18. Ian

Chapter 18

Ian

I sat in my car long after Hazel left. She’d sprinted out of here so fast that she didn’t even shut the car door. I reached across to close it.

I couldn’t even blame her for running away like that. I was just as freaked out by what happened as she was. We’d kissed and who knows what more would have happened if that car hadn't passed by?

My mind struggled to make sense of the whole situation. One minute we were yelling at each other and the next we were kissing. One minute I wanted to tear her hair out for being so annoying and the next I wanted to taste every inch of her soft skin.

The kiss played over and over in my head until it felt like I was reliving it. It felt like I was standing in front of that house with her in my arms, kissing her neck while she moaned my name.

I tightened my hand around the steering wheel of my car. I did my best to reign in my thoughts, but I couldn’t stop replaying the kiss. It was all I could think about. I was still parked outside of Hazel’s apartment building like a stalker.

When I was finally able to shift the memories of the kiss to the back of my mind, I pulled out of the driveway and drove home. I stepped out of the car and a chill ran down my back, reminding me that Hazel was still with my jacket.

I should have known better than to give it to her. That was taking things too far. It was one thing to save her from falling and a whole other thing to offer her my jacket. I should have known that it would make her suspicious. I’d never shown her that kind of kindness before and we’d known each other for over two decades.

Hazel immediately knew something was off when I did that. Telling her what my mom told me was another big mistake. All my mistakes took us down the path that led to us kissing. A path I never expected to go on.

In the two decades since I’d known Hazel, not once had we ever done anything like this. We could barely stand to be in the same room as each other so kissing was the last thing on our minds. We’d crossed into unfamiliar territory today and I just hoped we could get back to normal.

Fighting with Hazel was a lot safer than desiring her. Hating her was easier than wanting to kiss her and make love to her and—

I shook my head in a poor attempt to banish those thoughts. It was a wasted effort because I still kept thinking about her. Even when I closed my eyes to sleep later that day, Hazel was still the only thing on my mind.

The next day I woke up with a slightly clearer head. My memories of Hazel had managed to fade but the feel of her body pressed up against mine was still vivid. I tried to focus on my tasks for the day, but she remained a constant thought in my mind.

Even in the light of a new day, last night’s kiss was still like a fever dream. I couldn’t believe I’d kissed her and worst of all I actually liked it. More than liked it. I felt a deep need to do it again. I wanted to have her in my arms again. I wanted to take her lips and have her melt against me in a pile of moans.

A part of me felt strangely pleased with the fact that I’d been able to shut Hazel up for the first time in my life. For once, she didn’t have any snarky remarks to make because the only words that could come out of her mouth were incoherent ones. It was a stupid sense of pride, but I felt it anyway.

I also felt a need to avoid Hazel until the kiss was a distant memory. I spent the next two days avoiding all the places I knew she might go to and hoping that we wouldn’t run into each other at the grocery store or something.

In time, it became evident that Hazel was doing the same. She was going out of her way to avoid seeing me. It was what was best for both of us and we knew that. The plan to avoid each other was working perfectly until the evening of the third day when I received a call from Hazel’s mother.

“Mrs. Jones. To what do I owe the pleasure?” I asked when I answered the call.

“Hi, Ian. I wanted to invite you over for dinner at our house tomorrow night. I would just love to have you there.”

I couldn’t possibly say no to her. The woman had been like a second mother to me over the years. She came to every one of my games when I was in high school, and she always did what she could to support me. I may not get along with her daughter, but I’d do just about anything for Mrs. Jones.

“I’d love to.”

“Great!” she exclaimed loudly, forcing me to pull the phone away from my ear. “I’ll see you all tomorrow. This is going to be so much fun! It’ll be just like when you were younger. Hazel loved having you guys over.”

I was certain I’d misheard her. “Hazel will be there?” I knew it was her house but when her parents invited me for dinner, I thought it would be just me and them.

“Of course. Your mom and sister will also be there. Like I said, it will be just like old times!”

Seeing Hazel was the last thing I wanted to do, but I’d already agreed to dinner, and I couldn’t back out now. We would both just have to suck it up and act naturally around our families. “Sounds good.”

“Bye, dear. See you tomorrow.”

“I’m looking forward to it,” I said, doing my best to sound excited. I’d much rather stay home and drown myself in bleach, but it was too late. Mrs. Jones was expecting me tomorrow and I couldn’t let her down.

Three days had passed since I last saw Hazel. I should have gotten over the kiss by now. I should have forgotten what her lips felt like and how soft her skin was. I should have forgotten all of it.

But I hadn't.

Tomorrow’s dinner wouldn’t be easy.

***

I was the first to arrive at the Jones residence and honestly, I was grateful for that. It gave me time to organize my thoughts and prepare for the moment Hazel would arrive. I walked into the house with a bottle of wine and Hazel’s mom wrapped her arms around me in a warm hug.

“You didn’t have to bring anything dear,” she said when I handed her the wine. “But thank you.”

“You're welcome, Mrs. Jones.”

She shook her head at me. “I’ve told you to call me Wendy.”

“Old habits die hard, I guess.”

I followed her to the dining area where her husband was already seated. In true Wendy Jones fashion, the dining table was covered in beautiful flowers. There was barely any space for the food. She sure did love her flowers.

“Ian, my boy. How are you?”

I walked over to Mr. Jones and took a seat beside him. We spoke about sports, his business, and other random things while we waited for the rest to arrive. Hazel’s dad had always shown a keen interest in my career. He and his wife had been very supportive in the early days of my career. They also helped my mom when she struggled with my absence. It was my first time leaving home and it would be a while before I came back. My mom didn’t take it so well but the Jones’ were there for her.

There was a knock at the door. Mr. Jones stood up to answer it while I remained in the dining room. My mother and sister came back with him. “Oh, Ian. I didn’t know you were already here,” my mom said as she hugged me.

“You know he’s a stickler for punctuality,” Jade said.

“And you’re a stickler for lateness.”

Jade made a face at me, but she smiled when Mrs. Jones walked into the room. “Hi dear,” Wendy said. She opened her arms, and Jade practically ran into them. “You get prettier every time I see you.”

I scoffed and Jade glared at me. “Did we really have to invite him?” she asked. Wendy laughed in response.

Hazel was the last one to arrive. It was clear that we had different plans in mind. I wanted to get here on time so I could prepare myself for the moment we’d see each other. While she wanted to delay seeing me until the last possible moment.

I couldn’t help wishing she’d gotten here before me. Seeing her walk into the dining area in a floral print two-piece dress took my breath away. She looked stunning and in that moment, I found myself wanting to kiss her again. I felt my body gravitate towards her. A strong force propelled me out of my seat. Thankfully Jade spoke, and I snapped out of my trance.

“How are you late to dinner at your own house?” my sister asked as she stood up to hug her best friend.

“I just… I didn’t know what to wear.” Hazel’s response came out strained. Her eyes met my own before she hastily looked away. She offered Jade a wobbly smile and then followed her to the table where they took their seat.

It was at that moment that I realized I was still standing. Thankfully our parents were too busy talking to notice the awkward moment. I returned to my seat.

“Hazel. I didn’t see you come in,” my mom said. “How are you?”

“I’m good. Thank you. How’s the garden coming?”

“It looks wonderful. I cannot thank your mom enough for all her help.”

“No need to thank me,” Wendy said.

Wendy and my mom continued to discuss gardening tips while I spoke to Mr. Jones. Hazel and Jade were also having their own conversation. Every once in a while, we’d talk to someone else or the whole table would be engaged in a discussion about one topic. Through it all, Hazel and I managed not to speak to each other.

No one questioned it because they’d grown accustomed to the dynamics of our relationship. They knew I couldn’t stand here and that the feeling was mutual. At least all we were doing now was ignoring each other. Family dinners like this typically ended in an argument between the two of us so this was certainly a better alternative.

“Who is ready for dessert?” Mrs. Jones asked as she stood up.

I also stood. “I’ll get it.”

“Thank you, dear. The pie is in the oven.”

I nodded and walked into the kitchen. I was pulling the pie out of the oven when Jade materialized beside me. I almost dropped the pie because of her. “You’re going to give me a heart attack someday.”

“What is going on between you and Hazel?” she asked as she folded her arms.

“What are you talking about?” I decided it was best to feign ignorance. “You and Hazel haven't said a word to each other all evening.”

I couldn’t help rolling my eyes. “Yes, because we’re usually so chatty. I just love talking to her.”

Jade uncrossed her arms and pointed an accusatory finger at me. “You know what I mean! You too have never been this quiet around each other. By now, you would have gotten into a huge argument with her or at least you both would have said something insulting. I’m not saying I like to see you two argue but this is too suspicious. What’s going on?”

“Nothing,” I said as I shoved her finger out of the way and pulled out the pie.

“Tell me the truth, Ian. You’ve both been quiet all evening and you’ve been exchanging these weird glances and…” Jade’s voice trailed off and she gasped loudly. “Are you two seeing each other?”

My eyes widened in horror. “Absolutely not! I would never go out with a woman like that.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means your friend is a malicious person who goes out of her way to hurt people without caring about the consequences. And I would never date someone like that.”

Jade remained silent. I was surprised that she didn’t have anything to say but when I looked at her, I understood why. She was staring at the kitchen doorway with wide eyes. I followed her gaze, and I saw Hazel standing there.

The hurt in her eyes told me that she’d heard what I said about her. Without a word, she turned and walked away. Jade followed her while I stood there feeling like an idiot.

I knew coming to this dinner was a terrible idea.