Worth the Wait

Part 4 - Surprise, Surprise

Part 4 - Surprise, Surprise

Rose’s POV

        I couldn’t keep my eyes off of him. He had changed so much, yet still looked exactly the same. I felt the tears start to prick the corners of my eyes. Damn, I was really over-emotional sometimes. I hastily turned away, not wanting him to recognize me. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him sit down in a booth with a few other guys. I downed my drink in three gulps, and slid some money under the empty glass just wanting to get out of there as soon as possible. I slid off the stool, and tried to be as quiet as I could manage so as not to cause a scene. The last thing I needed was to draw attention to myself right now.  

        Unfortunately, the three years I spent in ballet class when I was younger did nothing for my balance. Granted, I had a few drinks in me, but I wasn’t the type of person to get fuzzy after only a few drinks. I had a stronger will than that…I think.

        I walked towards the door, keeping my eyes on the back of his head, willing him to not turn around. But, in my quest for stealth, didn’t see the front door being opened by a couple entering the bar.

        The next thing I knew I was sprawled out on the floor, with an aching head and the promise of a bruised bottom. I looked up quickly, ignoring the throbbing in my forehead, and saw his eyes right on me. I gasped and grabbed my purse, pushing myself off the floor. Without looking back, I ran straight out the small bar, and out onto the sidewalk. I hailed for a cab, but none were in sight. I forgot that it’s almost impossible to find a cab in Chicago. I started down the street a bit, trying to put some distance between myself and the bar. About a block down, I finally saw a cab coming down the street and hailed out to it. It pulled over to the curb and I reached for the handle, but before I could get the door open all the way, a hand shot out and slammed it closed again. I looked up to the figure next to me, and gasped again. This could not be happening to me.

--- 

Steven’s POV

        Work was a pain in the ass today. I seriously couldn’t believe these people.  Asking for crazy shit on bikes they’ll probably never ride. I mean come on, flames and large, blue dragon down the side of the gas tank? Cliche and tacky all at the same time. I rubbed my face with my hands, just willing the clock to move faster. I really needed to get out of here. Here, meaning this position. I had been working here for the past 5 years, steadily working my way up to a lead mechanic position. Now, at 24, I was ready to open my own place. Something I could put my own mark on.

        I sighed, in a manly way of course. Dreams don’t always come true for everyone. I learned that five years ago.

        I pulled my jacket on and headed out to my truck. I really needed a beer after today. Dealing with crazies is not something high on my to-do list. I pulled into a parking space, and walked into the familiar surroundings of Pat’s. It was my favorite place to come, and I was supposed to meet a few of the guys from the shop here today. I glanced about the place before settling down in the booth, our usual seat at Pat’s.  

        “Dude, that bike you’re working on, it’s a killer,” Billy said to me. “Dragons.  Flames. I would gladly run around town in my underwear for a ride like that.”

        Tony nodded, “Yeah, tacky and ugly. Perfect for you Billy. But seriously Steve, that bike is seriously tricked out.”

        “Guys, not that I don’t agree with you, but that bike will never be ridden.” At their blank expressions, I continued, “Think about it. These people just want a tricked out bike to collect dust in their fancy garages. They won’t ever ride it.”

        Trevor, who was seated next to me nodded in agreement. “You’re right Steven.  Those bikes are just for show. I feel bad for the bikes.”

        “Bikes are meant to be ridden, not put on display in a garage somewhere,” Billy added.

        A loud bang and a thump broke us away from our conversation. I spun around in my seat, looking towards the sound of the noise. A woman was sprawled out on the floor, and a couple was standing a the door with shocked expressions on their face. It looked like the woman was hit by the door when the couple came in.  

        She looked up from the floor, and locked gazes with me. Recognition flooded through my system like adrenaline. It couldn’t be. But before I could investigate more, she was up off the floor and running out of the place.  

        I shook my head, it couldn’t be her. She left. As in, never coming back. But still there was something about her...

        I stood up, not listening to the guys as they wondered what the hell I was doing, and bolted out the door. Instinct took over. I just had to double check. Just to satisfy my curiosity, I told myself. Running out the doors, I hoped that she hadn’t already jumped in a cab. I looked around, hoping to catch a glimpse of blonde hair, and saw her heading down the street. I ran through people, trying to get to her faster. She hailed a cab, and when it pulled over, I all-out sprinted. Just before she could open the door, I smacked a hand on the metal, preventing it from opening any further. She timidly looked up at me, and my heart stopped.

“Rose?”

---

Christine’s POV

        By the time I got to my apartment, I was exhausted. Acting like a drunk was no easy task, especially in front of Rose. She could always tell when I was faking it. I shrugged out of my coat and slipped off my shoes. I really hoped that Trev listened to me, and brought the guys to Pat’s. It would be the perfect opportunity for Steven to see Rose, and visa versa.  

        I smiled. I really could be devious when I tried. I felt bad for abandoning Rose, but she needed this. From what I heard from Beth, she hadn’t been able to have a successful relationship with anyone. The closest she got, was to a guy named Greg who was a baseball player or something like that. He was a jerk, according to Beth, but he loved Rose. Unfortunately, she didn’t return the love and didn’t want to ruin his life by marrying without love, so she broke it off, and he became spiteful.  

        I sighed. Rose didn’t deserve any of it. She deserved to be happy, and I knew that she would only be happy with Steven.  

        Just then, my phone rang. I looked at the caller ID, and saw that it was Trevor. I crossed my fingers and answered, “Trev? What happened?”

        “They saw each other.” I could tell he was leaving something out by the tone of his voice.  

        “And...” I prompted. “What happened?”

        “Well,” he paused. “She kinda tried to run out, and wound up getting smacked by a door and fell to the ground. When Steve saw her, she panicked and ran out of the bar.  He sat there stunned for a minute, then out of nowhere ran out of the bar too. I’m guessing that he ran after her.”

        My mouth dropped open, I couldn’t believe how things turned out. “Not how I expected it, but it worked none the less. Thanks for all your help Trev.”

        “Yeah, yeah. I try,” he responded, laughing through the phone. “So, how ‘bout that date we talked about?”

        My stomach erupted into butterflies. The same it did anytime he talked about us dating. I had a thing for him, but I didn’t want to ruin anything with my brother by dating his best friend. “I guess you earned it, Trev.” I sighed.

        “Christy,” I smiled when he called me that. No one but him did, and it made me feel special. “Don’t worry about Steve. If he has a problem with it, then we’ll deal with it when the time comes. But for now, I think he’ll be too worried about Rose being back in town to think about us.”

        “I guess you’re right Trev. Why do you have to be right so much?”

        He laughed at that. “I guess karma is catching up with me for having to deal with you and your crazy, but effective ideas.”

        I smiled. Trevor was the only person who could make me speechless and giddy at the same time.