“It may have been a nice and mutual breakup, but it was not a fairytale.” Vicky leans back in her chair.
“We’ve all had boyfriends who ended up not being it.” Penny meets my eyes. “Having girlfriends there for you when they don’t last means everything.”
I cock my head a little as I study her. If they’re trying to get in good with the guys then maybe the sob stories are to make me want to hang out with them more and the guys less. I’m not worried about the guys wandering just yet.
But if I stop paying attention to the guys. Stop letting them take me places. Stop being around them all the time. Maybe then they would get bored and stray. Maybe.
But somehow, I don’t think that will be the case. Do I want the freedom to hang out with the girls more? Yes. I want to have relationships outside of the guys. Putting all my thoughts and feelings into them can be dangerous.
I’m less worried about them leaving me, but there’s still that possibility. We’re young. Anything could happen in the next few years. We might not be able to maintain our relationship outside of this town.
Then I’ll need friends to talk to and help me find my feet again. Because if the guys leave me, I don’t know how I’ll pick myself back up. It’s bad enough having your heart broken once, I imagine.
But five times?
“Okay, enough guy talk.” Kenz leans forward and gives me a smirk. “Favorite movie and why?”
“Deadpool.” I don’t even hesitate.
“Really?” Vicky laughs. “I thought you’d go with like classic zombie likeNight of the Living Deador maybeTrain to Busan.”
“Nope.” I smirk. “Deadpoolhas it all. Action, romance, snappy dialogue.”
“I could get behind that.” Nat nods. “I like the Marvel movies and the shows.”
“Have you seenLoki?” Izzy fans herself. “I mean, come on. I get that Thor is the god of thunder and all that. And Chris Hemsworth is drool worthy, but there’s something about Loki down on his knees. Oof.”
“You’ve always had a thing for Tom Hiddleston.” Vicky laughs. “You even dated Trace Masters for a hot minute because he kind of looks like him.”
Izzy throws a napkin at Vicky and looks offended. “Trace was a jackass and didn’t live up to his advertisement.”
I sit back as they all discuss which MCU hero, or villain, they want to date and why they would be a bad or good boyfriend. I listen but don’t really participate. Just what I need getting back to the guys that I had a huge crush on Iron Man. I don’t even know what they’d do with that, but it wouldn’t be good.
“Hey there, ladies.” The voice sends chills through me as I lift my gaze to Zach Gray’s.
“What are you doing?” Izzy’s voice has so much anger in it.
He smirks and crosses his arms over his chest. “What? I can’t come over to a table of lovely ladies and say hi?”
He focuses in on me and my chest gets tight. It’s hard to breathe. My hands shake on my coffee. He didn’t get to me in that closet, but at the same time, he did. Right now, I feel like I’m back there. Unable to move or escape.
Kenz stands behind my chair and puts her hands on my shoulders. “Maybe because you’re an asshole. Go away, Zach.”
His gaze lifts to hers and I’m free. I suck in a breath, but the nausea and trembling remain.
“And who are you? Her guard dog?” One blond eyebrow raises.
“If need be.” Kenz squeezes my shoulder and I draw from her strength.
Zach chuckles and his gaze returns to me, holding me in place. “Always so protected, darling.”
I want to have a witty retort, but my throat feels like it’s stuffed with cotton. I can’t say anything or move.
“Don’t worry. We’ll have our time.” He winks at me before he moves away to another table where Sidney sits and studies us.
I straighten. Fuck. I let too much slip. Even by not saying a word. They know he gets to me.
“Do you want to go?” Penny takes my trembling hand and holds it.
