Lucas' P.O.V.
Lucas: It is like all you want me for is sex. 3:)
It slightly hurt me by how quickly she had turned my invitation down for dinner. If Janessa hadn't interrupted yesterday, we could have spent all night together. I longed to have her near me when I woke up again. Noting Rose's unease with Janessa, I backed off. I didn't think chasing after her would be the right move, because I doubt she would have believed a word I said.
Rose: You catch on quick.
Now I feel like I made the wrong choice. I feel her pulling away from me. I'll have to work my way back, but the only way to do it is to do her. So I'll give her what she wants, and then I'll give her more.
Lucas: My apartment, 8 o'clock. Wear something easy to slip out of.
Rose: See you then.
I texted Janessa last night and broke off this long-standing friends with benefits. It slipped my mind that she was stopping by last night, and it messed up everything. I won't let something like that happen again. Besides, Janessa may be beautiful, but her personality has always put me off. She's way too arrogant, even calling my Rose trash.
I hated the way Rose left last night, and I had planned to make it up to her, but she kept me waiting for a couple of hours before responding. Then we got off track with the hottest sexting. Now I see she would have turned me down anyway, no matter the time of day, she responded.
I got up to grab a snack from the kitchen, practically tripping over Leo's guitar case. He said he would come by and pick it up last night, but I guess he forgot. I grabbed an apple, hearing the crisp crunch as I bit into it.
Lucas: Your guitar is still here.
Loe: Yeah, I got sidetracked last night. I'll come get it tonight.
There's no way I'm letting anyone ruin tonight. I will have no surprise, or planned visits tonight.
Lucas: Not tonight. I have plans, get it before 8.
Leo: Another girl or Janessa?
I don't know why his question highly irritated me, but it did. He used to ask me that question before and it wouldn't bother me. I don't know why it does now. Maybe because Rose isn't the option?
Lucas: Neither. It's Rose.
Leo: Leave her alone, Lucas. She wants more than just sex.
I don't know where Leo gets off telling me to leave her alone. Where did he even get the idea she wants more? She literally just told me, in not so many words, that she wants only sex from me. I want more though, and I have to get her to want more, too.
Lucas: So do I.
Leo: Bull!
Lucas: No crap here.
Leo: I'm coming to your apartment now.
With a shrug, I put my phone on the counter. I headed to my office, needing to get some work done. I know Dad will breathe down my neck more now that I pissed him off last night. He didn't like that I had brought Rose with me. He told me the only reason he didn't kick her out was because she actually knew his guests. My anger boiled when I thought of him mistreating my Rose. I told him I wouldn't be his puppet any longer, and I had no more patience for this game. I warned him that if he attempted to marry Lisa off, I wouldn't be taking over his business.
I bit the bullet and started my business. During my sophomore year, I made my first million. I manage it as well as dad's company, keeping me pretty busy most of the time. Being with Rose. had distracted me yesterday, making me fall behind. I'll get caught up and then ahead on the paperwork, leaving me time to focus on her.
About 20 minutes into my paperwork, I heard my door open. I had given Leo and Lisa a key to my apartment; they being the only two I trust or want in this apartment.
"Lucas?" I heard him yell out.
"In my office."
He entered, looking upset. Something had made him mad, but he was trying to hold it back. He has a bad habit of playing with his lip piercing when he's upset, though, and that thing was swinging like a pendulum. I sighed, already seeing that I won't be able to get this work done with his current mood. He came to talk about something.
"I'm going after, Olive." He proclaimed, shocking the absolute hell out of me. It took me a moment to collect my thoughts and respond.
"You're what?"
"I'm going to ask Olive out. I was going to leave her alone when I thought you would make her happy, but after I saw her last night, I decided I'd take my chance with her." He informed me.
I'd never seen Leo so determined. My stomach was twisting in knots. I don't want to fight with Leo, but I'm not letting him have Rose, either. She's mine, and I plan to make her admit it tonight. I furrowed my brow at him, letting him see how serious I was, too. I stood up, walking to the other side of my desk.
"I'm not giving her up, Leo. I've already made her mine."
"You need to let her go, Lucas. You're only going to hurt her, and she doesn't deserve that. She looked so sad when I ran into her in the hall." He shook his head at the memory.
"You saw her last night?" So he had come for his guitar, but ran into Rose on the way.
"Yeah, we talked about you as I took her home. She's hurt, and at first I tried to make excuses for you, but after she left my car, I had this nagging feeling in my stomach. She doesn't deserve to be hurt by you, so I decided that I'll actually try for once. Lucas, you're my best friend, but I've seen the way you treat women, for instance, and it's not what Olive deserves." He was firm in his belief. He stood proudly, his head held high. Normally I would have been proud of him for standing up for himself and going after what he wanted, but‌ what he wants is what I want.
"I hear what you're saying, Leo, but I don't plan on backing down. So, I guess all that's left is for Rose to make her choice. I hope you're prepared if you're going to challenge me for her heart, my friend, because I plan to go all out." I warned him, making him nod his head, not backing down.
"I don't doubt it, but I have my ways, too. I know it will be stupid of me to hope this doesn't affect our friendship in the end, but I hope it won't." His face fell for a moment. "I just hope we'll be able to fix it in the end."
"You're still my best friend, Leo. I won't hold it against you if she chooses you in the end. I hope you'd feel the same way." He nodded his head in agreement. I extended my hand for him to take, and he did. We shook, as if promising those words.
"We need rules." He blurted. "We can't interrupt one another. Like if we know we have plans with her, the other can't butt in."
"Sounds fair. As you know, I have plans with her tonight at 8." I nodded.
"Okay, so I'll stay away, for instance. I'll tell you if she and I ever have plans."
"If it's just hanging out, then it's free game, but if it's a date or a hookup, we'll keep away." I added, because otherwise Leo would get a lot more time with her than me, since he sees her on campus sometimes.
"Agreed." Leo nodded. "May the best man get the girl."
With that, Leo left, taking his guitar with him. I watched him leave, feeling anxious now. I don't want to lose Leo as my friend, but I also can't stand the thought of not having my Rose.
The rest of the afternoon I spent finishing my paperwork. I ordered dinner, finishing right at 7. I took a quick shower before Rose showed up. I had my pants on, with a towel draped over my bare shoulders as I dried my hair with it. The doorbell rang, making me answer it with my still damp hair.
My Rose stood before me. She was early, looking fine as hell.