Chapter 3 No.2

ABBY

I halt. My brows crease. "What?"

"I said I have a date tonight." He didn't look at me in the eyes.

As soon as the words came from his mouth, my eyes grow big in surprise.

"Oh, wow! My God, my best friend is dating. I mean, you start dating. That's good news. I'm happy for you." I put down my pizza, pull him into a hug.

"You're going on a date tonight with a woman. Do I know her? What is she like? I mean I'm sure she's pretty. How did you two meet? When did you replace your condom in your drawer? I'm sure they're expired two years ago. Do I need to leave before you come home? Or do I just need to pretend I'm sleeping and wear a headset?" I grin like an idiot.

"Silly. You're so funny. Did you check that I have a condom on my nightstand? I'm not getting laid tonight, Abby, and it's our first date. Jeez, you're far too excited than me." He crunches his nose, and I can see the glimmer in his eyes.

"Why not? Why torture yourself until the third date when you're both attracted, duh!" I roll my eyes.

He laughs. "Jeez, Abby. Not everyone went out on a date just to have sex. Of course, when you're serious about dating her, you can wait until you both are ready, so start on getting to know each other first."

I'm already on my second slice of pizza, and it's nice to eat directly from the box. No hassle.

Rich people like to make their life so difficult.

"Isn't it most men think sex like every seven seconds?" I inquire and laugh at my question.

I add, "So, you're really serious with this one and not just a fling or maybe a one-night stand or a one week in heaven?"

Andrew dated girls but not too serious. I didn't even get a chance to meet anyone he dated, and that was over a year ago, then he stopped dating all of a sudden. The reason? I don't know.

He snorts. "She's different, Abby, and I like her. I met her last week. She's our new client. I happened to be the one who installed the security system in her apartment. She's beautiful. I even follow her to the grocery store like a crazy stalker."

Andrew works at a security agency for three years now, but I didn't meet his co-workers yet. He said they would just hit on me.

"How different? Like so tall, blue skin, yellow eyes, with tail, and says I see you," I mimic Neytiri, but fails miserably. I love that movie.

He laughs again and sips his soda. See, he even laughs at my lame joke. We always choose the same movie to watch, even a crappy rom-com-no arguments.

"I better go get a shower. Enjoy your dinner, Abby." He kisses my head and tickles my side with his huge fingers before he bolts out of the kitchen.

I narrow my eyes and yell even my mouth is full. "I will kill you! You know I'm ticklish, you dick!"

"Where are your manners, young lady? Did you just say "dick"? Such a filthy mouth. I'll tell your mom not to send you copies of the book she'll purchase!" he warns me.

"Don't you dare, asshole! You know Mom always listens to you, and I'll spray pepper to all of your boxers if she's not gonna send me copies."

He doesn't look amused. He presses his lips together before he says, "I'll really spray pepper in your mouth right now if you'll keep calling me names, Abbygail!" He comes back and tickles me. "That. Is. Not. So. Nice. Coming. From. You're. Mouth. Young. Woman."

I fall from my seat and try kicking him off, but he's too big than me with his six feet and two inches tall, wide shoulders and all muscles. He goes to the gym every day as his therapist has suggested, and he was already in good shape before he even started.

"Leave me alone, Andrew Clayton Tennings!" I laugh so much that I almost pee in my shorts.

"Say it again, and you'll see if I'm joking!" he warns me again, and I know he's true to his words. He treated me like his little sister he'd never had. He threatened everyone who tried hitting on me. He even said that they just want to get into your panties, and I know that looks, Abby. Stay away from those types of men. They're all assholes.

"You're the one who taught me every name. They're all in my head, now, and you're blaming me?" I can't just stop laughing.

"I have to shower before my date think I'm ditching her."

I'm still sitting on the floor, wiping my tears before he walks to his room. "Fine. You'll be late anyway!"

After almost an hour, he comes out of his room and walks to me to our couch.

"Well, look at you. All well cleaned up. You look good, and you're definitely getting laid tonight." I raise my hands to surrender. "Oops... sorry. I mean you're definitely getting a second date."

He rolls his eyes. His curly brown hair is slightly disheveled in a stylish way. His blue eyes glimmer. There's a little-crooked on his nose from a fight, but it gives him a better look.

He looks handsome with his button-down blue shirt that fits perfectly with two buttons open that show a little hint of his well-defined chest. Both sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and he matches it with dark fitted jeans.

"Hmm. Behave at home, okay? Lock the door behind me, Abby. If you need anything, I mean anything calls me immediately." He never forgot to remind me every day when he found out what happened to me three years ago.

"Ugh. Just go, and I'll be fine. I won't wait for you. I need to wake up early for my exams tomorrow, remember?" I wave my hand to shoo him away.

"Okay. I have to go. I love you, sweetie."

"Enjoy your date and good luck, I love you too, Drew." After kissing my head, he walks out and locks the door after him.

I go to my bed and tuck myself in my blanket. I call Dad, but he doesn't answer. I call my mom, and it goes to her voicemail. I guess they're still on their honeymoon. I close my eyes, hoping to get good sleep without interruption.

***

I wake up in the morning just a minute before my alarm. I check my phone, only a message from my best friend, and still no call from my parents.

I reply to Drew.

Abby: missed you already. Thanks for not waking me up. Got a good sleep.

A few seconds later, he texts back.

Drew: Glad to know you slept well. Missed you too, sweetie. Don't your breakfast before you go to school. Tc.

Abby: Don't forget the details of your date. I'll have my breakfast. No messages from Dad and Mom. Did they call you?

Drew: No, sweetie. They didn't. They're probably enjoying their trip. Or no cell service. Be patient. Gtg. Luv u.

Abby: Maybe. Luv u 2. Tc.