The Prince and the Frog

Pretending

Lynn:

When Peter left me standing alone in the middle of my living room I felt all my emotions once again rise to the surface. I swear ever since I‘ve returned home I have cried more than I did in the last 8 years. Walking to the front door I peered outside just when he raced out of the parking lot, seeing him leave like that made me release more tears. As I closed the door I sunk down onto the floor and buried my face into my palms. Why is he upset? He say’s I will never be a side piece but how does he not understand that is what he is making out to me? That by kissing me he made me a secret.

While I sat down I thought about the mess that has now become my life. I still love Peter that much is clear, and I’m not really sure about what he feels. He says he is sorry and wants to explain everything to me but when I gave him the opportunity he said nothing. To me he was making excuses just to sleep with me and no matter what I would not sleep with him. My whole life knowing Peter he hurt me more than I could imagine but I never once thought he would put me in this position. I guess I always thought I at least meant a little something to him. Today he just proved to me he was the same i***t who destroyed me all those years ago.

Deciding not to let that kiss dictate my life I forced myself off the ground and made the decision to forget about Peter and move on. Even though that was the most amazing kiss in my life I had to pretend it did not affect me. When I go out to dinner with Sergio tomorrow I will focus on him and only him. Feeling good about my choice I made my way back upstairs to my bedroom to change my soaked panties and spankies. Today was the start of something new and I was ready to embrace the change.

It was 3:30 pm by the time I pulled up to my parent’s house. I guess the time flew by as Peter and I worked on everything and I had to take another shower after he left me soaking wet and smelling like his cologne. Quickly double checking to make sure I no longer smelled like him I made my way out of my car and walked up the path towards the front door. Not bothering to knock I made my way inside to find my 3 sisters sprawled about on the couches. Sabrina and Natalee were sharing the big couch munching on hot fries and drinking Gatorade’s. Celeste was on the nearest love seat by me with Noe and Noah laying on top of her. They were so engrossed by the television that none of them turned around when I walked in. 

I loved my siblings so much, Celeste was married and had kids but still made time to come home on the weekends to spend time with the family. Sabrina was 24 years old and still lived at home with my younger siblings while she was finishing up her final year of college. I loved these moments with my family. Clearing my throat, I was able to gather my baby sister Natalee’s attention “Where is mama and daddy, Rosebud?” I asked her using her nickname.

“Dad took mommy shopping, they called a few minutes ago to say they will be home in an hour and dad will start cooking.” She answered before turning her attention back to the movie.

Looking around for the only person to get me out of my funk I noticed my brother was nowhere to be found “Where is my Jelly Bean?” I asked no one in particular.

“He went out with Kim,” answered my younger sister Sabrina.

I tried not to show how much I was upset when I responded “Oh that’s nice.”

“Awh is someone upset that her only brother doesn’t have time for her anymore?” Celeste tease. I bite back a swear word because my niece and nephew were here but it was difficult. Celeste always thought It was weird how close I was to our brother despite the age difference. A lot of people did honestly, but I swear when he was born me and him clicked and he has been my favorite sibling since.

Seeing that I wasn’t going to fight back with her Celeste changed the topic and asked “What did you get up to today?”

Shit okay maybe I should have fought back, because I did not want to talk Peter being at my townhouse.

“Nothing I just put together some furniture.” I said simply enough.

“By yourself? Didn’t you have like the tv stand, and end tables and dining room table to put together? Wasn’t that a bit heavy for you?” She shot question after question at me.

“Yup it was heavy but I got it done.” I quickly answered avoiding eye contact with her.

“Who was helping you Lynn?” She demanded.

I now had all my sister’s attention, rolling my eyes I admitted to her “Mom sent Peter to help.”

All my sisters stared at me with wide eyes, and I tried to avoid eye contact with each and every one of them, but the one I was scared to look at most was Celeste. 

“What was Peter thinking of going over there?” Celeste said mainly to herself “I told him to stay away.”

“What do you mean you told him to stay away?” I asked her.

“Nothing, I just told him to keep his distance from you.” 

“Why?” I demanded

“Why not? Why do you two need to be alone together?” she asked raising her voice a little.

“Rosebud go to your room for a bit and take the babies.” I said turning to my little sister.

Natalee got up without question picked up Noah and grabbed Noe leading them to her bedroom closing the door. She was 13 years old but I still didn’t like to have arguments or disagreements in front of her or Georgie. Sabrina stayed probably to be keep everything under control.

“Why is it a problem if Peter and myself are alone together?” I questioned her even though I knew the answer.

“Lynn don’t be all dramatic, y’all aren’t in high school anymore.” She said sharply.

“What the hell does that mean?”

“Do not start to cuss at me,” She narrowed her eye. “I meant that he is married now and it’s not appropriate for him to be alone with his ex-girlfriend.”

“I’m a grown women Marie, I know he is married and I won’t do anything to disturb that.” 

“I get you guys have a lot of history,” she started getting up, “but that’s what it is Lynn. IT’s history.”

As she walked out of the room I took a sigh, she was right. I could not relive my history with Peter, it already proved to be disastrous.

“She is right Lynn,” Sabrina’s voice spoke, startling me.

“Yes, I know but she does not have to have private discussions about me with Peter.” I responded.

“What else can we do Lynn? You just came back home and everything was fine before, now Peter is acting like an i***t and it’s because of you.”

Ouch that hurt. Did everyone blame me because of Peter? Does no one get that he hurt me first? How is he acting like an i***t?

“I didn’t mean it like that,” Sabrina said interrupting my thoughts “we are happy you are home, but things are different now Lynn. He is married and you just got divorced 3 months ago. You’re both different people now.” 

“Everyone acts like my main goal in coming back home was because of Peter, but I didn’t even know he was married. If y’all would have told me he was married and had more than one kid then I would have been better prepared. I would have been able to handle it better but y’all didn’t so now everything is hitting the fan and y’all are upset by the way I’m acting.”

Sabrina flinched when I spoke, I never once argued with my younger sibling but I was heated and continued “I did not ask Peter to come over mom gave him my address. I get y’all love Peter but I’m here too. I know I’ve been gone for 8 years and it’s hard to continue with our relationship but y’all still act like Peter is a f*****g Prince and I’m the Frog.” I finished by turning around and walking out the door. 

Peter:

The gym literally did nothing but fuel my fire. I was so focused on my weights and music blaring in my ears that I didn’t notice a figure standing be hide me in the mirror. 

“Hey man, you look pissed. Who got on your bad side?” 

“Hey Cisco" I said looking at my best friend Francisco.  “No one dude, just trying to focus on getting my gains.”

“Bullshit man, you usually call someone when you are coming to the gym but here I find you lifting without a spotter.” He shot back. 

He is right, I always ask him or Joe to meet up with me but I was not thinking. I just came straight here after leaving Lynn’s.

“What’s going man, you usually aren’t this careless?” Cisco asked with concern.

Taking a deep breath, “Lynn’s home.” I said looking down. 

“Yeah I know,”

Grabbing my attention, I looked up, “How do you know?”

“I’ve known Lynn the same amount of time as your dumbass, we are friends.” He said rolling his eyes. 

“So, she told you?” I asked narrowing my eyes.

“Yes, Peter she texted me she was coming home. She even invited me to her party but I couldn’t go since I had to work.”

I did not like the fact that he texted her, back then when I found out Lynn had Joe’s number I nearly lost it. I couldn’t say anything to her though because he was dating Celeste back then but Cisco texting her did not sit right with me at all.

“Dude don’t tell me you got a problem with us texting? She just got a divorce and I have a girlfriend who is pregnant by the way!” He reminded me.

I forgot about him becoming a dad and making me the godfather. I was upset for nothing; this Lynn thing was getting out of control and I could not get a damn grip on it.

“I’m sorry man, I’m spacing out these days.” I apologized to my friend.

“It’s cool, don’t know why though. Wanna talk about it?” 

“s**t man we aren’t going to sit down and talk about our feelings like some chicks, are we?” I asked laughing.

“If it comes down it, sure man.” He stated honestly, “Come on let’s go eat something.”

“Alright,”

As we sat across from each other at What A Burger waiting for our food I felt Cisco gaze on me. He and Joe knew how I felt about Lynn and always supported us. When they found out what I did they tried so many times to get me to go after Lynn and tell her everything, but I couldn’t. I knew back then I didn’t deserve her, I still don’t. I know they also tried to talk to Lynn for me but she was so upset she shut them down as soon as they mentioned my name. It was then I knew she would not come back for me.

“Talk to me man, what’s going on?”

“It’s Lynn man, you know I’ve been waiting 8 years for her to come back home so I can apologize and explain why I did what I did.” I said.

“Yeah and she is back so you can tell her. What’s the problem?” he asked.

“I saw her and I everything I wanted to say just vanished in my mind. I couldn’t focus on anything. She gave me the opportunity to explain and I just pussied out.” I said while putting my head in my hands.

“f**k dude… you still love her.” He said making me lift my head to look at him.

“Is it that obvious?”

“It always has been, no one ever said anything because you needed to find that out yourself.” Cisco stated.

“What do I do man?” I begged.

“What can you do Peter? We aren’t in High school any more and more people are involved. You got kids and are married! You either forget about Lynn or tell Carrie how you feel. I won’t pretend I like Carrie because I don’t but she is still your wife and you own it to her to be honest.” Cisco said while taking a sip of his drink. I didn’t even notice our food was down in front of us. I was suddenly not hungry.

“Man, you don’t know how bad I want to forget about her, I wish I would. I don’t know why I feel like this. Everyone said it was puppy love and when she left I was hoping it was true so I could focus on Carrie but everything major in my life that has happened I couldn’t help but think I should be going through it with Lynn.” I said feeling guilty.

“I don’t envy you whatsoever man.”

We finished eating in silence, Cisco letting me have a moment with my thoughts. As we finished eating and walked out to the cars he stopped me “How about me and Joe take you out for drinks tonight? That way you can clear your mind.”

“Man, maybe next time it’s game night tonight at Carmen’s.”

“Won’t Lynn be there though? Won't that be awkward?" He asked raising his eyebrow.

Sighing I answered, "No more then it already is."