Begin Again

Chapter 8

What happened between me and Brandon that night had my head spinning out of control. I didn't know what to make of it. Did the kiss mean something or was it just because he was drunk. Does he remember the kiss even? We have not talked about it at all. In fact when we can we avoid each other like the plague. But not before I steel a look at his eyes to see if it will give anything away.

In the beginning I thought that he couldn't remember what he did that night but the more awkward we got the more I'm sure he remembered. I could see guilt in his eyes when he looked at Claire and that kind of confirmed it for me. He would never look at me directly if the three of us where together in a room.

After that night John started coming over more often. At first it was always after he was at Brandon that he will pop in to say hi. But more lately he will just come over and we would end up having dinner together staying up till all hours just talking and laughing about anything and everything.

I was tempted to ask about Sarah but then again I kind of didn't because I liked the attention he was giving me and didn't want to know if he also entertained her till late at night. I know we are just friends but still it was nice.

He even goes as far as to clean my legs and put new dressing on because the first time I tried to do it on my own I kind if passed out. So he has now taken it on himself to do it. Although the stitches are already out one or two wounds still hasn't healed completely.

Checking the time I see I had exactly ten minutes to meet John at the café down the road. This was the first time we were going out just the two of us. I was a bit nervous and was wondering if this was a date. Lucky for me it was walking distance and I didn't need to try and drive with the car the insurance gave me.

My claim has still not paid out so I'm still using their car. Well I think a wheelbarrow has more power than that thing but it gets me to work and back each day even though it takes double the time it normally took me.

Checking my makeup and outfit in my mirror I couldn't help but smile at myself. I was looking really good. Started dancing again and jogging as well so my fitness level was rising. After Brandon downed my last bottle of wine I have not replaced it as of yet and I'm not really in the mood to.

I have died my hair a dark brown color and added a touch of purple so that when the sun catches it just right you can see it, I cut it a bit shorter as well, it was hanging just above my shoulders at the moment and I was enjoying it a lot.

I was wearing my black mini dress with my favorite red heals and just to pull it all through I was wearing a bright red lipstick and the rest of my makeup was finished with a smoky eye look.

I was loving it and so owning it. Grabbing my keys and hand bag I headed for the door. I now had only five minutes to get to the café. I was just locking my door when I hear someone clearing there throat behind me.

Smiling to myself thinking it was John deciding to meet me here I twirl around ensuring my dress flairs out a bit and putting the most flirtations smile on my face I could muster. But it wasn't John standing behind me eyeing me up and down.

It was Brandon with a mixed look of amusement and lust. Just seeing that look in his eyes took me back that kiss. Keeping my smile firmly in place I wait for him to say something. After a while of him not saying anything I find my voice and keeping the flirt there I say

"Like what you see?"

What? I was feeling bold today. I looked good and I knew it. So I was going to flaunt it. I could see him swallowing slowly and the confusion disappeared off his face and was replaced by total unmasked lust.

I was burning up under his gaze and I couldn't move my eyes off his. We stood there staring at each other for some time when the both of us were brought back to reality.

"Babe are you ready to go?" came Claire's voice from inside his apartment.

He found his voice first

"Yeah I'm waiting in the hallway" it was a little husky but you had to know him well in order to pick it up.

At that moment Claire steps outside closing the door and locking it behind her.

"O My Word Sam you look amazing." She exclaims "Doesn't she look amazing Babe?"

"Uhm yeah she looks good." States Brandon a little bit awkwardly. "Are you going on a date?"

"Something like that. I'm meeting John down at the café for an early dinner."

"Oooooooo you and John" Claire practically bounces over to me and does this little happy dance. Smiling at her and the sheer excitement she was feeling towards me I steel a look over to where Brandon had moved into the shadows of the hallway.

The lust had turned to guilt followed by anger when he heard I was going on a date with John.

"Well I have got to go. I don't want to be late and I cannot really run in this outfit. So the two of you must enjoy your evening and I'll see you around." Giving Claire a quick hug and Brandon a small wave I head down the hall to the elevator.

Starting to feel guilty about my date with John but not sure why.

***

Stepping into the café I look around to see if I can spot John. I was a few minutes late but by now John new me well enough to know if you tell me a specific time you need to add at least ten minutes to it before I would arrive.

Finally spotting him, he was sitting in the back corner of the café in one of the booths looking totally relaxed scrolling through his phone. Pulling out my phone I quickly type a message for him

'Cheating on me already, and we are not evening dating yet ;)' pressing send I drop my phone back into my bag and make my way over to him. Keeping my eyes trained on his face so as not to miss his reaction.

He suddenly gets a little frown between his eyes and then a smile as he looks up and spots me coming towards him. The same look Brandon had on his face replaces the frown. Giving myself a mental pat on the back I couldn't help feelling totally smug as to the reaction I was having on the men today.

I should dress more boldly more often if this is the reaction I was getting. John was your typical rugby guy. He had the build of a bodybuilder, all natural off course, with short brown hair, chocolate brown eyes and an easy smile.

He knew how to dress himself and he likes buying shirts a size to small, making sure his muscles are very well emphasized when he flexes his arms. Brandon is hot but John is totally drool worthy.

I really cannot pull a comparison between the two of them. He was wearing dark blue denim that hugged his hips just right with a black button down shirt with the sleeve rolled up to just above his elbows making his biceps even more noticeable.

"Hey you stop staring." I say as I get close enough so he can hear me.

"Can't help it. You look amazing. Every man in this place is staring."