by Chloe Grey
I nodded. He helped me off the high stool and pulled me through the rowdy crowd. We were hand in hand, and suddenly it felt like way back when. When Mr. Asshole one and I were hand in hand, going through crowds in raves and clubs. I had thought I met my dream man, someone I could share the rest of my life with. Until he cheated on me. On a waitress. On a fucking waitress he had just met in a random bar.
At least He Who Must Not Be Named and Jon Snow had cheated on me with someone they knew.
We exited the crowd and stepped into the brightly lit street. The connection between us severed when he let go off my hand. I know it was weird, but I felt a little sad. I could tell myself I didn’t want to look for someone anymore, but deep down, I knew I craved to be loved by a man. Someone who actually cared for me. Actually cared, that was the keyword that was absent from my past lovers. Ten boyfriends and ten broken hearts later, I felt like love was impossible for me.
Mr. Asshole two‘s sexy voice brought me back to the present. “Are you fine walking? Or are you too drunk?”
“I’m not drunk,” I said, my hand still tingling from his touch. “Just a little tipsy.”
“Stay away from alcohol,” he told me as he walked forward, presumably to his car.
“I’m an alcoholic only when needed be,” I muttered under my breath, then followed him.
“HERE,” MR. ASSHOLE two said, handing me a pack of wet wipes. “Wipe the stain off your blouse.”
I did, and relaxed into the leather seat of his BMW. I had never been in a car like this, so it was nice. Very nice. Maybe when—if ever—I have paid off my debt and become financially secure, I would get one of these.
I probably won’t ever get rid of my debt if I keep going to bars and eating out. I should stop doing that and go back to my daily meals of ramen. But ramen three times a day, every day, was getting tiresome, not to mention unhealthy. But I never was a health freak.
I should stop going to bars, but I knew I wouldn’t. Alcohol kept my sanity intact. Always had—ever since my sixth breakup.
But that didn’t stop me from dreaming. I closed my eyes and set the thought in my mind, imagining being in my very own BMW. My mom always told me to visualize your goals, so that one day it would become a reality. There was no music playing, so it was a simple enough task to do. I almost drifted off to dreamland when Kevin broke the silence.
“You went there because you were pissed off at Marcus, weren’t you?”
I opened my eyes. “Is he one of your friends?”
“No.”
“Oh,” I said when he didn’t offer more. I felt kind of guilty for assuming that, but I was glad. Birds of a feather flock together and all.
“I apologize again. You should never have experienced that.”
“It’s fine. It isn’t your fault. There are assholes everywhere.”
“Like me?”
I sat up in my seat. “You’re nowhere as bad as him. Not even close.”
He was silent after that, but it didn’t take much longer to reach our destination.
I GIGGLED WHEN MR. Asshole two took a long, exaggerated sigh. It was the third game of chess with three checkmates for Team Audrey.
“This is unfair,” he grumbled, picking up his king and looking at the chess piece like it was somehow at fault for him getting crushed.
I giggled again. I was already in a much happier mood. Coming here with him was definitely the right choice.
“It’s not your fault,” I told him. “I have years of practice.” I forced myself not to remind him that I was a little intoxicated too. Just to add insult to injury.
“Is there another game we can play?” Mr. Asshole two scanned the games area. “Something that doesn’t involve skills?”
“Of course. Pick one and I’ll tell you.”
“How about that?” He pointed at a small red box sitting on the bottom shelf. “What’s that?”
I went to the shelves and picked it up. “Oh, it’s Never Have I Ever,” I explained. “You pick a card and answer the question written on it truthfully.” I frowned when I noticed the wording on the box. “But it’s the dirty edition.”
I scanned the games section for the normal edition but came out empty handed.
“Let’s just play it,” he said. “I already know you have a dirty mind by reading your books. This could be interesting.”
I blushed and returned to our table. I set the stack of cards with questions written on them between us and looked at him. Just like the first day of work, I was getting nervous.
“Who’s going first?” I asked him.
Mr. Asshole two took a sip of his drink. Unfortunately, the cafe served no alcohol, so I was forced to suffer hot chocolate. Not that hot chocolate was bad, but a beer would have been great.
“Ladies first.”
I almost groaned.
“Are you going to pick up a card or what?” he asked when I sipped on my hot chocolate for far too long.
“Fine.” I set my cup down and slid the top card off the stack. I read it and looked at him, my face heating up more. “Maybe we should find a different game,” I mumbled.
“Just read it, Audrey.”
I sighed. “Never have I ever had anal sex.”
He almost spat his orange juice out. “Well? Have you?”
“I don’t want to play this game,” I said. When he kept looking at me, I glanced away and answered the damn question. “Yes. Once, with my first boyfriend. But I hated it, so I haven’t done it since. There, your turn.”
He retrieved a card and frowned. “You’re right. Let’s play another game.”
“Just read it, Mr A.”
He scowled at the mention of his name and read the card. “Never have I ever had sex in a public place.”
Now it was my turn to almost spit out my drink. “Well?”
“Yes.”
“Where?”
“Some places. Your turn.”
“Wait, you have to tell me where.”
He frowned. “No, I don’t. All I have to do is tell the truth. I did. Your turn.”
“I told you details,” I complained. “It’s only fair if you do it too.”
He looked at me, sighed, and started listing places in rapid fire. “Bathrooms, storerooms, parks, the beach. A lot of places, okay?” He nodded to the pile. “Your turn.”
I read the next card. “Never have I ever cheated on someone.” I snorted. “Maybe I should play this game with my exes. No, I never cheated on anyone. Never will. Your turn.”
“Exes? I thought only Mr. Asshole one cheated on you.”
I brought the hot chocolate back to my lips. “Nope. Three guys in total.”
“Three?” He ran a hand through his hair, creating that sexy messy look again. “What is wrong with them?”
I shrugged. “Maybe I have bad luck with men. Or maybe it’s me.”
“It’s not you. They are stupid.” He paused. “And blind.”
“Thanks,” I smiled. “It’s your turn, by the way.”
He picked up a card. “Never have I ever hooked up with someone I met within the first twenty-four hours.”
“Well?”
“Yeah, I used to. But not anymore.”
“Why?”
“It was fun at first, but I don’t see the point anymore. I prefer creating an emotional connection first. The sex is also much better that way.”
“Ditto to that,” I said, raising my cup at him.
He picked up his own drink and we clinked glasses. Now, I really wished we were drinking alcohol instead. Alcohol combined with board games always equaled a great time.
“Your turn.”
I picked up the next card, read it, and froze.
Never have I ever had a crush on my boss.
“Well?” my boss said. “Read it.”
“Never have I ever kissed a girl,” I said, quickly discarding the card face down. “Nope, never.”
He started to reach for the next card, but I grabbed the pile f
irst. “Let’s play another game,” I told him. “Pandemic is fun. I saw it on the top shelf.”
“Why? We’re just getting started. This is actually pretty fun.”
“Pandemic is way more fun, trust me,” I said, dumping the cards back in the box. “Don’t worry. I’ll teach you how to play.”
Chapter 9
Zane was still out when we returned to the apartment. I didn’t worry too much. A couple of times a month, he would disappear like this. I was sure I would see him drooling on his bed the next day.
“Thanks for tonight,” I said, turning around and watching my new roommate struggle with the door. “I enjoyed it.”
And I really did. Apparently, I was wrong about him. He made a great companion.
Kevin finally managed to lock the front door. “No problem.”
“When I get paid, I’ll pay you back for the drinks.”
He waved a hand in my direction. “No need. It’s on me. Just don’t let me catch you drinking again.”
I smiled. “You will be disappointed then.”
We stood there facing each other, and everything became awkward again. Well, it became awkward for me at least. He seemed relaxed with his hands in his pockets and his blue eyes locked onto mine.
“See you tomorrow then?” I offered.
See you tomorrow. I usually say that after a successful date. Then I would usually give them a goodnight kiss. On the cheeks if I liked him, on the lips if I really liked him.
My gaze lowered to his lips.
But that wasn’t a date, and he was my roommate—not to mention my boss.
He nodded. “It is already tomorrow. But, yeah.”
“Alright.” I slowly scooted over to my room and offered him an awkward smile. “Goodnight, Mr. A.”
“Good night, Hemlock.”
“WAKE UP, SLEEPYHEAD.”
I groaned, opening my eyes. The face of my grinning best friend covering my entire view was not a welcome sight.
I pushed his face and rolled onto my right side, showing him my back. “Go away.”
I felt him laying down and pressing himself against me. “It’s already noon.”
“Noon?” I pushed him off and sat up. Groaning, I rubbed my temples. “Is it really?”
“Yep. I saw your messages. Sorry I couldn’t join you at the bar. Did you have a late night?”
“Yeah.” I decided not to tell him about Mr. Asshole two or my nasty encounter with Jerk Marcus. He would start pestering me with details and questions, and I was not in the mood for that right now.
“Aren’t you going to ask me where was I yesterday?”
“Okay, where were you?”
His eyes went bright. “With Jason.”
“Jason?” I frowned. “Isn’t he your ex that we met in that restaurant a few days ago?”
“That’s him.” His grin widened. “Now ask me what we did at his place last night.”
“No, ew. Why would I want to hear that?”
He blinked innocently. “Because I was about to tell you the details of our Monopoly game.”
“You went to his house and played Monopoly?”
“No, dummy. That was a joke.”
I raised my arms over my head and stretched. “Not a funny one, and please spare me the details.”
“You’re just jealous you don’t get cock.” He paused. “Did you get cock last night?”
I snorted. “You know how much I hate one night stands. That shit makes me depressed.”
“So, you got yourself wasted? That was all you did?”
“Something like that,” I replied, rubbing my eyes and heading to the bathroom to perform my morning routine.
“Maybe you do want to hear about last night. I have some juicy details. Maybe you could get some inspiration and ideas for writing your next naughty scene.”
“No, thanks,” I called out from the bathroom. “I don’t want to hear it.”
After I took a shower and changed, I headed to the living room to find my best friend sprawled on his spot on the couch. When he caught sight of me, he laughed.
I eyed him. “What?”
“Look at what you’re wearing.”
“Oh, shit,” I muttered, looking down at myself. I was wearing my usual attire at home, an oversized cotton shirt that covered my body all the way to my mid thighs. That was it. Only a white shirt and pink panties. “I completely forgot we have a new roommate.”
“You’re lucky Kevin is out. I heard him leave an hour ago. By the way, there’s food on the table.”
I rushed back to the bedroom, put on pants, and returned to the living room, plopping down in my spot. Memories of last night came back to me. I smiled. Luckily, Zane didn’t catch me grinning like a doofus, but he did hear my phone ding when someone texted me.
“Who’s that?” Zane asked, not looking away from his phone screen.
“Probably the phone provider again,” I muttered. “They keep sending me these useless texts.” I looked at my phone and squinted when I saw an unfamiliar number.
Unknown number: I had a great time last night. Are you hungry? I can bring back food. Ask Zane too.
I had no idea how Mr. Asshole two had gotten my number, but I wasn’t bothered. Actually, I found myself grinning from ear to ear. I unlocked my phone, saved his number as Mr. A2, and started to type a reply.
Me: Just woke up, haha. I had a good time too. We should definitely do it again. Nah, Zane and I are good. Thanks though.
I debated putting an emoji at the end. What emoji would best suit this? I scrolled through the list of cartoon faces until I finally settled for a thumbs up.
“We should definitely do it again.” Zane’s voice sounded dangerously close. “What the hell, cookie?”
I jumped, smacking my forehead on my best friend’s nose. “Ow, shit.” I rubbed my forehead while my roommate rolled on the floor in pure agony.
“You broke my nose,” he moaned, sitting up. “Is it bleeding? I’m scared to touch it.”
I looked at him. “It’s fine.”
He met my gaze, rubbing his nose tenderly. “Who the hell was that? You said you didn’t get cock last night.”
I told him the events of last night, leaving out Marcus because I didn’t want to talk about him.
“You went on a date with Kevin? Holy shit.”
“It wasn’t a date. Just two people hanging out.”
“Don’t lie to me, cookie,” Zane said. “You got cock last night.”
I threw a pillow at him. He caught it.
“I told you. Nothing happened.”
“I know when you’re lying and you’re definitely lying now.”
“What?” I scoffed. “I’m not lying.”
He hugged the pillow to his chest and leaned forward. “So what does his cock look like? Big? Thick? Veiny?”
I groaned, lay back down and concentrated on my phone.
“Did it feel good?” He gasped. “You guys used birth control, right? You’re still on—”
“Shut up,” I said, scrolling through my Instagram feed and trying my hardest to focus on the pictures.
“You received possibly one of the best cocks in the world and you don’t want to share it with me?” He groaned. “Wait, I thought you said you would never date him. What happened? He charmed you, didn’t he? How did he sweet talk you into getting your panties off? Did he dirty talk you? What did he sa—”
“Zane,” I said nicely, turning my eyes back at him. I smiled wide. “One more word and I might really break your nose.”
He threw the pillow back at me and raised his hands. “Fine. Keep the juicy details all to yourself.”
I returned my focus back to Instagram.
“For real, though, how did his cock feel? Was it—”
I hopped off the couch. “Come here.”
He shot up to his feet—I didn’t know how a human could possibly move that fast—and ran.
Chapter 10
Sometimes I go out on Sundays. Drinkin
g, eating, hiking, sightseeing, whatever. But today was not one of those Sundays. I had no energy left to spare.
I was drained from work. When I was still in college, I would take these relaxing days for granted. But now with me working my ass off and waking up at ungodly hours six days a week, I was starting to appreciate Sundays. It was nice just doing... absolutely nothing.
And that was exactly what I did. Nothing. I spent the whole day in my spot on the couch, using my phone and drinking some pineapple juice from my Mickey Mouse cup. Zane did the same. But instead of a Mickey Mouse, his cup had music notes, and instead of pineapple juice, he sipped on some blackcurrant. Ew!
My phone dinged again. I set it to silent so my meddling friend wouldn’t hear any more incoming texts. I looked at the text from Mr. A2.
Mr. A2: Ever tried thai bubble tea before?
I smiled and responded.
Me: No. Is it good?
The reply came within seconds.
Mr. A2: Want one?
Me: Sure.
I waited a minute for another text. When none came, I went back to Instagram. I wondered if he had an account. Surely, he had one. I searched ‘Kevin Bond’ but came up with other dudes. Curiosity had me, so I asked the man himself.
Me: Do you have Instagram?
He replied right away.
Mr. A2: No.
Me: Why not?
Mr. A2: I don’t see a point in having one.
Me: You could gain a lot of followers there.
Mr. A2: And why is that?
Me: Because you’re—
My thumbs froze over my screen. What should I say? Hot? Rich? Both?
I retyped the message.
Me: You already know why.
Mr. A2: No, I don’t. Please enlighten me [thinking emoji]
Asshole. Of course, he knew. He just wanted me to boost his ego a little bit.
My phone vibrated in my hand.
Mr. A2: Alright, I will make one. What’s your Instagram handle?
Me: @AudreyHemlock. But the ‘l’ is an ‘i’. Someone stole my name.
Mr. A2: Hemiock. Still better than Hemlock.
I considered blocking him then and there. But I still felt guilty about him paying for everything last night. A couple of minutes later, I got another text.