I parked my truck in an empty parking lot within walking distance to the community. I walked through the darkened woods to the canal that surrounded the homes. It was thirty yards to the other side, which I knew I could swim easily. The only problem could be the alligators that were hidden by the veil of night. I swam as quickly as I could and tried not to look around. Adrenaline and alcohol were coursing through my veins and giving me stamina and strength beyond my natural abilities.

I climbed out of the water and collapsed on the bank. I stared at the stars, watched them twinkle in the sky, and caught my breath. I thought about my love for Lisa, and her ability to throw me out like a piece of garbage. My blood began to boil with anger, and it propelled my body forward. I walked with a purpose… get my clothes and get the fuck out.

I knocked on the door, but no one answered. The house was dark. I used my key to unlock the front door and enter ‘our’ home. I started thinking about all of the money, sweat, and tears that I poured into our relationship and the home we made together. My anger increased and my mind raced. I threw around some of the things that I had purchased. At what point did I snap? I’m not sure, looking back. I had been so controlled and excluded from other people in my life… she had played the last head game with me.

I couldn’t stop myself, I loved her, and she was throwing me away. I came here to grab my shit for work and leave, but I got wrapped up in my anger. I wanted her to feel my pain and became so consumed that I left behind my keys and identification. I had a long walk and swim back to my truck and time to figure out where to go, but never got the chance.

I heard sirens before my feet ever touched the water. I jumped in and moved with urgency. My hands touched the grass and I hopped out of the water and ran. I hid in the woods and evaded the police for a short time, but they caught up to me.

She reported that I entered the house unlawfully and didn’t live in her home. I was charged with burglary and trespassing. I could not convince anyone that I lived there. The police would not listen to any of my pleas. They said that my name was not on the lease; therefore I wasn’t a resident. I had a key, my mail was sent to the house, and all of my clothes were there… but they said none of it mattered when determining my legal right to enter the property.

I could understand how sometimes things go way beyond what we expected when alcohol factored into the equation. We’ve all had an experience where we’ve woken the next morning horrified by what we had done the night before.

Did he have an anger problem? I hadn’t seen a glimmer of anger in the time we’d spent talking or chatting online—he seemed so easy going. My brother found no trace of it in his phone calls, and everyone said he was a nice guy. That night could’ve been a single event caused by drinking too much.

I had no right to judge anyone on his or her life experiences. Life is a series of events that help us become who we were meant to be.

“Are we still going to meet?” he said in a sad voice.

My heart pounded, I responded quickly, “Yes.” I sealed my fate. I needed passion, and he might just be the cure.

My Melted Heart

My wish had come true, Sophia finally agreed to come to New Orleans and spend time with me. She had invaded my thoughts, and was the reason I woke up each morning. I checked my phone for her messages before ever crawling out of bed. Messaging and talking no longer satisfied my craving, though.

I needed a good girl in my life, and I wanted somebody I could trust with my secrets and my heart. She hadn’t had many men in her life, unlike the women I’d been involved with in my past, and that made her even more desirable. My judgment had been off for most of my life, but I was finally on the right path. I couldn’t imagine her not in my life at this point. She knew I had feelings for her before she agreed to visit, but not the depth; I understood her weariness.

I worked all day while she drove to New Orleans. I asked to leave work early so I could get home to shower and prepare the apartment. I lived with a couple of guys and they weren’t known for their cleaning skills. I wanted everything to be perfect.

I wanted to get my hands on her—to kiss her. I shaved my head slowly, making sure not to miss a spot. I wanted to feel her hands glide across my skin. I trimmed my facial and body hair. I wanted to look my best for her.

When I was finished, I sat with the boys and waited for her to call.

“Dude, I can’t believe you’re having some girl come here for a weekend and you’ve never even met her before,” Tom said.

I shook my head, “She’s fucking hot, man. She’s unlike any other girl I know.”

“You don’t know her at all, what if she isn’t who you think she is?” Mark asked.

“What?” I asked with my brows furrowed.

“You’ve seen a picture of her?” Tom asked.

“I’ve seen a lot of pictures of her. We have friends in common. She doesn’t have a made up profile picture, if that’s what you’re hinting at, jackass.”

“Never know. I’m just saying, she may not be all that,” Mark said.

“Can we see some pictures?” Tom asked.

I flipped through my tablet to a special folder I had filled with pictures of Sophia. I tapped on a photo of her and turned it in their direction.

“Holy shit,” Mark said.

“Bullshit,” Tom coughed.

I swiped the picture to the side and her face filled the screen. Her large brown eyes lined in blue eye liner and gold shadow always caught my attention, and I knew the guys would be green with envy.

“That girl is coming here?” Mark asked.

“Yes, fucker. She’s staying here with me the entire weekend. Don’t be assholes this weekend. Remember, there will be a lady in the house.”

“You trust us around her?” Tom asked.

“I don’t plan on leaving her side… She’s mine, hands off… eyes too,” I said tapping the picture viewer closed.

“You going to date this chick or just fuck her silly?” Mark asked.

“I’m going to have her. She’s definitely girlfriend material, I’m drawn to her.”

“Jesus, you sound like such a pussy, Kayden.” Mark laughed and slapped the table.

“Fuck off.”

“Wait, what about those other bitches you’ve been fucking?” Tom asked.

“I haven’t seen either of them in a long time, I’m done with them. They don’t compare to Sophia. They were convenient and suited a purpose.” I said.

“Wow, you’re whipped and you haven’t even touched her yet.” John bellowed from the couch.

“I’m far from whipped, dickhead. I know a good thing; I have to do it right with her.” I told them.

My heart began to pound feverishly as my phone began to ring.

“It’s the moment of truth,” Tom said.

“Fuck off, all of you.” I quickly walked out of the room.

I checked myself one last time in the mirror, taking a slug of mouthwash and swished it quickly.

I walked past the guys, ignoring them to make my way outside, not wanting to miss her pulling in the parking lot. I sat in my truck and watched the street. I wanted to get a glimpse of her before she saw me. I thought about hiding, but Sophia didn’t like surprises. I felt like I could barely breathe. She pulled into the drive and up to the gate. She was even more beautiful in person than I had imagined.

Would she still like me when she met me? God, I hoped so.

She looked around and zoomed in on me. Her face instantly broke out into a bright white smile. Thank God, she must not be disappointed. I opened the gate using the remote in my truck and waited for her to pull around. She pulled into the empty parking spot next to mine and turned the car off quickly.