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"Nah," he says, heading back to the kitchen to check on the pasta. "Just make yourself at home."
Jax sits on the couch, brushing his damp hair back. His muscular abdomen rolls as he stretches and he looks over at me when he feels my gaze on him. I quickly look away, digging into my backpack to get my cell phone charger.
"So, what's the deal with him?" Jax asks. I'm not sure if his question is directed at me or Beau but I shrug anyway.
"He's just really good at mind games. He's a psych major."
Beau snorts. "He full on gaslighted you. I see through his bullshit though. I've been dealing with assholes like him my whole life."
"He wants you to think I'm crazy," I mutter sadly. "He even has me doubting myself."
"That was not a missed high-five, and we all know it," Beau replies heatedly. "I can't stand people like him. He's lucky I didn't punch him right then and there."
I look at him, panicky. "He's not worth the trouble. I don't want to drag you guys into my mess. I already feel bad for being an inconvenience. I'll be out of your hair before you know it."
Chase starts dishing up the food before reaching back into the fridge. "Do you drink wine, Addison? This meal goes awesome with a nice red."
"Me and alcohol don't go well together," I say with a small laugh, sharing a look with Beau.
Beau takes the wine glass from Chase and walks over to me. "Small sips then, Hurricane."
"Hurricane?" I ask, taking the glass from him.
"You might be a lightweight when it comes to alcohol, but if you've been dealing with that fuckwit, something tells me you're stronger than you think."
Afterdinner,thefourof us sit on the couch, watching tv. I blocked Aaron's number once he started sending me text messages, so I can have a break to clear my thoughts.
At some point, the wine started clouding my senses – not enough to make me drunk, but adventurous enough to download Tinder.
I'm still messing around with my profile bio when Chase glances at my cell.
"Online dating, already? I like it."
I hide my screen with embarrassment. "I'm just wanting to see what the fuss was all about. I've never tried it before. It's too soon, I know."
"Nah, fuck him. Plenty of fish in the sea. You don't need to settle for the three-eyed radioactive fish from the Simpsons," Beau muses. "Just don't be like those girls who put thirst traps up and ignore all messages."
"I don't think I even have any decent photos," I comment, scrolling through my gallery.
Chase watches carefully, pausing me when I come across a photo from a few months ago. Max and I had gone to the State Park, and it was a beautiful trek through the trees. She had snapped a picture of me posing in my shorts and boots with my sunglasses on.
"That one," he points. "You look really relaxed and happy."
"Okay," I nod, selecting it. We go through a few more pictures before working on my bio. "I have no idea what to write about myself. I'm boring."
Beau pretends to think. "I can hook you up with discounted coffee, I have a high tolerance for fuckboys, and can ruin your clothes if you let me."
I stare at him horrified. "That makes it sound like I'm going to hook up with them."
"Isn't that the point?" Jax points out. "It is Tinder, after all."
"What?" I ask baffled. "Isn't online dating for… dating?"
Chase laughs. "Not anymore. Tinder is like a hook-up site now. Isn't that the idea? Surely you don't want to rush into another relationship just yet. You need to have fun and rub it in his face."
My life plan doesn't really account forfun.Besides, Aaron was my first everything. First kiss, first boyfriend, first time having sex. It sounds terrifying even contemplating hook-ups.
"I wouldn't know how to do it," I finally answer, not sharing my life plan with them. "I've never really dated before."
