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I wonder what it means that she remembers her name while I hiss and rub my chest. “Ouch. Way to hit a man where it hurts.” I hold up a finger. “In my defense, you are currently occupying my bedroom, so it’s not like I could go somewhere and close the door.”
“How sad for you.”
I nod. "It is sad. In fact, my back was aching from the concrete sofa and she offered to help me out by coming to my place and rubbing out the knots.See!It all started as an innocent massage, due to said sofa I’m occupying because you stole my bed, so really thisisyour fault."
She laughs, then reaches out and pokes me in the chest. "Myfault?"
"I said what I said."
“You're incorrigible,” she says, through a smile.
I beam at her. A short time ago, she would’ve scowled and told me I was a pig or something equally as insulting. Maybe this is progress.
The waitress returns with the receipt. I sign it and set it aside when I notice my copy has a note for me to call her together with her name and number.
I risk a quick glance at Brynn, but she’s sliding from the booth, her gaze elsewhere.
With a wash of relief, I cover it with my hand as I rise and follow after her, leaving the receipt behind.
CHAPTER 20
JACE
Ipace the lengthof the apartment, tossing a football between my hands as I try to pass the time. Chris left more than an hour ago for a party some of his old buddies from high school are throwing. He invited me to go with him, but I wasn’t in the mood. If I’m being honest, I stayed in the hopes Brynn would come back and we’d get a chance to hang out. Though we’ve talked more this week than we have in a long time, thanks to my apology and her impromptu truce, she’s been gone most of the day—most of the week, actually—with Charlotte and Samantha occupying most of her time.
I heard her talking on the phone the other morning when she thought I was still sleeping. Apparently, the night before they’d been hanging at Bradd’s and another bar downtown. Is that where they’re off to every night? Is that where she’ll be tonight?
Fuck. I don’t like it.
In retrospect, I should’ve taken Chris up on his offer and gone with him. Left alone to my own devices, I have too much time onmy hands. Time to sit here and wonder what Brynn and her girls do at the club and who they talk to.
Has she found someone to replace Stanley? Is she hooking up with guys?
And why the hell do I care?
As long as she’s being smart and safe about it, Brynn is a grown-ass woman. She might be a little on the inexperienced side, but she’s also no dummy. She can take care of herself. Stanley’s broken schnoz is evidence of that.
I twirl the ball in my hands, then tuck it under my arm and swipe my phone off the kitchen counter where I text the group chat, needing something to do.
ME: What are you ladies up to tonight?
I wait, wondering if I’m the only loser hanging by his phone when a text comes through.
ATLAS: Kenzie and I are hanging out.
GRAHAM: On my way to Chicago to see Skylar.
Again with the girlfriends.
ME: Smug bastards.
I head to the couch and sink down, back aching from weeks of sleeping on the hard cushions. For the first time, I see the value in having a girlfriend rather than a hookup. It would be kind of nice to have someone you know who you can rely on for company. Someone who will always be there without even having to ask. I’ve been alone more than I’d like to admit, and this shit gets old after a while. The silence is deafening, even if my thoughts aren’t.
TEAGAN: A group of us are going out here, so I’m getting ready now. Something up, bro?
I sigh. It’s been a while since I’ve spoken with him, and though that’s going to happen with all of us at different schools now, clearly, he senses something’s up.
ME: Nah. Just thought I’d check in. Feeling restless but not in the mood to go out either. I think I might stay in tonight.
