< : > : Chapter Fourteen : < : >

Harlow | Phoenix | Other people

Walking into the house I looked at the unfamiliar space unsure of where I was. There was a nice comfy brown couch with a quilt on the back and matching chair sat against the window both facing a tv. The space looked nice and homey.

Hearing shuffling to my left I headed in that direction slowly feeling like I was intruding. Coming to a white kitchen that was about the same size as my house I stepped inside looking for the person making noise. Just as I was walking around the corner of the island a woman kneeled in front of the kitchen cabinets.

"Found it!" She stood with a muffin pan. Turning around to me she smiled. "Hey Harlow. How are you doing honey?"

"Um . . . fine?" I said in more of a question even more confused as to why I was in Phoenix's Aunt Justine's house.

"Have a seat. I didn't know you were stopping by. I would have made the muffins earlier."

"It's fine. It just kind of . . . happened."

Looking around the kitchen trying to make sense of the situation I wanted to ask if Phoenix was here but I wasn't sure if I honestly wanted to know. What if he was? What if he was in his room and could come out any second? What if he was in the hall eavesdropping? Peeking over my shoulder I looked back to the hallway sighing in relief when no one was there.

"Who are you looking for?"

Jumping at the voice to my left I looked into hazel eyes that I've only seen on a screen. He was here . . . in the flesh.

I wanted to reach out and poke his face to see if this was real but I kept my hands to myself on my lap. "Phoenix?"

"Harlow?" He smirked at me causing a swarm of butterfly wings to flap in my stomach.

"Y-You're here."

"I live here."

"You . . . you live there Phoenix - in California."

Opening his mouth to speak there was ringing in the distance.

"What?"

Repeating his statement the ringing blurred out his words once again.

"What is that?" Looking around the kitchen I asked his Aunt Justine if her phone was ringing.

Looking at me confused she shook her head opening her mouth to talk when the ringing started again.

What the hell is that?

.

.

.

.

Rolling over I grabbed the pillow covering my head hoping that the noise interrupting my sleep would stop. Hearing it buzz again I threw off the pillow snatching my cell off the charger swiping to receive the call.

"HELLO?!"

"Runner, I swear on every snowflake in Antarctica if you're not home because you've hit a car I will take your keys for the rest of the year!"

"Um, I think you dialed the wrong number."

"Oh shit. Sorry about that. Um . . . sweet dreams. Bye."

Looking at the number still sleepily confused I tossed it aside when it began to vibrate again. Irritation on 10,000.

"My name isn't Runner, Mister." I heavily exhaled in the phone.

"I didn't think you would answer."

Sitting up I shifted my bonnet from the slanted left position to its proper place. Righting myself I pulled the bed sheets over my naked body as if his eyes were on me. Looking around I felt silly but didn't move to let the sheets fall instead sitting Indian style picking at the corner of my nails.

"Harlow, I'm . . . I'm sorry."

" . . . . "

"I know that I was suppose to call you back after three days but I just . . . I just needed more time. More space to get my feelings for you under control. More time to think. More time to figure out . . . if I can come see you so we can actually talk face to face."

" . . . . "

"Harlow."  He whispered sending chills through the phone. "I really miss our phone calls . . . . Say something Harlow - just please . . . don't hang up."

" . . . . "

" . . . . "

" . . . . "

"Harlo-"

"I was hurt."

"I'm so sor-"

"Wait Phoenix, let me finish . . . I was hurt at first but then I was mad. More at myself than you but then it was just you. I didn't understand why you didn't want to call me back but then again I asked for the space then once you gave it . . . I felt lost, lonely, and . . . I've miss our phone calls too."

"So you don't hate me?"

"I don't hate you Phoenix."

"Harlow?"

"Yes?"

"My deployment has been extended."

" . . . . "

" . . . . "

"Damn."

"That's exactly how I feel times ten."

"Have you told your aunt and Dylan?"

"Yeah, she started to sniff and probably snot but tried to play it off. Of course I asked Dylan to comfort her and make sure she would be okay."

"Dylan seems like a sweetie pie."

"He thinks pretty highly of you too. The words beautiful, pretty eyes, amazing smile, and some other things that has to stay between bros came up in a few of our conversations. Can't lie and say that I don't agree with him Harlow. You are beautiful as I have told you before."

"Well tell Dylan thank you and he is a handsome young man with beautiful hazel eyes as well."

"You know people say that him and I look a lot alike."

"Do they now?"

"They do. I mean, we both have the dark hair and same eye color. Pretty much everything you find handsome about him is a quality I have as well."

"Are you searching for a compliment Phoenix?"

"If you're handing them out I wouldn't be opposed to receiving one. I was just only informing you of what other people say about Dylan and I."

"I've told you how handsome you are plenty of times."

"It's been over a month since I've heard it so there's no harm in refreshing my memory."

"Your ego must be ready to explode. I don't know how Corey and the rest of Marines are going to last. The ship might sink."

"We have the Navy with us plus Prichett has escaped and made it off ship."

"What do you mean? Where did he go?"

"Home. He got a chance to leave early and took it. He's supposed to be buying a house soon and is looking for a roommate. You know anyone?"

"My friend is looking to get out of her parent's house."

"Has to be a male."

"What? Why?"

"His preference but I did get the pictures you sent me on Instagram."

" . . . . "

"Why are you so quiet? I thought they were . . . how would a friend say this? . . . I thought they were . . . nice. I like seeing your hair in different styles. It's really cool . . . It looked as if you were biting your lip in one of those pictures but why would you do that? You almost had me in a situation in front of Prichett and my Marines."

"Situation in front of  your Marines?"

"Yes, my Marines. I'm have enough rank on my collar to be in charge of Marines."

"Must be nice."

"It has it perks. So tell me what you were thinking when Dylan gave you the phone."

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