Texas Was You

I checked my reflection one last time before I decided to go next door. I had no idea what had gotten into me, but I was enjoying it while it lasted. I fish tail braided my hair down over my right shoulder. The blonde and brown mixing, giving it a cool effect. I slipped in to a flowy purple lace back tank top that showcased my small frame and large breasts. I switched my black lounge shorts for a pair of Hollister denim shorts, they complimented my toned legs and tattoo. I had even done my make-up, a smoky eye with a hint of purple to make my dark brown eyes pop. I had to say, I impressed myself. I quickly snap-chatted my best friend back home saying wish me luck. I shoved my feet into my purple Converse, but knowing myself, I would ditch the shoes as soon as I made myself comfortable. I hated shoes, if it was socially acceptable to never wear shoes, I would not own a single pair.

I inhaled deeply. I had to go now or I would psych myself out and not go. I grabbed my keys and left. I intentionally left my phone in my apartment so I would not be tempted to hide behind it all night. Also, I am just four steps away from my door if I absolutely needed it.

I knocked on Jay’s door, and from the time I knocked to the time he answered felt like an eternity. I questioned my sanity, wondered if Netflix would send help because they noticed I was not watching anything tonight. I felt I had enough time to answer the question of life. Alright, I get it, I am super nervous and the butterflies and sweaty palms would not let me forget it.

"Caty! I’m glad to see your date fell through!" Jay smiled as he stepped aside so I could walk in. His apartment was exactly like mine but reversed and had guests in it.

"Everyone, this is Caty, my neighbor." All eyes were on me. I’m 27 years old and I felt like I was back in elementary school in front of the class for show and tell, but I was the object, not the presenter.

"Caty, this is Matt, Val, and Zack," Jay pointed to each one of them as he said their name. "What would you like to drink? We’ve got plenty of beer. Make yourself at home."

"Uh," I stammered out, I was not that big of a beer drinker, "Miller Lite?" I answered with more of a question. Jay nodded as I made my way to an empty spot on the couch by the man whose name was Matt. He stuck his hand out to shake mine, his arm heavily tattooed, just like the man sitting on the other couch.

"Nice to meet you Caty, I’m Matt as Jay just said."

"Hi Matt, nice to meet you too." Matt looked at me with a cocked eyebrow, as I shook his hand, my face instantly blushing again.

"Where are you from?" My eyes widen as he asked this oh so hated question.

"San Antonio, Texas. Let me guess, I have an accent." Matt nodded yes. I thought I had finally mastered the art of covering it up because people no longer asked me about it. But I guess I had either let it slip out of nervousness or I was not all that good at covering it up.

"Caty, you never told me that." Jay handed me my beer as he munched on a slice of pizza and sat down at the opposite end of the couch from the other man.

"Well, you never asked," I tried my hardest to hide my accent this time.

"Caty, this is my wife, Val," he put his arm around a thin blonde bombshell as she reached across him to shake my hand. I mumbled a ‘nice to meet you’ as I looked at her, her hazel eyes mimicking her smile. She was downright beautiful, any guy would be lucky to have her. Yet, she is sitting her with this heavily tattooed man. Though the more I looked at him, the more I realized how attractive he was, even without all the tattoos he would have been attractive. His brown eyes were a beautiful shade, and when he smiled dimples appeared on his cheeks. I saw the way he looked at her when they were talking, the more I look at them, the more I realize they were perfect for each other.

"So how long have you been in California?" Zack asked from the kitchen. He had gotten up to get himself another beer. He was the one who knocked on my door.

"Almost two years now. It’s not Texas, but I like it here."

"Why did you come here?" Val smiled at me.

"Uh, my ex-fiancé came here to play realtor. We broke up almost a year ago, but I don’t want to move back home yet." I said quickly to change the subject.

"I’m sorry to hear that," Val offered a genuine smile.

I chugged the rest of my beer. This was awkward and I quickly regretted my decision on coming over here. Matt, Val, and Jay had gotten up to go smoke a cigarette on the patio, given our complex had a strict no smoking in the apartments rule. I had gotten up to get myself another beer; I needed something to loosen up some, something I could fiddle with. Zack was still standing in the kitchen eating.

"Well it’s nice to officially meet you Caty." Zack said as he leaned against the counter, inspecting his pizza to see where to take the next bite.

"Yeah, nice to meet you too. Sorry about earlier if I came off a bit hostile. You interrupted my cooking." I said with a smile. It was hard to look him in the eyes. His emerald eyes seem to look deep in to my soul, and I did not like it.

"Oh really, what were you cooking?"

"Spaghetti."

"Was it any good?"

"I don’t know, someone interrupted me and then I changed my plans for the night." I said being honest and instantly regretting it. Zack’s eyes sparked with curiosity.

"Changed your plans? Jay said something about a date when you came in. Why would you change that over me interrupting you?" He said playfully, which made me laugh.

"Well, the date was with my couch and Netflix. We have a great ménage a trios going on. Then you knocked on my door, and I just had to come over." There I go again, being brutally honest. What kind of black magic spell did he cast on me?

"That was…" He searched for the right word, "truthful."

"Yeah, sorry. I don’t get out much, and apparently have forgotten how to talk to non-coworkers." Zack smiled. He was about to say something when the three came in from the patio to ask if we were down to go to a bar and shoot some pool. We agreed.

Notes

Well guys, chapter two. I hoped you liked it. Feed back is much appreciated as alway :)

-ForAVengeance