Flame [h.s.]

03| Troublemaker

You had me hooked again from the minute you sat down
The way you bite your lip
Got my head spinnin' around
After a drink or two
I was putty in your hands
I don't know if I have the strength to stand

Harry

"I think he loved our present." Addison smiles as I help her put on her fluffy coat. We are about to finally leave George's birthday party and I couldn't be happier about it. I like Sarah and Caleb's company, don't get me wrong, but there were too many kids and parents around for me to have a good time.

It was now a little past seven in the evening, and all I could think about was the hot water bath I was going to run myself as soon as I got home. I have been dreaming about it since I left the house, and it kept me going through this long afternoon.

"Yeah, he really did." I reply.

In reality, little George looked at our massive present, which cost us a fortune if I might add, for two seconds, smiled at us and moved on to the next present. It is a two-year-old, what were we expecting? Why would the set of cars we gave him be more interesting than the set of dinosaurs he just got right after?

Addison, nonetheless, thought he liked it more than any other present and after being in a relationship with her for ten years, I have learned how useless it is to contradict her, it would only make us fight.

 So, I simply agree with her in everything at this point.

We had already said our goodbyes to Caleb and Sarah, who still had a considerable number of guests in their house. I could see by the tired look on their face how much they wanted them to leave so they could finally rest. But I don't think that will happen anytime soon. 

Give free drinks to any thirty year old and a place where they don't have to look after their kids that they will never leave.

"I can't wait for when we have kids, I want to throw these huge parties as well." She smiles as I open the front door for her.

Here we go with the kids talk.

Is it wrong that I am a thirty-two-year-old man who doesn't feel the aspiration to become a dad just yet? This has been a constant fight between Addison and me because she has been ready to start a family with me for five years now. I know we are getting to the age where people start to settle down and have kids, but I just don't feel ready for it. Sometimes I feel selfish because I feel like I am getting in the way of her dream, but I can't help it.

How can I have a kid when I feel like a kid myself?

The last thing I want is to bring a child into the world, and not be ready to give it the love he or she needs. I'm not selfish at that point.

I decide to ignore her remark, sighing loudly hoping she will get the meaning behind my gesture. I really don't feel like starting a fight tonight, I'm too drained. 

All I was looking for this weekend was to enjoy the sun in my backyard with a nice cold beer, maybe go out for dinner in the city. This was not how I wanted to spend a Saturday, especially when tomorrow I have to spend the whole day with my in-laws to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.

Fuck my life.

As we walk out of the house, my eyes are immediately drawn to my left side when I see a beautiful figure walking, no, more like stumbling, through the grass, stopping by a small black Smart for two, struggling to unlock the door.

Is she really trying to drive home in that state? I don't need to know her very well to see how she is clearly drunk. Thankfully, Addison notices it as well and she holds my arm pointing to her.