I hadn’t even told Fritz about what happened. Sadly, I think I’m telling myself I haven’t because he’s been so busy, but the truth is I’m scared that he won’t care. I can almost hear his voice in my head saying, “just ignore him, Blair. Stay in your room. You’re an adult, these things happen. It’s no big deal.” I didn’t want to hear that from him. I wanted him to get mad and come to my defense. Should a boyfriend do that? Get jealous? Maybe punch him or something? I shake the thoughts, knowing I’m being juvenile. Hit him? Really, Blair? Still the thought lingers.
“See you tomorrow, Blair,” Johnny says, giving me a wink.
“Later.” I give him a small wave before grabbing my leftover container and tossing it into the trash can.
I scan my card, and the gates to my complex open. I make my way inside and up the stairs to my place. I slip my key into the door and listen for a moment before I open it. I don’t hear anything but the television, so I turn the key and go inside.
When I open the door, Roxy jumps off the couch and sits up. Our eyes meet, and I see his face is swollen like he ran into a wall or something.
“Are you okay?” I ask, taking a step towards him. His normally black oily hair is pulled up into a bun. His dark eyes narrow on me and they look a little crazy.
“Like you don’t fucking know,” he grits out as he stands.
He turns off the television and tosses the remote onto the glass coffee table with a loud bang. The sound makes me cringe. One plus to this apartment is that it’s nicely furnished. I’m pretty sure Roxy comes from a well-to-do family that handles most of his bills. I’m also guessing they don’t give him outright cash, though. That’s the reason he got a roommate. He wanted some spending money his parents didn’t control.
I don’t think they care for Roxy’s career choice, but at least they care. Or that’s the way I look at it. The grass is always greener on the other side. Who knows? I don’t know why I’m trying to understand someone who clearly doesn’t like me. Maybe I’m not the only one who should have met the other before we agreed on this living situation.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” I walk over to the fridge, open it and find a bag of frozen corn. I grab it and turn around and try to hand it to him. But if looks could kill, I’d be dead ten times over. Maybe he’s been drinking or something. I know he and his bandmates can party pretty hard, but it seems a little early for that.
“You stay out of my way, and I’ll stay out of yours.” His eyes are still locked on me, making me feel uneasy.
“Okay.” I say the word slowly.
That’s what I’ve been doing since the day I moved in. I spend ninety percent of my time in my bedroom. I only come out to use the kitchen and I do that mostly when he’s gone. God knows I won’t be hanging out on the sofa, especially after seeing what he does on it.
I drop the bag of frozen corn on the table next to the remote. Up close I can tell it looks like his face took a few rounds with a wall. It looks painful.
“Maybe you should look into a new place,” he throws out. He looks like he is second-guessing his choice of words.
It’s clear he’s more than pissed at me, and I panic. It’s not like I have somewhere else to go. “I’ll stay out of your away,” I offer, trying to calm him down. “Plus, the lease.” I signed a lease when I moved in. He can’t just kick me out. Or maybe he can. I should probably look over it again.
“Whatever,” he mumbles. “Stay, but let’s avoid each other.”
He picks up the bag of frozen corn, his keys, and cell phone from off the table. He shoves past me, and I almost trip over my own feet. He stops at the front door and turns around to glare at me.
“Keep your boyfriend away from me,” he says before slamming the door closed.
I stand there for a moment, still not sure what happened. What does this have to do with my boyfriend? They have never even met. Fritz has been here maybe twice since I moved in. Actually, maybe it was only once.
I slip my heels off, letting out a small moan. Bending over, I pick them up before heading towards my bedroom. I open my bedroom door and smile when I see Bear laid out in the center of my bed. He doesn’t even move. He opens one eye as I toss my heels towards my closet before falling onto the bed next to him. He’s the reason Fritz won’t come over more. He’s allergic to cats.
I run my fingers through Bear’s thick black fur. “How’s my baby doing?” I coo at the giant cat that’s clearly not a baby anymore. He purrs loudly. Bear was roaming around the apartment when I moved in. When I asked Roxy about him he said he belonged to his grandma who died. Roxy and Bear hate each other. I think Bear hates everyone but me. For some reason I kind of like that.
“Do you know why Roxy is so grumpy?” I ask him. His only response is to roll over and give me better access to his tummy. I keep petting him as I dig through my purse looking for my phone. When I find it, I send Fritz a quick text.
Me: Home! First day was awesome.
Okay, maybe that was a lie, but I don't want to seem ungrateful. I felt productive and after the little slip with sitting in the wrong chair I started to get the hang of things. Well, at least I think I did. Lilith never yelled or snapped at me, so I’m taking that as a positive. She isn’t one who will hold back if I do something wrong. I may have just met her today, but I can tell that much already. She gets straight to the point and doesn’t hold any punches. She’s fascinating to watch as she’s always in control and poised.
Fritz: That’s great, sweetheart.
I stare at the message, willing him to say more. I don’t want to come off needy, but maybe we’ve become used to not seeing each other. Things are supposed to be changing between us, but they are more stagnant than ever. I’m not sure if it’s a good or bad thing. I know we both want to focus on making something of ourselves, but it feels like there should be something else between the two of us.
I sit up and cross my legs. I hit the call button and the phone rings and rings and rings before it goes to voicemail. I toss the phone on the bed before getting up and slipping out of my dress. I search for something to wear tomorrow along with something I can bring to change into. I hope I get to spend most of my day in the back. While checking the inventory I took down as many artist names as I could so I could Google them tonight and learn as much about them as I could.
I decide on what to wear, then I set the pile of clothes aside on a chair. Once I’m finished with that, I go into the bathroom and begin my nightly routine.
When I hear my phone ring I drop my brush and rush over to answer it before it goes to voicemail.
“Fritz,” I say happily. I don’t want sound tired from my day at work.
“Hey, sweetheart. Sorry I’ve been so busy.”
I fall back onto the bed. Bear gets up and lies on my chest. “That’s okay. I know you have a lot going on,” I respond. I’m just thankful he could at least find the time. That maybe he does care.
“I stopped by the studio hoping I’d catch you.”
“Oh. If you would have told me you were coming I could have waited.” I try not to sound snippy. I know he’s busy, but is it that hard to send a quick text?
“No worries. We’ll plan for dinner sometime this week.”
“Okay, when?” I question.
“I don’t know. I’ll have to look over my schedule,” he says, sounding distracted. I hear a feminine laugh in the background.
“What are you up to?”
“I told you. I’m at the studio.” This time Fritz’s voice is a little sterner with me. It’s the one he uses when he thinks I’m acting childish.
“Of course. Sorry.” I pet Bear as I try to ignore the sting of his words. But I feel like I’ve just been scolded. Maybe I am being childish. What do I know about being in the business world, or even having to multitask that with a relationship?
“Sweetheart, I really have to run. I promise I’ll try and come by again tomorrow when you’re here. I haven’t see you in days.”
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“Okay.” I let out a deep breath.
Fritz pauses for a moment, and for a second I think he’s hung up. “Lilith told me you did a good job today. I’m proud of you.” At that, I smile, feeling a little bit better. “Gotta go, I’ll text you later,” he finishes before hanging up.
I drop the phone back down onto the bed next to me. It’s then I realize I forgot to ask him about what Roxy said.