Opening the passenger side door, I slid out of the truck and paced back and forth while debating on if I should go inside and apologize, or just get in my car to go home. I knew that I had to do the right thing and tell him that I was sorry for my shitty comment. He was really trying to make this relationship work and I was only making it harder on him. We had just gotten back from the most amazing vacation and he didn't deserve my attitude just because I can be jealous and insecure.
Slowly I walked up to the front door, trying to put together a proper apology in my head. I quietly opened the door and stepped inside, gently closing it behind me. "I'm in the kitchen." He called out. I should have known he'd hear me, nothing gets past Jared. As I entered the room, I noticed that he was leaning back against the countertop and his facial muscles were slightly twitching with resentment. He ran his fingers through his long hair as he spoke. "You know Cass, if you aren't really interested in a grown up, mature relationship, then just fucking tell me. I don't have the time or patience for childish games." He stared down at the floor and his tone changed. "Is that how you really feel? You don't want feelings involved? You only want cold, unemotional sex?" I knew that I'd hurt him with the thoughtless comment I made. I could see it in his eyes, and it made my heart clench deep inside my chest. "If that's what you want, you'll have to find someone else to give it to you because I can't do it anymore. Especially after all that's happened in Maui. I have true, genuine feelings for you, and I want to make it known that you're mine."
Swallowing hard, I shook my head. "I want all of those things as well, and I'm sorry for what I said. I just didn't like the way that bitch was looking at you, and then when you said that you had been with her, it just got to me. I saw red. What can I say, I'm a jealous bitch?"
"The person you should be upset with is your boy Eric. That fucker knew what he was doing by bringing her to dinner. I mean, it's not like I called her up and invited her. I want nothing to do with Katherine. I was there with you, Cassie, and if you're going to get upset every time we run into someone I've been with sexually, then prepare yourself babe, because I've certainly gotten around over the years." It was hard to hear that. I knew it when I made that little agreement with him, but when it was only sex, I didn't have to care about his past. Being in love with him brings on a whole new set of issues, ones that I wasn't so sure I could handle. Would I feel this way every time we came in contact with any of his exes? He pulled his jacket off and tossed it over to a chair. "Look, it's obvious that Eric wants you and he will do whatever it takes to get you. Let's face it, he didn't just run into Katherine. He had to be looking for someone I had been with whom the relationship ended badly."
"Jared, I don't want Eric, I want you and to be honest with you, I don't know how I'll feel when running into people you've slept with before, but I think it's only natural to feel territorial over someone, it means that you really care about them. How would you feel if I said I've slept with Eric?"
"When?"
"A few years ago, why? That doesn't bother you, does it?"
Clenching his jaw, he glanced around the room and then finally back at me. "You never told me that before."
"Well, I'm telling you now. You are okay with it since it's in the past, right?"
It was evident that he wasn't okay with my little admission by the way his body seemed to have tensed up. "Sure." His response was flat and I knew I hit a nerve. It wasn't so easy when the situation was flipped was it.
"I didn't sleep with him Jared."
He released a deep breath. "Thank fuck."
"I just wanted to prove my point. It's not easy is it?" I stepped closer. "I'm really sorry for what I said. I want this relationship more than anything, I'm just a little scared to commit. But if you give me a little time, I know I will."
"Apology accepted." His tone completely changed once I sincerely apologized to him. Stepping even closer, he gripped my hips tightly. "Can we just forget about tonight? I don't want this to cause anymore problems between us than it already has."
"Yeah. Eric will not ruin my entire night."
"You are spending the night, right?"
"No, I don't think so. I should probably get home. You know I have to work first thing in the morning." I knew that if I stayed, I'd only end up waking up extra early to go home and change before driving to work. I'd also be starting my day off completely exhausted.
"You can always go from here, just wear some of my clothes." He pulled me against him and my arms locked around his waist.
"I'm sure I'd be the topic of conversation around the office," I laughed, happy that things had turned around. "I don't have any clothes here, but I'll be back after work tomorrow. Maybe we can do something fun before you have to leave."
"Are you sure I can't talk you into staying?" One small, tender kiss led to another and after a long passionate kiss, we broke apart, each taking a few shallow breaths.
"Goodnight Jared." I kissed him one last time and walked toward the front door. He followed behind me, staying silent, but pulling me against him just before I exited his house. I got in my car, quietly scolding myself for being too lazy to make an effort."
I drove the twenty minutes to my place and showered before slipping beneath the sheets of my cold and lonely bed. Eventually, I nodded off, but at five when that alarm clock went off, I wanted to toss it across the room.
I got myself ready for work and knew it was going to be a bad day when as I was walking out the door, spilled coffee on myself. It took me an extra ten minutes to change and get on the road.
I was late and it was definitely a hectic day. My boss was cutting me zero slack, and by lunch, the tension was building up in my shoulders. All I could think about was five pm, hopping into my car and driving over to Jared's. I knew our time was limited since he was going to be flying to New York for an event.
To top everything off, my boss asked me to stay a few minutes late and accompany him to a meeting. Yeah, well, those few minutes turned into an hour and a half.
When I finally arrived at home, the last of the suns rays were almost completely gone from the sky. I turned into the apartment complex parking lot and pulled into my designated spot. Turning off the ignition, I noticed that there was a tenseness in my muscles and I couldn't wait to step beneath the steamy shower head.
I got out of the car and took a few steps to my front door, freezing when I heard my name being called. Spinning around, I tugged the shades down my nose and cringed, noticing Eric approaching. "Ugh, hello! I've been calling you all day. Why the hell don't you answer your damn phone!"
"Why are you here Eric?" I was so angry my hands were shaking. The balls on this guy, coming to see me after the stunt he pulled at the restaurant the other night. I had nothing to say to him. Narrowing my eyes, I refused to open the door, afraid he would want to come in.
"I really need to talk to you about your boyfriend. There are some.. things you need to know about." He snatched my keys out of my hand and started unlocking my door. It was kind of funny, I wanted Eric, not too long ago. I waited for him to make a move, and he didn't. So, now that I'm in a relationship, he decides he's ready? Yeah, well, too late. I didn't care what he had to say, he needed to go home!
