Page 81 of Brutal

That’s what I’ll do. I’ll spend not even a quarter of a percentage of his wealth, and maybe that’ll make me feel better.

I’m on the third store, buying a new pair of shoes, when the cell phone buzzes.

I glance at it, not surprised to see that it’s Drake texting.

Where are you?

I let out a soft huff, then text back, You already know, don’t you? You checked the GPS.

I didn’t, actually. I thought I’d ask first.

I find that hard to believe, but Drake has surprised me a little the past few days.

I’m spending your entire fortune on cryptocurrency, I text back.

Three dots spring up, then disappear, before he finally responds, Could you at least donate to an animal shelter or something instead of completely wasting my cash?

I don’t know why that makes me laugh. When’s the last time you donated to an animal shelter?

I donated to an animal once. His name is Chase.

I roll my eyes with a smile, then pocket the phone and pay for the shoes. I shove the box into the same bag as the other clothes I’d bought.

I end up buying a purse, a backpack, and a laptop, too. At this point I’m carrying around at least ten thousand dollars’ worth of goods, and it doesn’t even matter if somebody mugs me because I can just get more.

I stop at a Japanese restaurant and order the most expensive sushi platter I think I can eat, then take the phone out again. I have another two hours before Drake gets back.

Did Patrick blow you off? I text. It’s a bit mean, but I also am curious to know if Drake got a hold of whatever pills he’s been popping. He’d been jittery this morning, and I don’t think it was just because he wanted to stay in and fuck.

The message almost instantly goes to read, but he doesn’t reply to it until the waitress is setting the plate in front of me.

Yes.

I should be glad, but I wince. Going cold turkey is not good. I know that much, at least, even with my unfinished degree.

I take a picture of the sushi and send it to Drake with the caption, Let me guess: you don’t like raw fish.

Nope. For a moment, I think that’s all he’s going to say, but then he adds, I’ll eat it if it’s cooked, but it’s too… fishy ??????. He adds several of the fish emoji, which is enough to make me laugh again.

It smells less when it’s raw! ?? ?? ??

I add fish and octopus emojis, and the Japanese fish cake too for good measure.

Then I take a picture of myself popping the sushi into my mouth and send it to him.

This is stupid. Whimsical, flirtatious, and far too encouraging. I shouldn’t give Drake the idea that I like him.

Okay, it was bad enough before you added ??, he texts, using the octopus emoji right back. Why don’t you like normal things? Like steak and potatoes?

A pause.

Also, you look beautiful.

I don’t know what to do with that compliment, but I feel my cheeks heating up.

I do like steak and potatoes. But I like other things too. I don’t want to limit myself to just one food.

Or one hair color, or one style of clothes.