chapterthirtytwo

Elle and Madison had both left by three and I was left home by myself. Isn�t it funny how my parents play next-to no part in my existence? I guess that�s what you get for having two successful, business-driven parents like I do.

I was waiting for a call from Taylor at about six-thirty when I got just plain frustrated and decided it was unhealthy for me to sit around and wait like I was. I picked up the phone and dialed Elle. I recognized her voice when she picked up.

�So it�s six-thirty and I haven�t gotten a phone call,� I said.

�What a shit�but think about it this way�the longer you wait, the more you can think about what you�re gonna say to him, right?�

�Elle�I don�t know�� I said.

�You don�t know what?�

�I love him, Elle.�

�No you don�t,� she said simply. �He treats you like shit.�

�He doesn�t even know that I know,� I said.

�Even better. You can catch him off guard and see how he reacts.�

�Elle, I did it too.�

�You did what, cheated?� she asked.

�Yes��

�It was his fault! If he hadn�t screwed around that that Gina girl��

�Gabby,� I corrected.

�Who gives a shit what her name was? And then to make a move on a girl Zac likes�Natalie, you�re better than all that.�

�I know�but shit, this is hard. I don�t know what to say when I hear from him.�

�You say �listen you cheating piece of shit! I don�t know what you thought you were getting away with but it�s over right now. Give me my damn lotion and get out of my sight�,� Elle said.

�Elle, I don�t think I want him out of my sight��

�Well Nat, that�s up to you. I still think he�s a shit,�
The doorbell rang.

�Shit, Elle, doorbell,� I said as I pulled myself off the couch. �I hope its someone selling cookies�cookies would make me feel so much better right now��

Elle was still ranting about Taylor when I walked to the front door. I unlocked it without looking through the peephole and as is swung open, my stomach fell to the floor.

�Taylor�� I said softly.

�IS AN ASSHOLE!� Elle yelled at the top of her lungs.

�Is at my door right now�Elle, I�ll call you back,� I said.

�Be strong Nat! Good luck!� she said before clicking off.

I looked into his blue eyes and completely melted. I needed more than luck, that was for damn sure.

*******************

�Hey baby,� he said. �Can I come in?�

�Sure,� I said quietly. I knew he was expecting a flood of love and affection, but my mind was full and I needed to talk.

�How was your week?� he asked.

�Fine. Yours?�

�Busy. Are you okay?� he asked, cupping my face in his hands.

Don�t kiss me, don�t kiss me�my brain pleaded.

�Yeah,� I said, twisting away.

�You don�t seem okay. Do we need to talk?� he asked, genuine concern shadowing his usually beautiful features.

�Yeah�� I said, leading him in a zombie-like state to the living room. His scarf was folded neatly on the table between a book about Monet and my can of Sprite. I sat on the couch and he followed suit.

�What�s wrong?� he asked.

I closed my eyes and tried to think. So far, I wasn�t doing this too well. I knew I looked frail and sad, and I didn�t want it to be like this.

�Natalie, tell me what�s wrong,� he said.

�Taylor�I��

�You what?�

�I know�.�