Reluctance

She sits, legs crossed, arm resting over a knee. Her expression is dark, lips pursed. This had been her home--her sanctuary. Yet, here he was. Soiling her home with muddy feet and muddier words, bolstering and blustering in vain.

She wanted none of it. He knew this. He knew it all the way back when she threw him out a month ago. As she stared down at him from where she sat on the counter, he shrunk back. Something in his eyes, how he looked away in shame. Not for himself, but for her. It infuriated her.

"Javeed." He didn't look back at his name, but she could see the lines around his mouth deepen at the disgust in her voice. "What are you expecting out of this?" His chest rose, mouth opening with ready words but she gave him no time. "You broke into my home. Nothing you say is going to justify that. I moved on. You aren't welcome here. What you are doing now is illegal. Leave and I won't call the police. Anything else and I will." Her eyes narrowed more at him, noticing how his muscles tensed. "Or my girlfriend will."

With smug satisfaction, she watched his form slump and his expression turn wounded. "Girlfriend?" He said as if he couldn't believe it. As if she hadn't told him she was bi several times before.

"Yeah."

He spoke, the words rushed, "I know it looks bad." She snorted. "I know. But you didn’t answer and it’s storming out. You weren't going to open the door and it's too far to go back... I can't just stay out there!" Sucking in a deep breath out there, the muddied man gave her another wounded look. “Candice please..”

"Well, now that serves you right for creeping around the house. Go sit in your car and pray the lightning doesn't come for your fancy metal belt."

As he spluttered for a retort, dripping more dirt onto her kitchen floor. Candice looks up, catching the gaze of her girlfriend at the doorway, a phone ready in her hand. Giving her a nod, her girlfriend drew back, typing into the phone.

The man was acting like a sulking child now. Muttering about coming all the way here for nothing. The woman only starred, expression stony. She felt for him, she really did, but she wasn't proud of that. She wasted months with a man who refused to acknowledge the best parts of her. They'd broken apart on peaceful terms. Only a few choice words, but a considerable amount of talking.

She had hoped he'd understood, but a week later, he called back, acting as if they'd only been taking a break. She hadn't been nice that time around. After that, he'd left her alone. Till now, when her girlfriend had prepared a lovely night for the two of them. He'd come in through the unlocked back door, soaking wet and muddy from the long path.

Javeed continued to try to persuade her when the sound of sirens sounded. The man froze, a look of betrayal on his face. The woman tenses, getting on her feet where she feels more sure.

"Candice! You...no she called the cops on me? I didn't do anything!" He made to leave before shaking his head. "Ugh. How could you. I can't afford a mark on my record. Hell if I'm going to make it worse." Javeed storms through the front door, arms raised as flashing lights blared through the windows.

Moving out of the kitchen, Candice gently wrapped an arm around her girlfriend. "Thank you Alice." Giving a soft peck on her cheek, she lingered a moment longer before stepping back. A moment later she heads out to talk to the cops.