Chapter 19

Ron Pov.
I told Amanda my feelings but it seems she doesn't feel the same way about me. And most likely, it will never feel the same. It's sad that I wasted two years loving her thinking that one day she would feel the same way. But I guess I don't know Amanda well enough…
That's exactly why...I don't think I'll sleep at her place tonight. Although since meeting Amanda I can barely sleep in my apartment because I want to be with her. For so many years I ran away from that house because it was full of the memory of the pain I went through when I was little, and I even sold the house to Amanda wanting to escape for good. But Amanda managed to do the impossible. He managed to turn that house of terror into "home" for me again.
-Are you going to drink your beer or are you going to contemplate the whole evening? Max asks me, waking me up from my reverie.
After Amanda stayed on the beach with that former high school classmate of hers, I couldn't take it anymore. I felt like I was going to kill the first person in my way so I called Max to go out for a beer with me to calm myself down.
-Forgive me. What time is it? My phone is dead.
-It's almost midnight.
I nod and take a sip of the cold beer in front of me.
Did Amanda go back home or did she stay with her "former high school classmate"?
-If Amanda calls you and you have your phone off? Max asks me and I sigh looking long at the beer bottle.
Has she called me yet? Is she worried that I didn't answer the phone?
- Well... That's it. I can't charge my phone right now. I say and drink more beer.
- This is something new for you. Before, you couldn't do anything if you didn't charge your phone battery. What happened?
- How is Joe? I ask changing the subject and Max already understands that I don't want to talk about it.
-The bastard resorted to plastic surgery. He looks like nothing happened to him, but I think he modified his chin on this occasion. It seems wider. Max says and I laugh imagining what Joe looks like now.
- Karla?
Max sighs as he drinks his beer preparing to answer me.
-Karla wants to take a break from the gang.
-Pause or doesn't want to hear from me anymore?
- I don't know, man. It will pass.
- It shouldn't. She has every right to be mad at me.
-You're kidding? If anyone talked about Karla the way Joe talked about Amanda, I'd put them in a coffin.
I put my hand on his shoulder, thanking him for his understanding, and then I get up from my chair.
- I will go home. It's quite late. I say and Max downs the rest of his beer following my example.
We leave the bar and each go to their cars. With a honk, Max greets me and I honk in turn before starting the car.
Amanda's favorite Chris Brown song “With you” is playing on the radio and I'm tempted to change it because it's taking my mind to it, but for some reason I don't and I find myself smiling when I listen to the lyrics.
Deep in thought I don't even realize that instead of heading to my apartment, I stopped the car in front of Amanda's house. I look at the house plunged into darkness and tighten the steering wheel of the car.
Did she stay with that guy or is she at home in her bed sleeping?
I could find out very easily. All I would have to do would be to go into the house and check her bedroom. But if she's not home... I don't think I can get over it. I take one last look at the house then start the car and go to my apartment.
That's what's best for both of us.
If she wants to be in a relationship with all kinds of idiots and not me, then…I think it's time to back off.
I want her to be happy. I will do anything for her happiness. Even if it means just being a good friend to her.
And now, I ended up lying to myself. I can't be just a good friend to her anymore. Not after the kisses we had.
I think it's best to stay away from her. At least until I'm in control of my feelings again.
I get to my apartment and sit on the couch in the living room, running my hands over my face feeling tired.
I pick up my laptop from the table in front of me and read the page I left open to document myself as best I could.
“Russell Denver, entrepreneur. It owns five security and protection companies, ten pharmacies and two food factories. Denver is known as a mogul among businessmen and the underworld. Denver is rumored to have had knowledge of the underworld in the past…”
Damn…Amanda was right when she said that Denver is very influential.
Well, if I want to win the lawsuit he filed against me for putting his idiot son in the hospital, I need to find out something for sure about him, not just hearsay.
I put my phone on charge, then open it. If anyone knows more about the Denver family, it's Amanda. Maybe she remembered something from when she was a couple with Josh.
I know I said I would put distance between us, but even if Amanda is with her ex from high school, she will answer my phone.
She always does.
I call Amanda, but instead of ringing, I'm greeted with voicemail. I hang up and call her again. Maybe her network just went down.
And the second time I have the same result.
Am I to believe her phone was downloaded like mine? Weak chances.
What if that guy did something to her?
Jesus...I had to go into the house and check if she was there. At least I knew one thing for sure.