Enchantress

Chapter 6

I avoided everyone and everything for a few days. I went to class and went back to the dorm to study. On the days I didn’t have class I studied or slept. It was nice to just focus on school. I know I have a thousand missed calls, voice mails, and texts but I didn’t want to do anything about it just yet. Unfortunately, if I don’t respond Malachi soon, he was going to send a search party which would include another certain someone I don’t want to see or come himself. I don’t know which would be worse. I picked up my phone and dialed his number. It didn’t even ring once before he answered it in a panic.

“Oh my God! Are you ok? Why aren’t you answering your phone? I’ve been by your room four times looking for you!” He was practically screaming.

“I’m fine. I just needed space Malachi. I’m having a hard time adjusting.”

“I’m about to go eat. Come have dinner with me?”

“I don’t know Malachi. I’m not really hungry.”

“Then you come here. We’ll order pizza and just hang out like we used to.”

I was afraid if I went there who I might run into, but I so badly needed my big brother right now.

“I’ll be there in twenty,” I said ending the call.

I got up and threw on jeans and a cute pink tank top that I bought over the summer and headed out the door. I didn’t have class tomorrow so I could hang out with Malachi for as long as I wanted. I was still uneasy about running into Dom or Matti, but my stomach settled down when I arrived to find only Malachi there. We ordered the pizza and he fired up Netflix. We watched old comedies like Roseanne and old action flicks like Rush Hour. It was nice just hanging out with him. Unfortunately, it was short lived. I got a couple hours in before Dom showed up unannounced with Lila. Great! I sat silently in the living room watching Bates Motel while they chatted in the kitchen. Everyone knew I walked out on Matti and went quiet for days. Malachi knew me too well. He kept them in the kitchen until the crept out the door. Malachi came in and sat down next to me pausing Bates Motel.

“Are you ready to tell me what’s going on?”

“It’s complicated.” I said with tears stinging my eyes.

“Let me help you uncomplicate it. Let me in. We used to be so close before you came here and now it’s like I barely know you anymore.”

That was my breaking point. The tears broke free and I couldn’t stop them. I told him everything about Matti but kept quiet about Dom. I wasn’t ready to look like a fool twice and I knew Malachi, it wouldn’t end well.

He looked at me. I couldn’t read his expression. Then the tears started to fall. He pulled me into a tight hug. When he released me, he was quiet for a minute and then said,” You know anytime you need to talk you can call me. You’re the only sister I have.”

I smiled and said, “I love you Kyky.”

“I love you too sis.”

He hugged me again and we went back to watching Netflix for a while before he drove me back to the dorms. When we pulled up, he put the car in park. He turned to me and said, “I agree with whatever decision you make but to make a good decision you should have all the facts. You should give him the chance to explain before you make a final decision.”

“I know. You're right. I just don’t know if I want to hear it just yet though.”

“Just think about it.”

By the time I made it back to my room I was exhausted. Maybe it was time to read my texts and listen to my voicemails. Before I could do that though there was a knock on the door. I wasn’t entirely sure I wanted to answer it but maybe it was Malachi.

“Who is it?”

“It’s Matti. Will you please talk to me? Even if it’s through the door. Please. I know my yelling woke you the other night and I don’t know how much you heard. I went to bed and you were gone. Your things were gone. You haven’t returned any of my texts or calls. Please just talk to me. Let me explain.”

I opened the door halfcocked and ready to slam it in his face but when I saw the disheveled heap of what Matti on my doorstep was my anger melted. I moved to the side and held the door open for him as he walked inside. I sat down on my bed and patted the empty spot beside me with the palm of my hand, but he didn’t move. He leaned his back against my dresser and without looking at me he closed his eyes.

“Taryn, I have never felt the way I feel with you. It scares me. Telling you what I'm about to tell you scares me even more because I'm afraid that when I tell you you’re going to walk away, and I wouldn’t blame you.”

I sat quietly on the edge of my bed staring at him. I was trying to brace myself for whatever he was about to say next.

He continued, “For the last year Eva has been my escort to every function or event where I needed a date. She was like an unofficial girlfriend. We had s*x and we went out. I have never used the term girlfriend with any woman until you. I’ve never been in a relationship. There were no strings attached until the day I met you. I don’t want to see you with anyone else. My life has suddenly become complicated. Eva is pregnant. We weren’t exclusive so I can’t even say for sure whether it’s mine. However, I do feel obligated to be there for appointments and the birth. What if it is mine? My first child. I don’t want to miss anything because I'll regret it. I understand if you want to walk away. This is a lot to take on.”

He stopped talking and was staring off into nothingness.

“You’re right. This is a lot to take in. I know this isn’t the ideal answer for you, but can I think about this?”

He walked over and tucked a dark strand of my hair behind my ear and kissed my forehead.

“Take all the time you need. You know where to find me.”

With that he walked out the door and I was once again left alone with my thoughts. I wanted to be with Matti but dating a guy with a baby on the way was just asking for drama. What the hell was I going to do?

My first call. Malachi. He answered and I broke down. At first, he was upset and then he calmed himself down.

“That’s a lot of responsibility to take on. Dating a single parent is one thing but when the other parent is also still in the picture things can become complicated and just messy.”

“I know.”

“Is it worth it?”

“I’m asking myself that same question.”

“You know I'll support whatever decision you make.”

“I know. I’m just hoping I make the right decision.”

After I got off the phone with Malachi I felt better. I mean, I could walk away at any time, right? Did I want to do this? Yes, Yes, I Did! I called a cab and headed out the door into the crisp night air.