Give Me A Chance

Part 10

Unlocking, then kicking the door open with his foot, Lindsey entered his apartment, carrying two bags of groceries. He wasn't a big fan of social gatherings, but a small group of his friends had been nagging him to meet up. Much to Lindsey's dislike, they were all coming over to his place. 

Checking the time, he saw it was well after seven and his friends were supposed to show up only half an hour or so later. After taking a quick shower and changing into a clean set of clothes, Lindsey went to the kitchen, where he took out several plates for snacks and glasses for alcohol. Although, he wasn't planning on consuming much of it, since the next day he had to get up early for work. 

Almost as soon as Lindsey laid everything out on the coffee table in the living room, the doorbell rang and he went to let his friends in. However, he was taken aback, once he saw one person in particular, standing in front of him. He tried to mask his surprise, by diverting his eyes elsewhere, as he greeted everyone, allowing them to come in.

"It's been way too long!" Richard said, shaking hands with Lindsey. "We started thinking that you've completely forgotten about us."

"No, I haven't. You know me, though, Richard and you know I'm never the life of the party." Laughing, Lindsey led his guests through to the living room. "Please, make yourselves comfortable, I'll be right back." He then turned to James. "Could you come with me, I need a bit of a helping hand."

"No problem." James nodded and followed after Lindsey.

Once the two were out of the earshot of the others, Lindsey asked. "What the hell, James? What is she doing here?"

"Who, Sandra?"

"Well, who else?" 

Sandra was the most recent girlfriend Lindsey had had. They were together for about a year and things were fine, but Lindsey sensed she was getting too attached for his liking, giving subtle hints about 'wanting a family someday' and that was when he backed out once again. After they broke up, Sandra and James remained friends, because they already had been prior to her meeting Lindsey. It was James who introduced them.

"What's the big deal? The guys and I bumped into her at a store. We haven't seen each other in a while, I thought it would be nice to catch up, so I invited her."

"You invited my ex girlfriend to my home, without even talking to me?"

"I sure wouldn't have if I had known you were going to make such a big deal out of it." James said, rolling his eyes. 

"It's awkward. There's a reason she's my ex. I don't want her here."

"Jesus." James sighed, shaking his head, he then shrugged his shoulders. "Well, what do you want me to do? Ask her to leave?"

"That would be rude. Just so you know, she's your guest, you keep her entertained." Lindsey said and grabbed two bottles, leaving another one behind for James. 

Of course, when they returned to the living room and James sat down, the only left seat for Lindsey was beside Sandra. He fought back a sigh, going over to sit next to her. This is going to be a long night...

And it was. While his friends seemed to be having a good time, Lindsey mostly sat quietly, not engaging in any conversation himself, unless he was asked something. What made it even worse for him was obviously Sandra. It wasn't a secret that she didn't want to break up, it wasn't a mutual decision. She had developed feelings and she swore she wouldn't let Lindsey go that easily. But what could she have possibly done? He simply walked out and never looked back. Now, however, her accidentally brushing her hand over his leg or leaning into him didn't go unnoticed by him. Neither did the fact that she had undone another button on her blouse. 

Around midnight, everyone left but Sandra. She insisted on staying a little longer, because she wanted to talk to Lindsey about something. He thought it would be easier to give her ten more minutes instead of begging her to leave.

"I just wanted to apologize for how I acted, when you left me." She started, while also helping Lindsey clean up. "I had to sound so immature, everything I said to you then."

"That's true." Lindsey wasn't about to deny that. "What's also immature is you trying to... to seduce me." He couldn't think of a better word. "You kept touching me the whole time, sticking to my side, pushing your breasts into me."

She went quiet for a moment. Sandra didn't think it was that obvious. "Well, I... I miss you, Lindsey." Putting down two glasses back on the table that she had just picked up. "You left without giving me a chance to prove to you that you should stay." She approached him, placing her hands on his chest. "Don't you miss me?" She asked, looking up at him. 

"Not really." He shook his head, placing his hands over hers. "I think it's time for you to go, Sandra. We broke up months ago, it's time for you to move on. I have."

Frowning, she stepped back. "Is there someone else already?"

Sighing, Lindsey repeated himself. "It's been months."

"Is there?" Sandra repeated her question.

Lindsey hesitated to answer, because he wasn't sure if he could. "Yes, there is." He said at last.

"Do you love her?"

Quickly looking away, Lindsey continued with carrying empty bottles to the kitchen. "This is none of your business, Sandra. Again, you should leave."

"You do love her, don't you. Or at least you're falling for her." 

"Leave, please. I don't know why you wanted to stay longer." Lindsey said once again. He then repeated himself a couple more times until finally, Sandra gave up, seeing she wasn't going to get anywhere with him and left.

Breathing out heavily, Lindsey took a seat, the words echoing in his head, you love her, don't you. You're falling for her.

It was nearing 1 am, but he knew Stevie wasn't the one to go to bed early. Biting on his lower lip, he thought for a minute longer, before he picked up the phone and dialed her number. He felt relief, when she answered his call in a matter of moments. 

"Stevie, hey, it's me. I hope I didn't wake you up."

"You didn't, no. Is everything alright, Lindsey? Why are you calling me so late?"

"Would it sound stupid if I said..." He trailed off.

"If you said what?"

Feeling nervous, he finished his thought. "That I just wanted to hear your voice."