Avoidance

I fixed my champagne colored Aidan Mattox beaded tank cocktail dress over my hips as I ran my hand through my neatly curled and long brunette tresses.

I was going out with a guy that I met at work. His name was Derrick and he had big blue eyes with blonde hair.

He was 6'4 with perfectly straight white teeth and a muscular body.

We had worked together at Starbucks for a year and he finally decided to ask me out.

I said yes, since Bryce, another man I thought I was dating but apparently not, since he hasn't contacted me in two long months.

I tried to text him a few times, he never responded, so I just assumed he wanted nothing to do with me, so I deleted his number and the thoughts of him from my mind.

I liked him a lot, but I mean what did I expect? He's a few years older, a millionaire, and good looking... Did I really think I had a chance?

I pulled on my pair of Gianvito Rossi Patent-leather pumps and grabbed my gold clutch, moving towards my living room to wait.

Derrick was going to arrive at 8 so I had about twenty minutes to do nothing.

As I was about to sit on my couch, the doorbell rang.

I quickly stood and walked to my door.

I took a deep breath to calm my nerves and smiled as I opened the door.

I then frowned in confusion as I realized that the tall figure in front of me wasn't Derrick, but instead a certain 6'3 football player with dark brown thick hair and light green orbs.

"Bryce?" I asked, confused.

I looked up at him and he said nothing.

"What are you doing here?" I asked and Bryce pushed his way inside my home.

I moved out the way then shut the door.

"You're going out?" Bryce asked, staring down at me and I nodded.

"Yeah I have a date tonight." I said with a smile.

"Oh." Bryce grumbled and I heard annoyance in his deep voice.

"Is something wrong?..." I trailed off, wondering why he was here.

His green eyes stared into mine.

"You haven't called or texted or anything in two months." Bryce said and I nodded.

"Yes I did, but you didn't respond to my texts. I just assumed you wanted nothing to do with me." I countered, "I'm not going to waste my time on someone who doesn't make an effort to be with me."

"It's been stressful for the past couple of months with practice." Bryce said and I crossed my arms over my chest.

"You don't need to explain anything to me." I said, "We aren't together."

"I owe you an explanation." Bryce said and I shook my head no.

"No you don't." I said with a small smile.

"You've moved on and so have I." I said.

"That's it then?" Bryce asked and I nodded.

"Pretty much... What more do you want?" I asked, curiously.

"I want you." Bryce said and I rolled my eyes.

"Bryce, please. We both know that's not what you want." I said, walking ahead of him and into my kitchen.

"That is what I want." Bryce said, "I was dumb to avoid you, Vanessa. I want you."

"I don't want you." I lied.

"I don't believe you." Bryce grumbled.

"Why do I want someone who it seems like doesn't care about me?" I asked and Bryce said nothing.

"Exactly." I said.

"I do care about you, Vanessa." Bryce said and I rolled my eyes and let out a humorless laugh.

"That's a lie!" I said, frustratedly, "You've avoided me for two months!"

"I'm sorry Vanessa, truly. You didn't deserve that." Bryce said and I rolled my eyes again.

"You're right I didn't deserve that and you should be sorry." I snapped.

Bryce seemed frustrated because of the way his face was becoming red.

"Vanessa, please, I'm really sorry. I... I just need someone and I know I can count on you." Bryce said, his deep voice saddened and I felt myself weaken at his melancholy mood.

"Yeah... We'll always be friends, Bryce." I said, softly.

"I want to be more than your friend, Vanessa." Bryce said, taking my hand and I stared at our entwined fingers.

Bryce moved closer to me and I closed my eyes as I felt him take both sides of my face into his large hands.

Just as I felt his cool cinnamon breath on my lips, my doorbell rang, making me pull away from him.

I looked into his green eyes.

"That's my date." I said, softly.

"I'll go." Bryce muttered and I shook my head no.

"Stay here." I said, walking to the door where I opened it to reveal a head of blonde hair and big blue eyes.

"Hi, Derrick!" I said, smiling as Derrick came into my home and hugged me and I shut the door.

"Derrick. We can't go out tonight." I told him and he looked disappointed.

"Oh... Why?" Derrick asked and I moved to my door again.

"A friend of mine is having an emergency. But we'll reschedule." I said, opening the door and Derrick nodded.

"Okay." Derrick agreed, "I'll call you?"

I nodded, "I'll be waiting."

Derrick gave me a wink which made me blush and disappeared out the door.

I shut the door and walked back into my living room where Bryce sat on the couch with his head in his hands.

I sighed and sat beside him, wrapping my arms around his large body, laying my head on his back.

"What's going on at practice?" I asked, rubbing his back.

"It's hard and intense. I love playing in the NFL, it's just tiring and I barely get to see my friends, family, or you." Bryce said, looking into my eyes.

I kissed his cheek.

"It's okay, Bryce." I said.

"I feel terrible about ignoring you, Vanessa." Bryce said and I grabbed his face in my hands.

"Baby." I cooed and kissed his forehead, "I forgive you, we're okay."

"Are you sure?" Bryce asked and I heard vulnerability in his deep voice.

"I'm positive, everything is forgiven and forgotten about. Let's just move forward." I smiled.

Bryce placed his large hands on my face and I rested my forehead against his.

"Be with me." Bryce said, staring into my eyes.

"Will you promise to stay in touch with me this time?" I teased and Bryce rolled his eyes.

"Do I have to?" He deadpanned and I saw a twinkle of laughter in his green eyes.

"It would be nice if you did." I smiled.

"I will. You're my girl, baby." Bryce said.

"Thank you for giving me another chance, Vanessa." Bryce said and I nodded.

"Everyone deserves a second chance." I smiled.

"Since I cancelled my date for you, you owe me dinner." I said.

Bryce chuckled and moved his hands off my cheeks and down to my hips while our foreheads still stayed against each other's.

"Okay, baby. Where do you want to go?" Bryce asked.

"Nowhere. Let's order takeout." I said.

"I'm good with that. What do you want?" Bryce asked.

"Pizza and Chinese." I said, pulling away from Bryce and we both stood, walking to my kitchen to go into my drawer that was full of take out and to go menus.

I hope you enjoyed it, Vanessa! Thank you for requesting!
- Dani