11
Olivia
In the elevator to Josh’s apartment, I check myself in the mirror attached to the walls after texting him to let him know I’m on my way up.
I decided to walk to his place since it's not all that far from mine, but now my hair is a mess from the wind and my feet are aching in these heels.
Why did I choose to wear heels? I'll never know.
I wanted to go for a sexy vibe since all Josh has seen me in is jeans, leggings or sweats.
Tonight, we decided to dress up a bit since we can’t actually go out to a restaurant, so I'm wearing a red dress that clings to my skin and hugs my curves in all the right places. It stops just above my knees and I feel great in it.
The only issue is that because the dress is so tight, I’ve made the decision not to wear any underwear. Is that an issue though? I’m not sure Josh will see it as one.
I’ve paired the dress with black heels and a small matching bag to carry my phone, keys and lipstick.
My stomach is in knots as the elevator rises to the 9th floor.
The lobby to this place is fancier than anywhere I’ve ever been.
Gray marble walls with gold accents. Black sitting areas and decor.
A gorgeous crystal chandelier hanging in the center.
I swear it's made for royalty. I can’t even begin to imagine what the apartments look like.
As I’m applying lipstick to my lips one last time, the doors chime. When I come face to face with the man entering, my stomach drops. Shit. How the fuck is this possible?
“Liv?” He asks, in disbelief. “What are you doing here?”
The last time I saw this man, he had his head stuffed between the legs of one of my friends… in my bed.
“I, ummm… I live here.” I say, answering his question.
“Well, not here but not far. What are you doing here?” I’m completely over this man but looking at his face still makes me feel physically ill.
I never got the answers I needed when I left my home that day.
I just packed a bag, left my ring on his nightstand and got out of there as fast as I could. I’ve never looked back since.
“I live here. Like here, here.” Shit. How can this be possible? My ex fiancé is living in the same building as my now… what even is Josh? More than a hookup but not quite my boyfriend.
If I had even a shred of knowledge that Ryan lived in this city, I never would have moved here. But then I never would have met Josh. Fuck, this is a hard one.
His eyes rake up and down my body, heat in his gaze. “You look great.” He tells me, pupils dilating.
I don’t respond. How can I? All I want to tell him is to go fuck himself. Dirty, cheating bastard.
“Seriously, Liv. You’re stunning.” Gag. “If you’d looked like this before, then I-”
I cut him off with a bitter laugh, I can’t help it.
“You’d what? Wouldn’t have cheated on me? Jesus Christ, Ryan.”
“No, that’s not what I meant. Fuck, baby, I never had the chance to apologize to you before you left.”
“Don’t fucking call me baby!” My voice rising in anger, red hot rage coursing through me.
Why the fuck is this elevator taking so long? Have we moved at all?
“I really am sorry, Liv. I don’t know what I was thinking. And I swear it was only once.”
“As if that makes me feel any better.”
“No, I guess it doesn’t. I just-“
“I don’t want to hear your shit excuses. To be honest, I’m glad it happened. It made me finally realize that I don’t need you or your shrimp dick. I’ve found someone so much fucking better than you. Someone who would never do half of the disgusting things that you have done.”
Ryan is silent, shocked horror radiating across his features. Maybe it was the shrimp dick comment that did that. Or the fact that I’ve moved on. Whatever, I don’t give a shit what it is.
At that moment, the elevator doors open and Josh is standing on the other side.
“Hey, baby.” I say, stepping into him.
He kisses my forehead. “Everything okay?”
“Everything’s fine. Don’t worry about it.” I smile up at him, hoping to give him a little reassurance.
As we’re walking away from the elevator, doors slowly closing, Ryan calls out, “Seriously, Liv? That guy? You think he’ll stay faithful to you?
That man has a rotating cycle of girls coming up this elevator to his apartment.
You can’t tell me they’re all here to play a game of chess.
You’re just another pawn he’s using until he gets to the queen. ”
With that, the elevator doors shut and I’m left to wonder… is that true?
I’m not stupid. I know the reputation involving hockey players. I’ve seen it on social media, sports news outlets and with my own eyes. But… I thought Josh was different. Am I really just another one of his conquests coming up to his apartment, letting him fuck me and then dump me like the rest?
I feel so stupid right now. My stomach drops because maybe I don't know Josh as well as I thought I did. Am I gonna get my heart broken thinking this thing between us is more than it is?