Messin’ Around

Frankie

My exams are finally over. Even though I have an increased commitment for volunteer hours, my schedule is a lot more open for the next four months. I’m hoping that extra free time means more with Oscar.

There’s been no sign of my stalker for six weeks, so I’m clinging to the hope he was arrested for something and is currently serving time behind bars. Or he’s in a coma somewhere, and he’ll wake up with amnesia. I’m not an evil person, but it’s hard for me to have any sympathy for the man after everything he’s put me through.

But I also recognize that the situation brought me here. Without the sequence of events happening the way they did, I never would have met Oscar. I never would have adopted Brad. So many things I’m grateful for today would have been a forever hole in my heart. Now that those things are such an important part, I can’t imagine life without them.

So as much as I want to hate the man after nearly four years of torment, and wouldn’t be upset if I found out he was a rotting corpse somewhere, I guess this is my way of making lemonade out of lemons.

Conveniently, my no-refined-carbs, no-food-colouring lemonade is standing on the other side of my front door.

I flick the locks and open it wide, eager to invite Oscar a place to hide from his roommate’s final party of the year.

“Hi,” he says, stepping inside. He closes the door behind him and flicks one lock. That’s all he has time for before pulling me against him and kissing me eagerly.

Any uncertainty and anxiety just melts away with each second. Oscar’s presence has changed my life in so many ways, and kissing him is an amazing bonus.

“Hi,” I say on a breath once we separate.

“I’ve been thinking about that all day.”

My heart flutters. “All day, hmm?”

“Non-stop.” He hooks an arm around my waist and pulls me back against him. “I can’t stay too late because I have so much studying left to do.”

“I know.” Not going to say I like it, but I respect his need to focus on school. “Just a few days left.”

He grins and kisses me again. This time, it’s quick and reassuring. “A whole summer with no parties.”

“Does that mean you won’t come over anymore?” I tease, but there is an unmistakable note of concern in my voice.

“You won’t be able to get rid of me.” His genuine smile makes my heart skip a beat.

“Luckily, I don’t want to.”

“Brad looks like he’d take me out if I turn my back,” he says, peeking around me.

I look behind me without loosening Oscar’s hold on my waist. “Don’t mind him. He’s a ham addict, and we ran out. He’s salty about it.”

Oscar drops his forehead to rest on my shoulder. “Nitrates too?”

“Hey, I don’t comment on your food choices,” I defend. “You keep eating your flavourless cardboard and leave us mere mortals alone.”

He shakes his head, still resting it on my shoulder, and huffs a laugh. “You’ll be the death of me, woman.” He lifts his head and kisses me again. This time, he doesn’t hold back. He brushes his tongue along my bottom lip, prompting me to relax in his arms and get lost in the sensation of his tongue mingling with mine. We get caught up for a few minutes before he pulls away. “What a way to go.”

I never dreamed anyone would ever make me feel so desirable. So safe and content. Of all the negative feelings and emotions I’ve held onto for years, Oscar has slipped into my life and rid me of each one. Just by being him, he’s completely changed my life for the better. Just by being him, he’s made me fall in love with him.

“Come on. I got you strawberries and me whipped cream,” I say, breaking out of his arms, then walking toward the kitchen. I need some distance to process that startling realization, because I hadn’t realized how deep I was in until now.

Brad hops out of his bed and follows me, probably hoping he’ll get some dessert too.

Oscar sticks to his guns, refusing to try strawberries with whipped cream. I ignore his feelings on the “chemical concoction” I love so much and enjoy my dessert.

Our time together feels comfortable. If I think back to when we first met, I never could have imagined we’d be here, talking about our goals, dreams, and fears—though, his only fear is failing his classes. My list is much more extensive. But right now, my fear isn’t defining me, and I want to enjoy every minute.

“Frankie, if I don’t go, I’m never going to be able to leave.”

I keep my arms tight around Oscar’s torso. This looming sense of dread has been hovering over me for the past hour, not wanting him to leave. “I don’t see the problem.”

He groans, tightening his grip around my waist. “That’s cruel. You’re already finished your exams. I still have two left. Trust me, I’d rather stay just like this.” He traces his lips along the soft skin under my ear, making me shiver from the sensation.

“Fine.” I drop my arms, reluctantly giving him permission to leave. Even though I’d rather he continue his trail of kisses, I don’t want to affect his grades.

He loosens his hold, bending down until his lips meet mine. He starts out slow, allowing me to savour his touch. His body is firm everywhere my hands graze, except his lips. The juxtaposition amplifies each of my senses. I breathe in his masculine, spicy scent, absorb the feel of his fingers pressing into my back, and soak in the sounds of his moans in between breaths. Eight months ago, I never would have imagined I’d be so caught up in Oscar Luna, the grumpy neighbour who threatened my dog. He started out by invading my space, and now he’s quickly invaded my heart.

“I really need to go,” he says, resting his forehead against mine.

I close my eyes, trying to absorb the comfort his presence brings me. “Okay, go.”

“You know I don’t want to, right? I have to. These classes have been tough and I can’t—”

“You don’t have to explain. I understand.”

“Okay.” He bends down and gives me one more soft kiss, pulling away too soon. “I’ll see you next Friday if I don’t see you before then.”

The realization that I might not see him for seven days chases away the euphoric overwhelm caused by his presence and replaces it with sadness. But I don’t want to make him feel guilty for prioritizing his school work. “Okay. Good luck with your exams.”

“Thanks.” With that, he gives me a sad smile before walking out the door.

Even with the door open, I can’t tell there’s a party going on next door. I don’t know if it’s because most people are still dealing with exams or if a lot of their regulars have left to go back home for the summer. It’s the tamest one they’ve had yet.

I sit back on the sofa beside Brad, pulling him onto his back between my legs so I can rub his belly. He just flops there like a big baby. With Oscar’s roommates leaving to go back home for the summer, it will be weird just being the two of us around. Oscar is teaching extra classes at the gym, and I’m increasing my volunteer hours, but otherwise, we’ll have a lot of spare time to spend together, including the private lessons he’s going to give me.

A knock at the door interrupts my summer daydreams, but I’m not bothered because hope surges through me that Oscar has changed his mind and come back.

I swing the door open without checking, only to find an unfamiliar man on the other side. I waver between panic and logic, and after a few seconds, I say, “Party is next door.”

“You don’t remember me?”

Those few words strike a level of terror through me I haven’t felt for weeks.

I take a step back, giving myself enough room to close the door, but attempt to pacify him first. “Oh, you’re the guy from—” I stop my words short, trying to slam the door fast enough I can lock it, but he’s faster.

He kicks the door open while I’m still holding it, jarring my arm and sending a shooting pain through my shoulder. Brad comes running over, snarling and barking. This time, the guy is unfazed by the angry pit bull, swinging his leg back and kicking Brad in the side with his heavy boot.

I scream out as Brad yelps and slides across the floor, lying unmoving on his side when he comes to a stop. The man doesn’t give me a chance to rush to my dog’s aid before he grabs my hair and pulls me toward the dining room. I let out a scream, but he quickly covers my mouth.

As he drags me backwards, I look over and see Brad is no longer where I last saw him. He has disappeared. And in this moment, I realize I’ve been left alone to fight for my life.