Temptation & Fate

3

It's been almost a week since that night with Ace. We didn't even do anything, all that happened was we shared a very intense kiss that could have lead to more but didn't. Ace shoved off me before anything serious could happen.

"What's wrong?" I ask sitting up.

The towel wrapped around me had come undone and I was almost completely exposed in front of him. I quickly cover myself, my cheeks burning red at the embarrassment of the situation.

"I shouldn't have done that," he responded quickly before rushing out of my room.

I was left breathless and confused. Did I do something wrong? Did I smell bad? I just took a shower so it couldn't be that. I had to have done something for him to just up and leave the way he did. Either that or he's just that disgusted by me...

I ended up crying myself to sleep that night. Ever since then, Ace has been ignoring me and acting like nothing ever happened. I've also been dodging Adam since then too. I feel so guilty and wrong for lying to him, I should have known better than to even dream of a night with Ace.

Adam can tell something has been bothering me the past few days so he told me to meet him at Panera right up the street. When I tried to nicely decline his offer, he told me I wasn't allowed. I'm supposed to be there in 15 minutes and I don't know what I'm gonna tell him. There's no point in telling him what really happened because nothing really did happen between Ace and me. We kissed and I gave him a lap dance because it's part of my job. There is no point in ruining a perfect friendship over nothing.

He might think I balled on him and get upset if I'm late so I grab my purse and shove my phone, keys, and wallet in it before heading out. I need to get a car soon so I'm not riding my bike everywhere. Days like today, where it's raining heavily out, would be nice having a car. Before walking out, I step inside the garage and grab my umbrella for the ride there and back.

As I turn to leave, I run into Ace and almost fall backwards. He reaches out and catches my by my arm and helps me steady myself. I don't even bother looking at him because I have nothing to say to him. He embarrassed me and has been dodging me ever since. I rush around him and head for the front door, trying to get away as quickly as possible.

"Georgia-"

"Don't fucking talk to me, Ace!" I scream whipping around to look back at him.

He looks shocked at my outburst as if I would be okay with what he did to me. I'm not though and he needs to understand that.

"You lost the right to speak to me after you blatantly embarrassed me last week. I was willing to risk everything for you and you just leave without so much of an explanation? You made me feel like shit about myself. Am I seriously that revolting that you pushed me away like that? I-"

"Jesus Christ, Georgia," he rubs his face out of frustration, "are you seriously that naive?"

I stare at him, still fuming, with a serious face. I'm not interested in playing his game. He might be able to get away with playing those games with other girls but not me. I've known him my whole life and I'm not about to do this.

"Georgia-"

"No, I'm not doing this with you. I've got to meet Adam so I don't have time for this."

I turn and walk out the front door, slamming it behind me, and grab my bike. The rain isn't that heavy so it won't be too bad of a trip. If I would have just left and didn't worry about the stupid umbrella, I would be half way there already. I wouldn't have run into Ace and I wouldn't be so flustered and mad.

I try to put my latest run in with Ace at the back of my mind and focus on my lunch with Adam. I have some big, and possibly upsetting news to tell him and I need to stay focused on that. I'm always the worst at telling Adam anything bad. He can guess my mood by just looking at me, the fact I have been avoiding him all week means he already knows my mood has been off.

Not only have I been neglecting my friendship with my best friend, I have been neglecting my job. I haven't been performing even half as good as I normally do and that's not good for me or my boss. Lucky for me, he's been focused on getting the two new hires trained properly so he hasn't been focused on me. Another day or two of me off my game will get his attention though and I can't afford that.

Finally I make it to Panera Bread and I make it just on time. I lock my bike on a pole close to the entrance then head inside. The smell of freshly baked bread hits me as soon as I walk in and I inhale deeply and smile. Panera has always been my favorite place to go eat no matter the mood I'm in. It's been my comfort food for as long as I can remember.

I spot Adam sitting in our usual booth in the corner. He's already smiling up at me and I smile back as I make my way over to him. He stands up and greets me with a warm, much needed, hug and kiss on the cheek. Instantly I feel much better, not completely but at least I'm not feeling as bad.

"Hey bug," he says letting me go.

We sit down in the booth and I sigh, "hey Adam."

He stares at me for a minute, still smiling, but trying to figure out what I'm thinking about. "I haven't hardly seen you all week, whats been up? I've missed you."

'I know, I'm sorry- I've been thinking a lot and needed to try and figure some things out."

"Care to share?"

"Well... I'm not sure how to put this without getting upset or possibly upsetting you so I think I should just say it. I've been thinking a lot lately and I think it would be best if I found my own place..."

My heart is racing in my chest, pounding so loud that I can hear it and feel it. Adam just stares at me with a blank expression. Time seems to be passing by painfully slow and as Adam just watches me.

He fold his hands together on the table and leans in closer to me, "well that's just not gonna work, bug."

"Why not?"

He smiles and leans back in his seat, crossing his arms over his chest and smiling, "Because I've accepted a job offer in Vegas for the next few months."

I can practically feel my eyes bulging out of my head at the news, "holy crap really!? When did this happen?"

"I got the news a few days ago. They want me to go for three months to see if I like it out there. The pay is better and for the first few months until I make a decision to stay out there or not, all expenses are paid for."

"Oh my god that's great news, Adam! Wait- what about the house here?"

"With your job and Ace' job combined, you can easily go half on that house and still lived very comfortably. You can even use my room as your practice room and closet-"

"But that would indicate that you're not planning on coming back?"

It feels like my heart is in my stomach at the news now. Adam and I have never been far apart for very long, three months would be really hard but him moving to Vegas would be a huge adjustment. Plus I would have to live in the house with just Ace. Adam wouldn't be there to be a clueless buffer between Ace and I.

"Look bug, nothing is set in stone yet. I could go out there and love it or I could hate it but either way, you could use the extra space while I'm not there. If I come back, I get my space back and if I don't then you have an extra room for whatever you choose."

I take a few moments to collect myself. It feels like I've been punched in the stomach and my eyes are pooling with tears. I manage to calm myself down enough to get my breathing in control and not cry. I take in a final deep breath then smile as best I can at Adam, "I'll support you with whatever you choose but I think we should order some food and enjoy the time we have left together instead of watching my cry."

He grabs my hand on top of the table and smiles, "sounds like a plan to me, bug."