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Bowing her head, ashamed of her actions, she mumbles, “I don’t know. A stranger.”
I pull her in tighter, giving her the time she needs to let out her emotions while kissing her hair.
“I’ve always been proud of who I am, what I’ve achieved. But this…” she waves her hands around, “… I’m disgusted with myself. Charlie thinks I only slept with him, not other men. Lex knew of Dominic’s past. Warned me about what I’d be getting into. I didn’t listen. I thought I could change him because when he was alone with me toward the end, he gave me all the attention in the world.”
I state the fact, “You loved him. You wanted a relationship.”
“I wouldn’t use the word love. I’m harboring strong feelings. But don’t worry, I know you have a rep for screwing women looking for a rebound, so thanks for tonight.” She chuckles softly, breaking the serious conversation.
“Hey! How did you know that?”
“Charlie,” she says loosely. “Apparently, your mom knows your dirty secret, too.”
“My mom?” I let out a groan. “It’s not dirty. Well, sometimes it is. But for the most part, it’s just two people having sex.”
“Okay, so settle the rumor I heard. Cabo last year. Boys’ trip?”
“Boys’ trip turned into fucking a bored divorcée,” I admit with a smirk.
“After the plane ride over here?”
How in the world did she know? Charlie!
“Uh… the stewardess and the chick beside me?”
“Noah!” She laughs loudly, smacking my bicep.
“Erika initiated it to get back at her boyfriend. Ivana was just… a nympho.” When the words leave my mouth, I realize how bad it makes me sound. Those women I fucked. They all had their baggage and a story to tell. What if they were just like Kate with feelings and emotions, but carefully covering them up to prove a point to themselves that they could have sex with someone and push it all aside if only for that one time?
Argh, my head begins to pound as the alcohol wears off. Too much relationship talk.
“So basically, you prowl for women who’ve just broken up with someone?”
“I don’t prowl…” I cough. “I merely happen to be there at the right time.”
“Like some sort of sad pussy raider.” She falls into a fit of hysterics, clutching onto her stomach. “I’m surprised you’re not wearing a T-shirt underneath that dress shirt that reads ‘Mr. Rebound.’”
“Ha-ha,” I respond sarcastically. “It’s not as bad as it sounds. I’ve been pretty good in LA.”
What a big fat lie. The women here are gorgeous. Kate is no exception.
“Uh-huh, like this morning?”
“I live at Charlie’s, and it’s not my fault I overheard your dilemma.”
Her shoulders slump, relaxing her body as she continues to lean on me for support. “What’s wrong with us?” she asks. “We’re sitting in a jail cell, wet and covered in sand, laughing about how I almost got pregnant to a voyeuristic nympho, and how you’re a rebound hunter who’s a momma’s boy.”
It’s funny. I don’t know why. The two of us laugh continuously until we hear someone clear their throat. Charlie’s standing on the other side of the cell, along with the police officer. She’s dressed in her yoga pants and a T-shirt that reads, ‘This is my mom shirt,’ and fittingly, it’s covered in something orange. I look down and notice her hand is blue. How odd. With her arms folded, the creases in her forehead stare back at me, along with her eyes, which make her look ready to strangle my neck. She hands the police officer an envelope. He removes the keys from his waistband and opens the door, allowing us to leave.
“Hey, cuz,” I tread carefully. “Thanks for bailing me out.”
“Hey, bestie,” Kate repeats in a sweet tone, attempting to kiss Charlie’s ass. “Thanks for bailing me out, too.”
There’s growling, louder than the sound of wolves, coming from Charlie. Lex is standing in the foyer, trying to keep a straight face. I want to laugh, but both Kate and I know better than to anger the beast even further.
Charlie refuses to comment, turning around until we scurry behind her and follow them outside the building and into the parking lot.
The car ride home is quiet, soft tunes playing through the speakers as Lex speeds along the freeway.
