Ghosts of the Past

Ghosts of The Past: Chapter 9; Catching up

After an internal debate about whether to change or not another glass of wine had helped make that decision for her, she was married after all what was she expecting out of this visit? However on the other hand apparently seeing an ex meant you had to look your best (something Chloe had never really had to try before being that Marshall was her only ex) the wine had chosen wisely and it had decided fuck it, always a reliable source of advice.

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Climbing the stairs to her apartment Marshall was still running through the previous conversation, it didn't make a lot of sense, he believed her and he was pretty sure the bitch mother had something to do with it. Standing in front of her door he runs his hand through his hair, nervous as if he's about to walk on stage, he raises his hand to knock when the door opens.

"Shit you stalking the peep hole?"

He asks catching his hand before he smacks her in the face,

"No! I was just about to run down to get some beer"

She blushes a deep red and lowers her eyes, he smiles taking her in, she's wearing genie style track pants and a plain T, her hair strung effortlessly in a messy bun, gorgeous.

"Got that covered"

He holds up a six pack and she stands aside to let him in, he brushes past her taking in the vanilla and peach scent.

"Found it ok?"

She asks more out of small talk then anything else

"No, couldn't find it never been to this city before"

She smirks at his sarcasm and closes the door behind him,

"You can tell, you give off a real redneck hill people vibe"

She jibes back.

"Nice apartment...cosy"

He places the six pack on the bench,

"That's what the agent said, real estate code for small"

She grabs a beer for each of them and puts the remainders in the fridge.

"So Mr Martin out?"

He asks trying to appear casual as he uncaps his beer,

"Maybe, he is in Aus, he couldn't leave his business busy time of year"

She avoids eye contact and sips her beer, he begins to feel more comfortable all of a sudden and sits down on her couch, slinging his arm up on the cushions.

"So Chloe Taylor"

She smiles at how her name sounds coming out of his mouth

"Marshall Mathers"

"Where do we start? Asking what have you been upto sounds like a massive question"

She nods in agreement, he notices she keeps her distance, perching on the stool instead of joining him on the couch

"Well if it helps I know a fair bit of what you have been doing, kids international rap star, Oscar winner, should I go on?"

She adds this last bit cheekily and he grins at her, god he had missed her it seems like she hadn't changed at all.

"You could go on, I don't tire of hearing it"

He fakes humbleness and watches as her smile widens,

"Mariah Carey's lover"

she adds this bit with disgust

"Hey, hey hey, we've all made mistakes"

"Yeah but usually its not the other person who denies it"

"OK, I wish your life had of been in the spotlight I'd know your regrets"

"Wouldn't work mate I've got no regrets"

"Ooh so it's been a successful love life then huh, lucky"

"Well when you bat two for two pretty hard to have regrets"

He takes a second to register what she is implying, him and her husband are the extent of her sex life, interesting.

Three beers in and numerous stories from high school she has finally loosened up and joined him on the couch, he hadn't brought up the letters, there was no point rehashing that but it did make him wonder, not for the first time, what would have happened. He had filled her in on his girls and Deshaun, she in turn had told him about her career, they had skirted around her husband, neither of them willing to bring him up again.

"I really missed you"

She confesses

"I missed you too"

Without thinking he leans in, cupping her cheek with his hand as his lips softly meet hers, his tongue slowly gliding over her bottom lip, her mouth parts and he arms go around his neck urgently pulling him into her, his hands move around her waist feeling her smooth skin as her shirt slides up. God kissing her again was amazing, different obviously but something so familiar about it, he pushes her shirt up his hand reaching the lacy material of her bra, the moment is shattered with the sound of her phone buzzing on the coffee table. They pull apart, breathing heavily as they look to the phone, judging by her reaction and the name Chris on the screen Marshall can only assume that's her husbands name, she pushes him off and sits up with a look of worry shadowing herface.

"You need to go"

The only reason he thinks he shouldn't have kissed her is the look of concern on her face right now, he stands up reaching for his coat. Chloe stands as well, she starts pacing around the lounge room looking furtively at her still ringing phone

"Chloe.."

She cuts him off before he can go any further

"Marshall you really need to go"

He nods and walks to the door, as he is closing it behind him he hears her answer

"Hey babe how are you?"