Anyone would think a sunny and breezy day was the definition of perfection. Not today. Today she hated it. Melinda May had literally begged for it to be raining up a storm or snowing the sky off; maybe a little hurricane would have been a nice touch. She'd wished the climate would helpfully provide her the perfect escape from torture. But oh no, she had to get a clear sky that very day. Couldn't it had been last October, when she had to almost swim through the streets as cats and dogs poured from above during that book sign up she hadn't been able to avoid?
She huffed moodily. She had brought this upon herself; her and her big mouth. Phil was preparing for a big game and he had been talking about cycling through the park to blow off some steam, and somehow she had turned into a brainless zombie and offered to accompany him. She had immediately berated herself, but the words had been said. Phil's happy rambling had come through the phone, setting day and time enthusiastically. Good God, she was a writer! She had spent the last decade modeling her couch to her liking while making stuff up in her laptop.
So yeah, she was about to enter the deepest realms of pain and suffering. It was self explanatory digging up her long forgotten bike from the basement to have it fixed in a shop early that week so she'd be able to go riding on the weekend. Blast it! What she did to have a moment with that man. Being that adorable should be illegal.
Walking alongside her bike, she bit her lip. She had known Phil for a couple of months now. After having lunch with him that first time, they hadn't been able to stop talking. That was quite something when normally she had to be coaxed to breathe a word to anyone. But with him it was so easy! Phil had an amazing ability to make her feel comfortable, and in that state of mind it wasn't hard to share her thoughts; especially as he seemed so eager to hear them.
That lunch had been the first of many outings and meetings. Just last week, Phil had been playing once again with the kids in the park and she had been watching from under a nearby tree. His smile had been wide and honest, she could see he was really enjoying himself. Oh, she loved that smile. Really, she loved everything about him. Their time together had become her treasure, and every time they parted ways, she got this feeling of craving for more.
Which got her into this mess.
Stepping foot into the park, she stopped for a second and wrecked her mind to find the excuse that would take her out of this, the anguish constricted her chest. Problem was she liked him, really really liked him. It wasn't just about him being handsome. She had been taking peeks at him and his golden heart was winning her every day a little more. And she didn't want to be a disappointment.
Three years ago she had been all set to marry Andrew. Handsome, dark skinned, kind and charming Andrew. Ambitious too. He had been creating his own company, an accountant firm, and she had pulled everything she got to help him. It ended up turning into a competition: who got the greatest investors, the biggest clients, who accomplished goals quicker… It broke her insides apart. She became a rival and a liability, there was no way of winning on their game. Either she ran herself to the ground and got the deal done, and by so figuring as a threat in his mind; or she'd fail with her nonexistent people skills to bring them a new customer in, and the weight of his disappointment grew ever so heavier on her.
Her writing had been her refuge; her greatest novels had flourished under such stress, even with her writing time suffering quite a shortage. Writing was an unproductive activity to Andrew, and he hated reading. He had never once touched one of her books and had always made her feel like every award she won wouldn't be enough to compete with his greatness. And so, Andrew had done his best to extirpate the writing out of her, mocking her work with supposedly innocent remarks that had scorched a deeper wound every time.
Looking back now she could see how toxic their relationship had been: being looked at suspiciously as a threat or not feeling like she was ever enough. She was just a hand on his arm during the fancy balls and cocktails they had attended to. And how she had hated those dreadful things too!
And now here she was, not wanting to go through that ever again and yet flirting dangerously with the same scenario. Phil was a jock, competitiveness ran in his veins. There was no way she'd be able to go head to head with him, so being a disappointment was on her menu of the day. She hated it. After being hidden in her apartment for the last three years since breaking up her engagement, Phil had been the first thing to pull her out of her burrow and sincerely grab her interest. He was sweet and funny, but Andrew had been charming too at the beginning. Phil being nice so far meant nothing. She had learnt so the hard way.
Suddenly, she narrowed her eyes. She was not going back to being stepped on. It had taken her three years to mend her heart and mind, and she wouldn't let anyone take that away. Andrew had almost erased who she was, but she had managed to rescue herself on time. She was a strong intelligent woman and if Phil didn't like that, then he had it coming. She'd not hide who she was anymore.
Walking to the tree they had agreed to meet on, she saw him taking a swing of his water bottle before strapping it to his bike. He was wearing his baseball uniform, though his shirt was unbuttoned and unfolded and made him look relaxed and approachable.
-Hi!- Phil greeted her cheerfully, kissing her cheek.
-Hi.- May said tensely, the smell of his aftershave didn't work its usual mesmerizing charm.
Phil looked at her analytically for a second, but quickly switched to a happy face.
-So, I was thinking we could go through the woods. This park is huge, but that route will give us a pretty view very quickly.-
-Sure.- May answered neutrally. She'd be dying from exhaustion in no time.
-Okay.- Phil's eyebrows crooked.- Let's warm up, shall we?-
Once they were ready, they climbed to the bikes and May took the lead. Pedaling decisively, she headed to the bikeway Phil had suggested.
It took her less than five minutes to begin to feel it in her legs, but she refused to back down from the challenge. She wouldn't allow any weaknesses in herself. She began to pay closer attention to the scenery to be able to keep going. It truly was beautiful, but still, she was busy dying.
-So, I was wondering if you'd ever written short stuff. I mean, I've read your novels and they're absolutely great, but I keep wondering if you have short tales in your arsenal. I've heard some writers find it easy to write long novels but struggle with short tales. I'm sure you can swing both though. So, do you have some?-
Phil attempted to stir a carefree conversation, trying to relax her, but he was looking at her quite worriedly. May, however, stubbornly refused to ask for a break.
-Yeah.- May panted painfully, legs cramping.- micro-shots, even. One paragraph stories.-
-That's so cool! Have you published some? I'd love to read those.- Phil enthused.
And May began to feel the hate. Phil effortlessly kept the pace she had set, but she wouldn't be able to hold it for long. Her legs were screaming bloody murder and her sides were about to burst. Even thinking hurt by now.
-OOOUCH!- Phil yelled.
He made an emergency stop on the side, a deep grimace in his face as he squeezed his right calf. May threw away her bike a few paces ahead, and ran to him.
-What happened?- she panicked.
-I think I pulled something.- Phil groaned, his jaw tightening.
-Oh, God. You have a big game coming, we need to get you to a hospital.- May said stressfully.
-No, no; don't worry. I think I can walk it off.- Phil said forcefully, testing his foot on the ground.
-Walk it off? You're kidding! You're hurt, you're only going to make it worse!- She replied worriedly.
-It's okay, this happens all the time. Come on, let's just walk.- Phil picked up his bike and hopping a little, he began to walk.
-Phil, this is stupid, we should be running to the closest doctor right now.- May said, as she anxiously walked by his side. He continued to carefully hop.
-It's okay, really. I know my way around muscles, this is nothing to worry about.- Phil said confidently.- so, have you published one-shots or tales?-
-I have not, but don't change subjects. I have my phone right here, we can call whoever tends to these things in your team.-
-I'll call him later, if that'll please you. Right now I just want to enjoy this glorious morning with you.- Phil grinned, carefully taking weight out of his foot.
-Phil, I'm serious.- May full stopped walking there and looked him straight in the eye; his gorgeous blue eyes that had that ridiculously cute twinkle when accompanied by his smile.
-I'm fine, I promise.- Phil said comfortingly, cautiously grabbing her hand and giving it a soft squeeze.
May bit her lip.
-If it gets any worse, we make the call.- she declared seriously, carefully switching her hand to hold his more firmly.
Phil smile broadened, feeling her hand in his. It was the first time they held hands and it felt great.
He was about to say something to her, when high voices interrupted them.
-Mr. Phil! Mr. Phil!- two kids excitedly called.
They seemed to be around 8 and 10 years old, and both of them wore baseball caps and a baseball glove in their left hands. The older boy had long straight auburn hair, while his younger brother's short hair sported a darker shade.
-Oh, hi, kids!- Phil greeted them enthusiastically.
-Mr. Phil, we couldn't come to play last weekend. You think you could play with us today, please?- the oldest boy asked.
-Please, Mr. Phil.- the youngest begged.
Phil slightly bent over to be at their eye level.
-I'd love to, kids, but I'm not on my own today. It'd be disrespectful.- Phil said kindly.
-Is that your girlfriend?- the older boy mocked, his companion giggled.
-I'm working on it, so don't ruin this for me.- Phil answered quietly, a mischievous smile forming. May couldn't help but smile as well, between pleased and bashful.
-Please, Mr. Phil. We had to go to the doctor last weekend.- the eight year old said sadly.
Phil hesitated for a second.
-Alright. I'll play catch once with each of you, but then I have to go, okay?- he said, an eyebrow up.
The boys nodded and laughed happily as they scooted away a few paces. Each one got to pitch and catch once, but then Phil bid them good bye.
-Okay, guys, I'll see you next month, okay?- Phil bumped fists with each boy.
-Thank you, Mr. Phil!-
-Goodbye!-
Though both boys started to leave, the younger one hesitated. Very quickly, like a true ninja, he wrapped his arms around Phil's middle and then ran away, barely giving Phil a change to place a hand on the boy's head.
Phil couldn't help but smile amused, but when turning to May his expression dyed with guilt.
-Sorry about that.-
-It's okay.- May grinned, heart secretly melted into a sugary pool of goo.
Seeing him walk towards her, May had to crook and eyebrow herself.
-You know, now that I think about it, I saw you playing and walking quite well, no pain whatsoever.-
Phil seemed to panic over this, completely brain froze.
-I…- he stuttered, and gulped heavily. May had crossed her arms crooked an eyebrow expectantly.
-IsawyoutiringandIdidntwantyoutogethurtI'msorrypleasedontkillme.- he blurted. May frowned.
-Come again?- She asked confusedly.
-I said...- Phil huffed at himself frustrated.- I said I saw you tiring and I didn't want you to get injured. I'm sorry I scared you but I couldn't find a better way to get you off that bike without hurting your feelings. It's just… You didn't seem happy to me.-
May's eyes widened, completely star struck. She couldn't identify the feeling at first, it took her a minute, but then she basked on it. No competition, not being a failure; just being cared for.
Placing softly her fingertips in his cheek, she tip-toed and sweetly kissed him. Slowly, tenderly, he kissed her back. She had never been kissed like that, with so much care and adoration. She tried to convey just how much he cared for him too. His hands had first grasped her hips, but then they had moved to her lower back, pressing her to him as they kissed each other to oblivion. A tiny moan emerged from his lips as her hands caressed his hair, and he could feel her smile forming then.
-So, this means you wouldn't be adverse to stop being single with me?- Phil whispered with his eyes half closed, not quite leaving her lips.
-You dork.- May smiled and she started another kiss, making him weak on the knees.
Giggles near them broke them apart, finding the culprits spying on them amusedly.
-Hey, I told you to beat it!- Phil said, still holding her close. The supposedly gone boys quickly took off running again. He shook his head.- God, this kids!-
Caressing softly the hair in the back of his head, May effectively called his attention by nuzzling her nose to his. Forgetting all about his indignation, Phil kissed her again with a smile of his own.