When Love Bites

19 Big Trouble in Paradise II

Chapter 19  Big Trouble in Paradise II

I very rarely ever let my phone go to voicemail, but when he called, I did. I was in no place to talk to him rationally. I went to go get in the shower and try to calm down.

She didn't answer. "Lizzie, please! Answer your phone. I'm sorry. I didn't tell you. The hotel overbooked. I got bumped. I didn't tell you about the little space I'm staying at April and Paul's. April answered my phone this morning because I left it on the counter last night on my way down to my room and forgot it. I passed out, I was so exhausted. Please. Please. I can't work this way." I hung up the phone and called again immediately. It went to voice mail again and Marisa called. "Hello?"

"Hey, Avi. I got an interesting phone call from Lizzie this morning regarding where you stayed last night.

"I doubt it was interesting. She has got to be livid. I stayed at April and Paul's house. You remember them? The hotel was overbooked and they said the didn't have my reservation even though I had a confirmation number. I was so flustered and out of time so when April offered their spare room I took it. You remember her and Paul don't you?"

"I do. They are very sweet."

"Good, good. She won't answer her phone. She is so mad at me. She was pretty mad when she found out we split a room, but this is far worse, another woman answered my phone. What did she say to you?"

"Not much. She sounded a little strange, but all she wanted was to confirm that you were staying in a hotel."

"I'm fucked. April answered my phone when Lizzie called. It was up in the kitchen."

"Oh no. I'll bet she is pissed. How can I help?"

"I don't know. You're her friend too and I asked her not to put you in the middle of us. You know I would never do anything to hurt her and you know I would never do that to her. This is different M. Very different. We live together. It was hell getting mom to accept a promise rather than a proposal. I don't want to live without her. I really don't."

"I know. I know BB. I will reach out to her and see what I can do."

"Thanks. You're the best and I love you. I don't know if I can go and work worried over this. God, I hope she calls me back."

"I will do what I can. Sit tight. I am sure she will come around."

"K. Bye. Love you." I hung up and went up to say I was sorry. April made a nice breakfast and prepared a cup of tea for me.

"Avi, I'm sorry was that your girlfriend that called?"
"Yes. Her name is Lizzie. Thank you for charging my phone and providing me a place to stay." She offered me breakfast. I would have been remiss to refuse so I took it. She must have understood me far more than I had anticipated. The meal was light and easy on the stomach.
"No problem. I'm so sorry Avi. If you want. When she calls I will explain everything including how red your face turned last night when you found out that your reservation had gotten lost. I've never seen you angry, like that. Did you know you actually growl when you are mad?"
"I got suspended once for growling at a girl."
"That is true?"
"Absolutely."
"Goodness. Still, I am so sorry. I will do my best to help fix it. She must be someone special."
"Yes. Here." I moved over so I could show her the pictures I had on my phone. I had moved the ones I didn't need to share with anyone to a private folder and locked them with a password.
"She's beautiful, Avi. I am sure she will figure it out and listen once you tell her. She has loving eyes and the way she looks at you. You're a lucky man."
"I know." I ate and went back to waiting for my phone to ring.

I got dressed and looked at my phone. I had two messages from Avi and one from Marisa. I didn't want to listen to any of them. I was interrupted from my thoughts by the doorbell. I went to answer the door to find Marisa standing there. "Did he send you?"
"Good morning to you too."
I sighed. "Sorry. I'm just upset. Come in."
She closed the door and sat on the couch. "I know you are pissed and I would be too, but you need to hear him out. The hotel lost his reservation and the choir director and her husband offered him their spare room. He got busy and didn't call like he should have. He is a mess, Lizzie. Please call him."
"It seems like he is always getting busy and forgetting to call or text." She put her hand on my knee. "It's not his strong suit, but he loves you, so much. Please call."
My anger had abated, but it wasn't gone. "Fine." She stood up and hugged me. "I'll leave you to it. Bye love." I saw her out and dialed his number.

I jumped at my phone ringing and about got up as I answered it but April put her hand on my arm. "Stay." I sat back down.

"Hello." I hoped I didn't sound like a guilty man, but like one that knew he fucked up. "I'm sorry."
"Is that her? Is that your girlfriend? Please tell her I am sorry. I didn't mean to answer your phone. I always answer my husband's it was a knee jerk reaction." April spoke loud enough to be heard. "I'm so sorry Miss Lizzie."

I sighed. "You need to get better about this communication thing."

"I'm so sorry. I've been trying. I know I am horrible at it. Even my mom thinks so. I'm sorry I didn't tell you about the hotel and the lost reservation. You should see the basement room. It's just like a hotel room down there. It even has a mini-fridge. Lizzie. I'm sorry." April patted my arm. "We only have 20 minutes then we have to go, but if you don't care if I overhear your conversation it's another 20 minutes to the university. "I'll be in the living room when you're ready to leave. And Avi. Go back downstairs and fix the buttons on your shirt and find your other shoe, those two are not the same. You're a mess boy. Again, I'm sorry Lizzie. Next time I'll make sure he calls you. Because you are very right, he's got a lot to work on in the communication department. If he could just talk in a song he'd be fine. I hope to meet you one day. Avi, please give her my number." I nodded and waited for her to go so I could talk to Lizzie. I headed back down to my room to change my shirt and match my shoes.

"You told her about me?" I was kind of surprised.

"Yes. I showed her some of the pictures I have of you."

"Oh Kaplan, what am I going to do with you?" My anger had subsided. It was a misunderstanding. I was still upset that he hadn't called or texted, but he wasn't cheating. He even told someone about me. "You gotta get going. Please call or text later. I love you."

"Keep me forever? Yeah, I need to do that. I love you, Lizette, with all that I am. I will try, just remember I am a communication semi-permanent rookie and absolute late bloomer with it. Love you."

"I will. I love you, have fun today." I hung up with him and went for a run. It helped clear my head and expend some energy. I got home and called Lisa to see if she was available to get together. She wasn't, but I wanted to go out and feel normal. Against my better judgment, I texted Derek and Liam. They were available. We agreed to meet for dinner and whatever else. I told them I was not drinking though. I ate lunch, napped, and relaxed until I had to get ready to go. I dressed in a pair of jeans, a ruffly top, and a pair of flats. I met the boys for dinner and we ended up at a club. We danced, laughed, and listened to music. We talked and they let up on the boyfriend stuff. I told them that Lisa had met him and she approved. It was a late night and I waited until I got home to check my phone.

Toward the end of the night, I started getting text after text. When I noticed they were from Aleen I decided to ignore them. After the fifth one in rapid succession, I decided I had better check. She was sending me pictures of Lizzie out with those two men again. It didn't look like she'd been drinking, but the men were still very chummy with her. I was instantly pissed and nearly violently ill. I sat down where I was and was unable to move. April came to collect me and take me back to the room. When she inquired about the tears, I just surrendered my phone.

"You need to go home don't you?"

"Yes."

"Let's get you repacked on the next available flight."

"Okay." I sent Lizzie a text, 'I think we need to have another conversation.' I tried to keep my mind under control. I knew better, not Lizzie, not my Lizzie was the only thing that got me home. I arrived very early Sunday morning. I had two things going for me to get me home before 7 am hit, time change and red-eye direct flights to LAX. I caught an uber from the airport.