For what felt like hours I just stared at the back of my closed bedroom door chewing over the words he threw at me.
No... fired at me was more like it.
It was like cannon balls were flying all around and sooner or later, I was sure to take a hit.
What on God's green earth did he mean?
He can't just leave me hanging like that! Did he get me confused with someone else, I mean, cuz I was clearly sitting right there? No other person but me. So how could he shoot so straight and still miss the mark?
Shaking my head, I moved to place Chloe in the makeshift bassinet so I could finally get dressed. It was nearing eleven o'clock and my stomach was rebelling.
Moving to my claustrophobic inducing walk in closet with the burnt out light bulb I had planned on changing like a thousand times, I pulled out a pair of jeans, a white v-neck t-shirt with a little pocket on it before flicking a sandal out into the middle of the room with my big toe with the matching pair to follow.
Shucking my sleep shorts, I continued processing Kyle's words as I slipped into my favorite pair of weekender jeans.
Surface...project what we want others to see... stuck with a stereotype.
Pulling on the t-shirt, I tucked the bottom of it beneath the waistband of my jeans and zipped before buttoning.
Was he saying I wrongly judged him?
Tsh... as if. I'm not the type to judge people. In fact, it's other people who misjudge me! Stupid jock!
I froze. I blinked a few times as the impact of my words slapped me hard across my conscience.
Letting out a sigh of defeat, I crossed my legs and bent my knees in a crisscross applesauce fashion. A loud popping sound filled the room as my butt connected with the floor. Placing my face in my hands, I rubbed until I felt my eyes and cheeks were going to slip off.
When did I become that person? The person Kyle recognized in me so easily and I had been staring at her every day for nearly 18 years. Minus a few when I was a baby, but still. Less than twenty-four hours in his company and Kyle Warner had already called me out... to myself! Making me see the side of me that I knew was there but just ignored. The one who was never hurting anyone.
But you let your stereotypical judgments blind you to who Kyle Warner really is. Didn't he just say so? And you haven't exactly been a saint toward him because of that judgment.
How many more people have you been wrong about?
Dropping my hands to my knees, my back curved forward as I hunched over giving me a great view of the tops of my bare feet as I let go of a very aggravated huff. Wiggling my toes, I debated on whether or not to move from this spot. Facing Kyle with the whole ya got me feeling wasn't exactly on my checklist of things I was excited about doing today.
I could act indifferent, lie and say I didn't understand what he meant. But then that would make me look like an idiot. And for the most part, he did call me a nerd... so, he knows I'm smart... or at least, that's how I project myself.
I winced. It wasn't going to be easy changing my thought process. Kyle just looked like a jock, acted like a jock and so did his friends. Tricia Scott just looked like a bitch, acted like one and I bet that wasn't her just projecting what she wanted people to see. Something like that had to be a part of the genetic pool.
Argh! Stop it, Melody... Stop it!
Sighing, I rolled over onto my back, the rumbling in my tummy quickly winning over.
Flustered, I stood up and checked on Chloe once more. Kyle's key was still in her side. Reaching for it, I pulled it out and placed the ribbon cord that held it in a pile on the nightstand.
Sitting down at my vanity, I looked at the image staring back at me. It was like seeing a newer me. Same eyes, same hair, same everything only a newer version. Although it looked like the old Melody, the upgrade was in the central processor along with a few minor tweaks to the esthetics.
I liked it, then I didn't.
With all changes comes new challenges and for the most part, I believed I was ready for them.
Grabbing my phone from the nightstand, I placed it in my back pocket and exited the room. Heading down the hall, I spilled into the kitchen only to stop short as I met Jake sitting at the dinette, Kyle sitting across from him. Their horns locked.
Kyle looked up first then Jake.
Not wanting a repeat from earlier, I walked by them both trying to ignore them as my heart started racing.
Wait...was Jake in the house the whole time? Did he hear any of the conversation Kyle and I were having? Was my secret out?
Please, God, no. Tell me he didn't hear any of that!
Wincing, I made my way toward the freezer and pulled on the handle. The magical light popped on as I reached in for a package of waffles. Even though my mother worked in the healthcare industry, she still bought prepackaged foods. With her always working, it was something easily overlooked as I really didn't mind. She didn't have time to cook and I was no chef. However, she always made sure there was plenty of fruit plus green stuffs to make salads. So technically, I pretty much only ate 'the bad for you food' in the morning. Besides, it was tasty.
Placing two blueberry waffles in the toaster, I leaned against the counter as it cooked. The sweet aroma filled my nostrils causing my stomach to growl so loud, I wouldn't be surprised if it reached out and grabbed them by itself. Guess that would cut down on the dishes.
I wondered if Kyle ate.
Uh... why? Shouldn't you be thinking about Jake's well-being you two timing...
Bacon! I needed bacon.
Heading over to the fridge, I retrieved the bacon, pulled out a few slices and placed them on a paper towel inside the microwave.
Forty-five seconds later and bam... breakfast was done!
I turned to the freshly popped discs and placed them on a plate.
Without even looking, I said to the wall, "Jake? Have you eaten?"
The chair scraped against the floor sending chills down my spine. Before I could turn, his hand reached down to the plate in front of me grabbing its edge pulling it from my sight.
I didn't complain.
Retrieving two more waffles, I placed them in the toaster before pushing down the lever, waiting.
The counter creaked as Kyle's weight leaned against it. In his household, scraping the chair was probably a no-no or he had some ninja like skills, because I didn't hear him get up. His shoulder blades rested easily against the cabinets above with his arms crossed over his chest. He had to be at least six two, maybe even six three. Funny how I never really took notice to it before.
He probably knew I misjudged his height, too.
I snarled.
The waffles popped up.
Turning, Kyle gently pushed me out of the way and picked up the hot discs without as much as flinching. Placing them on the expecting plate, he lifted it with his free hand and pulled my shoulder to turn me around as he guided me to the open chair across from Jake. Placing the plate on the table, he gently pushed down on my shoulder forcing me to sit.
Looking up, I intended to rebel but he stopped me by asking, "Orange juice or milk?" My mouth shut.
"She'll take orange juice," Jake said thinking he knew me all too well.
But then again he did.
I smiled sweetly, "Milk, please."
With that, I glared at Jake daring him to say a word.
I could hear the liquid being poured into a cup. Kyle returned to the table with silverware, a napkin and a glass of juice. I looked up at him again ready to complain only to be met with a grin and a wink.
Jake, of course, saw the whole show. It was evident to me it was Kyle's intent. If I thought Jake was pissed off before, he was volcanic now.
I shook my head as if to say, "I'm innocent." But that just seemed to piss him off more.
The dinette had only three chairs as my mom and I never had company over except Jake. Reaching for the empty seat, Kyle turned it around and straddled it placing his forearms on top of the back. Looking from me to Jake to me and back to Jake, it was obvious Kyle wanted us to talk to patch things up.
Why in the hell would Kyle care?
Then again he could be just enjoying the show.
Now that makes better sense... stop judging him, Melody!
I clenched my teeth as I mentally chastised myself.
It was odd sharing the table with Kyle along with his peculiar alternate personality while Jake was sitting across from me. Kyle placed his chin to rest on his forearm as he watched me. Swallowing hard, I couldn't help but notice the way his eyes danced as a smile teased the corners of his lips.
The image of his half-naked frame holding Chloe the night before unexpectedly flashed across my retinas sending heat to warm my cheeks.
My eyes wavered as I moved to suppress the image. I chose instead to stare at the now unwelcoming waffles in front of me, but not before noticing Kyle's eyebrow raise like a question mark.
Robotically, I reached for the syrup, slowly pouring it as I watched the sugary glaze fill each little indented square. I chanced a quick peek up at Jake who was concentrating on his empty plate, his thumb drumming a beat on the rim.
My eyes softened as I studied his features. His usually full lips were pressed in a firm line and his jaw was set like stone. I had no idea what was running through his mind, but I wanted to stop it. I wasn't used to seeing him like this. He was supposed to be teasing me, making me laugh, making me... love him.
"Eh hem."
Jake's eyes immediately lifted at Kyle's throat clearing catching me off guard. I quickly put down the half emptied bottle of syrup on the table before reaching for my knife and fork. It didn't take long for me to notice the glob of gooey sap that saturated my poor little waffles.
Letting out a sigh, I went to cut into it.
"You're really going to eat that?" Kyle's surprised voice shattered the stuffy silence.
Jake reached across the table and grabbed the plate pulling it to him. Standing up, he walked over to the trash, stepped on the pedal that opened the lid and scrapped the contents into the plastic bag. My stomach yelled with displeasure. The plate and silverware clanged as he tossed them into the sink not even bothering with rinsing them off.
Walking over to me, he grabbed my wrist and pulled me to my feet carting me off to the front door.
I looked behind me to see a mischievous Kyle waving bye-bye as he cupped his mouth calling out, "Don't worry. I've got Chloe."