Licorice Love

Chapter 6: Ariel's P.O.V.

"I had a lot of fun today, Ars, thanks," Matt said when we got to my front door.

I smiled at him before unlocking my front door.

"Rain, go inside," I said, gently shuffling my beautiful baby girl inside.

She's a mix bred, but all pit. I found her by accident the same year that my mom died. I thought it was fate. She was a teeny puppy then, with dark gray fur and bright blue eyes. She looked so scared. I took her home and took care of her. She was fine that day.

"Matt, thanks, I had fun too. Same time next week?" I asked, trying to sound professional.

I was standing in the doorway of my house after our walk. Every Wednesday, Matt and I get together to walk our dogs. He has a blue-nose pit named Moe. Our dogs love each other and Matt has been my friend since we were teenagers.

But the man wants more than friendship from me and I just can't give it to him. He's always had a thing for me, and I think he's sweet, but... he's not him. Even before I met him, I felt nothing for Matt. Hell, he's the only one that ever made me feel anything at all.

"Actually, I was hoping we could go out tonight," Matt said. "Not a date, don't worry!" He rushed out quickly. "Actually... I wanted to introduce you to someone."

"Introduce me to someone?" I asked with a raised brow.

Usually, when someone says that to me, it's like a blind date kind of thing. I learned that the hard way. Which is why I'm so weary right now.

I'm not interested in dating. Anybody. Not now. Not ever. I was never that interested in it before, but definitely not in the last five years. Not since that crazy night that I met the man I can never stop thinking about.

"Don't worry," Matt said with a chuckle. "Actually, she's a girl I've been seeing."

"Oh," I replied, surprised.

Yes! Finally! I've been waiting for him to meet someone! I mean, Matt has had girlfriends before, but I knew they were never truly serious. Matt always picked the ones that didn't actually want commitment. The way he's talking about this one though, I have high hopes. Mostly because he's never actually asked me to meet any of them before.

Not because he was trying to hide anything. Or maybe he was. I don't know. But the few I had met on accidental occasions were really rude and mean. I thought that was why he always kept me away. I never understood how such a sweet guy could date women like that.

"Who is she? Do I know her?" I asked, hoping to get some juicy details.

Matt averted his eyes and rubbed the back of his neck.

"Uh, yeah, actually, you kinda know her," he replied uncomfortably. "Uhm, Sh-Shay... Baylor..."

I blinked at him for a moment, too shocked to say anything.

"Sorry," I said after a moment, shaking my head. "Shay Baylor... as in... Sierra Baylor's... little sister? The same Sierra Baylor that you lost your virginity to and dated for like two years?"

Matt winced like I had slapped him.

"That's the one," he mumbled.

"Didn't she like... just graduate from high school?" I asked.

Matt's eyes snapped up to me, wide with shock.

"She's only five years younger than us, Ars," he rushed out. "She's been outta school for two years. She's taking online college classes because she helps Sierra out with her kids. You know, her husband just left her and with their parents gone-"

"Okay, okay," I cut off his rambling. "I get it." I blew out a breath, trying to wrap my head around this. "You really like her?"

"Yeah, I really do," Matt replied, nodding. "And she knows that you and I are just friends. It's... kinda perfect. I mean, she knew I had a crush on you, but she knows we were never going anywhere. It kind of just... happened and... Man, Ars, I'm so glad it did. She won't be jealous like the other girls I dated."

Oh, that must be why I never got introduced. It is a small town. Everyone knows who I am. They probably all knew about Matt's crush too. Obviously, he wasn't that shy about it.

"How does Sierra feel about this?" I asked.

"Well, she's a little bit pissed right now, but she'll get over it," he said with a shrug. "It's just... gonna be weird for a bit, but I'm serious about her. I think she's the one."

My eyes bulged.

"How long have you been dating?" I asked.

"About seven months," he replied.

Seven months????

"And I thought we were best friends," I grumbled.

"Hey, don't be upset," he said. "We were sneaking around, and I promised I wouldn't tell you until she told Sierra."

"Okay, well, fine," I replied. "I'm happy for you regardless."

"Thanks Ars," he said.

"So, where we meeting?"

******************************************************

"Shay, you are just the cutest little thing!" Liz said in an overly sweet tone.

I rolled my eyes while Shay smiled uncomfortably at her.

One of the worst things about living in a small town... exes are everywhere. Matt is an attractive guy, and his feelings for me never stopped him from having girls drop to their knees for him. He was our star football player and an all-around American boy. He was never even the type to sleep around, but he almost always had a girlfriend.

Liz was one of them. One that didn't last long. She's a couple of years younger than us and has been obsessed with Matt since high school. When he finally gave her a chance, she was clingy, controlling, and a total bit.ch. She was rude to his mom and his little sister, and anyone that came within three feet of him, actually.

Their relationship only lasted a few months. Shay and Matt have been together longer than they were. And wouldn't you know we'd run right into her at the only bar in town.

Of course, Liz decided to plant her a.ss on the seat next to me, across from Matt. Matt was too nice of a guy to tell her off, but the fury in his eyes told me he was close. He better before he blows this with Shay.

"So, are you guys on a little date then?" Liz asked, emphasizing the word little. "Oh, or is this a ploy to make Ariel jealous again? I know you used to try that all the time with your little girlfriends."

I turned my head, giving her a strange look before turning to Shay.

"You're the first girlfriend he's ever had that he introduced me to," I told her. "Unless you count running into them in public and being introduced out of courtesy."

"Oh, my bad," Liz said.

"Yeah, your bad," I bit out.

"Liz, what are you doing here?" Matt asked her, his tone dripping with irritation.

"Well, I just saw you guys and thought, why not? Right?" She replied. "I mean, we all went to school together. Oh, except you Shay, I guess. You were-"

"Younger," Matt cut her off. "She's younger than us. Younger, hotter, better in every way."

I had to take a drink of my se.x-on-the-beach to hide my snort.

"Better in every way is kind of a stretch, Matty, don't ya think?" Liz asked sweetly, fluttering her eyelashes.

I looked up at Shay with a horrified expression.

Matty? I mouthed to her, making her giggle.

"I don't think it's a stretch at all, Elizabeth," Matt said with a hard tone.

"Oh, Matty, I always loved it when-"

"Why don't you do us all a favor and just... let it go," I cut her off. "This is not going to end well, Liz."

"Fine," she whined like a child before getting up and going to the group of friends she came in here with.

"Wow... I can't believe she listened to you," Shay said. "I for sure thought she would cause a scene."

Suddenly, a flash flew across my eyes.

"How long has she been going into your work bothering you?" I blurted.

Sh.it. Damnit. Fu.ck.

"What?" Matt snapped to attention. "Your work? Why didn't you say anything?"

Shay looked from him to me. I gave her an apologetic look. She seemed confused and I didn't blame her.

All my life I've been like this. I can't explain it, but... It's like I know things. Like information just pops up in my brain at random times. Sometimes it's an image, sometimes it's just like I unlocked information, sometimes it's like I can hear other people's thoughts. It happens at least a few times a day, randomly. I can't control it and I have no idea what it is or what it means. I've never told a soul about it, not even Mom.

So, Shay is probably wondering how the hell I know that.

Damnit... we're going to need more drinks.

***********************************************

"Ars, you're fu.cking sloshed," Matt said with a laugh.

"I'm glad one of us stayed sober," I muttered.

"I'm glad it was Matt," Shay said with a giggle.

I giggled along with her as they helped me to my front door. Matt pulled out his keys to unlock it for me. He has the only spare key to my mother's house. The house I grew up in and now live alone in.

All alone.

If that a.ssface doesn't come back soon, I might lose my mind. He never promised to come back, but... he came back all the time. For a full year. Then poof.

"Alright, in you go Ars," Matt said, hoisting me up.

The two of them helped me to my bedroom. They tossed me on my bed and Matt took off my shoes. I snuggled into my comforter with a happy sigh.

"Trash can is next to you if you need to puke." Matt whispered before kissing my head. "Sweet dreams, Ars."

I don't know how long I lay there. I never heard my front door shut. I never felt Rain jump onto my bed like normal. I thought I had fallen asleep, but not that much time could have passed before I heard the mockery dripping from a voice I was beginning to worry I'd never hear again.

"Sweet dreams, Ars," he spat, grumbling like a sulking child.

My eyes snapped open, and I shot up so fast that I fell right off my bed.

"Fu.ck, Ariel, are you alright?" He asked, appearing right above me.

My heart was hammering in my chest. There he was, standing in my bedroom. He was here. After the last three years, he's here.

"Rainer."