O N E

ELIZABETH.

"James…" I place two knocks on his door and turn the knob to enter, only to stop at the sight of the familiar position in front of me. With slightly widened eyes, I’m quick to turn my head away, "Oh God. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to. I thought—"

"Who the fuck is that? Who is she?" The angry mutters halts my words and I let out a sigh with a hang of my head. This would have been a very awkward situation but when you’re used to your best friend fucking around and seeing a different girl with him every other week; it really doesn’t come as a shock.

"Calm down blondie. That’s my best friend you’re referring to." I hear James mutter and there’s shuffling of sheets and exchange of words before I hear James speak again. "Okay, you can turn back now Lizzie."

With a nod and a first tiny peek to make sure it’s safe, I finally turn around to the sight of an angry looking blonde on James' bed. She holds the big blanket to her chest, covering her exposed skin as she shoots daggers at me and I swallow down the urge to call her out for being so rude.

"Hey, good morning." James appears in front of me, taking my attention away from the girl and I glare at him as I gesture to my wristwatch, ignoring the fact that he’s once again chest naked. Then I lower my head to whisper, "What the hell do you think you’re doing? It’s almost eight. "

He puts on a pleading look as he speaks, "I know. I got caught up."

"Obviously." I take a side glance at the girl behind him who looks like she wants everything but for me to be here. Taking my gaze back to James, I say, "I’ll wait for you downstairs to finish whatever you have going on. "

"Thank you." He smiles widely and tries to take a step forward but I push my right hand between us, stopping him.

"And if you take too long, I’m dumping your ass. "

James chuckles and grabs the hand I used as a barrier. He lowers it and closes the distance between us, and my heart skips a beat when his face remains only inches away from mine before he snaps his head to the side and whispers into my ear, "Yes ma’am."

When he pulls back, there’s a tiny smile resting on his face and I give him the middle finger before I turn to walk out.

Just before I’m away from hearing distance, I hear the blonde say, "You fucking her too?"

"Mind your words, Hayley. She’s not to be talked to that way. "

I can’t help the stupid smile on my face as I finally make my way downstairs.

~

"When are we meeting again?" I turn my phone away at the sound of that tiny voice and James is standing feet away from me with the girl before him.

"I’m not sure that’s going to happen. Just for one night remember?"

"But we had fun, didn’t we? Who’s to say we can’t do it again? I don’t mind doing the hard positions for you this time." I shake my head, wishing I didn’t have to listen to this.

"No, Hayley."

"Fine. Have it your way."

There was silence as she backs away from him then she meets my eyes. Hers are cold and it’s as if I can feel her hatred for me in her gaze. Strange cause we don’t even know each other. Why would she hate me?

‘Maybe because you walked in on her having a nice time. ‘

"It isn’t my fault the door wasn’t locked though. " I mutter under my breath.

Blondie doesn’t remove her eyes from mine and I lift a brow when she turns back to James, grabs the front of his jacket, and presses her lips against his. I scoff as I watch him bury a hand in her hair and I wish I could look away but for some weird causes, I can’t take my eyes off them.

"Later handsome." she tells him and I watch as she finally leaves the room; not before giving me one of her looks of course.

"Oh, she knows how to play my game. " I hear James say and I move from the couch, taking my bag with me. Before I can take a step, James is before me with his ridiculously pretty smile. "Hey pretty. I made it right on time. No?"

"Shut up and let’s move. " I hiss, attempting to step to the side but James' firm yet so gentle grip on my wrist stops me. Damn him and his warm touches.

He whips me back then places his hands on my shoulders, "Is everything okay?"

Worry clouds his pretty features and his gorgeous brown eyes bores into mine as he waits for my response and I can feel my resolve start to dissolve.

I can’t even stay irritated at him for more than a second. It’s such stress having a pretty boy as your best friend.

Finally giving him a smile, I say, "I’m okay. Just frustrated we might be late. "

Much to my disliking, he removes his hands from my shoulders. "We won’t be…" He pauses. Then, "And hey. I’m sorry you had to walk in like that. "

"Wouldn’t be the first. "

"I’ll still keep apologizing every time." He smiles again and I can feel my heart melting. I am not exaggerating when I say James has the prettiest smile I’ve ever seen. It’s the way it seems just so genuine and his lips curve into a heart shape and don’t get me started on that cute little dimple that appears on the side of his chin. It’s just so… beautiful.

"You’re lucky I hate you a little less than others." I joke and he chuckles as he slides his arm over my shoulder to bring me to his side.

"I can imagine how miserable you’d be without me. "

"Shut it before I knock out your teeth. Your flings wouldn’t find it attractive trust me."

He laughs as he pulls me along to the door. "Everything is attractive with me babe."

"Always so cocky."

"You would be too if you had a face like mine. " I jab his side but I can’t stop myself from smiling.

We finally make it out and moments of silence pass between us before I say, "I don’t like her."

"Who?" he asks.

"The girl." I mutter and he stops before his car. He leans against it with his arms crossed and a tiny smirk on his face.

"Don’t start. " I caution and he lets out a chuckle before he enters.

I go through the other side and just as I fasten my seatbelt, I hear James say, "It’s a good thing I’m done with her then. "

It’s stupid but those words instantly make me feel good. For all of the wrong reasons.