Chapter 9 – Slater
Chapter Nine
SLATER
T his bed is way too comfortable to be mine.
I open my eyes to only find darkness, except for a sliver of light spilling out from the bathroom.
I know it has to be nighttime. I sit up, glancing around.
I don’t remember moving to Brooks’ bed. The last thing I recall is the killer orgasm he gave me that must have knocked me out.
I stand to head toward the bathroom, forgetting that I’m naked. I quickly rush in and shut the doors behind me. Not that Brooks hasn’t seen me naked, but that’s all been horizontal. Things are different when you’re vertical.
When I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror, I don’t let myself do a double-take. I don’t need to to see that I'm a hot mess right now. Wait, maybe a cold mess. I use the bathroom before I steal a robe off the hook, putting it on. The thing engulfs me.
That is one of the things I enjoy about Brooks. I’m not a tiny girl; I’m curvy and tall. Two things most men aren’t into. With Brooks, however, I feel small and dainty.
Speaking of, where is Brooks? I step out of the bathroom. “How do I turn the light on?” The lights flicker on. I spin around, thinking Brooks turned them on, but he’s not standing in the doorway.
“Light off,” I say, and they flick off. Damn that’s cool. “Light on.” That is fancy and matches the rest of this place. I can barely get Siri to tell me the weather.
I don’t spot my clothes anywhere. They must still be in the living room.
I make my way there, the lights flickering on at my feet as I go down the hallway.
Still no Brooks, but I do see my clothes folded nicely on the coffee table.
Along with my purse. All of my crap that had spilled out has been put back.
I’m so out of place here. I’m new money, and I don’t even mean big money.
It’s enough so I no longer have to live paycheck to paycheck.
My social media does well, but I do have old debt I’m paying off.
I did two years of college to get an associate’s degree that I’ve never used, but that doesn’t mean you get to skip paying for it.
I spot a note on the table with Brooks’ phone number on it.
Went down to The Plate to check on things. I’ll bring dinner back. Text me when you wake, if I’m not back.
Your fiancé,
Brooks
The man is dead serious about this marriage thing.
It doesn't help that I fall into bed with him anytime we're together.
Which might be only twice, but it's becoming a pattern.
The first time is on me; I'm blaming the second time on baby hormones.
I know it's bullshit, but I'll be using that excuse while I can.
I shove the note in my bag because I do need his contact info. I’m not ghosting him again; I’m merely going home. Going to do my walk of shame. I need to get my thoughts together, and I can’t do that here.
Thankfully, I don’t need a fancy key to get the elevator to go down. When the doors open onto the bottom floor, three women in server uniforms for The Plate turn my way, their expressions filled with surprise.
“Hi.” I give an awkward as hell wave. The walk of shame joke is no longer a joke. I fight not to reach up and fix my hair, which I’m guessing is a mess. I didn’t pay it any attention when I quickly got dressed.
The expression on the girl with black hair quickly changes from surprise to a glare. “Who are you? All the offices are closed up there,” she remarks.
“I wasn’t at any of the offices.” I step off the elevator because it starts to beep.
“Bullshit, who are you?” The other two girls don't say anything while the other steps closer to me.
“I’m Slater. I was at Brooks’ place.” Her eyes roam up and down me. Okay, wow. I didn’t need her to tell me I look like shit too.
“You’re a liar.”
“If I were a liar, I would have denied my walk of shame.” All three of them gasp. Shit, why did I say that? Dark Hair gets it together quickly.
“You’re full of shit. No one is allowed up there.”
“I’m not no one.” This time I step toward her. “I’m his fiancée.” I can’t stop the words from coming out. Damn it and my mouth. I’m sure word is going to get around now.
“No.” She shakes her head rapidly. “It’s impossible. I know it.” She spins around, almost hitting me in the face with her ponytail before marching off and down the hallway.
“Are she and Brooks a thing?” I can’t help the jealousy that begins to creep its way in. He told me he’d never slept with anyone, but I’m not sure I’m buying that. It’s easier for me to think straight when he’s not near.
“I’m not in this,” one of the other girls says, turning to follow after the rude one.
“You really with Brooks?” the last girl asks, giving me a soft smile.
“I don’t know what Brooks and I are,” I tell her honestly.
“But you were up there.” She nods up. “At his place?”
“Yeah.”
Her smile grows bigger, showing off dimples. “Good. I’m Quinn, by the way.”
“Slater.” I glance down the hallway. I need to get out of here. Dark Hair might be snitching on me. “I’ve got to go. It was nice meeting you,” I tell her, heading for the side door we came in, pulling my phone out in the process. I need a ride.
“I’ll be seeing you around, Slater,” Quinn calls after me.
My ride doesn’t take long to show. I wait until I’m back home and in my place before I text Brooks, letting him know I arrived safely. I can see he read the message, but he doesn't respond. I toss my phone down, telling myself that he’s busy and that I don’t care.
I guess I am a liar after all.