°9•Understanding

As I see her walking away, I know it bothered her when she heard what I did last night. I warned her that I’m not a commitment kind of guy. If I’m honest with myself, seeing her walk away from us, from me, bothered me. It wasn’t just that, the thing that Charlie didn’t know, and I wasn’t going to tell him. Since I spent the night with Tory, I haven’t fucked anyone else. That’s why I went to the bar last night. I wasn’t too fond of the feelings I felt while comforting her yesterday.

I’m sure with time, I’ll forget about her, and I will be able to go back out there without thinking about her. I just have to give some time, time to forget how her body felt when I took her, how her skin was so soft against mine and how her lips tested when I ravaged them.

“Next time you run your mouth, watch what you say in front of people. We’re in a cafeteria with a bunch of students. You’re the guidance counsellor, for God’s sake!” I say that so he and my sister won’t be suspicious about a certain redhead that has evaded my mind lately. If my sister finds out, I’ll never hear the end of it.

“Sis, now you’re here, take my place. I have better things to do than to watch the kids eat.” I stand from my chair and start walking away before she can try to stop me.

“I’m so lost in my thoughts that I don’t notice where I’m going. I’m supposed to be heading for my office, but I look up and realize I’m outside Tory’s class. When I look through the window, I turn to leave, but I see she’s crying.

No, I don’t need her drama. I should just step away and go to my office. I have better things to do than watch her cry. Why do I always have to find her in this kind of situation? Why does it bother me so much to see her like this?

Didn’t I promise myself that after my experiment with Darla, I would never let another bitch play with my mind again? Why should she be any different?

My damn feet don’t listen to what my mind tells them, and I find myself stepping into her class without knocking for the second time today.

As I approach her, she doesn't even acknowledge my presence.

“Tory, are you ok?” She lifts her head to look at me but doesn’t say a single word.

“Babe?” I ask again.

“Am I that repulsive? Do men not find me attractive enough? Is that why they don’t want to be with me?” She asks while tears flow freely over her cheeks. I take her face in my hands and wipe her tears away with my thumbs. I hate seeing her like this.

“You and Davis.” She continues.

“Davis?” Who the fuck is Davis? I’m about to ask her, but then she hands me her cell phone. The article reads.

‘Katy Davidson & Davis Thompson are happy to announce their wedding to be celebrated August 31st, 2020, at 5h30pm in the church of Chestertown.’

“Who are they to you?” I ask her.

She takes a deep breath to calm her sobbing. “He’s my high school sweetheart, and she was my best friend until a month ago. It was my wedding day, and before the ceremony even started, I learned that he was cheating on me with her. He had been for two years. And the cherry on top? She got pregnant, he’s the father and now, now this.” She sighs, pointing at her cell.

How is it that two strangers who meet in a bar can share the same pain? As I realize this, I take her hand, pulling her from her chair to bring her into my arms and hold her tightly.

“I’m sorry that happened to you, babe.”

I start kissing her forehead, and when I let go. I look into her green eyes and the way she’s looking at me right now. I can’t help myself. I lean my head over and kiss her eagerly. Her hands travel to the back of my head, and she kisses me back with just as much force. Then she brings her hands to my chest, I feel her begin to struggle in my arms, and she pushes me back, breaking the kiss.

“I’m done with your mixed signals. One minute you kiss me, and the next, you push me away. I’m going to the bathroom to wash my face before my next class. When I come back, I would really appreciate it if you weren’t here.” She informs me before leaving the room, not looking back.

What the fuck did I just do?

I’m so wrapped up in my head that I don’t check who’s on the other side of the phone before answering my cell.

“What?” I snap as I step out of the classroom before Tory comes back.

“Honey?” How could I be so fucking stupid? I groan when I recognize that damn pitching voice. I want to punch myself. Why, why can’t she just leave me the fuck alone?

“What the fuck do you want, Darla? I don’t have time to deal with your bullshit right now.”

“Honey, don’t be like that. How can we get back together if you talk to me like that? I know you still love me.” There, that whiny voice again. How didn’t I notice that when we were together? Lily tried to tell me once, but I dismissed her. Damn, what a fool I was back then.

“Get back together? What the fuck are you talking about? Are you crazy? For fuck’s sake, stop calling me. You’re pathetic right now.” Here come the tears. Maybe it worked in the past, but not now. I don’t need to deal with her shit right now.

“What’s wrong with you? You never talked to me like that.” She has a nerve after what she did.

“I have to go. Go find someone else to fuck with,” I say furiously as I hang up on her.

Since Darla and her dickface broke up, she’s started calling me to give her another chance. Today wasn’t the first time she called, and I’m sure it won’t be the last.

Maybe I should listen to Charlie and change my number or even block her, so she can’t bother me anymore.

“What are you looking at? Don’t you have classes to get to?” I growl at some students I catch staring at me as they walk by.

“Mr. Salazar, a word, please?” I hear Tory says when she suddenly appears beside me.

“What the fuck do you want now?” I snap at her in the heat of the moment. I’m still pissed off because of my fucking ex.

“Nothing, nothing at all.” She replies as she leaves me alone.

It bothers me more than it should when I see her looking at me like that. I should go and apologize to her, but once again, I won’t give her mixed signals, as she told me.

Tch, women can’t live with them, can’t live without them.