“Can we get back to the part where we were a mistake that should have never happened?” I ask, exasperated.
“I said we don’t make sense, not that we were a mistake. I think I’m starting to understand something,” he says, cryptically.
“I think I’m afraid to ask what.”
“That’s okay, I’m going to tell you anyway,” he supplies. “I think we need each other.”
I laugh. I can’t help it. I’m fully convinced he’s making a huge joke. When he doesn’t join me in laughter, I stop.
“That’s very funny, Linc. Now, can we—”
“I wasn’t joking. We need each other.”
“I think you need a straitjacket,” I reply, shaking my head. I need more caffeine if I’m going to deal with him.
“You’re way too uptight. You need to learn to relax, enjoy life, and go with the flow.”
“I am not uptight. I enjoy myself fine,” I bark out in defense.
“Jodie you’re so tightly strung that I’m afraid you might snap at any moment. That night we were together, it took wine and constantly working at it to get you to soften.”
“Gee, I’m sorry that I made it so hard for you to seduce me,” I growl.
“The only thing you made hard was me, baby.”
“Oh God, stop with the juvenile jokes.”
“That’s just the thing. I think you need some of that in your life. On the flip side, I think I need you to remind me that there are areas in my life that I need to start paying more attention to.”
“Is that your roundabout way of saying you need to grow up?” I ask, snidely.
“Maybe I can stand to change a few things, but so can you. We’re young. We’re learning who we are, right?”
“We’re not that young. I don’t know another man your age who goes through women on a daily basis.”
“Then you’re sheltered. In the world I grew up in, that’s a normal thing, Jodie girl.”
“What kind of world did you grow up in?”
“The streets a lot, but later, the motorcycle world.”
“Like Sons of Anarchy?” I ask, not quite understanding.
“That’s television, but the club did both good and not good things, sure.”
“I don’t really know what you’re talking about because I’ve never watched the show, just saw the promo. The lead actor is kind of hot, but not enough to make me want to watch.”
He shakes his head. “You really are cute.”
“Thanks. I think I best leave. You need to sleep off your hangover, because you’re not making a bit of sense.”
“My headache is gone. Haven’t felt hungover since you walked in the door,” he croons. “Go out with me tomorrow night, Jodie.”
“Uh…” I respond, shock leaving me momentarily speechless.
“C’mon. Go out with me,” he coaxes.
“You and I don’t make sense and—”
“Give us a chance. I think we could balance one another out,” he suggests.
“Listen, Linc. I mean, sure I’m attracted to you.” I stop talking when I look to see him grinning down at me. “Why are you smiling?”
“You just admitted you’re attracted to me,” he brags, as if that’s something great.
“Oh please, I’m pretty sure that you’ve proven all of the female population in Cherry Falls is attracted to you.”
“You’re the only one I’m concerned with at present.”
“Then, you need to get unconcerned. I don’t really know what your game is, but—”
“I don’t play games, Jodie. Well, I’m not against playing some with you, but I promise you will enjoy them.”
“Okay, now I’m really going,” I mumble, my body feeling flushed. I walk quickly to the door, mentally kicking myself for coming here tonight. I turn the knob and start to open the door when it’s pushed closed.
“Stay, we’ll watch a movie. I promise I’ll be on my best behavior,” he says. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to, but I know better.
I know better.
“I don’t think that would be a good idea, Linc.”
“You might find I’m not as bad as that pretty little mind of yours thinks I am, Jodie.”
“I don’t think you’re a bad person, Linc,” I tell him, because I don’t—not really.
“Then, why won’t you stay?”
“Because you might be a good guy, but we’re too different. That makes you not a good guy for me.”
“Jodie—”
“And I’m not a good woman for you, Linc. I need someone more stable, dependable even.”
“Maybe—”
“And I need a man I can trust giving myself to. Our last go around was my fault for not reading the situation correctly and thinking you were as into me as I was into you, but I see it for what it was now and I’m just really not the girl for that kind of relationship. You’d be happier with one of your wave rabbits. Bella adores you,” I add, going up on my tiptoes and kissing his cheek. Then, I pull the door back open and slip out.
12
Linc
“Yo, asshole, thanks for the set up last night.”