It's time to move on

Chapter 4

I glance at my clock. I’ve overslept. I see a text on my phone.

*Good morning. Looking forward to breakfast. ☺*

While getting dressed I text back. * I’m running late. Can’t believe I overslept.*

*But you’re coming right.*

*Be there in half an hour.*

*Counting down the minutes…*

I get ready as fast as I can and drive over to the diner. Jason smiles when he sees me. I smile back for a second before looking down, I really like him. I walk over to him putting a strand of hair behind my ear.

“Hi.” I say when I reach the table.

“Glad you made it.” He replies as he gets up.

“Wouldn’t miss breakfast, it is the most important meal of the day.” I tell him and sit down after he pulled the chair out for me.

“Truer words were never spoken.” He laughs and takes his own seat and then, waving the waiter over and we place our orders.

“What does a normal Saturday look like in Rebecca’s world?” He asks when the waiter leaves.

“Nothing exciting. I hang around my apartment, do some cleaning and watch some TV.”

“That doesn’t sound so bad.”

“What do you do?”

“Work mostly.” He shrugs.

The waiter returns with our breakfast, it tastes great and I clear my plate while we eat in comfortable silence.

“I have to go out of town for a while; there is an expansion I want to look into.” Jason tells me.

“That’s a good thing means business is doing great.”

“I want you to know that I’ll keep in touch while I’m gone. You can go to the gym anytime you want and when I get back we could maybe have a sparring session.”

“I can do that. When do you leave?” I ask as the waiter clears our plates.

“This afternoon, but before I go I would like to spend some more time with you.”

“What do you have in mind?” I ask, nervous and excited at the same time.

“How about a couple games of pool?”

“I can’t play.”

“I can teach you.”

“Isn’t it a little too early for a bar to be open?”

“Not if you have the keys.” He smiles.

“So we’ll be alone?”

“Yeah, is that too weird for you?”

I shake my head.

I follow him in my car to the bar we get to the entrance and he unlocks the door and switches on the lights. There are a couple of pool tables, a few dart boards and a long bar counter, there are other tables scattered throughout.

“This place is nice.” I say taking off my jacket.

“Thank you.” Jason says, taking my jacket and hangs it on the hook along with his. I follow him to one of the tables.

“Have you ever played before?”

“Once, years ago.” I reply but I don’t add I wasn’t feeling too well as Charles beat me with a belt a couple of hours before.

He sets up the table, “You shoot first.”

“Maybe you should.”

He takes the first shot and sinks two balls. I take position and completely miss. “Dammit.”

“Let me help you.” He says putting down his cue, he walks over to me and stands behind me as I bend down he bends over me, he puts his hands on mine where I’m holding the cue, “Okay, aim at the ball you want to sink then pull back a little depending how hard you want to hit the ball then push forward.”

He lets go and stands up straight, “Ready?” He asks.

I nod and do as I’ve been shown. The ball doesn’t go in but I’m okay with that. My heart is beating so fast and my face feels warm.

“You okay?”

“Yeah, just a little hot.” I reply, pretty sure I’m blushing.

“Want me to put on the air-conditioning?”

“I’ll be okay.” I say but I’m in need of a cold shower. I haven’t known him long but I want to. Maybe because I haven’t been attracted to a man for so long and now that I am my hormones are going wild.

I manage to sink a few balls before Jason wins.

“I want a re-match; it’s not fair, it's my first time playing.” I complain.

“I’ll play with you as much as you want me too.” He says, winking at me.

Oh my! I’m flustered. Is he flirting with me? I can’t be sure.

“Let’s do it.” I reply and he sets up the table and asks, “Wanna break?”

“I’ll try.” I bend down and aim, I glance up at him, he is watching my every move. I take the shot but sink no balls. We each took a couple of more shots neither sinking any balls.

“Are you missing on purpose?”

“Not at all.” He smiles. I love his smile, it’s so sexy.

“You’re lying.” I smile back.

“Maybe I was just lucky the first time around.”

“I doubt that but at this rate we’ll be here all day.”

“That’s fine with me.”

“You need to go soon.”

“I don’t mind leaving later.”

I take another shot and actually manage to sink a ball. “Yes! Finally!” I exclaim, unable to control my excitement as I jump up and down.

“Well done.” Jason laughs, giving me a little slow clap. This man makes me laugh and I feel much more confident around him. Will it be possible for me to move on after all?  We played a couple more times, sadly I didn't manage to win a single game but I enjoyed myself. I get home just after lunch time.

I feel good.

I had fun.

At the end I really wanted him to kiss me. I felt his eyes on me as we played. When our hands brushed against each other.

A text comes through.

*Had a great time with you today…*

*Me too…*

*On my way to the airport now. Will be a while before I land.*

*Hope you have a safe flight.*

*Talk soon :)*

I get started on cleaning when I’m done I make myself a huge bowl of popcorn and turn on the TV. I flip through the channels and find something to watch.

There is a loud bang on my door and I jump up from the couch, I check through my peephole but there is no one there. It’s weird but I check the clock, it’s after eight so I head to the kitchen to start on dinner. Halfway through my phone beeps.

*Landed safely. On my way to the hotel now.*

*Glad you’re safe. You must be tired.*

*Not really. Just thinking how bored I’m going to be tonight. At least I get to see my daughter tomorrow.*

*I’m sure she’s looking forward to seeing you.*

*To be honest, we’re not that close. After the split with my ex, she remarried quickly so she sees her stepfather more than she sees me.*

*That’s a shame; maybe you could spend more time with her while you’re there.*

*That’s the plan. What are you up to?*

*Eating…*

*What’s on the menu?*

*Nothing fancy. Just mac and cheese.*

*Sounds delicious, maybe you’ll make it for me sometime…*

*Maybe…*

*LOL, that’s not a no. Going to take a quick shower.*

*Enjoy ☺**

I find my mind wandering to him, naked and wet in the shower. I’ve never had such fantasies before, Charles was the only man I've ever been with but this doesn’t feel like it did with him.

I finish eating and start on the dishes to preoccupy my mind. My phone beeps as I finish up.

*All done. Ready for bed.*

*Still wide awake.*

*Going clubbing?*

*Yeah because I am totally that type.*

*I know you’re not. You are different.*

*Is that a good thing?*

*Very good…*

I don’t know how to respond. It feels that he likes me in that way but he hasn’t made a move yet. Maybe he only sees me as a victim. Maybe he just wants to be friends.

*I should probably get some sleep.*

*Sweet dreams*. I reply.

*Don’t know about sweet but I’ll definitely dream...Sweet dreams to you.*

*After today mine might not be so sweet either…*

Don’t know how he’ll react but I think I should know for sure. My answer comes sooner than I think.

*I knew I should have kissed you.*

To be honest I did not expect that but I feel good so I say, *Yes you should have.*

*Now I’m really not going to be able to sleep,*

*Not my fault…*

*Oh it’s all your fault.*

*I didn’t do anything.*

*You didn’t need to do anything but be you. This is going to be a long couple of weeks.*

*You’re sweet. Now go to sleep.*

*Yes mam.*

It’s Sunday morning and I can’t stop thinking about his text. I head to the gym where I find Shirley.