Twisting Heart

Anton sighed in relief and dropped his hands to his side, walking back to me with exaggerated slowness. "That's not the worst part."
I shook my head impatiently. "You really do want me to hit you, huh?"
"Roman told me how you deal with men." his eyes were wide with horror. "I still want to father a full football team."
My face twisted in an array between embarrassment and horror. "He told you that?"
"Oh yeah, you two make a mean team." He squared his shoulders. "So it wasn't enough that you milked his balls, Roman had to beat the crap out of him, too?" He shook his head, smiling.
I frowned. I could feel the skepticism in my eyes. "But he said it wasn't him."
Anton rolled his eyes to the skies. "That had Roman written all over it. He never leaves a mess. He wanted to make sure none of them came within a ten meter radius of you."
"Oh God!" No wonder they still ran whenever I came near them.
He lowered himself to a squat again and held my shoulders, pushing me back slightly. "There's more?" I asked.
He was nodding.
"More?" My voice was flat. "Let's hear it then."
"When you were hurt." His eyes were cautious — he spoke slowly... choosing. "I had a talk with Roman, told him it would save him time and it'd be less grief if he just got back with Regina."
This time I stared at him in shock. He watched my reaction warily, expecting more of the fury I was showing.
"You said you won't get mad," he reminded me.
"I know... but" — I shook my head, bewildered — "You're making this so difficult."
He inhaled deeply.
I stared at him, waiting.
He gestures toward his face. "He forgot I was his best friend for a minute."
"Oh?" The surprise was evident in my voice despite my attempt to conceal it. "That explains the fading bruises in your face."
He looked away from me, ashamed. "He loves you, you know."
"I know."
"I'm sorry."
"Look... Anton." I glared at him. "If we are going to be in Roman's life — you and me — you've got to learn boundaries."
Anton tried to smile through his embarrassment. He couldn't help but cringe at my chilling, cold tone.
"Hmph."
"You're making it impossible for me to like you."
"I know," he said awkwardly.
I narrowed my eyes on him.
"Look, Nuru, I know it will take a while for you... but trust me. I will never ever try to get Roman to break up with you ever again. I didn’t see it before but you're good for him."
He took my hands and met my gaze. "I'm sorry."
I didn't know what to say for a moment. I sighed. His voice was earnest.
"You can have him back on Fridays in addition to Thursdays for your boys weekly date night."
"Thanks."
"But if you take him out you had better not dare try to hook him up."
"Like I did you two?" He was smug. "I've got to get some credit for that. I'm a good match maker."
I rolled my eyes and punched him playfully on the shoulder. "Whatever."
"Nuru?" My heart stopped beating. It was Roman. "The girls are waiting for the show but I can't start without my favorite girl there."
I smiled at him. His eyes, deep, intense, melting my anger.
Anton got to his feet and hesitantly excused himself. Roman narrowed his eyes on me.
I stared at him in confusion. "What now?"
He was moving towards me, his strides wide, quick. "I know you didn't get by yourself on that chair."
I sighed. "It was Anton."
"Exactly." His face was expressionless.
"Roman he's your bestfriend."
"But you're a beautiful woman." Roman was irritated.
"Er..." I stuck my tongue out. "Anton would never look at me that way."
He quickly caught my tongue with his teeth and playful bit down on it. I forgot how to breathe for a moment. I gasped and he moved away, studying my face.
I frowned.
He rolled his eyes at me and suddenly he was serious. "We should go."
"Hold on..." I said, meeting his gaze. "Before we go..." I blinked up at him, still trying to clear my clouded mind. "Roman, you didn't tell me what ever happened to Josh and Wyatt."
He shrugged and walked behind me to wheel me out of the room.
He sucked in a sharp breath. "No one is allowed to hit you — not even me."
I turned to watch him over my shoulder. His face turned bright red. He took a few deep breaths. He was still very much angry whether at the thought of Josh and Wyatt hitting me or at what ever crazy thoughts that led him to believe that Anton was stepping over the line.
"Roman..." I hesitated. "Don't you think you're a little paranoid where Anton is concerned? Not everyone will betray you like Isaac did."
His eyes flashed angrily to my face and then he seemed to take control of his emotions, he let out a deep sigh. "You really haven't noticed anything unusual have you?"
I scoffed. "No. Obviously. "
"Not Anton, Nuru but his younger brother, Robert." He sighed impatiently. "Last night for instance, when he'd shared his ice cream with you."
I began to smile, ready to tell him he was paranoid but then my memories flashed before my eyes. Anton had brought us all ice cream, blackcurrant for Roman and Isaac, vanilla for me and blueberry for himself and his brother.
"Vanilla?" I had asked in disbelief.
Anton rocked back onto his heels, gasping wildly in surprise. "You're a girl and girls love vanilla ice cream."
"I hate it." I frowned. "Not that I don't eat it. I want some of that." I pointed to his.
Roman was already handing me his as he devoured the vanilla ice cream. I'd smiled my thanks.
Robert had spooned his ice cream and fed me, holding my gaze as I'd opened my mouth and gulped.
"Ew," I said, shaking my head to get rid of the thought.
"See?" Roman asked, his face heating up again.
"But maybe, it's not what we think."
He shrugged, not really convinced.
I realized I'd lose the bet if he didn't stop being angry.
"You won't believe what happened the day the cops came to
interrogate me."
He raised his eyebrows in expectation of my brilliant diversion. "Oh, yeah?"
I lapsed into a detail explanation of what had happened when Reed had reminded me of Roman. It had the desired effect. He laughed in earnest at my embarrassment.
"Oh, how I wish I'd have seen that." he said, as he wheeled me into the crowded lounge. He was still laughing.
The were a group of eight girls anxiously waiting for Roman. I smiled. Where had Anton found these girls. They were possessed with energy.
Roman placed me directly in front of him, purposely a safe distance from Robert. I rolled my eyes, I didn't believe Robert saw me that way at all, thought some of his behaviour was questionable, especially the one night I'd spilled ketchup on my cheek, not only did he wipe it with his finger but he'd licked it off.
The lights dimmed, the curtains closed, a slow romantic song sounded in the background when Roman pressed the romance button on the remote.
The girls squealed — I may have been one of those girls.
The night dragged on, Roman seemed to enjoy himself too, occasionally giving me a lap dance. I just about choked. My heart twisting.