Michael
It was funny seeing Erin at the grocery store the other day. That’s about the second time I’ve run into her while she was out in public with Jude, that stupid boyfriend of hers. His whole existence pisses me off. His voice, that stupid smirk that’s always on his face. Why’d she have to bring him along with her? Couldn’t she just shop by herself? What annoyed me the most is how they acted like a married couple or as if they lived together. Do they live together? There was so much that I was dying to know about their relationship. Despite what Erin believes, I do care about her and it was important that she was being treated properly. And as much as I hate to admit it I had my own selfish reasoning. I know for sure that Erin wasn’t going to reveal any information and there’s no way in hell I’d waste my time talking to Jessie. That meant there was only one other person left.
Harry.
One thing I knew from working with children the majority of my life is that kids are honest. Whatever I wanted to know, I was certain that Harry would tell me. I just had to get him in the right place at the right time.
It had been awhile since I’d been to Erin’s apartment. In fact the last time was after she’d blown up on me the day Brooke decided to have a family get together. She wasn’t happy to see me then and I wasn’t sure if she’d be now. Erin’s reactions towards me lately had been unpredictable. I’d expected her to be impressed or maybe even happy that I’d told Mom about the divorce. Erin wasn’t the least bit phased. She was just worried about her eggs and that dick of a boyfriend of hers. Why was it so hard to win her back??
After a short elevator ride up to her floor, I had finally reached Erin’s door. I drew in a nervous breath before knocking on the door. I could hear light laughter inside. It sounded like Erin’s. I bet the bastard is probably in there cracking corny jokes. I remember when Erin used to laugh at my corny jokes. About a minute later the door opened and Erin’s beautiful face appeared.
“Michael?” She asked tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. She was dressed plainly in a lose fitting blouse and a pair of jeans. She still looked amazing.“ Hi!” I exclaimed. Erin seemed surprised to see me. “Hey. What brings you here? Is everything okay?” She asked her eyebrows furrowing as she folded her arms across her chest. “Everything’s fine. May I come in?” I asked. A slight smile swept across Erin’s lips. “Sure.” She replied. I was surprised she was being so nice to me. I’d gotten used to her yelling at me and being mad.
“Funny seeing you twice in one week.” Erin spoke closing the door behind her. “Yeah, funny.” I replied looking around the apartment to see if there was any sign of that stupid boyfriend of hers. It seemed that after everything that happened between us lately that we didn’t have much to talk about anymore. It sucks being in the friend zone.
“So what is it Michael?” Erin asked. She always seems to know when I’m up to something. “Well, I just thought I’s swing by and spend some quality time with my nephew. As you already know, I suck at sports and thought Harry could teach me a thing or two about soccer.” I replied. That was my plan. Create a bonding moment and then flood in the questions. Erin’s eyebrow’s rose. “That seems nice. Jacob, Harry and I all had plans to do something together tonight but if he wants to go with you that’s fine. HAZ!!” She shouted. I assumed Harry was somewhere around the apartment. A few minutes later Harry emerged standing next to his mother. He looked up at me and smiled. “Hey Uncle Michael.” He greeted me. “Hey buddy.” I replied with a smile. “You’re Uncle wants to know if you’d be willing to teach him a few of your soccer secrets.” Erin tells her son. He nods. “Sure! I’ll go get my soccer ball!” Harry exclaims running off to his room. Excellent.
Erin smiled and turned to me. “I guess he forgot all about our plans.” She declared. Who cares about their plans? About a minute later Harry returns with his soccer ball under his arm and a pair of cleats draped over his shoulder. “You guys are going to the park right?” Erin asked. I nodded. “Well, have fun. Don’t be out too late. I’ll be over at Jake’s. If you need me give me a ring.” She replied. She’s going over to his place? To do what?
“We won’t stay out too late.” I assured her placing a hand on Harry’s shoulder. Erin smiled. “Okay. You boys be good.” She commanded ruffling a bit of Harry’s hair. “We will.” He replied. “Well, I’ll catch you later Erin.” I spoke walking to the door. Harry followed close behind. Erin waved to us on our way out the door. Time for my plan to take action.
Erin
I couldn’t help but be a bit suspicious about Michael wanting to have bonding time with Harry. It’s not that I didn’t trust him. I’ve known Michael for a good part of my life and he’s absolutely great with children. It’s just that I couldn’t help but feel like his motives weren’t entirely genuine. I don’t know. I probably just still have ill feelings towards Michael.
I shrugged off the negative thoughts out of my head and slipped on a pair of shoes to go up to Jacob’s place. I’d planned that the three of us did something together but Michael had sort of ruined our plans. I wanted Harry to bond with Jake because I really saw a future with him. A long one.
The elevator ride up to Jake’s was really short. I’d actually only been to his place a few times. He mostly came over to my apartment whenever we went out. I knocked on the door. A few minuets later Jacob appeared looking handsome as always.
“Hi babe.” He greeted me with a smile. I smiled. “Hi.” I replied before pulling him in for a kiss. He always smells so good. I pulled away and Jake takes my hand leading me into his apartment. His place isn’t as messy as I would have expected it to be. It’s not too clean but not too messy either.
“So, there’s been a change of plans.” I spoke while taking a seat on the sofa. Jacob takes a seat beside me and looks at me as if to say continue. “Michael stopped by and said he wanted to spend some time with Harry. They left a little while ago” I finished with a sigh. “Hey that’s okay. We get to have some alone time.” Jake replied with a grin. I smiled. “Now that you put it that way, I guess it’s not such a bad thing after all.” I replied although I was still slightly disappointed that Michael had taken Harry away.
So Jacob and I ended up staying home and watching television. I couldn’t concentrate on whatever was on the TV though. I was too distracted by Jacob. He looked too good, smelled too good for any woman in their right mind to be able to focus. I still couldn’t get over the fact that he was a computer programmer. By the way Jake looked you’d think he was a retired Abercrombie and Fitch model.
“Like what you see?” Jacob asked with a smirk. I blushed an uninvented shade of red. “Was I staring?” I asked sheepishly. “The whole entire time.” He replied smugly. I bit my lip. “I’m sorry. I just can’t help it. And I don’t think I want to either.” I spoke moving closer to him. I don’t know what came over me. Before I knew it I was straddling him. Jacob blue eyes widened in surprise but he didn’t hesitate to pull me in for a long, passionate kiss. Maybe it was a good idea for Harry to go with Michael.
It was as if the whole world had stopped. I’d completely drowned out television. All I could hear was the pounding of my heart, both of our heavy, rhythmic breathing and Jacobs deep moans as I tugged at his hair. His large hands ran under my shirt, exploring the length of my torso. I was losing it. It had been approximately twelve years since I’d been touched like this. Just imagine my frustration. I furiously removed the elastic band that held my hair back letting it fall freely around my shoulders. My head was spinning in ecstasy. The lights were dim, the mood was just right. Nothing could ruin this moment. Nothing except Jacob slowly pulling away.
“Why the hell did you do that??” I hissed trying to catch my breath , my hands falling around his neck. I was beyond frustrated. He’d gotten me all hot and bothered just to stop?!? Jake tucks a strand of lose hair behind my ear. “I’m sorry babe. I really want to. God knows I do. It’s just you don’t when Harry will be back and I don’t want us to feel rushed. I like to take my time. I know it’s probably been awhile for you and I want it to be special” He replied. I smiled placing my forehead against his. “What did I ever do to deserve you?”
Michael
“So Harry, what do you think about your Mom’s boyfriend Josh?” I asked Harry while gasping for air. He’d just finished teaching me a soccer drill. It required lots of running and I was exhausted. This was just another reminder that I was getting older. I took a seat on top of one of the park picnic tables. Harry who was dribbling his soccer ball on his knee stopped. “You mean Jake?” He asked. I never get his name right. Oh well.
“Yeah, what do think of him?” I asked again. Harry grabbed his soccer ball and pushed some hair from his face before taking a seat next to me on the table top.
Harry was like the son I never had. I still remember that cold February night when Erin had called me in the middle of the night screaming at me about her water haven broken. I’d told Erin to calm down, get to the nearest hospital and I’d be there. Leif, Harry’s father, was a nervous wreck and Erin refused to let anyone assist her with her birth except for me. It took a few hours but early that morning a healthy baby boy was born. I’d been there since day one of Harry’s life. Although he was my nephew that I loved dearly ,there were a few things about Harry that made me uneasy. He seemed to be a lot like his dad; cool, calm and collective. He had those same piercing green eyes that Erin was once so crazy about and a lot of other features that resembled him. I’d never had a personal problem with Leif, I just hated him for what he did to Erin and Harry. However, I couldn’t make Harry suffer for his father’s poor decisions. Harry was just a boy that needed guidance and a male figure in his life.
He sighed. “Well Jake’s pretty cool and he really, really likes my mom.” Harry replied placing his soccer ball on his lap. That’s not what I was expecting him to say. I was expecting him to hate him just as much as I did. “Is that how you really feel?” I asked. Maybe I was trying to influence Harry but I was pretty sure he didn’t feel that way completely. Harry sighed. “ I don’t have a problem with Jake, it’s just really weird seeing Mom date again. It’s just always been me and her and now almost every time I go home Jake’s there. I can’t even go a whole day without hearing his name. It’s like Mom’s forgotten all about me. Like I don’t even matter anymore.” He finished. See! I knew things weren’t fine and dandy.
I didn’t really know what to say. “Gee, sorry you feel that way.” I replied. Harry shrugged. “It doesn’t matter how I feel.”He replied staring out at the horizon. The sun was rapidly beginning to set. I felt bad for Harry. “Do you want grab a bite before I take you home?” I asked. “I’m not very hungry.” He replied. Wow, poor kid. I’d certainly heard enough for one day.
Author's Chapter Notes:
Hi readers!! I'm back with another chapter!!! This chapter provides both Erin and Michael's POV. It's probably the longest one I've written so far. I hope you all enjoy! Please review!!!
Chapter End Notes:
Thanks for reading and please review!!!