You and Me

Chapter 6: A Room Of Poisonous Snakes

Wes’s POV

What is wrong with me!?  Why couldn’t I stop mentally murdering that dude.  The only thing I could think of when that boy was talking to Lori was, “Oh no, you don’t.  She mine.”

But she’s not mine.  Get a grip, Wesley.  It’s not my business who she talks to anyway.  And anyway, he’s just being friendly.  Good ol’ southern hospitality.  My eyes narrowed as he touched her arm in the pretense of grabbing his groceries.  He definitely has more than friendship in mind.   Lori seemed pleased, but I couldn’t hold my disgust in.  I glared at him with such intensity that I was sure he would back down.  That is, if he wasn’t captivated by her beautiful eyes.  Dammit!  Calm down, Wes! Count to 10. 1…2…3…

“-show you around the city.  I’m free tonight, if you want.”  Ha.  She’s not gonna say yes.  She’s been ogling me all morning!  But the look on her face contradicted the facts.  Calm.  4…

“I’d love—“  Oh, hell no. 10.

And before I even had the chance to think rationally, I intervened.  “She can’t.”  For the first time during their conversation, two pairs of confused eyes met my angry ones.  I kept my eyes glued on the idiot that thought that he could approach my girl.  I saw her first.  I had dibs.  At the very least, he could wait his turn.

My murderous glare must have done the trick because he quickly muttered his apologies and ran out the door.  Mission Accomplished!  I finished my mental pat on the back to find the object of my temporary affection seething with anger and looking my way.

“What was that for!?  He was cute, and he was asking me out!”  She thought he was cute.  Please.  I’m sure he couldn’t lift half of what I could on an off day.  And I had better hair.  I started to get angry again, but then I realized that he was no longer a danger to me.  But I wasn’t out of the woods yet.  There are many things I’ve learned from my extensive experience with women. 

1. An angry woman is more dangerous than a room of poisonous snakes.  The most the snakes can do is kill you. 

2.  Even though honesty is the best policy, the only way to calm an angry woman is to surprise her.  Until then, tread carefully.

Keeping that in mind, I replied calmly, “You can’t go out with him.”  I could instantly see that my words enraged her even more.  What happened to treading carefully? Ah, well. 

“And why not?”  What was I supposed to say to that?  Right.  Be honest.

“Because you’re going out with me.”  That completely threw her off.  I could see the confusion in her eyes.

“Whaaaaat?”  Yep.  Knew it.  Completely surprised. 

“Will you go out with me?”  I waited for a response, but it seemed that my outrageous good looks and clever wit had rendered her speechless.  Shit, I hope I didn’t scare her off. 

She had a dazed look on her face, and I deliberated repeating the question again, but the experienced player in me suggested otherwise.

3. Never beg a girl to go out.  It makes you look weak.  And I am not weak.

Right.  Be manly.  Don’t beg.  Anyway, it’s not like she was going to say no.  I mean, the girl couldn’t even stop staring at me.  I was so caught up in my pep-talk that I barely heard the words that Lori whispered to me.

“Why?” she asked, sounding almost scared.  The softness of her voice and the vulnerability I saw in her eyes made my heart hurt. She was in pain, and all I wanted to do was comfort her.  Woah, woah, wait. Heart hurt?  I’m a man.  What am I saying?  She’s just another girl.  Time to turn on the charm.

“I told you yesterday: if you don’t believe in love at first sight, I’ll walk by as many times as it takes for you to.”  Now, she had a complete frown on her face.

“And how do I know that I’m not just going to be another girl on your long list of conquests!?  How do I know that you’re not just going to play with me and then leave!?!?  Abandon me after you’ve accomplished your goals!?!?!” By the end, she was screaming.  But it wasn’t her volume that was bothering me.  Usually, girls fall quickly for my looks.  I don’t normally have to convince anyone to go out with me.  She should be begging me.  Not the other way around.

Fine.  If she wanted to play hard-to-get, I’d chase her.  It would be fun at the very least.  These easy girls were getting boring anyway.  “You’re not.  And I don’t know how to convince you.  A chance, I s’pose, would do it.  Give me a chance at least, and see where it takes you.”

She immediately dismissed my words and started yelling my ear off again.  “Look, mister. I don’t want to play any games!!  Be honest.  Am I—“  I didn’t let her finish because my women instincts kicked in.

4. Make her feel guilty.  A guilty woman is more easily persuaded.

“I get it.  You don’t trust me.  I understand if you want to find that other guy who was in here and go out with him.  I’m sorry I asked.”  I let the hurt color my voice. 

She froze.  Just as I had predicted, her face mirrored the guilt she was obviously feeling.  She chewed on her bottom lip as she took in feeling behind my words.  With an almost inaudible sigh, she said, “No.  It’s not that.  I guess I’m a bit defensive.” 

There it was again.  This girl had been through something rough.  She didn’t trust as easily as others did.  All I could think about was holding her in a tight embrace and making all her insecurities disappear.  Dude.  What is with me!?  I’m not usually this sappy. 

I controlled my irrational urges and smiled softly at her.  “It’s all right.  I don’t blame you.”

My words seemed to encourage her.  “Thanks.  Sorry for going all crazy on you.”  She gave me a tentative smile. 

“No need to be sorry.  I know you’ve been through a lot.”  I continued to smile warmly at her until she uttered the words I’d been hoping for.

“If the offer still stands…Yes.  I’d love to go out with you.”

Hook.  Line.  Sinker. 

Hey guys.  I know it’s been a while.  I just started school again, so it has been hectic! Anywhoo, how’d you like it?  We get to see the player side of Wes.  And we also saw a more vulnerable Lori.

Next Chapter: The date!

(Picture of Evan)

Vote! Comment! Follow!