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Chapter Seventeen
Lance
One of my appointments cancelled last minute, so I had a break. I walked around the resort for a bit before finally heading back to the beach and sitting on the sand.
I pinched my brows together and rubbed my forehead as I thought back to this morning and the conversation I had with Gemma. The worst part about it was I didn’t even know where the hell that came from, it was totally left-field. I mean, one minute we were happy, I was making her breakfast and we were talking like waking up and spending the morning together before I had to get to work was the easiest thing in the world. It seemed as natural as breathing to me, to be honest. The other, everything flipped, changed completely and I wasn’t even sure why.
I really thought things would be different this time. Heck if I knew why, though, because clearly Gemma didn’t have any interest in ending things differently this time around. She always played it safe, and I could understand that, even respect that. I mean, if anyone got that it was me. I had a kid, for crying out loud. But this was just ridiculous. She wanted everything to be neat and tidy, so she could define our relationship and put a nice little bow on it or something.
I raked a hand through my hair that was quickly drying in the summer sun, and exhaled. Why couldn’t she just give us a chance? It wasn’t like I was asking her to quit her business and stop talking to her family and friends. I was just asking her to take a chance on us. Well, technically, I never came out and asked her to do that, but it was implied, I felt, when I gave her my address and said the ball was in her court. Or did she think I was just talking about sex?
Couldn’t she see this was more than that? That it always had been?
I pulled my phone out of my pocket and sighed, clearly more confused now than I was this morning when I watched Gemma do a complete one-eighty. And then what was that garbage about not ending things that way and thinking about it? She couldn’t have it both ways and moments before she basically ended it herself by saying she was leaving. What did she want from me?
I pulled my phone out of my pocket and placed my elbows on my knees, typing a text to the guys. They were so far from competent to the ways of women, but they were my best friends and I didn’t know where else to turn right now.
The Hurricanes
Me: I’m in over my head with this Gemma stuff. This is my SOS. Any advice?
Hunter: What happened? You two seemed fine this morning.
Corey: Woah, back up! She spent the night?
Tyler: Good for you, Lance. Your lonely buddy wasn’t so lonely last night.
Me: Yeah, we spent the night together, but then this morning she freaked out and started talking about how she was leaving and this was going to end again.
Tyler: She seems scared it’s getting real. You said she spooks easily. I get her, so maybe this is her backing out before it gets too serious.
Hunter: I saw them this morning, though. Gemma was definitely interested. She likes you, man. And I don’t think I need to tell you this, but you like her, too.
Corey: The question is, who’s going to make the first move?
Me: Are there even any moves to make? I feel like I already laid everything out.
Tyler: Doubt it.
Corey: Not helping, Ty. Lance, what was the last thing you two said to each other?
Me: We promised we’d think about things before making any decisions.
Hunter: If you’ve done your thinking, then I say take initiative. Girls like that.
Me: Take initiative? Like a grand gesture?
Tyler: And what the heck do you know about girls? Your bed’s been just as cold as Lance’s lately.
Hunter: We can’t all be like you, Ty. Some of us rank quality over quantity.
Tyler: Shove off.
Me: Hello, desperate man asking a question here… initiative? Like a grand gesture?
Corey: Sorry, my take: it doesn’t have to be grand. But you definitely have to make a move. Relationships are like chess. Keep making moves until you’re out. And you, my friend, aren’t out of moves.
Tyler: Where do you come up with this stuff?
