“Leah, I’m sorry about last night. I was stupid, I made the whole night about me and my friends when it should have been about us,” he rattled out, before I even stepped through the door. “I’m really sorry; let me make it up to you tonight.” He spoke fast with enthusiasm and squeezed my hand, looking hopeful.
“Hunter, can we talk?” I asked, ignoring everything he’d said. He really looked at me now, looking flustered.
“Sure.” He nodded and stepped back, letting me in to take a seat at his kitchen table, I motioned for him to sit as well.
“Hunter, I’m really sorry but I can’t do this,” I told him, my voice wavering slightly with anxiety. “Do what Leah? Go out tonight?” he asked, looking both wistful and nervous.
“No, Hunter. I can’t do us,” I clarified, motioning between him and me. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he gulped down.
“Why? If it’s because of last night, I know I messed up but please just give me another chance,” he pled, his brown eyes wide with fear now.
“No, it’s not because of you, Hunter. I’m sorry but I just don’t feel the same way you do. I’m not over Axel,” I admitted. His mouth parted but remained speechless. “You deserve more than this. I’m sorry,” I said and pushed the chair back, getting up to leave. He got up with me.
“I asked you if things were over between the two of you before we started this,” he stated, his voice angry and filled with pain.
“They were but I’m still in love with him,” I divulged, shocking the both of us. “Take care, Hunter,” I told him and left, leaving him standing by the door. It had been hard to do that but it had to be done and there was no easy way around it. Relief flooded through me as I made my way back to my apartment. Now there was nothing stopping me from being with Axel.
I made myself dinner and then showered and got dressed, doing my hair and applying a small amount of makeup. My plan was to wait at Axel’s apartment and tell him that Hunter and I were over and take things from there. The butterflies were flying rampant in my stomach and I felt like I was going to puke from anticipation and excitement. I knew the code to get into his building but I didn’t have a key to get into his apartment, so I sat on the floor outside his door and waited, feeling like a crazy person waiting for him to arrive. A few neighbors passed by giving me small smiles or curious glances.
“Locked out?” A middle-aged woman asked me, coming out of the apartment beside Axel’s. I nodded my head yes.
“Yeah, I’m waiting for Axel to get in. He should be here soon,” I explained. She nodded understandingly.
“I’ve seen you here before. It’s been a while,” she commented, I merely nodded, not knowing what to say. “I have a key; I’ll let you in so you don’t have to wait outside,” she offered and pulled a key out of her purse. Her kindness shocked me and worried me a little at the same time.
“Thank you so much,” I said as she unlocked the door for me and let me in. I hoped Axel would be okay with this.
“It’s no problem.” She smiled and laughed. I locked the door behind me and went to sit on his couch. I inhaled the manly scent of leather and Axel, and sank into it. Before I knew it, I’d dozed off, exhausted from the events of the night before, having barely got any sleep and breaking up with Hunter this afternoon, and the anticipation of getting to be with Axel. It had been a lot to deal with in the past twenty-four hours. The sound of a door shutting snapped me out of my slumber.
“Leah?” I heard Axel’s deep manly voice ask, before my eyes even had the chance to adjust and see him. I rubbed my eyes and stretched out my arms, trying to wake up from my snooze.
“Hi,” I said sleepily. Axel chuckled and kneeled down in front of me, smiling from ear-to-ear.
“Your neighbor, a very nice lady let me in,” I explained. “I hope that’s okay.” He nodded happily, waiting for more.
“Why are you here Leah?” he asked, his voice not angry in the slightest.
“I broke up with Hunter,” I blurted out. His smile transformed into a giant grin, showing all of his perfect white teeth. “If you meant what you said yesterday, well, I’m here,” I continued lamely. Axel took my face in his big warm hands and brought his lips to mine, kissing me softly at first but then hungrily and frenzied. I matched his frantic kisses just as passionately.
“I’ll take that as a yes.” I laughed lightly, as we came up for air. His chest rumbled with deep laughter.
“Yes Leah, I meant every word I said.” He smiled and kissed me. “I’ve been waiting all my life to meet someone who makes me feel
