Chapter 15 Nora #2
“You sexted your celebrity ex and his brothers? Girl, what were you thinking?”
I groan. “Well, I guess…I was thinking I looked good, you know, in the new clothes Freddie bought me and—”
“Since when did Flash Sterling buy you clothes? Nora, what the hell is going on with you?”
“It wasn’t like that, it was just…you know, he drove me home the other night, when I stayed over…the night I kissed Rush and—”
“You kissed Rush?” Abby’s voice is bordering shrill.
“It was an accident!” I cry out, though I know the excuse at this point is moot. Yes, we were drunk, but it wasn’t a mistake. Not entirely, and I know that.
I felt lonely. Vulnerable. And there was something about the way Rush led me, with his hand on my back, the way he looked at me…
I know Rush is a flirt. Everyone does, but I know it was more than that. I know it doesn’t make sense, but…
“I kissed him and then I fell asleep with him on the couch and the next morning Freddie found us and offered to give me a ride, make me breakfast, and I just…sort of ran out of there with Tommy since he was heading to class and…”
Abby breathes heavily.
“Then yesterday I ran into Freddie in La Femme. On my coffee break. He was picking up some stuff for Daniella, and then I sort of got carried away with retail therapy, you know, given everything that’s happened, and when I opted to put the shoes back…”
I twist my lips. “He just…sort of told me he was going to pick up the tab and not to argue. And I guess I just…needed some things to get by until I figure out this situation with Brett and my stuff and…”
I swallow hard as she says silent.
“Last night, I told you I wanted to stay in. And I did…I…got some takeout, watched some movies, had some wine…”
“Ah,” she says. “That explains it.”
“What?”
“You were drunk.”
“No!” I say defensively. “I wasn’t drunk like the other night, I was just a little tipsy maybe, but—”
“Uh-huh.” Abby chuckles. “Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, Nora, have you lost your mind?”
I squeal in agreement. “Clearly.” I rub my temple.
“What did he say?” she asks carefully. “Brett, I mean?”
I lean back into the bed, feeling that festering, nagging feeling of disdain swirling inside of me. “He thought it was an apology,” I say softly. “But it’s not…”
“Of course it’s not,” she scoffs. “Asshole.” Then her voice perks up. “What uh…what did the others say?” I don’t miss the hint of interest in her voice.
I debate if I should tell her the truth, but figure it’s best to just come out with it. And confessing might actually help me put things into perspective.
“Well…” I sigh and stare at the ceiling.
“Tommy didn’t say anything other than we should hang out sometime, but he and I talked earlier, and so it feels like maybe he didn’t see it?
I don’t know. Or if he did, maybe…maybe he just didn’t think anything of it.
I know he’s a bit shy when it comes to stuff like that. ”
“Maybe,” she says curiously. “Or maybe he just didn’t know what to say, and wanted to see what you would do first? I don’t know him as well as you probably do, but he isn’t exactly the go-getter type like his brothers.”
This is true. She does have a point.
“Maybe,” I say. “Freddie was kind of the same. I think he knew it wasn’t meant for him, because he just said ‘wrong number, sweetheart,’ and that was it.”
“And Rush?” she asks carefully. “How did Rush react to your little saucy sext?”
I swallow, hard. “Um…”
I close my eyes as the words rush out of my mouth. “With a saucy sext of his own?” I say the words meekly, but Abby’s squeal is all I need.
“Oh my God!” she screams. “Details, Nora, I need details!”
“No, you don’t.” I groan. “You do not need the details of Rush’s hockey stick.”
She laughs. “Oh, man…you’re no fun. At least tell me if it’s…you know…” She giggles. “Was it good?”
Heat crawls into my cheeks.
“You’re asking my about my ex’s brother’s dick, Abby.”
“That good, huh?” she teases, and I bury my face in the pillow. “Did you text him back?”
“What?” It’s my turn to yell. “No, of course not! What would I even say to that?”
The phone goes silent.
“Did you like it?” she asks carefully.
“That’s a loaded question, Abby.”
“No it’s not. It’s simple. You were either disgusted and wanted to tell him off, or…” She speaks plainly. “Or you saw it and you liked it.”
My silence is my answer, and we both know it.
“You know what it sounds like to me?” she says smoothly.
“What?”
“Sounds like you have the perfect chance to give good ol’ Brett Sterling a taste of his own medicine.”
I sit up straighter. “What are you talking about?”
She sighs. “I mean, why settle for one brother when you could trade up for two? Hell, maybe even three if Tommy’s asking you out because he likes you and not just for coffee.”
That’s insane. There’s no way.
No.
But yet…Abby’s words stir something inside of me. Something deep and primal, hungry and curious.
“I can’t date my ex’s brothers.”
Abby giggles. “Who said anything about dating, Nora? All you need to do is play the game and stick the knife into that asshole.”
“That still doesn’t change the fact that I need my things, and Brett and I—”
“I’m just saying. It’ll piss him off for sure, and at the very least, all you have to do is just…hang out with them. You don’t have to do anything. Not unless your vengeful little heart wants to, anyway.” She laughs. “But if you wanted to…”
“Abby…I can’t use them like that.”
“Don’t think of it as using. Think of it as healing,” she says plainly.
I shake my head, her words settling inside of me and making me more than flustered.
“I should go,” I say. “It’s late, and I need to clean up my mess here, and—”
“Right, I get it. I’ll let you go, but just…think about what I said. Think about what you want, Nora. For real. Okay?”
I tell her I’ll think about it and hang up, letting out a heavy sigh when I hear a knock at the door.
What the hell?
One glance at the clock and I note that it’s nearing one am, which is pretty late. I’m not expecting anyone, and as such panic laces through me. I pre-dial 9-1, so I can hit the 1 if I need to dial fast, and I grab a knife from the kitchen.
Nothing good happens when someone raps on your door at one in the morning. Besides, the only people that even know I’m here are Abby, my co-workers, and the Sterling’s…
Panic hits me as I remember Brett’s texts. His demands to know where I am.
What if it’s him? What if he’s come here to—
I suck in a breath as the knocks continue, and then I count to three and I open the door, nearly dropping the knife when I see who’s standing there.
Because there, in the rain, looking like something straight out of my movies, is Flash Sterling.