A/N: I only own the OC
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I walked into Harry's at 2pm and went upstairs. Dave had asked me to meet him here. We were still good friends, and he and Michael got along great. I was actually grateful that Dave and I had moved past our issues to understand that we weren't right for each other, but were best friends instead. Dave was already out there and I saw a Hurricane sitting there for me.
I kissed his cheek and sat down across from him. We clinked our glasses and I took a sip. The view from the balcony was nice because it was shaded, you could watch Avineda Menedez, you could see the boats go past, and the bridge open.
"What's up?" I finally asked him.
"I wanted to catch up. I have been busy with work. You have been busy with work and Michael. I'm sure he keeps you busy." he said with a chuckled.
"I have been busy with work, but I haven't slept with Michael yet." I admitted and he looked fairly surprised to hear me admit that. I chuckled at his expression.
"I feel like I rushed into it with you, and with Dexter. I don't want my whole relationship with him to turn into sex. I feel like relationships are hard enough for me so that just adds to it." I said and Dave pursed his lips.
"I understand. I think I rush that with women so that I can maybe keep them coming back." he admitted and I nodded. Dave and I had barely dated two weeks before we slept together... and I think that Dexter had been about the same time in my relationship with him.
"I don't want to make that mistake again." I said and he put his hand over mine.
"You won't... Michael seems to really like you." he said and I smiled at him. I hoped he did... I didn't have faith in myself and my relationships much anymore.
I sat and talk to Dave a little longer. He told me about the new woman he was talking to, about how his businesses were going, and we talked about life in general. I walked back to the club, checked in, and went back home to do some housework. Michael was working tonight, and then going out with Elias, Seth, Austin, Dax, and Cash after they closed down. The guys had accepted him so I hope they all had fun. They were most likely going to Meehan's.
I finished up and sat outside on my porch. It was nighttime, cooler, and I wanted fresh air. The club had already closed, and the city was quieter than normal. I could hear thunder in the distance. I knew that I probably should go to bed since it was around midnight, but I didn't want to yet. I was reading a book when I heard the gate open. I expected it to be one of the guys from the club or Michael, but it wasn't... it was Dexter. He was holding a small bouquet of daisies. I sat my book down as he walked up on the steps. He was the last person I expected to see. He held the daisies out and I hesitantly took them.
"Thank you." I said and he nodded. He knew I liked daisies.
"How did you know I would be home?" I asked him as I motioned for the chair. He sat down and looked at me. He looked so tired, and was wearing bruises from previous fights.
"I saw the guys at Meehan's, and since your boyfriend was with them I figured you were at home. I was leaving when they got there. I had met with Johnny." he said and I nodded.
"Won't your girlfriend be mad you are here?" I asked him and he gave a weak smile.
"She's gone. She pushed me to propose and I told her how I really felt. She was gone the next day. She just wanted me for my money." he said and I felt for him.
"So, you came to talk?" I asked him after a second of silence.
"I don't know why I'm here." he admitted and I nodded... that made two of us.
"I wasn't sure if it was to tell me I was a whore some more." I said with a smirk and he looked at me with a serious expression. He apparently wasn't in the mood to joke.
"I was hurt, Jodi. I just wanted you to give me the chance to talk." he said and I sighed. We were going to do this again.
"Dexter, you lied." I said and he ran his hands over his face.
"Yes, I lied... ok, I lied, but you didn't even give me a fucking chance. You just... stopped. I wanted the chance to at least talk about it." he said and I sighed. I didn't want to do this now.
"I don't want to do this now." I said and stood up.
"You never do! You were great when shit was going your way, but I fuck up one time... one fucking time and you didn't even give me the chance. You wanted to act like I... we never fucking happened." he said and I pursed my lips.
"What was there to say, Dexter? You kissed her! I immediately told you when Dash kissed me. I didn't let you find out from a friend. I was hurt! I loved you and you couldn't even tell me the truth! I told you every time I met Dave and when you told me you didn't want me to I didn't! You didn't even give me the chance to tell you how I felt because you didn't tell me anything." I shot back.
"You didn't give me the chance! You have fucking spies for friends everywhere. I'm sure you knew I was in town before you got that picture." he snapped.
"My friends have better things to do than worry about you. I didn't know you were in town... because I made the mistake of trusting you. Seriously, why are you here?" I asked him again.
"I don't know... I guess I felt like there was still stuff to say." he said and I rolled my eyes.
"Like what, Dexter?" I asked him.
"Like I love you... I have always loved you. I even asked Dad for the family ring. I wanted you to be my future... I wanted us to have a future. I am so fucking sorry I ever met her that night. I did lie to you, and I fucking regret it every damn day I wake up because it reminds me that you're not mine anymore. I can't escape you because everything reminds me of you. Every time you cross my mind I find myself still smiling because you made me so fucking happy, and yes, I know I messed up... but all I wanted was the chance to tell you all that." he said as I stood there stunned. He had asked his dad for the family ring? I knew that Dexter loved me, but I always thought I was more serious about the relationship than he was... I didn't know what to say.
I watched as he stood up and walked to me. I didn't know what to do or say, but everything went in slow motion as his lips pressed softly to mine. I should pull away, but instead I felt myself press against him. I cupped his face in my hands and felt his damp cheeks. He finally pulled away and rested his forehead against mine.
"Why didn't you make me listen earlier?" I whispered to him, but was more asking myself that out loud.
"I was angry at myself. I took it out on you, I took it out on my family, and all I wanted was everything to go back to normal." He said as he softly pressed his lips to mine again.
"I know you're with Michael, but I'll be around." He said as he grabbed my hand. He pressed his lips to the back of my hand and quickly disappeared out my gate... leaving me feeling sad and stupid.
