Jar of Hearts (Glow sequel) (7 page)

“Wow, Ethan! You look handsome. Hot date?” Vanessa wiggled her brows, sticking her tongue out.

He grabbed his wallet and car keys from the counter with a smile on his face. “I have plans. I will be back later,” was all he said before walking past me then out the door leaving a trail of his cologne with me.

“Isn't it too soon to date after what happened?” Vanessa asked Ben who was sitting next to her with his arms tightly around her waist.

“Your brother is a man, babe. He is doing what he needs to do,” he kissed her temple.

“I guess so,” she chuckled. I laid my head back on the pillow beneath me, pretending to watch the movie.

“Why aren't you out with Marc or Keith?” Ben tossed me another pillow, pegging me in the back of the head. “Wait, Keith is the one with the pencil dick, right? My bad,”

“Because you're an ass and I purposely stayed home to ruin your night,” I threw the pillow back at him.

“Both of you, stop it,” Vanessa scolded. “I have enough stress with Ask Nessy, trying to hire a good model for the July issue coming out in two days and we still have yet to do a photo shoot for it, and the wedding is in a week,” she took a deep breath.

“Sorry, Vanessa,” I frowned. “Oh, and what cake did you decide on?”

“Red Velvet,” Ben laughed.

I glared at him. “It's your guests,” I shrugged. “I told you it gives me gas,”

“He is kidding. It is a french silk marble,” she elbowed Ben in the ribs. “God, Benjamin you are so mean,”

“Hey, I would have been fine with the red velvet,” I grinned.

“So, the rehearsal dinner is on Saturday at my parents house, and we would really like it if you and Ethan could get together and say something to the family. You both are our best friends so it is important,” she smiled at Ben, squeezing his hand tightly. “So make sure you both find time to talk about it...I'm going to the bathroom, I'll be right back,”

“So you and Ethan need to play nice,” Ben winked at me.

“Why do you do that?” I asked him, smacking my palm onto the coffee table.

“Do what?” he laughed.

“When you talk about me and Ethan, you constantly throw subtle hints in my face that no one else understands but me,”

“Well, you saying that pretty much confirms what I have thought for a long time now,” he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “What is up between you and Ethan, Maria? Honestly... when he hears your name his reaction is the same as yours,”

“It is?” I smiled. “What has he said?”

Ben laughed. “Nothing, he hasn't said a word. But neither did you and I figured it out on my own. I know him and I know you, so tell me about it before Vanessa comes back,”

“Two years ago we slept together and-”

“Ben?” Vanessa came out from the hallway. Ben's eyes were wide totally not expecting me to start the story out that way.

“Yeah,” he said still staring at me with wide eyes.

“Do you want some ice cream?” she was standing in front of the open freezer.

“Chocolate!” he then leaned closer. “You guys what!?”

“Shh, we slept together two years ago. He came to my apartment after their dads birthday party. Nessy doesn't know...” I pointed at him. “You don't know shit,”

“I know nothing...” he shook his head then looked quickly over his shoulder. “But what happened then? He obviously was with Jackie after wards,”

“I told him that I didn't do relationships and he left my house pretty upset,” I frowned.

“What is going on now? He picked you up last night didn't he?”

“How did you know about that?” I asked.

“Just, whatever... what is going on now?”

“We have had sex twice since last night,” I squirmed under Ben's stare.

“Oh, wow...” he laughed quietly.

“Can I have some too, Nessy? Please?” I called from the living room trying to keep her busy for another few minutes. 

“Yeah, Choco or Nilla?” I heard her open the freezer again. Nice timing.

“Choco!”

“So... what now?” Ben asked quickly.

“All I know is I feel things and I have no idea what they mean or why I feel them,” I slumped my shoulders.

“You have the Nessy syndrome,” he smiled. “You are going through what Vanessa did before she realized that she was in love with me,” he pointed at me.

“What?” I smacked his finger. “You're crazy... I don't love anyone,” I huffed.

“Denial, oh yes...” he slapped his knee in excitement.

“Please,” I rolled my eyes.

“Okay, how do you feel about him?”

I opened my mouth to speak when Vanessa walked into the room, instead I faked excitement over the ice cream that I didn't want. “Oh! Ice cream, yummy!” I reached my hands out for my bowl making Vanessa laugh.

“You are so weird, Maria,” she plopped down next to Ben and handed him his bowl.

I turned around to face the television and dug into my chocolate ice cream. How exactly did I feel about Ethan? I wasn't sure as I had never felt the things for anyone that I feel for him. I refer to them as things because I have the slightest clue what they are. I was at a loss for words when it came to feelings other than attraction, sexuality, and flirting. I knew I wanted him, in what ways? All of them. I wanted him around me, to kiss me, hold me, run his fingers through my hair like earlier today at the park. I want to feel the tingles his fingertips leave upon my skin, and I want to have lots and lots of sex... I want it everyday, all day long. I could never get sick of the the way that he makes my legs weak when he pleasures me. I want to see his smile like I did today when he was telling me his hopes and dreams of having his own law firm, I actually felt proud of him in an odd way. And, I just like him... no, no. I lightly shook my head as I thought deeply, taking another bite of my ice cream. I don't like him, that's not right, no. Like doesn't cry in his arms with the intense need for him to touch you, like isn't becoming jealous because he went out on a stupid ass date, and like sure as hell doesn't make you weak in the knees... neither does lust. It is more than that, it's- it's... love. I dropped my spoon in my bowl then set it down onto the hardwood floor.

“Oh, my God,” I whispered lowly. “I love him,” I think. I placed my hand over my mouth to keep from talking anymore than I already had.

I closed my eyes remembering two years ago and the last two days. Oh, no... I love him. The word love felt right. Thinking about the fact that I love Ethan puts a heaviness in my chest, giving me the urge to cry. I quickly grabbed my bowl and stood up, sliding on my blanket that was on the floor beneath me. I was holding back my tears and trying not to shatter the bowl onto the hardwood floor.

“Maria? What's wrong?” Vanessa sat up, her eyes followed me to the kitchen where I quickly slid my bowl onto the counter.

“Maria,” she said again as I sobbed entering the hallway. I ran into my room and shut the door behind me.

Chapter Four

Ethan

              I quickly told my parents and my grandparents goodbye after finishing my dinner. I couldn't wait to get back to my sisters so I could see Maria. She has been on my mind all during dinner, and I was becoming impatient with the need to be around her.

My mom had called me earlier this morning when I was in the car with  Maria on our way to the flower shop. I couldn't tell her that it wasn't just some vapid female, and that's what all other females would be compared to Maria: flat and dull. My mother made me swear to secrecy that no one in my sisters house would know that my grandparents were in New York. We all thought that they wouldn't be attending the wedding next week due to my grandfathers health, but his doctor gave him the okay. They want to surprise Nessy. They couldn't wait to see me, so of course I went. I felt like shit inside not being able to tell Maria that it was my family that I was meeting for dinner and I knew that thinking I was on a date was bothering her tremendously, if she wants to admit it or not.

I screeched my tires in my sisters driveway and quickly hopped out of the car. When I walked inside Ben and Vanessa were sitting on the couch watching television. My eyes scanned the blanket and pillow on the floor only to be disappointed that there was no Maria.

“How was your date?” Vanessa smiled widely.

“Dinner was fine,” I walked to the kitchen table and tossed my wallet and keys down. I took my blazer and shoes off, next my tie. I don't know why everyone just assumed I was on a date, I never said I was. 

I grabbed a beer out of the fridge and looked around the house. Maria was more than likely in her room. I sighed, popping the cap off and taking a long drink. I walked into the living room and sat next to Ben on the couch.

He leaned close to me. “Maria is in her room,” he whispered, nudging me with his elbow.

“Uh, thanks,” I gestured a thank you with my beer bottle. I was thankful she didn't go out, but was curious as to why Ben felt the need to tell me that.

“I'm going to go check on Maria. She's been in there awhile,” Vanessa patted Ben's thigh and stood from the couch with a giant stretch.

“What happened?” I asked, looking at Vanessa's worried frown then to Ben.

“We don't know...” she shrugged. “I got us ice cream and we were watching TV, then out of nowhere she freaked out. Almost fell, nearly dropped her bowl and ran to her room crying. I'm going to go try to talk to her, I'll be right back,” she kissed Ben on the lips and hurried to Maria's room.

What the hell was wrong with her? I felt my heart sink hoping that it was nothing that I did to her to make her so sad. I knew she was upset earlier when we got home, but she wasn't that upset.

“I wonder what happened?” I said aloud to myself.

“So, tell me what is up with the two of you. She told me what happened between you guys two years ago and for the last two days. So no holding out,” Ben nudged me with his knee.

I shot upright. “She didn't tell my sister did she?”

“Why are you guys making it a big deal if Nessy knows? She wouldn't care,”

“Two years ago at my parents house she told Maria that I was off limits. It would cause some serious problems,”

“Ah,” he nodded. “I see,”

“So she didn't say anything at all? Just got upset?” I wanted more information since I can't go busting in her room without my sister wondering why I was acting like fucking Superman.

“No...” he thought about it for a moment, running his hands through his erratic blonde hair. “Well, she was telling me about you when Nessy was getting us ice cream and she was fine. Wait... no,”

“No, what?” I urged him to go on.

“I asked her how she felt about you and that's when your sister came into the room interrupting our conversation. She grabbed her bowl, spun around and within three minutes she freaked out,”

“Huh,” I took a drink of my beer, wracking my brain trying to make sense of her behavior.

“I know,” he laughed aloud. “She is just like your sister was,” he laughed again. “Oh, wow... I can't believe I didn't think about this before,”

“What, what!” I whispered loudly. “tell me for fuck sakes, Benjamin!”

“She realized that she is in love with you and it scared the shit out of her,” he slapped me on the back. “Remember when I called you that one night after I told Vanessa how I felt? Her reaction was the same way, only on me about my confessing how I felt because it made her realize how she really felt about me,”

“Maria does not love me,” I looked at Ben. “Shut the hell up,”

“I swear,” Ben shook his head. “The look on her face was like someone got murdered,” he laughed aloud, then mocked her wide eyes making me laugh. “I've seen that look twice. Both were from your sister until she learned to trust me, and when she learned to trust me all was fine,”

“I haven't done anything to make her not trust me,” I said truthfully. “I have only seen her three times,”

“It doesn't matter when it comes to woman. Especially only being around her for the last two days, sleeping with her three times then going on a date. That is a trust crusher right there,”

Fuck it, I sighed. “I didn't go on a date, I had dinner with my parents and my grandparents. I wasn't supposed to say anything,”

“Oh, so they will be at the wedding then?” Ben looked shocked, so was I.

“Yeah, the doctor gave my grandpa the okay and they want to surprise Nessy,”

“I won't say anything,” he shook his head. “But, the thing with Maria, Ethan. You need to earn her trust, and I promise you that she will come around,”

“Maria is different than my sister,” I ran my hand down my face out of frustration. “Maria is a player. She doesn't like relationships, and Vanessa just didn't believe in them,”

“Did you just hear yourself?” Ben asked walking into the kitchen to grab a beer.

Actually... “Yeah, it is pretty much the same thing,” Damn.

“Only, Maria doesn't believe in relationships because of her mother's failed attempts at marriage, so she plays. Verses your sister, who steered clear of relationships because of the several failed attempts at relationships her readers have went through and wrote her about. Well, that and with the exception of Dr. Rose,” he huffed, taking a drink of his beer. “That woman is off her rocker,”

“So... what should I do?”

“Don't give up on her,” he winked, plopping back down onto the couch.

“Well, she won't tell me anything,” Vanessa came out from the hallway looking frustrated and sad. “Just that reality bit her in the ass like the bullet on Forrest Gump and she has to come to terms with it,”  she grabbed the beer from Ben's hands and guzzled it's contents.

“Babe,” he tried to grab the near empty bottle from her hands.

She pulled her hand away. “Get your own,” She winked, then drank what was left. “This is girl problems. Something you will never know anything about,”

Ben looked at me with a smile. “She has no idea,” We both laughed.

“Ready for bed? We have to work... in the morning,” she dragged her words, looking right at me.

“What?” I knew that look. She gave me that look when she had some lame ass idea.

“You should come work at Glow until your firm is ready!” she beamed.

“No, no... I am not working at a fashion magazine, Nessy,” I shifted uncomfortably.

“Hey, I did it and look where it got me,” he smiled widely. I knew exactly what he meant.

“Yeah, yeah! It would be so fun to have my brother, Ben, and my best friend all working with me. Besides, I have to hire someone and who would be better at it than you, right? Problem solved!” she shrilled.

Wait... I could be around Maria. All. Day. Long.

“I'll be ready in the morning. Do we car pool?” I smiled.

“Yay!” Vanessa flew off of Ben's lap and wrapped her arms around my neck. “How exciting! You can see what we do all day,”

“Yay!” I mocked my sister. I was excited about being able to stare at Maria all day.

After I agreed to work at Glow, I was hoping that my sister would at least go to bed so I could try to talk to Maria. But nope, not in my favor. Instead my sister went on and on about the pay, the perks... the woman. I wanted to tell her to stop, but after living with her and my mother, I knew better. I just let her talk.

“Okay, okay... babe,” Ben rolled his eyes. “Now we all have to work tomorrow, let's let him get some sleep,”

I sighed a breath of thank you. “Goodnight, Nessy,”

“Night, Ethan.” she smiled brightly. “See you in the morning,” they disappeared into their bedroom. “For work!” she hollered, giggling as Ben shut their door.

I gave it five minutes to make sure she wasn't going to come back out and I lost my patience. I was going to talk to Maria. I took my shirts off, and my black slacks putting a pair of black pajama pants on and headed to Maria's room. I could see that her light was off, I opened her door quietly. As the light entered her room, she quickly rolled over hiding her face in her pillow with a sob. She was still crying, my heart shattered. I didn't want how she felt for me to rip her apart.

I slowly closed the door behind me, and got into bed behind Maria. I expected her to tell me to get out, but she didn't.

“Come here, beautiful,” I whispered. Reaching my arm out, I pulled her to me. She rolled over, burying her face into my bare chest. I could feel her hot tears on my skin.

“It's okay,” I held her tightly, then placed a kiss on her temple.

I knew how I felt about her, but I wasn't sure if she were to admit that she felt the same way that I was ready to handle it. Yes, I am okay with Jackie and I breaking up, but was I ready to jump into something else right away? I was a nervous mess thinking about it at dinner, but now that she was in my arms, hell yes I was ready. To me, Maria is the most beautiful woman that I have ever laid eyes on. She is funny, sassy, and I have never wanted anyone else as much as I want her. I have lusted, and I have been in several relationships but not once did any of them have this intense of an effect on me which makes me want her even more.

“Is it because you thought I went out on a date? You can tell me the truth, it's okay,” I ran my fingers through her hair. She shrugged, burying her body closer to me.

“No,” her voice was muffled and stubborn. “Maybe,” she sniffed.

I laughed against her hair, her body bouncing with my chests movement. “I'm sorry. It's not funny, beautiful. It's not,”

“No, it's not,” she cried. “I mean, I thought I was fine with it, but I'm not,” she sobbed. “I'm just not and I don't understand it,”

I smiled. “I didn't go on a date,”

“The more I thought about it, the more it bothered me and then there was Ben and all of his questions and it jumped up and bit me,” she cried.

“Maria, I-”

“And after it bit me, I freaked out,” she took a deep breath. “And I felt like I couldn't breath and I-” she suddenly sat up making me jump. She wiped her eyes. “Wait, you what?”

I laid there, staring at her in the moonlight. Her cheeks were wet, and her eyes were swollen. I traced my thumb across her cheek wiping away the lone tear she had missed. Her curls dangling over her shoulder hung right above her breasts. She was gorgeous.

“I didn't go on a date, I went to dinner with family.” I tucked her hair behind her ear. “I thought about you the entire time,”

She gave me a soft smile. “Why didn't you tell me that, Ethan?”