Morning Glory - A Novelette Read Online Free PDF Page B

sense.” He stands and stares at me with his pants and belt casually hang ing open.
    I try to be clearer for both of our sakes. “We’re not dating. We’re friends, Nick. This right here between us is why neither of us can maintain a relationship more than six months. This right here is our hindrance. We are holding each other back.”
    “You’re tired. You’re upset—”
    “You’re right. I am tired and upset, but you know what I’m saying is true.” I stop and come toward him, wanting to be closer though I shouldn’t. He’s my best friend. I can be close, but there need to be boundaries within our friendship. “I don’t want you dating Jennifer. I don’t want you dating anyone, and I know that’s not fair for me to say, especially since I just got out of a relationship, but it’s how I feel. I shouldn’t feel that way, though. I know I shouldn’t. I should want you with other people, but I don’t.”
    He starts toward me then sidesteps and grabs his shirt before he head s for the door instead. A lthough confusion is written all over his face, he says, “ You might be right. I should go. I need to think.” As he walks to the front door, he swings his shirt into the air and onto his shoulders , and he leaves with not so much as a good-bye.
    I stand there, watching the door, convinced he’ll be back to explain what that reaction was or discuss it more, but he doesn’t come back.
    I don’t see him for a week.
    He manages to switch to the nighttime shift at work, covering for a guy on vacation, and he skips our regular hangout nights. I leave him messages, but they don’t get returned. I even show up at his apartment on Tuesday and Friday to catch him at home, but he’s not there or he doesn’t answer. I hang out for twenty minutes both times, sitting on the steps near his door. Even though I have a key, I respect his privacy. I’m too anxious to sit, so I pace near his terrace where I notice his planters have early buds that are starting to bloom. He planted the p ansies last year. I smile when I remember how I teased him for picking purple flowers, but he said it was for me, because he was hoping I’d come over to his place more often. After knocking on the door one last time, I walk away , disheartened.
    I miss my friend.
    I miss my confidant.
    I miss my Nick.
    I may have been too harsh on him, but he said he’d be here for me, and he’s not. Yet I still find it hard to be mad at him. I’m equally to blame for this. It’s probably best to have some time apart and figure our lives out. Although I keep telling myself that, I don’t believe it, not for one second.
    Nine days, three hours, forty-two minutes, and sixteen seconds after Nick walked out my door, he shows back up unexpectedly. I’d been lounging in bed , sleepy and sad, but I hug him without saying a word because I missed hi m. When I step back, I can tell he’s drunk.
    He slurs his words. “Honey, I’m home.” Stumbling forward, I catch him and steady him. “Can I crash here?”
    I don’t understand why he’s here and why he’s so drunk. Needing answers, I ask, “You avoided me for over a week, Nick.”
    “No, no, no that’s not true,” he says and drags his finger lightly down my nose before tapping me on the chin. “I wanted to be here. You didn’t want me here.”
    “We were talking, and you left.”
    I help him to the couch. He lies down , and I start on his shoes, pulling them off one at a time. I’m used to having him in my life , and more importantly, I like having him close. My irritation lessens, and my smile reemerges. I feel more my normal self again with him close . “Are you staying?”
    “Am I allowed?” he asks.
    “If you drop the attitude.”
    He returns my smile , and it’s that look, that exact look with the sweet expression and eyes that say too much about how he’s truly feeling, that gets me every time. I’m guessing he sees the same in my eyes when I’m not careful to cover