#3 Lost in You (fan fic - in progress)

Chapter Five

When I finally got upstairs to my room, Ashley was already there.  Based on her appearance, she obviously just came in from a party or being out and about.  She looked a mess though.  Distraught.  Like her life was about to go up in flames.  And she was yelling at someone over the phone.

"Where were you?!?" She was wailing.

I stopped dead in my tracks as soon as I heard Lo's voice come from the other end.  "I told you I was with my family Ash!  Damn! You been blowing up my phone all fucking night.  All of this is what I been talking about! It's annoying!"

"Well if you weren't always making me feel so insecure Lo, maybe I wouldn't act like this!! And I don't understand why I couldn't meet them??  Were you really with your family this entire time?? Until midnight???"  She saw me in the doorway just then and her entire face froze like ice.  "Cause I just saw your car pull up in front of my dorm!!"

Lo audibly sighed from the other end. "Then you know my ass is headed home now.  I'm tired Ash.  I'll call you in the morning."

"Lo!! Lo Beckham don't you dare hang up on me!!"  The phone went silent. "LO!!"

I walked further into the room and sat down. I was just doused with guilt and reality all at once.  Guilt about how I allowed myself to feel tonight. And the reality that no matter how nice it had been to spend time with his family, Lo was definitely the guy I thought he was and not relationship material.  "He really hung up?"

"Yea. So??" Ashley threw me a hostile look. If looks could kill, I'd be dead.  "Why were you just getting out of MY boyfriend's car??"

I shook my head. No way was I telling her I met his family when she hadn't.  I softened the blow. "I was walking home from work.  He offered a ride.  Mr Theo kept the restaurant open late after the game.  I didn't even make it to the game... I just heard they won."

Ashley examined me for a moment. Possibly thinking she might have been a bit irrational and jumped to conclusions.  "Yea they did.  Lo got two touch downs.  He really looked great out there."

"Umm hmm."  He avoided her all night and just hung up in her face, and yet she was still complimenting him.  I held back the eye roll. I got up to get ready for bed.  But I couldn't help myself, I had to point out the obvious. "I'm sure he was happy to see you there cheering him on."

"Yep." She replied weakly knowing that was a lie, and then she began to sob. Now I felt like shit. 

I sat down next to her and put my arm over her shoulder. "Ashley... Why put up with this?? Lo is selfish and he's not a good boyfriend.  A good boyfriend would have acknowledged you after he won that game and took you with him to meet his family."

"I know. But he's so sweet otherwise... and every girl on campus wants him. I'd be stupid to not make this work... besides he just needs time.  He said we've only been dating a few months.  He wants to wait to introduce me."

"And you believe that?"

"Of course I believe that!" She snapped, flashing her fancy ring at me.  "He's right. We have only been dating a few months.  And he gave me a promise ring and he's said multiple times he loves me!"

"Whatever helps you rationalize this."  I shrugged moving away.  I was better off leaving it alone.

Ashley rolled her eyes angrily. "You're just jealous Janae."

I paused, not sure I was hearing this right.  I was jealous?? Of her dysfunctional and messy situationship??  I had seen enough of this type of relationship with my own mother.  Men who only showed up at their own convenience.  Who made promises that they never planned to fulfill.  Who were indifferent and down right mean when it came to the feelings of the woman they supposedly loved.  It wasn't unique and it typically went bad fast. And I had no need for any more of that in my life.  I turned on her. "Wait. What??"