Page 26 of Bad Habit
“Heard you got to meet Mia’s date though.” She’s fishing for something. I know that tone.
“Yeah, he got her a vodka soda like she’s every other girl he’s met.” I weigh the way I want to be too honest with her. It’s not the norm for us to keep things from each other but I still haven’t told her that I’ve seen her best friend naked and had her in my bed. “He seems nice.” Davey was nice. He made her laugh.
And I know it was a dick move to dance with her like that and then leave. But I can’t help myself when we are alone like that. Away from the gym, and where the stakes aren’t so high. Where it’s just me and her. Eli knows everything and even he tells me it’s a bold move to keep messing around with her. We all love Mia. And it’s obvious she is running away from something after that donation dinner and that group of her so called friends from back home.
“I also heard you made her stand in your corner.” Ah. This is what she really wants to talk about.
“She’s a part of West Haven. She didn’t need to be in Damian’s corner.” If I’m lucky, I can play my urgency to have Mia by my side that night instead of his as something more like protection of the gym.
“She is a part of West Haven.” AJ nods her head. “She came in here like a chaotic explosion of sprinkles and everyone adores her.” She glances inside the gym where Maxwell and Mia are laughing hard over something. She’s always laughing with everyone but me. I try to bide myself moretime by sipping on my coffee instead of having this conversation with her.
“Davey won’t get a second date. Her dry spell continues apparently. She even told me that she had to go home and take care of herself because Davey wasn’t doing it.” I nearly choke on my coffee. I shouldn’t have left her that night. But at least nice guy Davey didn’t take her home. “She has another date tomorrow night though. He wanted to take her out tonight, but it’s Monday. I’m her permanent Monday night date, so she told him that they can go get a drink tomorrow at some new bar that actually serves cherry margaritas. It’s actually hard to find places that do. I didn’t know that.” AJ was rambling. AJ never rambles. Like ever.
Her eyes are lit up and her cheeks rosy with all the smiling she’s doing while talking about Mia going on a date. Then it hits me.She knows.“She fucking told you.” I let my head fall with my words. Of course Mia told her that we slept together. Which would make sense why AJ is giving me such a big run down of her dates lately. She has been baiting me.
AJ punches my arm again, hard enough this time that a baby bruise might be there tomorrow. “Of course she told me!” She barks.
I point to my arm, “that actually hurt. Have you been upping your weights?” I ask her as she literally growls and punches me again.
I lift my hands the best I can while still holding my cup. “It was only twice. And we don’t talk about it. It’s like it hasn’t happened. It’s fine.”
“It’s not fine. She is serial dating. Do you know how much time I spend worrying about her? Going on these dates and shit?” My heart twitches because this is new for her. She hasn’t had a girl friend this close since Chloe and I don’t think anyone has really put that together. But the break in her voice just now let me know that this is part of the new stress she carries.
“She’s strong, A. And you are teaching her to be stronger.” AJ teaches us all how to be stronger.
“You kind of like her don’t you?” She reaches out and takes my chin in her hand, inspecting the damage from this weekend’s fight. Eli did a good job patching me up though.
“I definitely feel a certain way about her.” I’m always honest with AJ. It’s something we promised each other years ago and I’m pretty sure it is the biggest reason she trusts me like she does.
“Just mean everything you do and say with her. Don’t be impulsive. Or hurt her.” That’s the advice she gives. And it’s honestly the advice I need most. Mia means every decision she makes. She feels everything. “She told me you took her to the house…” I look down at AJ and she has a careful look in her eyes. She knows how much my mother’s house means to me.
“She actually keeps sending me all these home improvement plans and ideas. Some are actually really good.” I keep them all saved in a folder on my phone. I even went to the store and bought some supplies for something this weekend with Eli. It would be nice to see the home come alive again.
“You should let her help you! She loves doing new projects.” Maybe I will. Having her back in my house would be a test of my willpower though. That’s the only reason I haven’t asked her yet.
“What the hell are you two doing? How did you get here so fast?” Both of our heads snap right, where a very exhausted Rory is jogging our way.
“I took a shortcut.” AJ smiles at him. It’s a new smile that she wears more often now and it’s nice to see.
“Cheater.” She starts laughing and he doesn’t stop until he has her in his arms and is kissing her. Which is my cue to go inside and let them have their moment. AJ will be all business as soon as she gets inside and Rory respects it.
OLIVER
October in South Carolina is my favorite weather. It’s the perfect amount of chill in the morning and you no longer suffocate from humidity throughout the day. Perfect riding weather. Wednesdays are normally my day off at the gym, which is why when Dad called and needed me he knew I would be available to come and meet him in Charleston. I park my bike and make my way into this overly large hall full of mainly old women. What the fuck did Dad need me here for? Every wall is decorated from floor to ceiling in Halloween decorations. It honestly looks like a movie set, it’s so intense. Spiders, bats, and pumpkins everywhere. The whole space is lit up like a spooky lantern.
“Are you here for the tournament?” A small brunette pops out from behind a desk wearing cat ears and matching face paint, smiling too wide.
“Tournament?” I ask as I run my hands through my hair to loosen up the curls from where the helmet pressed them in. I scan the room the best I can with the lighting to find Dad. No luck though.
“It’s the monthly Scrabble tournament. Today we also have the Halloween fellowship afterwards. Best chili you willeverhave!” She still hasn’t dropped the creepy smile and something about her is just unsettling, too happy.
“Mary, please remember to give new guests time to breathe before bombarding them with questions.” An older woman comes up from behind me to wrap a delicate hand over the tiny girl's shoulder. Mary scatters off back behind the desk, leaving me facing off with the other woman. She holds her hand out to me and her smile instantly relaxes the tension building in the back of my neck. “I’m Cheryl and you are much too handsome to be here. These women are too old and feral for you to handle.” A full laugh rumbles out of my chest and I shake her hand gently.
“I’m looking for my dad actually.” I give her an easy smile. Cheryl folds her hands together delicately, searching my face for a long moment before her eyes spark in what I think is recognition. Which would be impossible because I’ve never met her before in my life.
“Of course! You look just like him. Strong genes.” She winks at me before tilting her head to the side. “Edward is this way.” She starts walking into the room, and it all makes sense what the woman at the desk was trying to say earlier. There are tables lining each wall with two chairs on each end and a Scrabble board set up.
“Edward?” I have never heard anyone other than the lady at the bank call my father that.
