Remembering Harry's cardinal rule of not pissing off a female in your own home. In the event she starts feeling destructive. He's mindful about his answer, as he replies, "I'm so sorry. I didn't respond because I just woke up. I was so tired after I left the gym, after showering I passed out."
She gives him a look as if she's analyzing his face. He feels like he's being interrogated, but she's only made one statement and hasn't asked a single question, other than to enter the condo.
The awkward silence ends as she responds, "Well, I'm glad you're okay. It's disappointing you didn't show up though. I was hoping we could hang out." He replies, "I know. I can't apologize enough for standing you all up. That wasn't my intention. To make it up to the group; next time, the first round of alcoholic beverages and food are on me."
She smiles at him, but he can tell that's not exactly what she had in mind. Nonetheless, she takes it anyway. As she responds, "Good deal. I am going to hold you to that."
Grateful she accepts his response; he nods as he says, "I'm good for it. I promise." She agreeably smiles and nods as she replies, "We shall see about that. I'm going to get going. But, enjoy your meal, and have a nice night."
He gets up to walk her out, and when they meet at the door. He opens it for her, and she walks through it. But she turns to him as she says, "You have my number. Don't be afraid to use it sometime; for the record, I don't need to travel in a group."
He feels put on the spot and at first he doesn't know what to say, but manages to utter, "Good to know. Thanks for checking up on me. I appreciate it." She gives him a smile, but he can see in her eyes once again, it's probably not the response she wanted. But, she says, "You're welcome. Bye." He nods as he closes the door and replies, "Bye."
After she leaves he returns to his stool to finish eating; but as he eats, he thinks about what just happened. About ten minutes later as he's finishing his snack; his thoughts are disturbed by the sound of the door opening, and when he looks down the hall he sees it's Harry and Drew.
They come into the kitchen as he finishes his salad, and Drew says, "There he is. The jilter." Harry curiously adds, "Man, what the hell happened to you? Did you hook up with your conquest from last night again? Because otherwise, it was lame for you to skip out on us bro."
Fitz grins as he says, "My bad fellas. I fell asleep after I showered. And I just woke up. I would've called you back, but I figured you were on your way home anyway."
Both Harry and Drew look at each other and then back at him as Harry replies, "Man, that must have been that good, good. If you passed out 9 hours later." Fitz shakes his head as they all chuckle and Drew pats Fitz on the back as he replies, "It's always good when you're doing the walk of shame in the morning with a smile."
Harry grins as he responds, "That's a fact. But you didn't drop any details this morning. What's up?" Fitz nods as he turns toward them and says, "Okay. What do you want to know?" Drew asks, "The basic info. You know the drill." He takes a breath and rubs his hands together as he replies, "Okay. So, after we played ball last night. I was kind of in my head about Mellie. Just thinking of how to free myself from that weird spot I was in mentally." Drew compassionately replies, "That's understandable. You've been light weight consumed with her for almost half your life."
Fitz nods as he says, "Tell me about it. Anyway. I'm chilling in bed close to midnight and I get a text. It's innocent. But, after a few back and forth messages, she invites me to come over and I accept. I mean it's not like I was going to sleep. My mind was pretty wired."
Harry then says, "Awe yeah. Here comes the good part." They all laugh as Fitz continues, "Right. So, I get there. And to be honest. I didn't plan on anything happening. We'd hung out before platonically, late at night and just chilled in the past. But, I figured if anything was going to go down; I'd know pretty quickly, once I got there."
Inquisitively Drew asks, "So this is someone you've known for a minute? Is it somebody we know?" Fitz tries not to give it away. Instead he replies, "Yeah you've seen her before, and probably would know her name if you saw her. Because she went to high-school with us. But, I'm not giving her name. It's not like we're a couple."
Harry agreeably responds, "I feel you man. Names aren't important. Hey Matlock, can you let him finish the story please?" They all share a laugh, admittedly that remark was funny. And, Drew replies, "My bad man. Go ahead."
Fitz agrees to continue. But he sees Drew's brain is still churning, trying to identify the name. So he knows he will have to alter the details a bit more to keep him guessing. Thus far the description is safe. There are tons of women on their college campus from their high-school. And, because he had lots of female friends back then; trying to figure out who it was would be almost impossible.
Fitz continues as he responds, "So again, I get there. And, like I said. I was going to take any cues from her as to how the visit was going to go. She opens the door and she's friendly and dressed like she was chilling. Leggings and a shirt."
Harry rolls his eyes as he replies, "Damn. No real clues from that." Fitz nods, as he says, "exactly." He's being intentionally vague about the description of what she wore. He recalls exactly how her leggings hugged her curves. And how her perky, bra-less breasts, teased him through her tight fitting, V-necked top causing an instant erection for him. Then there was her shameless flirting, taking it over the top. In his head, he's reliving the moment and smiling. She looked dammed good, too good, and felt even better. That's not something they need to know though. So, he leaves it out.
Despite how much he enjoyed their time together; he manages to hold in his excitement, without slipping too far down the rabbit hole of reminiscing, as he details the moment. And he stays present to finish the story. Anyway, I get inside, and at first we are just chilling out. Talking and catching up. No big deal. It's a good visit. We share allot about our current situations, she's actually going through something too. So, we're supporting one another with encouraging words, you know. And, in the end, I thought it was going to be another chill back visit, like in times past. But, I was wrong. Because, when I got ready to leave, as it began raining a bit later. She asked me to stay, and well. I ended up doing the walk of shame this morning."
Harry grins and cheers his buddy as he exclaims, "Hell yeah. That's my dude. It had to feel good to get that monkey off your back man." He nods in agreement as he replies, "Yeah. It did. And, I haven't thought about Mel or even said her name till now. It's like a purging happened, you know?"
Drew nods and claps as he responds, "Yeah. That's exactly what happened. You cleared your head, and focused your energies elsewhere in a healthy way. That's what's up man. I'm proud of you for moving forward." Harry agrees as he adds, "Me too man." Fitz smiles as he responds, "'Thanks guys. I appreciate it. It's been a long time coming."
Harry nods as he says, "Indeed it has. So are you going to see this new chick again?" He pauses as he replies, "I'm not sure. We haven't talked about dating or what it all means. I think we're just sort of playing it by ear. Nothing too serious right now."
He nods as he replies, "Sounds good my dude. No need to jump into anything right now. Live and be free. Enjoy life and all of the opportunities to do so." They all laugh, knowing Harry's penchant for bedding as many woman he can at any given time.