Fervent Desires

Chapter 12 - The Confrontation

I froze, I had totally forgotten that she said she was coming to New York. Still, she was here and laying on my bed. I wasn’t in a relationship with Noelle but I hadn't exactly told her about Erica either. I looked from Noelle to Erica; both ladies were staring each other down. Erica suddenly turned her attention to me and I dared to break the silence. “N-Noelle, what are you doing here?” I uttered sounding like a child who had been caught red handed. She didn’t respond, instead she kept staring at Erica. “Who’s this?” she asked not bothering to look in my direction. Her voice was a deadly calm, I couldn’t tell what she was thinking and I wasn’t sure I wanted to find out.

“Noelle what are you doing here?” I raised my voice an octave.

“Who is this?” she did the same.

Erica just stood there staring at the both of us, her face expressionless.

“How did you even get in here?” I asked both confused and alarmed.

“I informed the front desk that I was your girlfriend,” she responded as she slid off the bed “Now, who is this?”

“YOUR GIRLFRIEND?” Erica finally spoke.

She sounded hurt, I could see the pain on her face and I hated that I was the cause. Noelle was looking at me expectantly, no doubt waiting for an answer to her question. The truth was I didn’t have an answer, Erica and I had yet to define our relationship; but I knew that if I said the wrong thing it would make matters worse. I sighed, trying to keep my composure as a million thoughts raced through my head.

“Erica this is Noelle; Noelle meet Erica,” I did my best to sound calm.

Both women glared at each other. They were visibly sizing each other up. They were both livid and I was terrified.  Noelle had always been somewhat of a wildcard and I had no idea what Erica was capable of.

“I’m not interested in meeting any of your sluts Taylor,” Noelle retorted angrily.

“Slut?” Erica looked like she had just been slapped. “If anybody is a slut here it’s you. Do you just stroll the city in your underwear looking for random beds to lay in you bimbo?”

I could tell things were getting heated and I needed to calm them both down before things got out of hand. Before I could say anything they both turned their attentions to me. I could see the hurt in Erica’s eyes and it pained me to know that I put it there.

“You said you were single,” she accused with tears brimming in her eyes.

“I am single,” I responded. The distress evident in my voice.

“So, what are we?” Noelle’s asked accusingly.

I knew the conversation couldn’t go on like this and I was desperate for reprieve. Before I could respond to Noelle, Erica turned and headed out the door. Noelle grabbed onto me, I shook her off and ran behind Erica. By the time I go to the elevator the doors had already closed. I quickly followed behind Erica; while trying unsuccessfully to call her phone but by the time I got to the street she was gone.

I returned to the condo to find Noelle sitting leisurely on the couch. “Are you happy now?” I yelled. She jumped at my tone but the expression on her face did not change.

“What do you mean?” she tried unsuccessfully to sound innocent.

“What the hell are you doing here Noelle?” I was pissed.

“I told you I was coming into town and you never told me you were seeing someone,” she defended.

“You have no right to break into my apartment,” I said furiously.

“I was trying to surprise you, you’re acting like I’ve never done this before,” she was starting to get upset, “now I see why you haven’t been taking my calls, that’s hurtful Taylor,”. Tears started to stream down her face and I deliberately tried to calm down. I resisted the urge to comfort her, she really did have me wrapped around her finger.

“Look, you said you didn’t want a relationship remember? So, you can’t fault me for seeing someone else," my tone was softer now.

“But I didn’t expect you to cut me out of your life completely. You didn’t even tell me you were thinking about moving here and when you did you completely abandoned me,” she sobbed.

I didn’t know what to do. I hated seeing her hurt; but, I also hated that Erica had ran off feeling like I had betrayed her trust. I had deep feelings for Erica; but, I also cared about Noelle as well. Erica wasn’t answering my calls and I had no idea where she was; but, Noelle was right in front of me and obviously she was upset. I sat next to her on the couch and pulled her into a warm embrace. “I’m sorry that you feel that way,” I comforted as I rubbed her shoulders. “It was never my intention to hurt you.” Noelle drew closer and wrapped her arms around my neck. 

“I know you didn’t baby,” she murmured as she drew me into a deep kiss. 

She was familiar and I couldn’t help but get lost in her embrace. Suddenly, all the feelings I had for Noelle resurfaced as we shared a long passionate kiss and all the things, I loved about her started going through my mind. The way she walked, her laugh, her scent; and then it hit me. I wasn’t thinking about Noelle at all, it was Erica. It had always been Erica; I was in love with her. I shoved Noelle away as if her lips had burnt mine. 

“I can’t do this,” I panted, stumbling off the couch “I’m in love with her”.

“What?” asked Noelle, clearly shocked.

I had never been able to refuse her before, I doubted anyone had. She was the kind of woman that was use to getting what she wanted. “You have to leave,” I informed her. I was no longer under her spell and my love for Erica was what brought me out of it.

“But, But I have nowhere else to go,” she stammered.

I knew she was lying. A woman like her wouldn’t be left stranded; but I didn’t have any energy left to argue. I was still reeling from my epiphany and I needed to find Erica and profess my love for her before it was too late. “You can have the apartment,” I said dryly, “I’m leaving”. She watched silently as I grabbed my bag and headed out the door. I had to find Erica, she needed to know how I felt and I would not stop until I had her back in my life.