When Love Bites

14 Four AM

Chapter 14 Four AM

I couldn't keep my eyes open so I decided to head off to bed. I sent a text to Avi to remind him to wake me when he got home. "Off to bed my love. Please wake me when you get home. <3 Lizzie." I tucked myself in naked and sleepy. I had plans for him later.

I grabbed my phone sent Lizzie a quick text and grabbed my coat. "Going out to listen to a band with M. Love you" I looked at Marisa and smiled.

She shook her head. "C'mon Kaplan. Snap the hell out of whatever funk you are in. Try to have a little fun." We went out. The band was fun, very entertaining. We ordered just one drink because more than that and neither of us was driving, not a good idea. The idea seemed even worse when Aleen showed up, but I was emotionally numb. Marisa introduced us to the band. People took pictures. I neither noticed nor cared. I played a few rounds of pool with Marisa, Aleen and the lead singer for the band. It was well past midnight by the time Marisa took my hand and led me away. "Boy, you won every game, got an extra two hundred dollars out of it, we wrote some really raunchy super sad songs, and you are still not your smiley self. Let's go have a sit down on the beach and talk this out." I wasn't reluctant in following her at all. Our conversation went on through the night. There were lots of tears, mostly mine, and some general consoling. The moon set while we were out.

"I need to go home. It is extremely late and that is only going to exacerbate things. The trouble is, she thinks everything is fine and it is so not."

"There is only one way to fix it, Avi. You know what you need to do. Do it. I'm not saying I don't understand, I get it, but you have got to speak up. I want you to keep her. I really like her and I like her for you. It is a good balance. You've been pushed and it's got you off balance and hurting. Go reset your balance. I know she'll do the best she can to help you."

"Yeah once she gets past me being out so damn late, rather early. It's nearly 4 am. Let's get. Thanks."

I woke up at 2 am and checked my phone. He wasn't home yet, but he had texted me. He was out with Marisa. Typical. I only hoped he would be home soon. I was awake so I checked out Twitter for a minute. There were a ton of pictures of Avi with a band, Avi with Marisa, Avi with his arm around his ex. I was so angry I couldn't see straight. I was pissed. I really hoped he would get home soon. I glanced at the clock, it was approaching 4 am and he still wasn't home.

I drove home. The talk with Marisa was a good talk. They always are. She pointed out a lot of things, helped me digest quite a few others and gave me a clear direction to go in. Things had been very rough at home the past week or so and we had Valentine's Day on the horizon. I hadn't forgotten about it. I was working on some plans. I prayed I wouldn't need to cancel them. I opened the door and walked into the apartment. I put my keys in their tray and untied my boots, then hung my coat and went to the kitchen for some water.

My anger kept me awake. I heard him in the kitchen. I debated going to him, but instead, I sat against the headboard and waited for him to come to bed. I had long since put my pajamas on. If he was sober, this was probably not going to end well. Why were things so hard lately?

I grabbed a couple of bottles of water and made two cups of tea. I figured she'd be awake. If she wasn't I would wake her after I showered. The tea was extra hot. I smelled like smoke from the club and wanted to shower since the smell was in my hair too. I had a feeling that was going to need to wait but I wasn't sure that it could. I carried everything into the bedroom. She was awake, sitting on the bed and looking rightly pissed. I set her tea on her bedside table. I wasn't sure what kind of a greeting you give when you're walking in so damn late and your girlfriend can't see straight because she is clearly pissed and you're just hurt. I said the only thing that came to mind. "I figured you'd be up. Made you some tea. I smell like smoke and want to wash it out of my hair. Will that be alright?" At least she wasn't waiting in the living room.