here for you…for years. It was my shoulder you cried on. My hands comforted you, and my words were the ones you sought solace in. I finally got you. You had finally let me in, and I’m scared as fuck I will lose you. To him. It’s always been him.” The pain in his voice matches the look on his face, and it hurts me.
His honesty is like a dagger. On one hand, I have the love of my life wanting to talk to me after all this time. On the other, my safety net, Nick, who is strong as steel, is fearful of losing the one person he’s wanted for so long. The guy has never wavered from me, all the late night crying, the panic attacks, even the days I just wanted to give up, he was there.
Voices outside our apartment indicate Liza is home, most likely with Ace. Just what I don’t need tonight. “Oh shit, I’m in no mood to meet her boyfriend.”
Realizing they are coming in, I wipe my eyes and take a few dozen calming breaths. Nick’s arms hold onto me tighter, telling me wordlessly it’s going to be okay.
“What is it with you tonight? I swear you’re acting weird.” Liza’s sounding like her usual cheerful self. Not!
I hear no response, so Nick and I exchange a strange look. Nick had met Ace a few times when I was either at work or not home yet, so it seems I’m the only one yet to meet him.
Going to stand up, I turn to see an agitated Liza stomping her feet. She takes in my appearance; I’m sure I look delightful crying like I have the past few hours.
She stops dead in her tracks. “What the hell is going on here?”
I swear she is ready to punch Nick, thinking he caused my unhappy state. I’m just too damn drained to explain, so I shake my head instead.
Nick, holding his hands up says, “Don’t ask me, ask her?”
She pins her puzzled expression on me. Praying this day away, I’m rolling my eyes when I catch the movement behind her. Shit, I damn near forget she’s not alone. I go to speak, but I’m rendered speechless as he walks in.
Now in life, you get a few surprises that render you speechless. You might even get a few that knock you on your ass. I would say right now, I got both in one giant puff of smoke.
Several things happen all at once. Not sure what came first, second or even last, but I heard mumbled words, the room started to spin out of control, and I was about to hit the floor. I swear I may have blacked out for a moment, but my hearing is crystal clear.
Liza screeches like she’s right next to my ear. “Jesus Christ, what the hell happened to her. Pip, wake the fuck up?”
The next thing I hear is Nick. “Baby, oh shit, I knew this would happen. Today was just too much. Ace, what the fuck is wrong with you? Liza what the hell is wrong with your dude, over there? He’s looking like he just seen a fucking ghost.”
“Who the hell knows? He’s been weird all day.”
Liza’s has to be rubbing my arms, I can feel her icy fingers all over me.
It’s then I hear it.
I hear him.
“Elsa.” It’s faint, but it’s there.
“What did you just say?” No mistaking Liza’s ‘what the fuck moment.’
I hear a thud followed with a long extended sigh. My head is gradually coming around, and as I try to open my eyes. I’m questioning if I really want to. Feeling Nick’s arms around me, and the cold fingers of Liza combing through my hair, it oddly comforts me. The spinning room starts to slow down, and everything is coming into focus. A frantic Nick and wild-eyed Liza are right in my face staring down at me. Leisurely my eyes drift to the person sitting on his knees before me with tears shimmering in his eyes. His expression is distant and lost and instantly, my heart crumbles to pieces. It’s him, still with the bluest eyes I’ve ever seen.
After five long years, our eyes are intently locked to one another. My breaths catch in my chest. Staring at him for an overlong moment, I choke back a sob and whisper, “Micah.”
Then…I heard two very loud gasps!
I’M QUIET AS A church mouse, still stunned I think. That mess, the one Micah was referring to? Yeah, it’s definitely