LWLU – Simple Jealousy

“Why would she say that,” Sara asked in hushed tones. “It just doesn’t make any sense.”

“Honey, I don’t know.” He brushed the rogue auburn strands of hair from her eyes.

Sara pushed herself up onto her elbows on the mattress and shook her head, knocking more hair into her face. “Michael, are you even listening to me? My best friend’s boyfriend is trying to kill her and it’s like Nika’a trying to protect him or something.”

“Is it possible that they were telling the truth about what happened?”

“It was the flimsiest story I ever heard.”

“Are you sure? You said this Sucre guy was pretty beat up.”

“Bastard deserved it.”

“Sweetheart…are you sure that Nika could have done that kind of damage to him? Really think about it.”

She curled up into him, resting her head on his bare chest. “I’m not sure. All I really know is that something’s going on that she isn’t telling me about.”

Michael kissed the top of her head. “Maybe she has a good reason for keeping it from you. I’m sure it will all be okay.”

“I’m not.”

The tears that had been welling in Sara’s eyes from the moment Michael climbed through her window that night finally spilled over her cheeks. It took awhile after the park before Sara was able to pull herself together enough for Paul to bring her home. Making it through dinner without bursting into tears was among the hardest things she’d ever done. But once she saw Michael…everything that happened came pouring out of her before he could get his shirt and shoes off and get into bed to hold her.

“Don’t say that. Things might not be as bad as you think.”

“No…they’re worse. You…you don’t understand. Nika is my best friend in the world. We don’t keep secrets from each other. Not big secrets.”

“You kept us a secret from her.”

“I was actually going to tell her today before she ran out to meet that jerk at the park.”

“You were?”

Sara winced inside. She hadn’t meant to tell him that. Not yet. “Yeah. I thought it was time for me to tell her the truth. About us dating, not, you know…the sex stuff.”

“Does that mean we don’t have to sneak around anymore?”

“Well…it would’ve.” She sat up and met his eyes through the haze of tears in hers. “She’s not actually talking to me now, so…I, uh…I need a little more time.”

Gentle fingers brushed the tears away. “But once you tell her…” His hands framed her face. “You’re ready to tell everyone about us?”

“Ummm…” She gave her head a slight nod. “You’re okay with that, right Michael?”

His steely eyes lit up. “Are you kidding? I’m more than okay with it.” He frowned over at her desk chair. “Especially if that means you’re done running around after her with Kellerman.”

She turned her head to kiss the palm of his hand. “I thought we were past the Paul thing?”

“No, we are. It’s just…never mind.”

“Please tell me. One of the two most important people in my life is already keeping secrets from me. Don’t make it two for two.”

He pulled his hands away from her and growled in frustration. “You smell like him, Sara.”

That was the last thing she expected him to say. “I don’t see how. There is absolutely nothing going on between me and…”

“I’m not accusing you of anything. I know you better than that.”

“Then…I don’t understand.”

He pointed to the coat hanging off the back of her desk chair. “It’s from wearing his coat all afternoon.”

“I told you that I ran out of the school without my coat and he didn’t want me to freeze.”

“Yeah, but…It’s my job to make sure my girlfriend’s warm, not his.”

What was he getting at? “Did I mess up? Was I supposed to tell him to keep his coat?” She bit her lip. “I’ve dated guys, but never had a serious boyfriend before. Not like you.”

“No. I’m glad he didn’t let you get sick out there from the cold.”

“Michael…you’re not jealous, are you?”

“No.” He squeezed his eyes shut. “I don’t know. Maybe.” Slowly, he opened his eyes and met her gaze. “It just pisses me off that he’s always there for you instead of me. For all intents and purposes, Paul Kellerman’s your boyfriend, not me.”

“Except for the fact that I’m sleeping with you, not him.”

He shook his head. “You really don’t get it, do you?”

“Apparently not.”

“I’d trade all the sex for getting to openly be with you. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want to, but I would. He gets to take you places, help you with the things that are bothering you…I get to climb through your window every night and steal a few minutes with you between classes.” He looked away. “Even your dad likes him. Your dad doesn’t like anyone and he’s practically planning your wedding to Paul.”

Her dad? Really? “My dad likes you just fine.”

“No, he doesn’t. Frank Tancredi tolerates me because I’m Lincoln’s little brother, but he doesn’t like that I’m friends with you. Once he knows we’re dating…It’s not going to be good.”

“I really don’t think that’s the case.”

“Maybe.” He let out a sigh. “I don’t want to waste the small amount of time I get with you whining about your dad.”

“I don’t either.” She brushed her lips over his before curling against his chest again. “We can drop it just as long as you know that I’d rather be doing all the stuff I do with Paul with you instead.” When he didn’t respond, she added, “You do know that, right?”

“Yeah. I’ll just be glad when everyone else knows it too.”

“They will. Soon.”

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