Topsy Turvy Kinda Love
brushes littering it, dump out my ashtray, and pick up the clothes littered throughout my house.I get up and slowly meander my way toward her front door. I need to get away, and I hope my retreat isn’t noticed. But Zara being her know it all self, reads it all for what it is.
“You’re heading out already?”
“Yeah, got some errands to run before Brooks comes.”
“Yeah, definitely do it before he comes.” She laughs with a wink.
“Don’t be gross, I just have some things to do.”
“Lies, you’re off to go clean-up for the new roomie, aren’t you?”
A shiver runs through me and I let my imagination about what happens next run wild. “So, sue me.” I don’t even bother hiding my smile about it this time.
It’s been a slow day. A few college kids started filling in around lunch time and grabbed some food. In the afternoons, the bar is quiet. Study sessions are held in corner booths. Chatter is continual. Zara’s been working with me today. We don’t talk much because I’m not sure how to take her. She’s a lot like Mia, but she also isn’t afraid to go down the perverted train. It’s still weird talking about such things out loud without reproach from anyone.
The hum of the music bleeds through the speakers, and I whistle along with the song. My eyes find the clock and I can’t help but think about how a certain someone will be coming in to work soon. I’ve been messing with drink recipes and ideas but haven’t come up with anything that jives just yet. I reach for another shot glass and start filling it, thankful that after a year, I’ve finally managed to learn how to make decent tasting drinks. It was an uphill battle, but I’d say it paid off.
I don’t even realize I’m overpouring the shot until Willie, an old bar patron, clears his throat across the bar. “You’re wasting all that good alcohol on a bar that ain’t gonna appreciate it as much as I will.”
“Uh…” I look down and realize that the shot glass is in a puddle of whiskey. I’d over poured so much that it was spilling off the side of the bar and onto the floor. “Shoot.” I grab some napkins and try to soak up the alcohol. When did he get here?
I catch Willie’s laugh. “You got a girl on your mind?”
“Yeah, you could say that.” He caught me thinking about Mia.
“Wait, you into that weird haired chick that works nights here, huh?”
“How’d you know that?”
“I got eyes, boy. Your eyes follow her around like you’re in dire thirst, and she’s going to provide the rainstorm you so desperately need. I get it. Used to be that way myself a long, long time ago. You get to asking her out on a proper date yet?”
“Nope, not yet. I’m actually planning on becoming her roommate, so I’m not entirely sure where that leaves us.” My eyes dart between Willie and the bar top.
He whistles. “Woo-wee, you got some balls, son.”
My eyebrow quirks. “Why ya say that?”
“She’s a fiery one, that girl. She’ll chew you up and spit you out before you even get a chance to breathe. Very much an act first, talk later type of person. You don’t seem as outgoing, boy. Haven’t had a chance to talk to ya much. Not sure where you grew up, but it’s clear it wasn’t around here. She’s going to need a man that can stand up to her. That ain’t afraid to tell her what you think. Someone that doesn’t easily bend to her every whim. She’s got a fine ass to go with all that sass. I’m just thinking you need to be ready.”
“So, what do you recommend I do?”
“Well, where do you stand with her? Is this a roommate’s only situation or do you think she wants more?”
I shrug my shoulders because I have no idea. We haven’t talked about it other than her mention that we’re both single. “I’m not sure.”
“Do you want to rock the boat by dating your roommate where if things go wrong, your potential home could be in jeopardy, or do you want to play it safe and wait on the sidelines pining for her and hoping she doesn’t find someone else to love?”
Charlie snorts loudly, clearly eavesdropping on our conversation. “Kid called dibs on her the first day he saw her. You here that day, Willie? Man it was a sad sight for sore eyes… He wants to rock the boat.”
I don’t dispute any of it. She’s been mine for over a year, except she doesn’t technically know it yet. I get a bitter taste in my mouth when I think about how much I want her to be mine. What am I going to do? I want to move in with her to be closer, but I have no idea where this leaves us. We’re both single, and she’s hinted she’s down for whatever, but sometimes I can’t tell when she’s bs-ing me or not. I feel like I know nothing about the woman. That’s probably because it’s true.
Willie nods. “Sure was, and he’s still entranced by her, it appears.”
Charlie chuckles. I kick the bar in front of me, not wanting to think about the truth of it.
“It’s okay, son, I think she likes ya. If she didn’t, she wouldn’t sass you so much. What is it they say… wouldn’t pick on ya if I didn’t like ya?”
Charlie pipes up. “Yep, that’s it. No doubt about it.”
“Yeah?” A flicker of hope lights up that one tiny word. It’s a weird feeling thinking about her. I get tingles under my skin that radiate. Take my man card now.
Willie shoots the shot I re-poured earlier after the spill and wipes his mouth. “Give it time, she’ll be all over ya. Treat her like a lady, turn on that swoony charm I know you have. Bada Bing. Bada Boom.”
I look away, trying not to