Chapter 1
LEXI
One Month Later
“Oh, fuck, I’m coming,” I moaned into his neck.
I needed to let… Shit, what was this guy’s name?
Didn’t matter. I needed to let him know I was done so we could get this over with.
He was just another in a long line of dudes I wouldn’t see again.
He’d probably try to see me again, of course, but I wasn’t interested.
I wasn’t what you’d call a relationship girlie. I was more of the ‘fuck and run’ type.
The man hovering above me grunted out his own release. Time to make my escape. “Damn, baby, that was so hot. You’re wild,” what’s-his-name murmured into my neck.
“Mmm, yeah, that was great.” I tried to sound as believable as possible as I extricated myself from underneath him. “But I’ve gotta get going. Got an early shift tomorrow.” I hopped out of his bed, grabbed my clothes, and headed for the en suite to clean up.
He called after me, “Oh yeah, me too.” Yeah right.
I was all too familiar with this routine.
Even if he wanted me to stay, which he didn’t, he wouldn’t ask because I beat him to the punch to make my exit.
That was how my one-night stands usually went—we both got off hopefully—and then I went running for the hills: no strings, no repeats, no feelings.
Well, maybe a repeat once in a while, but that was only when I was looking for a sure thing.
This guy, though, was just another random I picked up at a bar for a good time.
A girl has needs, you know, and if a guy can sleep around without consequence, why can’t I?
I made quick work of getting cleaned up. What’s-his-name sat up in bed when I returned to the bedroom and made like he was going to get up. “I’ll walk you out,” he said, pausing at the end because I was sure he forgot my name, too.
“No need. I’m good. See ya around.” I gave him a small wave and then made my way to the living room, grabbed my purse, and got the fuck out of there. Thankfully, his place was pretty close to mine, so I could walk home.
As I got to the street and turned towards home, I pulled out my phone to see what Daphne was up to.
I hadn’t seen her in what felt like forever.
In reality, she was still technically staying on my couch, although she spent almost every waking moment with her new guy, Nathan.
And I mean, who could blame her? He was the total package and was hopelessly in love with her. She was one smitten kitten.
She answered right away, “Hey, hooker, what’s up?”
“Funny you should use that word choice,” I laughed. This bitch knew me so well. “Just leaving a rando’s place, but I’m hungry and I wanted to see if you were around and wanted anything if I stopped?”
“Aren’t you thoughtful? But I’m good. I’m actually at Nathan’s and won’t be home tonight.”
“Color me shocked. You two are disgusting,” I joked, making a puke sound.
“Don’t worry, you’re still my number one boo. Let’s have a girls’ night this week, okay?” Daphne was my closest friend and knew me better than anyone. She knew that while I pushed most people away, I also needed friend time.
“Okay, sounds good. We’ll chat at work tomorrow. Love ya.”
“Love you, too. See you tomorrow,” Daphne replied.
We hung up our call as I walked into my favorite Chinese place.
“Hey, Mei,” I called to the girl working behind the counter.
Her family had owned this restaurant for years, and she practically grew up working here; at least that’s what I had learned.
In my humble opinion, they had the best Chinese food in the city, and thankfully, they were conveniently within walking distance from my apartment.
“Hey Lexi, what can I get you?” Mei answered and moved to the register to ring in my order.
“Just the chicken lo mein for me tonight, thanks.”
“Do you ever get sick of eating the same thing all the time?” Mei asked as she took my payment.
“Not when the shit is this good, girl,” I answered truthfully.
She laughed. “Well, I’m glad you like it, and we always appreciate your business. It’ll be a few minutes. Can I get you something to drink while you wait?”
“I’m good, but thanks.” I moved to sit in a booth by the register and took out my phone. There was already a missed text from Daphne with a link to a tattoo shop.
Daphne
Bestie tattoos this weekend?
Me
Hell yes!
Sweet. Now I had something to look forward to this weekend, but right now, the priority was food, a shower, and sleep, in that order. After retrieving my order from Mei, I made my way home.
My second-floor walk-up apartment was in a decent part of the city, close to shops, work, and some wonderful restaurants and bars, too.
It was the perfect spot for a single gal living her best life.
And I was. My life was pretty great. I had a job I didn’t hate, a best friend who would definitely help me hide a body and a nice place to lay my head at the end of a long day.
Most people would say, “But what about a partner to share your life with?” To them I’d reply, “No fucking thank you.” Love wasn’t in the cards for me.
I was totally okay being alone, and I’d rather be alone than have to deal with the aftermath of a failed relationship.
Growing up the only child of a single parent who pined for her lost love was no picnic.
Don’t get me wrong, my mom was the freaking best mom I could’ve asked for.
She was loving, kind, and fun to be around, and was always my friends’ favorite too; the cool mom.
She taught me to be a strong, independent woman and not to rely on a man to do things like changing a tire or patching some drywall.
But there were many nights when she thought I was asleep or when she thought she was alone that I’d hear her crying.
She wasn’t the happy-go-lucky person she pretended to be.
I think it was because she missed my dad.
Although I don’t really remember him, and she rarely spoke of him, I knew she had loved him and that one day he had just left us without a word.
I didn’t really blame him; I guess. He was a kid himself when my mom got pregnant at seventeen.
They tried to make it work, from what I understood, but he couldn’t handle the pressure and took off.
Some shrinks might say I have daddy issues, or whatever, and that’s why I sleep around, and maybe I do.
But I have zero desire to get close enough for anyone to hurt me like my mom got hurt.
Sure, my dad leaving probably messed me up, too, but seeing the effect it had on her did me dirty, and I’d be damned if I let any man do that to me.
So now I made sure I was the one doing the leaving, and that suited me just fine.
I arrived home, kicked off my shoes, and got cozy on my couch to devour my late-night snack.
As I was eating, my thoughts drifted back to my romp in the hay with good old what’s-his-name.
He was okay, but not a worthy contender for a repeat.
You’d have to really fuck like a god to get that kind of invitation.
Believe me, I knew it was easier to recycle a good lay, but lately they’d been hard to come by.
The last guy I deemed even remotely worthy of a repeat went and found himself a girlfriend, unfortunately.
So I was back to picking up randos at the bar after work.
If I were smart, I’d swear off men altogether and get myself off, but I’ve never been one to make the smartest decisions, and I was apparently a glutton for punishment.