The One That Got Away by Danielle Martin (chrysanthemum read aloud TXT) 📖

tired of it dictating her future. Indeed, Makayla made her mistakes in the past and she took full responsibility for all the messy situations she put herself in, but sometimes she just needed a break from all the constant resentment and guilt. At times she wish she could burn her past away like pictures in a scrapbook so they could go away forever.

"Forget that." She quickly changed the subject, refusing to let that be the topic of discussion. Reaching across the table, she lightly touched his hand, hoping that he would not resist or pull back. He didnt. She stopped for a moment to enjoy the warmth of his touch and the chills he sent through her body. He was everything she ever wanted. At this moment she almost felt like he was damn near perfect and only wished she had met him later on in life when she was more established and had herself together. "You just dont get it Nathan." She licked her lips. "Ever since i met you, something changed in me. You listened to me and from the beginning you never ever judged me. You make me feel like im not a sex addict anymore. I dont crave for it the way I used to Nathan. I crave for you. Your my new addiction." She turned his hand over, lacing her fingers with his as she continued to stare at him.

"Mmmm..." He pursed his lips together, at a loss for words. He stared at their hands which was laced together almost as if he were in a daze "Wow Makayla. Please dont take this the wrong way, but I didnt want to give in to you. I fought it very hard for a very long time. I didnt wanna fall for you."

She massaged the palm of his hand, determined to make it into his heart no matter what it took. Nathan was the prize, and she was going to win.

Interrupting their moment, her phone buzzed and lit up beside her which was face up and visible so she could see that someone was calling. Glancing down, she checked the caller id knowing it was probably a bill collector because now that she was on the out's with Nya, there was no need for anyone else to be calling. Leaning over, her eyes widened in shock as Rodneys name popped up clear as day on the caller id. She stopped breathing for a second in shock as she came to the realization that he was actually calling her right now. Lifting her head up, she glanced at Nathan. Her phone was clearly visible and defenitely in eyesight of Nathan. She just hopped that her luck really wasnt that bad and that he didnt see Rodneys name on the caller id. Juding by the look on his face which quickly changed, she was wrong. He was no longer smiling and had drew his hand back as Makayla sat stuck, not knowing what to do as her phone continued to buzz on the table.

"Wow. Speaking of the devil." He spoke sarcastically. "You gonna answer that?"

Biting her lip, Makayla felt a familiar feeling. Her anxiety caused her to jump up, grabbing the phone from the table as she moved around the table. "I'll be right back Nathan."

Scurrying across the resturaunt feeling as if she were seeing things in a blur, she trotted to the ladies room so she could call him back. Her life had suddenly become into a big coincidence. Rodney hadnt spoken to her in 2 weeks since the last time she seen him and the shopping mall, and he damn sure hadnt used her number or called her in months. What are the odds his number decides to pop up the night she was having dinner with Nathan? Her curiosity also wanted to know why he was calling and what the hell could he possibly want?

Pushing open the bathroom door, she was happy it was a single stall bathroom so she could have some privacy. Scurrying in, she shut and locked the door behind her while unlocking her phone. She dialed his number back, tapping her foot as she waited for him to pick up the phone.

 "Hello.." he answered calmly.

"Ummmm... Hellooooo?" she responded in a dramatically aggravated tone. She was out of breath and flustered at the same time.

"What's up Makayla? Were you busy?" he asked.

She nervously tapped her foot on the bathroom tile, stammering before answering. "I'm at dinner. What's up? What is it Rodney???

The line went silent for a few moments before Rodney answered. He cleared his throat then responded. "I was wondering if we could talk about what happened the other day. I really felt bad about the way we left things off."

Her heart raced profusely as she stood in front of the mirror, attempting to find the right words. Just hearing his voice still made her weak inside. "Ok and???'" she asked smartly, having no idea what was appropriate to say.

Rodney sighed on the other line. "I broke up with Bailey...." he suddenly confessed.

Unknowingly, Makayla gasped then quickly covered her mouth with her hand hoping he hadn't heard. His confession was the last that she had expected. Rodney continued. "She was right... I'm not over you Makayla.. and Bailey is a good girl... she doesn't deserve to be strung along like that..."

Makayla was shaking now... Truth be told, the day she saw Rodney and Bailey together inside the mall changed something inside her. She cried hysterically non stop for the following week, only taking a break to take her medication and sleep for an hour or two.  The feeling of loss and dissappointment was more than she could bare. Now, listening to him tell her it was over had her toes numb. 

Rodney continued. "It doesn't matter what I do Makayla... It doesn't matter who I date or how much you have betrayed me... I can't stop loving you... I can't shake you... Trust me, I tried..."

Knock knock knock

Makayla jumped as she heard a knock sound off on the other side of the door.

"Makayla???" she could hear Nathan's voice calling out to her in a concerned tone. "Makayla are you are right???"

Quickly, she covered up the mouth peice, in hopes that Rodney would not hear his voice on the other side.

"Im fine!" she blurted out anxiously. "I'll be out in a second." 

In a rush, she placed the phone back to her ear. "Look, I really can't talk right now..." she attempted to rush him off the phone.

"I see..." Rodney answered dissapointedly. "Your on a date huh?" he asked with a hint of jealousy in his tone. Makayla rolled her eyes and sarcastically slapped herself on the forehead, Apparently, she hadn't done a good job at hiding Nathan's voice on the other line.

Makayla bit her lip, apart of her wanting to throw our the first lie she could think of. But then again,  another part of her was sick and tired of lying. She was tired of hiding her truth, decieving others just to make the next person happy. She closed her eyes, pressed her back against the wall then silently answered. "Yes..." she gave a bland response.

She could hear Rodney sigh on the other line. "Well... I guess that is to be expected..." he surprisingly admitted out loud. Atleast he knew better.

She nodded her head in agreeance as if he could see her. Rodney still had some sense despite everything that he put her through. Despite her past and all the dark skeletons that were buried inside her closet, Makayla knew deep down she was still a good woman. She was still capable of love...

"Well when you are done with him, can you stop by my hotel???

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Publication Date: 10-11-2016

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