Now and Then

9781483547770

Chapter 1 – Paige

I don’t know what it is about him. Maybe it’s his emerald green eyes that make me think of Ireland. Or what I imagine Ireland to look like. Maybe it’s his tall, confident stance. It could be so many things, but as I stand here staring at him I can’t quite place it. I haven’t seen Michael in years. We became friends in college. I use the term friends loosely. I haven’t seen him since then. But there he was, a hundred feet in front of me with a baby on his hip and a toddler holding his hand. He’s still unmistakably beautiful. His hair is a little thinner then I remember and he definitely put on a little weight but he was still very handsome. As soon as I saw him that pit in my stomach returned. The pit I always had around him. I was just running out for lunch and there he was at the ice cream truck on the corner. It stopped me dead in my tracks. I had to adjust my glasses to make sure it was him. He was handing the toddler a cup with a vanilla twirl in it when he looked up and caught my eye. I looked away immediately and pretended to look for something in my bag. I grabbed my sunglasses and switched them with my seeing glasses. Good. Maybe if I have my glasses off he’ll think I can’t see him I think to myself as I make my way to the corner. I’m trying to pull my headphones out of my bag, just to divert my attention, when I hear his voice. Paige? Is that you? Ugh. His voice still sends chills up my spine. I look up from my search and smile. Michael? I didn’t see you there I say and walk towards the truck. He meets me half way and gives me a kiss on the cheek. He puts the baby down in the carriage in front of him and tells the toddler Don’t move Henry. I’m going to talk to my friend for a second and lets go of Henry’s little hand. So Paige, how are things? I haven’t seen you in forever he says and smiles. The last time I saw him I was looking for my underwear in his bedroom and trying to slip out unnoticed. I know that’s what he’s thinking about too just by that smile. Damn those dimples. I’m pretty good. Just came down to grab a bite to eat I say nonchalantly. Do you work in the area? Did you become some hotshot A&R like you always said you would? How does he remember? Actually I am I say proudly because I knew I was one of the few that actually followed through on their dream. I’ve been at a major label for about 10 years now. How about you? I see you’ve been working hard I say and look at the children. Its then I notice the small gold band on his left ring finger. Damn! Kids I can deal with but married…not so much. Yea, I guess I have he says and looks admiringly at his kids. This little man is Henry. And this gorgeous girl is Sophia. I look down and notice how gorgeous Sophia really is. Henry is just as cute but doesn’t resemble Michael. Well hi there you two I say and give a big smile. Sophia gurgles and smiles and Henry shyly says hi and hides behind Michael’s leg. What are you doing for work? I say and smile again at Henry who is peeking up at me. I actually started my own contracting business out in Jersey. He was always good with his hands I think and smile. Wow that’s great Michael. I always knew you’d grow up to be successful. Henry starts getting bored and tugs on Michael’s shirt. Daddy, the ice cream is melting he says and holds out the cup that is now covered in melted vanilla ice cream. Besides the cup, his shirt, hands, and face are covered in ice cream. I hear Michael curse under his breath and take the cup from Henry’s hand. He takes a lick of it and throws it in the trash can. To me the lick was in slow motion. I saw his tongue take a swipe of that ice cream and thought of what he licked on me the last time we saw each other. I got a tingle. Sorry Paige. I got to get these kids home. It was so nice seeing you. Here, take my card. Call me sometime. We can get together for drinks he says and hands me his business card. My cell is on there too. By the way, have you spoken to any of the guys? I take the card and put it in my wallet. Yes. I speak to them all the time. Maybe I can set something up for all of us I say and make a mental note to call Jeff when I leave. He’s busy wiping Henry off and doesn’t respond. Ok Michael. It was nice seeing you too. I’ll talk to the guys and see what we can do. I awkwardly go to pat him on the back but he stands up abruptly and we’re face to face. I can feel his breath on forehead. He leans over and kisses me on the cheek again. He smells like baby. He leans over to my ear and whispers Or we can catch up. Just me and you He pulls away and grabs Henry’s hand again. See you soon he says and starts pushing the carriage down the street. I wave because I’m speechless. Did he really just say that? I touch the cheek that he just kissed and feel like I am 20 all over again. Damn! How does he do that to me? It’s been 10 years and there’s still something about him.

I immediately call Jeff. Jeff and I have been best friends for about 15 years. I met him in High School and we’ve been close ever since. He answers on the third ring. Ello he says in his Dominican accent. Jeff! You’ll never guess who I just ran into I say breathlessly. Paige, have you been running or something? You sound like you’re out breath I realize then that I’m leaning heavily against the side of a building trying to catch my breath. Michael was just on the corner of my job I say finally, slowing my breathing. Jeff knew all about Michael and the major drama we went through. In fact, Jeff is the reason I met Michael. The guys had been friends with him before I met them. Michael who? he asks. I assumed he would know. Michael Rodriguez I say in almost a whisper. Ahhh. That explains it he says in a matter of fact manner. How’s Mike doing? I spoke to him not too long ago I knew that Michael kept in touch with the guys but I didn’t know that it was a recent thing. And I’m sure you just forgot to mention to me that he’s married with children? I say accusingly. I thought Jeff told me everything. Guess not. Why would I tell you that Paige? Plus, I thought you knew that we went to the wedding WHAT???!!! Is he serious right now? I’m so appalled I look at my phone in disgust. Who went to the wedding? And when was this? Where was I? I can’t believe the one man I trust completely forgot to mention that my college boyfriend got married. Um…yeah. We all went. He’s a good friend of ours and we were invited. It was a couple years ago. I think you were away on business I try to think back a couple years but couldn’t remember what happened yesterday. I still can’t believe I didn’t know this. Paige, you there? Jeff asks into the phone. Yeah, I’m here. Whatever, Jeff. I’ll call you later I say and go to hang up. I hear yelling Wait, wait and don’t press the end button. Are you mad at me or something? I don’t say anything. Paige, after what you guys went thru and all that happened, what was I supposed to do? I didn’t want you to hurt all over again he says sincerely. It’s true. I was close to being obsessed with Michael. You’re right Jeff. I’m sorry. It’s just when I saw him those feelings came flooding back I proceeded to tell him the small conversation Michael and I had and the proposition he whispered to me at the end. When I used to tell Jeff about the things Michael would tell me, he was clearly jealous. Don’t get me wrong. Jeff is a very attractive man. He is tall, dark, and handsome. Dark brown eyes, dark hair shaved close to the scalp, and the loveliest dark skin I’ve ever seen. He just fell into the friend zone and remained there. Jeff is happily married now with 3 kids that I love more then life. His wife and I are close friends as well. Paige, do you really want to do this to yourself again? You were really caught up in college he says warningly. I was not caught up! I dated plenty of guys in college I said in offense. Yes you did. But you always held a candle for Mike. He was absolutely correct. I hated putting Jeff in the middle of this because obviously he was still friends with Michael. But I didn’t know who else to talk to this about. Well I think I’m gonna call him. Just for a drink and to catch up I say nonchalantly. Be careful, Paige. You know how he is he says again in a brotherly way. I’m not 20 anymore, Jeff. I think I can handle having a drink with an old friend. I’ll think about it and call you later. I have an artist showcase tonight so it might be a little late I say checking my blackberry. Call me whenever. Talk to you later. And Paige, he sounds concerned Be careful. Te amo. Love you too. Bye I hang up and hurry back up to the office. It was going to be a long day.

I got home a little after 11 and was exhausted. I stand at my door struggling, looking for my keys while I hold my purse, phone, and a package the doorman had for me. I finally just pour everything out of my purse in the hall and hear my keys hit the marble floor. I unlock my door and prop it open with my foot so I can kick the package in while gathering everything off the floor from my purse. I’m greeted by my black and white cat. Hi Mami. How was your day? I say and pet her head. She begins to tell me by meowing. I put down my stuff and go straight to the shower. Michael was in my thoughts all day. Thank goodness I kept busy or he would’ve been the only thing on my mind. As I strip down and step into the hot shower I think of the first time we met.

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I was sitting in my apartment with Jeff looking at pictures from his trip to Cancun. I noticed in the pictures that there’s an extra guy there that I didn’t know. His eyes were so green they were piercing thru the picture. Who’s that I asked innocently and pointed to the handsome guy hugging Jeff. That’s Mike he said matter-of-factly. I shrugged my shoulders and continued flipping thru the pics. But I stopped at every picture Michael was in and couldn’t help but stare. And who’s Mike? I said and looked up at Jeff. I saw the jealousy in his eyes. You never met Mike? he asked knowing very well I hadn’t. Nope. Where have you guys been hiding this one? I asked and nudged him playfully. We’ve known Mike forever. He’s one of my friends from the neighborhood Jeff said and took the pictures from me to put away. Wait, I’m not finished staring at your friend I said and tried to grab the pictures back. He snatched them and put them on a high shelf so I couldn’t reach. I laughed and said Really Jeff? It’s like that? He got really serious and looked me straight in the eye. Paige, leave that one alone. He’s no good for you and walked towards the kitchen. I trailed behind him and wondered what he meant by that. That’s all you’re going to say? Listen Jeff, we spoke about this. You and I are just friends. Best friends. But just friends. Do I see the green eyed monster peering its ugly head? As soon as I said green eyes I thought about Michael. Jeff turned around and faced me, still very serious. Listen Paige. I get that we’re just friends. But as your friend I’m telling you to beware of Mike. He’s a great guy, don’t get me wrong. He’s one of my best friends. But he’s just not for you. I could tell he was being sincere. So I just shook my head and left it alone.

Later that evening, Jeff and I met up with the guys at our local hangout. As soon as we walked in I had guys lining up to hug and kiss me hello. An outsider would think I was either a family member or a whore. I loved my boys. I never was a girl’s girl so when I met this group of guys I was thankful. They always respected me and treated me like one of the guys while always keeping a protective eye on me. Mi Amor Lenny said as he bear hugged me, picking me in the process. Hey Len. How are you? I made my rounds saying hello to all my boys. I met Lenny, Geo, and Jeff in high school and we’ve all been close ever since. Geo and I hooked up when we were 17 but it was so bad that we never spoke about it. And we remained really good friends after that. We even cracked jokes on how bad it was with the boys. After greeting everyone, I realized there was a new face amongst the crew. His eyes looked familiar. That’s when I realized it was the guy from the pictures. It’s Mike. Geo grabbed my hand and pulled me over to the table where Mike was sitting. Paige, I want to introduce to my boy Mike. He’s from the hood and has been part of the crew since the beginning he said with a stupid grin. Mike, this is Paige. THE Paige he said with a mischievous smile. What the hell does that mean? The Paige. Mike slid out of the booth and was taller than I expected. He towered over me. Although everyone towered over me, I am only 5 foot; he had to be over 6 feet. He took my hand and bent down to kiss my cheek. Nice to meet you, Paige he said and his voice sounded like silk. Hi. Nice to meet you too I managed to get out. He held on to my hand a little longer until Jeff came over and broke it up by hugging Mike. Hermano, how the hell are you he said while in embrace. I scooted into the booth and waved over the waitress. I’m gonna need to drink tonight. And heavily. I thought to myself. The waitress made her way over to the table and I ordered a Vodka Sprite for myself, 5 shots of tequila and a pitcher of beer for the guys. As I waited for the