I Woke Up in a Car

The next morning I woke up next to John. I was a little surprised but the smile that wiped over my face was one that was unmistakeable. I sighed as I groaned, my hand rubbing my eye as I crawled out of the bed, tip-toeing out of the room and then booking it down to the guest room. My phone was ringing and going nuts.

Aside from quickly changing into some pajamas and thinking about waking up next to John, I wasn't looking forward to the rest of my day. I grabbed the phone, three missed calls, and a text from Pastor Reyes. I checked the text message first, “Arianna, heard you got into a fight with Eric. Are things okay?” A pastor who checked in through text message, welcome to the 21st Century. I immediately texted back, “I am staying with a friend, Everything will be fine.”

I moved on, checking the calls. One from the Agency, two from Eric, one of which was angry. He sounded drunk. He sounded like Gene. The next one he was more apologetic, clearly more sober. He said he missed me. I didn't know if he was saying it to make me come back or not, either way, I figure I'd call him after I called the agency.

I headed downstairs to John's dining room, sitting at the table as I called the Agency. My boss answered and told me that Eric had called them and explained that I had some reservations and would like to work with someone else. That wasn't exactly true but, I was sure it sounded better than “I was drunk and pissed her off and threw her out.”

I politely asked for another rider and they said they had someone in mind. His name was Sammy Luebke and he was another Lib Tech rider. They asked when I could be to meet Sammy as he lived in a town called Truckee in California. I told them I hadn't a clue where it was (nor did I know exactly where I was). I told them that I'd be ready in a few hours, that I'd just got up and they could send directions to my phone.

John came down while I was on the phone and put his hands on my shoulders and a kiss to my neck. I swatted him away and laughed. He was crazy, but he cared about me in some way that no one ever had. I couldn't tell if he was just being a friend or if there was something else there, either way, it was at least fun.

John made us breakfast while I showered. We ate and then he showered. Once we were ready to go he took me into Reno and then back out to Truckee. We met this Sammy fellow for lunch in Truckee and I got to know him. He was easy going like John and we started making jokes and things just fell into place.

However, as Sunday came around, I still had nowhere to really live since Eric had asked me to leave. I had been calling places but no one seemed to have a place available immediately. I sighed as we rounded the corner into Eric's neighborhood. John had insisted on driving me back down, although I don't think we had a choice on that one. I didn't know what to do. I was going to end up back in my car.

I sighed and grabbed my bag out of the back to John's truck and started to drag it to the doorstep when John put his hand over mine and helped me lift it.

I let go and let John carry it to the first step. I looked up at him, “Thanks for this weekend. It was fun.” I said, smiling.

John smiled and looked down at me, “Yeah, It was fun. You should come hang after the season's over.” he said as I reached up to push a dread from his face.

I chuckled, “Oh my, if you party like he does, I don't know if I could handle it.” I said, inching a little closer to John when something caught the corner of my eye. I glanced over and saw Eric peering through the blinds in the window.

John smirked as he stepped closer, head tilting down towards me, “Party like him? Honey, I taught that kid everything he knows about how to party.” John said, leaning in to press a gently kiss to my lips, his fingers tilting my chin up.

I thought I could feel my heart stop beating in my chest and pound in my ears. My hand rose to John's chest as I pulled away, “I'll miss you.” I said, though, I wasn't sure if I actually said it or if it came out as I gasped for air.

John couldn't help but smile as he pulled away and rested his head on mine, “I'll miss you too.” John said, “But, it will be nice to come back to you after the season is over.” He said.

I furrowed my brows, “John, I don't live with you.” I said.

“But you could.” John paused, “If you want.” He said, “You don't have to move all your stuff in right away but, any time, my house is yours if you need a place to crash or re-charge. I'll hide a key under a potted plant outside for you.”

I leaned up to hug John tightly, I didn't know what to say, “John, this is so nice of you. Really, You don't have to do any of this, especially if it's cause of Eric.” I said.

John shook his head, arms wrapping around my waist, “Nonsense that this is because of my brother. He doesn't know what he's missing, he's just a kid.”

I chuckled and sighed, my eye catching the now-empty window in the house. “You should go.” I said, leaning up to kiss John's cheek, “It's a long drive ahead of you and I got some packing and settling to do with your brother.”

John and I said our goodbyes and I stood, watching him leave. I couldn't help but think, was John my first boyfriend? I mean, we didn't.. do anything but sleep together in a solely platonic way. I didn't know, but, I was sure keen on finding out. I sighed once John was out of the sight of the drive and turned to face the house with my bag.

Well, here went nothing.