“I’m not laughing. It’s not funny.” I crossed my arms. “He’s a jackass, and if he touches you again, you use your Taser, got it?”
“I’ll Taser his ass.” Lisa nodded. “But he did say something about switching partners so… yeah.”
“Thinking about him even spending time with you makes me want to rip his head off. Let’s eat… or something.”
“Before you go hunt him down?”
I shuddered. “Yeah, eat.”
Lisa pulled out a piece and started taking tiny nibbles.
I rolled my eyes and pinned her in my stare. “Take bigger bites. You need food. You haven’t eaten all day.”
“If I take big bites, I may choke.”
“Then I’ll cut them for you.”
“You’re really abrasive tonight.”
I looked down. “Sorry.”
“It’s fine.”
Her eyes were haunted, not clear like they’d been before the world had come crashing down on our relationship.
We both finished dinner in silence.
“I’m tired.” Lisa stood. “I think I’m going to go to bed.”
“Right.” I stood, unsure if I could hug her or if I should just stay away. I finally settled on nothing and watched her shoulders slump as if disappointed.
Cursing myself, I cleaned up the mess and tried to get comfortable on the couch. I was exhausted, so at least I’d sleep through the night.
The last thing I remembered before dozing off was a vision of Lisa in her yoga pants.
****
A blood curdling scream erupted from Lisa’s room. I jolted awake and damn-near ran into her door trying to get it open.
Lisa was tossing in bed; she was covered in sweat. “No, no! Just leave me alone!”
I rushed to her side and tried to wake her up.
With a scream, her fist went flying — directly into my jaw.
Cursing, I almost fell to the ground. Who knew she could punch like that?
“Oh my gosh!” Lisa covered her mouth. “I’m so sorry. I thought… I thought you were him.”
“Taylor.” Defeat surrounded me.
“Yeah.”
“I’m sorry,” I croaked. “I heard you screaming and thought there was someone in here and…”
Lisa burst into tears.
“Aw, sweetheart…” I didn’t give a damn if she hated me. I was holding her. I was going to hold her until all the tears dried. I tugged her into my lap and rocked her back and forth.