Amanda Pov.
In the morning I wake up to the pleasant smell of coffee and the sun's rays that made their way through the curtains. I sit up and run my hands through my hair before reaching for the coffee mug on the bedside table, which is next to a note.
"I didn't want to wake you up because you were sleeping too well. If you need me, I'm in the basement.-R".
I take a few sips of coffee then get out of bed to do my morning routine, then maybe I'll join Ron in the basement. In the basement is his gym. That's where he goes when he feels like getting some exercise.
After I finish my routine, I decide I've had enough of sitting in the room and head downstairs with my coffee mug in hand. When I open the basement door I get the surprise of my life. Ron hits the punching bag he has hanging in the middle of the room so hard that I think he has a little left and it falls from the ceiling. But that's not the surprise of my life, because I'm used to seeing him hit the punching bag with such ferocity, but with his shirt on. Now, however, Ron is bare-chested and…God…Even if you were blind you'd still see the muscles playing under his skin.
Did he somehow get sexier and I didn't realize it?
I mentally slap myself because I just had a mini heart attack at the sight in front of me, but… How I would love to feel those muscles tense and then relax under my fingers.
Ok Amanda...I think you better go and find something to do. You can't have fantasies about your best friend.
I want to turn around and leave but as if sensing my presence, Ron stops hitting the bag and turns to me.
Dear Jesus...Did he always have those packs on his abdomen?
-What are you doing? He asks me, but I'm too dazed right now.
-Excuse me?
-I asked you what are you doing. He says with a smile on his face as if he can hear my every thought and he loves what he hears.
I can hardly tear my eyes from his stomach and look him in the eye. Except when I do, my cheeks catch fire for some reason unknown to me, and his smile widens.
-I...I came to tell you that...Josh will probably stop by. I say stammering.
Me? Stuttering when it comes to Ron? Never. What's wrong with me?
-It would be good if he came when I'm gone so I don't have to break something, and God forbid, he won't be able to play anymore. He says wiping his sweat with a towel.
It would be something… Maybe if Ron broke a few bones he'd know to stop treating me with such disrespect as if I didn't matter. But I'm not into violence, so…
- You'll behave normally and you won't do anything to him.
-You're too good for him, Amanda, and he doesn't value you the way you deserve.
For some reason I'm out of breath and finding this conversation too much, so I do what I usually do. I retire.
-Ok... I'm going to make breakfast. Come when you're done here. I say and hurriedly leave the basement room without letting Ron say another word.
Once in the kitchen, I decide to make a simple breakfast. Eggs with bacon. I wonder if I can still focus on cooking after the basement phase.
-Oh, my dear... How you have grown.
My eyes immediately move to the front door and I can't hide my shock when I see my mother enter the house. They passed, how many? About four and a half years since I last saw her and it seems to me that she is unchanged. In fact, it seems to glow…
I'm glad she's happy but I think she should have chosen to stay with me instead of going on holidays with her boyfriend.
- Mother... I say with my voice shaking with emotion and I hurry to finish breakfast so as not to burn the eggs.
She walks into the kitchen and pulls me into her arms as soon as I turn off the stove. Her hug is warm just as I remember it and I can't control the tears that flood my eyes.
-I missed you so much, my dear. She said with a sigh.
- Does that mean you won't leave her again?
Ron's voice comes and we break from the hug as I prepare to calm him down. I don't want him arguing with mom even though Ron is right.
- Stallion? God...I can't believe you're still around. Said the mother, approaching him and hugging him.
- So? You did not answer my question. Ron insists, and I wait patiently for my mother's answer.
-Don't be children...Amanda doesn't need me anymore. She is mature, she is responsible. Plus, she's got you, right?
Ron nods as he thinks about something, and I'm a little disappointed that Mom is going to be off on another trip for who knows how long.
I prepare breakfast in three plates and then place them on the table.
It doesn't matter that mom will be here for a short time, what matters is that she is here now. We all sit down at the table and start eating. From time to time I feel Ron's eyes on me but I decide to ignore him, being far too attentive to what my mother is saying.
It seems like the perfect morning, until the last person I wanted to see today shows up at the door. Josh. I see Ron tense up and decide to deal with Josh as quickly as possible while he's still intact. I have a vague feeling that Ron won't be able to hold back much longer and will jump at his neck. I don't want any show today.
Besides…Ron doesn't deserve to waste his time with Josh. It's enough that I wasted my time with him.
-Josh, let's talk. I say and motion for him to follow me outside.
I notice that he doesn't really like the fact that I don't invite him into the house, but it's for his own good.