Page 14 of Leave Me Broken
“I need to get laid,” Janelle tells us.
“Challenge accepted!” Monica announces while looking around the small pizza joint. It’s the same place we came after our game when Janelle was mad at me. It’s a decent size dining room but basically empty. It is a Thursday night, after all.
Besides a young family and a table of men who look old enough to be our grandfathers, it’s just us, so no such luck. Until two guys who look to be around our age walk in.
Monica and I grin at each other. Janelle straightens in her seat, fluffs her already fluffy hair and pushes her boobs up so they are almost spilling out of her baby blue low-cut top. At her house, before coming here, she changed and used enough dry shampoo to never need to wash her hair again. The blue from her top really brings out the blue in her eyes. Monica’s braids are pulled into a ponytail like at practice and she’s still wearing her spandex and school sweatshirt, her not-boyfriend-boyfriend’s sweatshirt.
Janelle’s bras are way too small for me, so I’m still braless but I put on a sweatshirt so you can’t see my nipples. I’m over people looking at them today.
The guys notice us as soon as they turn around. They look familiar but I don’t stare for too long to figure out why. Janelle and Monica are across from me, pretending to play it cool, but Janelle is nearly bouncing in her seat when they approach.
“You got room for three more?” the brunette asks, eyeing each of us with what I think he wants to be a sexy look. It comes up short—at least in my opinion. Janelle seems happy with it so being the best friend I am, I’ll let her have her moment. Maybe one of these guys, or the third they talked about, could break her non-Collin’s cherry. I’m still not happy with him but she seems to be over the whole thing. I’m not, and I plan to confront him when he’s home for Thanksgiving, but I’m not telling Janelle my plans.
“There’s only two of you,” Monica acknowledges.
The blond speaks up. “Our third is outside putting out his cigarette.”
Ew.
“I’m Kyle, by the way,” the blond says.
“Ryan,” the brunette tells us next.
Kyle pulls up a chair and sits at the head of the table while Ryan falls into the booth next to Janelle. I’m not the least bit offended no one sat by me. Not like I moved over to give anyone room. I guess I’ll have to for the third, but if he’s as douchey as these two, I don’t think I want to. I’ll gladly be a wing woman for Janelle, but I can only entertain douche bags for so long. It’s also in the back of my mind that Ash would lose his mind if he saw us. He would think this was planned. My stomach sinks at the thought. We’re not made up yet, but we are okay. I didn’t despise being around him today. Especially in his office.
The other four are busy chatting away and since the other guy hasn’t walked in yet, I pull out my phone. It’s gone off a few times, but I didn’t have the chance to look.
An ‘xo’ text from my aunt. And two texts from Ash on his burner phone he uses to text me. I don’t know why he doesn’t use his everyday phone because he sends me full-length body photos with his face, but I digress. I press on those.
The first is a mirror picture, and for the first time in a while, I allow myself to click on it and marvel at his beauty. This isn’t a workout photo like usual, his hair is wet and hanging down his forehead like he just got out of the shower. He’s crouched in front of the same full-length mirror we compared our asses in and holding his phone in one of his hands. His veins are popping on the back of his hand and down that arm. He’s shirtless and wearing shorts. They are low and show off that V I love so much. God, he’s so hot.
Somehow I click off the picture and read his text.
A: I can’t stop thinking about my office today.
I glance up to make sure no one is paying attention and am happy when they aren’t before I type back.
Me: Please never stop sending those kidn ofpictures. And me either, I did miss you.
It takes a lot for me to admit that. I could have left it as a spur of the moment, orgasm brain or whatever but the truth is I miss him, and I want him to know that.
A second later, my phone lights up with a reply.
A: Fuck. It feels good to read your fucked-up texts again.
Me: LOL maybe I’m just excited ot text you.
Me: Say it back.
A: Say what back?
Me: Don’t be an Ash-hole.
A: I don’t think I’m a fan of that nickname.
Me: say it!
A: I missed you so much, babygirl. But I’ve let you call the shots on our relationship for too long. It’s time you remember who is in charge between us.