The past couple of weeks have been… challenging? It is the best word I can come up with to describe it. Moving to Miami and in with Callie was easy-peasy. Just like we clicked right from the start, we appear to be a perfect match when living together. Both of us despise chaos, we pick up after ourselves and everything that we own, individually and together, has its certain spot. Even my moving boxes had their own little nook inside the loft until we will finally move to our new home. Yes, we found a house. It sits in a beautiful, private area, and there to a small patch of a private beach that comes with it. Callie fell in love with it the moment she saw the kitchen and then the master bedroom. After the papers had been signed, my girlfriend had arranged everything else; from a moving company to a little get-away vacation for us so we won't be right inside the hustle when it happens – which is in twelve days. Sometimes it is still hard to believe that this is my life now, that she is part of my life, and I am part of hers.
I never unpacked most of my boxes to begin with, just the necessities that I need while living here. So, why I am struggling, right? I should be thrilled, over the moon happy. And I am, when my girlfriend is home. But when she is at work, I don't really know what to do with myself. Don't get me wrong. I was so over that long distance relationship and I thoroughly enjoy being here. Guess I am just bored. Callie told George to drive me wherever I wanted to go, but I don't have any friends here, yet, and following the gorgeous actress around like a lost puppy is not an option for me.
College does not start for another nine weeks, and so far I couldn't find a job either. Callie keeps telling me that I do not need a job and that I can keep my focus on my studies, but that is exactly what I do not strive for. I do not want to live off my lover's money and I am very adamant about that. So adamant, that we had our first 'big' fight about it one night. Not big enough to go to bed angry or hurt, or sleep in different rooms. But big enough to slam a door or two. In the end, we compromised. If I cannot find a job or can't manage both, studying and working, I will allow her to help me. But as long as I can make my own money and keep up with college, Callie will not interfere. Which is really all I am asking for.
The second my back hits the left of the towel-covered lounge chairs in the backyard that belongs to our current home, I close my eyes behind the sunglasses, shielding them from the sinking, red glowing, Miami sun. My body adjusted better and quicker than my brain – that is, as long as it is covered in a profuse layer of sunscreen – and the wet skin absorbs the remaining sunlight. I have to admit though, being able to swim a few laps in Callie's pool whenever I want to is an amazing way to spend some time. It is a nice workout as well, definitely keeps me in shape. You're treating muscles you have neglected for years, Robbins.
Callie's work schedule has picked up to some crazy hours. Not every day and not both days of the weekend, but as the deadline moves closer, my girlfriend's working hours grow longer. And don't let me forget about night shoots. They are usually more towards the end of the week, which makes sense, I suppose. Just, some nights, when I cannot wait up until the gorgeous brunette comes home, it feels like we are somehow still in a long distance relationship. Even though Callie slips under the covers and cuddles close to me most nights or early mornings, it is not what I have envisioned when I moved out here. Today she left before I was even up. I am not complaining, it is what the hot Latina does for a living – and she's so damn good at what she does – I just miss her. On top of that, the anniversary of Tim's death is in two days and being alone is not helping with the grief I still feel. "I wish you could see me here, Tim", I say out loud into the early evening air.
The buzzing of the phone on the small table next to me grabs my attention. I dry my hands and I pick it up, hoping that it is a small text from Callie. It's not, it's from Teddy. I sigh. There is no shame in missing your best friend and the 'coffee dates' you shared.
- Have you seen this? -T
Huh? Have I seen what? I click on the link that is attached and bolt into an upright position, covering the gasp that leaves my mouth with my other hand. No, this can't be. But I can see it with my own eyes. The article shows three clear pictures of a woman that looks a lot like my girlfriend and she is kissing another woman out on the streets. For everyone to see. The fire of rage starts within me. In the second photo, they are holding hands and the third shows them in a very intimate embrace. The headline is as cruel as the picture. Hot shot superstar Callie Torres and her new flavor of the month? I try not to stress, but it is admittedly hard. No, Arizona, you trust her. She wouldn't do that to you. Numerous messages pop up on my screen, all from Teddy, asking me if I am okay, if she has to come to Miami. She threatens to kick Callie's ass and to bring the Colonel with her.
Don't freak out just yet, A. Steadying my shaking hands, I zoom in on the picture. It takes a moment, but eventually, it is as clear as the sky on a starry night. This is not my girlfriend. I have no idea who it is, but it is not Callie. And that is all I need to know right now. Okay, you can definitely calm down now, Robbins. I send my best friend a quick message with a very short explanation and then I put my phone back down.
"Arizona?!"
Callie's voice reaches my ear through the open slide doors, she sounds frazzled. "I'm here!", I answer and get up to great her with a kiss, just like I have done every day she came home at a normal time of the day. Still on the phone when she steps into the backyards, she looks as disheveled as she sounds. "Callie, what-?
The brunette steps through the door in complete business attire; a black pencil skirt, a deep green blouse and black high heels. Super hot. Holding a hand up, the brunette stops me mid-question and continues her conversation on the phone, "No, Ashley, I want that statement out ASAP. I don't care how fast you can get the draft to me, but I need this cleared up today to rebut this nonsense." I assume that Ashley is talking right now because Callie is silent, running her hands through her hair. "Of course it is not me!" Brown eyes sent me a pleading look. "How long have you been my agent?!"
Oh. OH! My eyes widen and my jaw drops. Now I understand what causes her to be so discomposed. She doesn't know that you know. Callie is doing what she once introduced to me as damage repair. Trying to give her one of my most assuring smiles, I move towards her and take the hand that doesn't have a tight grip on her phone. "Calm down", I whisper, not sure if she even listened.
"Okay, okay, just email it to me whenever it's done and I'll go over it. Thanks, Ashley." She hangs up with a groan of frustration and for the second time today, our eyes lock. I have never seen this wonderful, absolutely beautiful person so agitated. "Arizona, I promise you that it is not me. Whatever they say and however they think they can twist this, it is not me. I would never do that to you, to us. You have to believe me. I love you and I would never intentionally hurt you. I-"
Placing a finger on her full, trembling, yet luscious, lips, I effectively silence her. "I know", I say calmly. Making sure that my gaze never leaves hers, I hope she can see the sincere in my eyes. "I know that it is not you. It may look like you, a lot, but I know that it is somebody else." I try to reassure her as best as I can. It seems to be working, she's slowly coming down from her disconcertment, her breathing noticeably slowing down.
"You know?", she asks surprised and I nod. "How?"
For a moment I just stare at her, blinking only when my eyes begin to water. "Should I feel offended that you don't think I know what my girlfriend looks like?", I retort. "Or do you really need me to tell you that your hair is darker, wavier and prettier than that woman's hair? That your hands are more delicate, that your curves are more voluptuous? That this woman's legs are nowhere near as perfect as the ones I love to feel closing in on my head just seconds before you explode with pleasure?" I wait for her to say something, anything, but no words come out of her mouth. "Bottom line is, it is not you and I know you wouldn't do anything like that."
"Thank God", she breathes out in relief and hugs me, holding me tightly to her. Her breath is hot against my neck as she inhales my scent. "I am so glad you didn't believe this article", she whispers into my hair. "I'm going to straighten it out as soon as I hear back from Ashley."
Pulling out of the embrace so I can kiss her, I smile as she relaxes more into the intimacy. Seems that today you were the lid, A. "I heard", I say when we part. Her face is softer now, though still worried. "But just to be clear, if you would ever do this, for whatever reason, Teddy threatened to come out here and kick your butt and she would bring my father, too."
The brunette's jaw drops but when I erupt in laughter, her giggles join mine soon enough. "How about dinner and wine? I am done for today, I was actually on my way home when Ashley called and sent the pictures."
"Dinner and wine sounds awesome, but it can wait. You need to relax first. You look tired and tense. I could give you a massage?", I offer. "We can just order in later, okay?" Lacing my fingers with hers, I want to lead her to the lounge chairs but two fingers hooked into the bottoms of my fairly new bikini pull me back. "What?", I ask, turning back around.
Callie's lower lip is trapped between her teeth as her eyes rake up and down my body. You knew this swim wear would be a killer, A. "You look hot, Arizona. Like, wow!" Her hand moves upwards, ghosting over my naked skin and bikini top. I am pretty certain that she can feel my nipple harden through the wet fabric. Lust flares up in her eyes and they instantly appear a shade darker than before. "Any chances I get to take this off of you later?"
"Maybe. If you play your cards right", I joke and wink at her as we make our way to the lounge chairs where I pour a glass of water for my girlfriend from the bottle I kept in the cooler. It has a touch of lemon and mint in it, just like Callie loves it. And I have grown to enjoy it, too. She gladly accepts the glass, immediately raising it to her lips. "How was your day? Minus the stressful later afternoon?" Sitting down and taking a sip of water myself, I sigh as the refreshing fluid goes down my throat.
She puts the glass down and undoes the upper two buttons of her blouse, unintentionally giving me just the slightest hint of her cleavage. "It was really good. The whole crew worked amazing today, like rack-wheels. We only had to push back one scene, because the rain machine didn't work. But aside from that, everyone is confident that we will be finished on time next week and then the movie will be in post-production. Which also means that our mini vacation in Key Largo can start as planned. And believe me when I say, I need that vacation."
To be honest, so do I. Not because I have been under a lot of stress or pressure. I simply want to spend some time with my girlfriend where neither work nor college can get in the way. Only Callie and me, with no obligations around for miles. A whole week of love and sex. And cuddling. Seafood and walks along the beach. And more sex. My dimples pop deep as a huge grin adorns my face. "Yeah, I am looking forward to that, too."
So, that was the August update. What do you think? How would you have reacted?
See y'all in September!