me," he said. I threw him a questioning look, as I took stuff out from my bag.
"Why?" I asked. He smiked.
"The only way your gonna stay," he said. He was right, I laughed.
"Don't hurt your self, you won't be able to wok tomorrow," I said. Norman smiled, the cute lil smirk that go me evey time.
"You'll be my nurse right?" He asked comming over to me. I giggled.
"No sorry dear, I'll be at work," I said. He frowned.
"Never let me have any fun," he pouted. I giggled.
"Sit," I said pointing to the car infront of me. He smiled and did a I said.
"No comment?" He asked. I smiled, as I threw a cape over him.
"You already think I don't, so why do I need to comment?" I asked. Putting my apron on. I grabbed my spray bottle and went to the sinnk. I filled it, Norman was behind me like my shadow.
"Because, you always do. I love your smart ass comments," he said holding me, his head bent to my ear.
I hated when he did this, I wanted him. I wanted to give in to him, say to hell with this hair cut and let him take me to his bedroom. Let him do whatever his dirty little mind wanted. Insted I got a hold of my self and sprayed him with water. I squeeled as I wiggled out of his arms and he chased me threw the house.
"That's it girly! You better hope I don't get you!" He laughed. I ran, I wasn't sure where exactly I was running I had never been given a tour of the house. I found a room and I hid, behind some stuff. Norman was quickly in there looking for me.
"Come out come out where ever you are, I wanna play," he said. I smiled. I did enjoy this game. He went to the other side of the room and looked for me so I ran out the door. He was quick to fallow me.
"Come here!" He yelled after me. I screamed, laughed, and ran faster. Norman hot on my heels.
"I don't think that's a good idea," I said as I ran, back in to the kitchen. I was on one side of the tabel. While Norman smiled at me from the other.
"Come here, girl," he voice low and gravely. "Ya wanted to play with Mac, come 'mere," he said. I laughed on the other side.
"I'm good," I panted between giggles. He smiled bigger.
"Thought ya wanted ta play?" His voice was still Mac's. I smiled, I motioned him with my fingure and he smiled, more and started to walk tward me. I bolted for the living room Norman was quicker though getting a holed of me and on to the couch.
"What ya gonna do now girl?" He asked as he stratled my waist and pinned my arms above my head. I was too busy laughing to even answer him. I finnaly stopped laughing looking up at Noman above me. He smiked down at me.
"Alright, you win, let's get you hair done," I said still smiling. He shook his head
"No ya see girl, I got you and you already said if Mac got ya, there wouldn't be too much of a fight," he smiled at me. I laughed and tired to get away. Norman leaned on closer to me. "Now, ya see I'm just a little bit bigger and a little bit stronger! You ain't going now where," he growled lowly and kissed my head. I looked up at him. What he serious?
"Norman," I breathed I looked at me more intent.
"Steph," he leaned in again and kissed my cheek. I let out a heavy breath. Norman looked up at me, now only centenemeters from my face. If he kissed me I was done for, I'd let him. If he wanted to do whatever he wanted. I'd let him. He leaned in and my eyes closed. I was done. Norman kissed my forhead and then got up. I opend my eyes. I was bit releved and suprised. He offered me his hand and I sat up.
"Let's get your hair done," I said brethless as I tried to gt my head straight. Norman smiled, and led me out the kitchen. He sat down and I looked around for my spray bottle it was on the table. I went back to Norman and started on his hair.
"I think you should come Friday," he said. I was bushing his hair out, it was a complete mess.
"I think you'll be fine, you've done this a thousand times with out me," I reminded him. He turned to look at me.
"So? I want you with me now," he said. I shook my head with a smile.
"Sit stll, face farward," I said turning his head and finishing brushing his hair. "Norman, I'll be here when you get back," I assured him. He sighed moving his head again. I moved his head straight again.
"I want you to come with me," he whinned. I shook my head.
"Why?" I aksed. Why was it so important to him I come. He turned again. Lucky for him I wasn't cutting.
"Because, you'll love it. It gets you outta Georgia and I want you to," he said. I sighed.
"You are as bad as a child. Sit still or I'm going to end up stabbing you, cutting an ear off, or worse messing this hair cut up!" I said fixing his head again. Norman grummbled but sat mostly still. I went back to cutting. " I don't think so, beides who's gonna take care of your poor kitty?"" I asked as EITD came to my feet.
"I'm trying to, if you'd come with me," he grumbled lowly. I was suprised, he was not talking about EITD and I knew it.
"Pervert!" I ylled slapping him. He kinda chuckled.
"Oh, you ment Fatso, he comes with me," he said trying to turn to look at me. I slapped him again.
"Don't move!" I reminded him. "I just think you can handle this on your own, you are a big boy," I said. Norman chuckled.
"You haven't even seen me yet," he said still chuckling. I rolled my eyes.
"Pervert! Why is everything about sex?"" I aksed. Moving around to look at him.
"Told you, I haven't been laid in like a month," he smiled. I rolled my eyes. Brushing his hair again so I could cut it.
"That's not really an excuse, neither have I," I said. He smiled bigger.
"We could a help each other out," he said. I sighed. He moved.
"Don't move," I said firmly. He foze and sighed.
"Fine, just please come to LA with me," he pleaded. I sighed. Looking at his hair and ignoring him.
"That'd double the money," I finnaly said. He tilted his head. "Stop moving. That's two rooms, two plain tickets. I just don't feel comfortable with it," I said lowly. He tried to look up. "Reedus, in about two seconds I'm about to say fuck it and you can go around with a messed up hair cut," I said sturnly. He froze. "Thank you," I said as I put his head back where I needed it and fixed his hair.
"So, if you were my girlfriend, it be easier, because I'd only be paying for one room?" He asked. I sighed.
"No, because it would be different. Couples are supose to go out of town together and do stuff like vacation in Aruba. Friends are supose to invite you, but make you pay for youself," I said. Norman sighed.
"Where is this book you read on friendship, I have a few corrections to make," he laughed. I smiled.
"It wasn't a book, just how things go. I've never had a friend that acted the way you do," I said. Finishing up, finnaly. I felt that too way longer then it needed for a simple trim because he wouldn't sit still.
"Well, you have shitty friends, I take you anywhere and never make you pay for a thing," he said. I was bushing his hair, in to soemthing more then in his face. Finnaly I was happy and I took the cape off him. He stood and got the broom.
"I may have, and that supper sweet of you," I smiled. Cleaning up my things, while he swept. I put my stuff away and Norman was back beside me. I turned to look at him and he pulled me in to a hug.
"You don't know how much you mean to me, I just want to see you happy," he said, while still hugging me, then I felt him bury his head in my neck. It was so intimate, he kissed it gently and I almost lost my mind. I let out a low breath like moan. God did he know what he did to me. He held me tighter, but his face didn't leave my neck. Finnaly he pulled away and kissed my head.
"I'll be happy if you go to LA and nail that audition," I smiled. He looked at me with soft eyes.
"Then I just have to go shoot a movie without you," he said sounding sad. I sighed.
"Your going back to New York at the end o the season without me," I pointed out. Norman's face changed in to something horrified, like he hadn't even thought about that.
"What?" He said, still lookig at me.like he didn't register what I was saying. I smiled at him akwardly.
"Ya know, New York City, where you live," I said, unsure of what he didn't get. Norman still looked lost.
"No, see LA and Aruba are one thing, but your telling me you won't come to the city with me?" He asked. I looked at him like he was out of his mind.
"Norman, what made you think I was going to go to New York with you?" I asked. We had never talked about it. He still looked confused.
"What else are you going to do?" He asked. I was confused now.
"Get another job, untill next year," I told him like it was odvous. He looked at me funny.
"Yeah, come with me and I'll get you a job there, you can be my roommate," he said. I looked at him, had he seriously lost his mind.
"Roomates are supose to help play rent and utilities, I don't think you need that. What about my apartment and stuff here?" I asked. He just looked at me still lost.
"So I don't need help with that stuff, and you can't leave your apartment and bring your stuff here, and whatever you need and want can come to New York," Norman said as though he had it all figured out. I looked away.
"Norman, I'm not your girlfriend, we aren't moving in together, just drop it please?" I asked lowly. Norman sighed.
"Let's just watch tv," he said pulling me in to he living room with him. We sat on the couch and he pulled me in to his arm's.
I staired straight ahead. It was killing me, he wanted me aroud, but not as his girlfriend. Maybe I was stupid, any other girl would have walked away form him by now. I on the other hand stayed and took the emotional abuse.
My eyes grew heavy and my head was resting on his chest, before I knew it. Something about Norman holding me made me feel safe and sleepy. His arms tighten around me and pulled me closer. He kissed my head, and my eyes closed.
I opend my eyes again and it was dark, I felt my self go in to a slight panic. I felt around for something, anything, I realized I was in two strong arms and I was safe. I leaned in and kissed, who my brain let me to believe was Travis. When my lips found his face though, I knew it wasn't, Travis didn't have facial hair, I froze who did I just kiss? The arms tighten around me again, and I waited.
"You awake?" Norman's voice brought be back to safety. I berthed again.
"Yeah," I said lowly. He pulled me closer.
"I assume you wanna go home," he sighed lowly. I was resting on his chest again, and nodded. "Just stay," he pleaded lowly.
"School night," I told him he grummbled in the dark.
"But I don't wanna," he whinned. I giggled.
"I'll call a cab," I said. I could feel him looking at me.
"Hell fuckin no!" He said pulling me closer. I giggled.
"Come on then," I said trying to get up. He just held me tighter.
"I want you to stay. I promise to behave," he said kissing my head. I giggled again.
"You promise, but don't do it well," I laughed. He sighed.
"Never gonna be able to stop doing somethings," he admitred. I smiled, I was ok with that.
"Like your never going to be ok with taking me home," I said. He leaned his head against mine.
"Never, he repeated. I smiled.
"You know how to make me stay," I siad lowly. I knew I wasn't getting anywhere, but if he could try I could.
"Tie you up?" He asked. I giggled.
"No," I said. He sighed.
"Had another idea, but it could end worse," he said. I was interested.
"What's that?" I asked, he chuckled. We shifted in the dark and I could feel him above me. I felt his breath in my ear, I almost moaned.
"I'm gonna just love you, and I don't think you'd stop me," he whispered. My eyes fell shut. He knew me. I wouldnt, I'd let him have his way. My breath cought in my throat as I waited for him to do what he said, maybe even hoped. After a few minutes and nothing g happend I found my voice.
"I would be mad at you though," I finnaly said. "After," it was true, I wouldn't stop him, but I would be mad, mad that he would take advantage of me. He sighed kissing my head and got up.
"Fine, that's how you win," he said, I wasn't sure what that ment, all I did know was I had won, for the monent.
Norman took me home and walked me to the door, just like evey night. He hugged me tight and kissed my head. I smiled, it wasn't much, but it was something. I opend the door and went inside, and heard him leave. I sighed, I would love for Norman to change his mind ans ask me to stay, and be his. I sighed though, it would never be. I crawled in to bed and hoped that I could sleep.