YOU CAN TRUST ME

Zarah Fable

Kiara and I were working on our project when we heard the door slam. We took one look at each other and then shrugged it off.

"Damn it."

"What's wrong," Kiki asked concerned.

"I forgot the sticks downstairs to support our flimsy paper base."

I really did not want to go back downstairs. I didn't want to interact with James' girlfriend again.

"Well, it sounds like she left. But I can go down and get it if you want."

I didn't even have to tell her what I was thinking. She just understood me.

"No, it's good. I will go get them," I said as I stood up and walked towards her door. I walked out and went downstairs. I come down to find James standing, looking out towards the door. He seemed upset by something. I'm guessing the bag I tried to pick up quietly made noises because he turned and looked at me.

"Z, sorry I didn't know you came back."

I smiled and nodded letting him know it's ok. I turned to go back up the steps when his voice stopped me.

"I'm sorry, about earlier. I shouldn't have said anything about your mom. I know it's hard."

After mom died, I really didn't know what to do with myself. I felt lost and alone. With dad traveling for work so much, I didn't have a lot of support. But I did have Kiara and James. No matter what, they were always there for me, day or night.

"It's all good. Sometimes bad memories just remind you to look at the good ones," I smiled in reply. He smiled back at me but it wasn't his normal smile. It seemed sad and nagging. Like something was bothering him.

"Is everything ok," I asked slowly. He hesitated before answering.

"Yeah, yeah everything is…. perfectly fine."

I stepped closer to him.

"It doesn't seem like everything is fine. You seem sad."

He laughed with a peck of sadness in his voice.

"I'm not going to burden you with my problems."

"You won't be. You were always there for me when I needed you and still are. I want to be there for you too. If you don't want to talk about it then that's fine but you can trust me." I smiled at me hoping that he would be willing to open up. He took a deep breath and motioned his hand for me to take a seat at the island in their kitchen.

"Things with Cassidy have been really good lately. Except for one thing."

I was kind of afraid to ask but I did anyway.

"What's that?"

He took another deep breath and looked at me again.

"Are you sure you want to know? Because once you there is no going back."

He gave me a serious look like he was about to tell me he killed someone. I nodded, telling him that I was sure.

"I love Cassidy, I really do, but she wants to do something that I'm just not ready for."

"What do you mean, do something that you're not ready for," I questioned, already having a feeling what the answer was. James grew this nervous look on his face and moved his hand behind his neck as he looked down again with the same nervous smile. I moved my hand on top of his which was already sitting on the counter. He immediately looked up at me and moved his hand before speaking again.

"Everytime Cassidy and I kiss things sometimes get heated, if that makes sense. And then she always asks if I want to take it somewhere private and continue. Basically she is ready for sex and I'm not."

Damn I wasn't sure if he was going to be that blunt with me or not.

"Okay, and did you tell her that?"

"Yeah, I did. More than once but she refuses to listen."

At this point I was kind of lost for words. I have never been in this situation before so I didn't know how to help him.

"Look, I've never dated anyone before so I can't act like I know what you are going through. However, I know you and you're a kind and loving person. You don't need to have sex with omone to prove how much you love them. So, if she doesn't trust enough to know that you love her for who she is then it's her loss."

I didn't realize but by the time I was done with my short speech I was now standing up. James just looked at me and chuckled slightly. He smiled before looking at me with the most contempt I've seen in a while. His phone beeps as he takes a look at it.

"Damn, I have to go now. My hotel needs me to check in before the time is up. But, thank you for that."

He smiled at me before rushing out the door. As soon as I closed, I heard his truck pull on and plop back into my seat. Damn it, why did he have to be so hot?