Missy Jane - Spring Cleaning.pdf - Missy Jane - allforjesus2001

Spring Cleaning

Cover Art: Lisa Amrine

This is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places and incidents are

products of the writerÓs imagination or have been used fictitiously and are no

construed to be real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual

events, locale or organizations is entirely incidental.

All rights are reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in

any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of

brief excerpts or quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Leah took a deep breath and then another sip of her drink before

pasting a smile on her face. Sean didnÓt seem to notice it any more than heÓd

noticed sheÓd stopped talking mid-sentence. She bit her lip and again fought

the urge to look over her shoulder. She knew who he kept gazing at and it

hurt, but she was a big girl. Leah had grown used to being overlooked by

boys as soon as her sisters entered the room. Now that she was a woman it

was no different, but she was able to hide the pain a lot better.

ÐWell, itÓs been fun, but I better get going,Ñ she said more cheerfully

than necessary.

She briefly wondered if Sean could tell by her voice.

ÐUm, yeahÈokay.Ñ He didnÓt even bother looking at her.

Leah sighed and walked passed him, placing her empty wine glass on

a table, as she wove through the crowded room. She loved her familyÓs art

gallery and spent most of her free time there. Her mother was a well known

artist and Leah and her twin sisters had been attending openings just like

this their whole lives. As she approached the door she considered turning

back to see if Sean had noticed her departure yet. The thought that he

wouldnÓt care once he did kept her moving purposely forward. She took her

coat and walked out into the cool night, knowing the bone-deep chill was

from the inside out.

The cab that pulled up to the curb was immediately snagged by an

older couple who stepped out just before Leah. She looked up and down the

street, but it was empty of any other traffic. The gallery was in a great

location for daytime events. During the upcoming spring months, they would

make a killing with the tourists. Unfortunately there was no nightlife in close

proximity. Any cabs that came their way in the evenings had either been

called or were lost. She sighed and turned toward home. It wasnÓt a long

walk, but she was tired and depressed. The eight city blocks would feel like

twenty.

Three steps away from the gallery door a hand on her elbow stopped

Leah from her arduous journey. She froze and looked up, as she was turned

to find Sean looking down at her with a slight frown and an apology in his

eyes. Leah smiled gently and held up a hand before he could speak.

ÐItÓs all right, Sean. I have an early morning and need to get home.Ñ

He sighed and let go of her.

ÐIÓm sorry, Leah. I know I seemed distracted, itÓs just thatÏÐ

ÐNo Sean, really. You donÓt have to explain yourself. ItÓs not like weÓre

dating or anything, right?Ñ

He closed his mouth and nodded, as he slipped his hands into the

pockets of his well tailored slacks. Leah fought the urge to look him up and

down, admiring the image of strength and virility he exuded. SheÓd been

admiring Sean for a long time, but heÓd never noticed. TheyÓd been friends

since high school and she knew everything about him, including the fact that

he was in love with her sister, Lily.

ÐNo, Leah. ItÓs not all right. I came tonight with you on my arm, but

then ignored you. IÓm really sorry. You deserve a hell of a lot better than

that.Ñ

Leah gave a little laugh and looked away so he wouldnÓt see the

moisture in her eyes. HeÓd been there for every heartbreak. He alone knew

how everyone treated her in comparison to her beautiful twin sisters. TheyÓd

never talked about it because Leah knew of his feelings for Lily. However,

Sean had offered Leah friendship when everyone else pretended she didnÓt

exist.

She cleared her throat and swallowed down her tears. This wasnÓt the

first time and it wouldnÓt be the last. She just had to get out of here without

falling apart and everything would be okay. She turned back to face him with

a smile.

ÐNo biggie, Sean. IÓll just have to work on my conversational skills.Ñ He

frowned and opened his mouth to reply when a cab pulled up to the curb.

Leah immediately reached for the door, grateful for the means to escape this

awkward conversation. ÐIÓll call you tomorrow, okay? Goodnight.Ñ

Sean sighed and let her go.

ÐGoodnight, Leah.Ñ

She shut the door and gave the driver her address before leaning her

head on her hand. A headache was forming and Leah fought it with thoughts

of her current project. She didnÓt have the skill with paint like her sisters, or

the patience for sculpture like her mother, but she was a photographer.

Capturing the essence of emotion with the cameraÓs eye was her outlet and

she lived for it. The pictures sheÓd taken of Sean for his mother filled her

mind and her heart hurt again. She sighed and closed her eyes. It was going

to be a long night.

Sean watched the receding taillights of the cab taking Leah home to

her empty loft and wanted to kick his own ass.

IÓm such an idiot.

HeÓd sworn he wouldnÓt do this again, promised himself to pay more

attention to her. She was his best friend and he treated her like dirt every

time Lily entered the room. Ten years theyÓd been friends and nothing had

changed. He still drooled over Lily, who never gave him a second look, while

Leah stood patiently on the sidelines waiting for him to remember her. He

sighed and rubbed the back of his neck, wondering if he should just call it a

night.

ÐDid you run my sister off?Ñ

SeanÓs head snapped up at the soft feminine voice heÓd heard in more

dreams than he could number. Lily stood in her tight black dress and four-

inch heels looking like a wet dream, and smiling at him like heÓd always

fantasized.

ÐShe has an early morning,Ñ he replied, amazed that he could form a

coherent thought.

Lily laughed and took a step closer, putting her hands on his arm.

ÐDoes she now? Well, I donÓt and this shindig is just plain boring.

Would you like to take me dancing?Ñ

Sean felt his heart speed up and hoped it didnÓt give out before the

night was over. Silently thanking whatever gods were listening, he nodded

and gave Lily the grin that always made Leah blush. Lily didnÓt blush, but she

smiled back and placed her hand in his.

ÐIÓm parked right over there,Ñ Sean said, pointing across the street to

his pick-up truck.

Lily frowned.

ÐOh, a truck. Well, if thatÓs what youÓve gotÈÑ

She shrugged and pulled Sean behind her as she stepped off the curb

and crossed the street. He didnÓt like her tone when speaking about his baby,

but decided to give her another chance. After all, she hadnÓt seen the inside

yet, or heard the engine. He helped her into the passenger seat then quickly

walked around to the driverÓs side.

ItÓs about damn time.

Sean had been hoping for a chance like this for ten years, asking Leah

to tutor him so he could go over to her house on a regular basis. The way he

looked at it, not only did he gain a best friend, he might also gain the woman

of his dreams. He took a deep breath as he slid into the driverÓs seat and

started his truck.

ÐMy, it sure is loud.Ñ

He looked over at Lily and grinned. This was going to be the best night

of his life.

Leah woke with a headache and rubbed her puffy eyes as she sat up.

It was Saturday and she had absolutely nothing planned all day. SheÓd hated

lying to Sean, but knew he didnÓt care one way or another. Her lies helped

him feel like everything between them was all right and kept him happy.

With a sigh she began to wonder why she was so concerned with his

happiness.

He certainly doesnÓt give a damn about mine.

She slapped her hands over her face as if that would block out the

nagging voice of her conscience.

ÐThis is ridiculous. I refuse to feel sorry for myself a second longer.Ñ

She pushed back the covers and got out of bed, heading for a hot

shower to clear the last of the cobwebs. It only took twenty minutes for her

to shower and dress, but the second she finished there was a knock on her

door. She went to answer it while running a brush through her wet hair.

ÐGood morning, sunshine.Ñ

Leah frowned as she stepped back to let Sean into her loft. He was still

dressed in the clothes from the night before and there was stubble on his

chin. A feeling of dread filled her stomach and she was thankful she hadnÓt

eaten yet.

ÐHey. YouÓre up awfully early. WhatÓs going on?Ñ

He turned to face her with a smile and she noticed his eyes were a bit

red.

ÐI havenÓt gone to bed yet. Just thought IÓd drop in to tell you about

my amazing night outÈwith Lily.Ñ

His grin went from ear to ear and Leah turned away as she fought to

catch her breath. They told each other nearly everything and his feelings for

Lily were no secret. However they didnÓt usually kiss and tell. Not that she

had much to tell in that department.

ÐOh? You and Lily, huh? Wow, Sean, thatÓs great.Ñ

Leah was amazed at how steady and sincere she sounded. She started

brushing her hair again, closing her eyes to keep from seeing his happiness.

ÐYup. Right after you left she came outside and asked me to take her

dancing. Can you believe it? Finally! After ten years the woman finally

noticed me and we had a blast. IÓm spending the rest of the weekend with

her.Ñ

Leah took a deep breath and let it out slowly. She finished brushing

her hair and finally opened her eyes. Sean was still grinning, his happiness

clearly overriding his obvious exhaustion.

ÐThatÓs really great, Sean. IÓm happy for you.Ñ

He walked toward her and it took all of LeahÓs willpower not to step

away. He hugged her and she felt her heart breaking.

ÐThanks, Leah. Here youÓve had to put up with me for all these years.Ñ

He laughed and Leah frowned. She wasnÓt stupid. She knew every guy

in school who talked to her only wanted to get to her sisters. But this wasnÓt

high school anymore. Surely Sean didnÓt still feel that way.

ÐWeÓre friends, Sean. I donÓt mind spending time with you.Ñ

His smile faded and he looked apologetic for a moment.

ÐUh, yeah, of course. I know, Leah. IÓm just kidding.Ñ

He turned away before she could analyze his expression and walked

over to the sofa. He dropped onto it with a sigh and let his head fall back.

ÐHey, do you mind if I crash here for a couple of hours? I donÓt know if

I can make the drive across town right now. IÓm frigginÓ exhausted.Ñ

She actually thought about saying no to him, just this once, but she

knew if he left she would just fall into a million pieces and wallow in self-pity.

This was the end. HeÓd finally gotten what he wanted and she would lose him

to one of her sisters. Leah had become used to that by her sophomore year

of high school, but prayed it never happened with Sean. Determined to nip

the pity party in the bud, Leah straightened her spine and lifted her chin. At

least if it got serious between Lily and Sean, Leah wouldnÓt have to worry

about her next boyfriendÈmaybe.

ÐSure, Sean. Why donÓt you take my bed? IÓll be in the darkroom all

day anyway.Ñ

He lifted his head and winked at her before rising and walking silently

up the stairs to her bedroom. Leah watched him disappear before heading

into the sanctuary of her darkroom.

Sean rubbed his forehead and fought the headache brought on by the

pounding bass drums. He looked around the club and wondered why he was

the only one who seemed bothered by the flashing lights and too loud music.

I must be getting old.

Missy Jane - Spring Cleaning.pdf

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