Now or Never

starting to think he was awful busy for a single man. Perhaps he had a serious girlfriend or hell maybe he was married. No, Heather would have known if he was married. She didn’t even care if he did (or so she liked to tell herself) she’d just like to know about it. They’d agreed they were not exclusive. Hell, they weren’t even dating. They were sexual partners and nothing more. What scared her was the fact that the thought of being with anyone else had completely lost its appeal.
    Luna was getting fed up with her, because she didn’t join her in her man chasing anymore. Grayson had gone home alone every time they went out. She wasn’t even tempted. All she wanted was Derrick. Her days seemed to revolve around waiting on a text or a phone call from him—which didn’t come nearly as often as she would like. And she knew it was not in any way healthy to become this obsessive, but she couldn’t seem to stop herself and let him go.
    “No big plans, really just hanging out with the guys.”
    “OK, well have fun.”
    “What about you, what are you going to do?”
    “No idea. Probably just stay home and watch a movie or read I guess.”
    “OK cool. Hey, I got to go, but I’ll call you tomorrow.”
    Grayson hung up the phone and dropped her head in her hands. She was way more into Derrick then she should be. He was going to crush her heart, she knew it, but she still couldn’t stop quietly obsessing over him.
    Their meetings were sporadic at best. Sometimes they would see each other three days in a row, and others more than a week would pass. She was ready to pull out her hair she was so confused by his actions and her emotions. She kept telling herself she should end the relationship, if you could even call it that, but anytime she went to tell him they should stop he would do or say something that made it impossible. She felt like she needed rehab; she was an addict, and no one else but Derrick could feed her addiction. She was disgusted with herself.
    Her phone rang, and her heart dropped. Maybe he changed his mind. Luna’s name flashed across the screen.
    “Oh, it’s you.”
    “Is that any way to treat your sister? Who were you expecting?”
    “No one, I’m just tired, sorry.”
    “Sure. Anyways, want to go out? I heard there is a new band playing.”
    Grayson glanced around the kitchen. She might as well go out. It was either that or another night home alone with the cats. Her mother worked the night shift at the hospital so she was alone at night. She couldn’t sit around twiddling her thumbs waiting on Derrick. What was wrong with her? She left one bad relationship and was starting to cling to a virtually nonexistent one with someone who only thought of her as an occasional fuck buddy. He was by her new standards perfect, and yet she was miserable. What gives?
    “Fine, but let’s go back to that pub,” she said thinking that maybe she would run into Derrick there.
    “Um, OK,” Luna said, “but there are no bands there.”
    “I know. It’s quieter at the pub, and we haven’t been there in a while.”
    “OK. Come pick me up, I don’t feel like driving, and your jeep is better in the snow.”
    “I’ll be there in an hour,” Grayson said, and hung up the phone so fast that Luna couldn’t even say bye.
    Grayson immediately went to throw on some clothes. She pulled out a green long-sleeve shirt and pulled it over her head. As she looked in the mirror to check herself out, all she could focus on was the green color of her shirt; it reminded her of Derrick’s eyes.
    Could I be anymore pathetic? Why does life have to be so damn confusing?
    She knew why. She was falling in love with Derrick. The thought alone pissed her off. It had been almost a week since the last time she saw him. He’d brought her to a hotel, yet again. Grace had asked him if he was going to stay the night in the hotel, if so she’d come back and see him.
    When he said no, a red flag instantly raised. If he was living with a buddy with a kid like he claimed, he should jump at the chance of being on his own. She had a sinking feeling it had more to do with the fact that he had someone to go home to. She thought about following him after he left the hotel, but she wasn’t that crazy.
    Thank god.
    Screw him . Grayson thought, tonight she was going home with someone else.
    Grayson took extra care with her appearance that evening, which Luna certainly approved of.
    “Don’t you ever get sick of this?” Grayson