15. Chelsi
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
chelsi
The next evening, I’m sitting at the dinner table, waiting for Kate and Jake to interrogate me about the lengthy conversations I had with Jimmy and Shane at the party.
What started as a fun way to screw with Jimmy quickly turned into an entertaining afternoon of making Kate and Jake squirm while Jimmy and Shane competed for my attention. Can’t say I hated it one bit.
It’s definitely a confidence boost when two incredibly attractive men are pursuing you, and I sure could use one of those.
I stare down at my plate of lasagna, Caesar salad, and garlic bread, wondering when I’m going to have an epiphany and figure out what’s next.
I mistakenly thought a new environment would help me see the future more clearly and let me explore other career options.
Instead, I’ve binged way too many TV shows and movies.
Barely lifted a finger that isn’t tied to my phone or the remote. The complete opposite of productivity.
If Kate were in my shoes, she’d have applied to at least a few dozen jobs with highly customized résumés. She’d probably send personalized introduction videos to hiring managers and have coffee chats every single day—if not twice a day.
I know I should do all of those things, but I can’t motivate myself to make the effort. I’m in my sloth era. Doing the bare minimum to survive while I wait for genius to strike.
“So…you definitely were the center of attention yesterday,” Kate says calmly before taking a sip of her Chianti and glancing at Jake.
He clears his throat. “That’s putting it mildly. Jimmy didn’t leave her side for most of the party and looked like a lost puppy dog following her around.” He cuts a piece of his lasagna, pausing before taking a bite. “Are you interested in one of them?”
Although I’m looking in Jake’s direction, I can feel Kate’s eyes peering into the side of my head.
She’s been on edge ever since she saw Jimmy take my hand, likely worried I’m about to make another big mistake in the love department.
I can’t say I blame her. My batting average in relationships is zero.
Part of me last night wanted to throw caution to the wind and go home with Jimmy.
See whether he could live up to all the promises he made.
The guarantees about making me come a half a dozen times before he fucked me.
It sounds exactly like my definition of a good time, but I also know how poorly it will end, like it always does with every red flag I allow into my life.
That’s why I couldn’t bring myself to do it. I turned down every single one of his advances, including the offers to supposedly “show me around town.” I don’t trust myself not to make another bad decision.
Closing my eyes and exhaling, I intentionally wait to respond to Jake, wanting to make them slightly uncomfortable and begin to question whether I might seriously consider dating Jimmy.
After all, Jimmy is the one they’re worried about.
Shane’s a catch. It wouldn’t surprise me if he’s the guy Jake is intent on setting me up with at some point.
Shane has everything going for him. He’s hot, funny, smart, and strums the guitar better than anyone I’ve seen, which should mean he knows what to do with his fingers.
Kate softly gasps at the silence. She’s exactly where I want her. Slightly concerned and too nervous to ask.
Is this what my life has become? Playing stupid games with my friends to make myself feel better inside.
“I had a great time chatting with everyone. It was fun getting to know Jimmy and Shane better. They both seem to be great,” I reply, stabbing a stack of lettuce with my fork and eating it.
“I see,” Kate murmurs, reaching for her wine glass and pressing it to her lips. She nods at Jake, like she wants him to speak up.
Whatever she’s too afraid to say to me should be good.
Jake sighs, clearly not thrilled about whatever he’s been told to say. “Listen, you’re a grown woman, so I’m not going to tell you who to date, but—”
“But what?” I ask, taking another bite of my salad and keeping my gaze focused on him.
He pulls on the back of his neck, looking at Kate, then back at me. “Jimmy is a fantastic musician. He’s just not the type of man you should date. Hell, anyone should date. He doesn’t do relationships.”
I chuckle. “Neither did you until you and Kate got together.”
Kate’s mouth drops slightly open as she turns her head back and forth between her husband and me.
“And who said anything about dating, Jimmy? There are plenty of ways for him to show me a good time without getting in a relationship.” I wiggle my eyebrows and lift my glass of Chianti before taking a big gulp.
Kate’s face reddens as she clenches and unclenches her fists on top of the table. “You wouldn’t… You couldn’t. Jimmy?”
I shrug. “He claims to be very talented with his tongue. And you know his cock is pierced.”
Jake spits out his wine, red droplets covering the table. “Did not need to know that.” He shivers like he’s trying to get the image out of his head. Serves him right for trying to play the big brother.
“I don’t think I’ll be able to make eye contact with Jimmy now,” Kate mumbles, shaking her head. “What about Shane? He’s so much better than Jimmy.”
“Shane seems nice, but he doesn’t have what Jimmy offers,” I reply, popping another bite of lasagna in my mouth.
Jake and Kate don’t say a word but seem to be silently communicating with one another, almost like they’re attempting to figure out what to do next. Worried I might actually jump into bed with Jimmy.
This is almost too easy.
“As I’ve mentioned before, I’m not looking to get into a relationship. I’m more than satisfied with my toy collection. But if I had an itch that could only be scratched by a man, Jimmy’s pierced cock would probably be at the top of my list.”
“I don’t know what to say,” Kate stammers, looking a combination of grief-stricken and confused as her plate sits untouched in front of her.
“The only thing we can say in this situation—use protection,” Jake adds before picking up a piece of garlic bread.
“Seriously? That’s your advice? To use protection. It’s Jimmy,” Kate blurts out, gesturing wildly with her arms. “My best friend can’t sleep with fucking Jimmy. What is happening?”
I burst out laughing, unable to keep up this farce any longer. “Oh my God. You both thought… I can’t believe you thought… Jimmy.”
Kate’s face drops. “You were screwing with us this entire time?”
I nod, chuckling so hard it’s difficult to catch my breath.
“Thank God,” Jake exclaims and continues to eat.
Kate shakes her head and exhales deeply. “Do not joke with me again about anything involving Jimmy. That’s my worst nightmare come to life.”
“Noted.” I raise my wine glass in her direction, then take another long drink.
“Does that mean you’re interested in Shane?” Kate asks, pressing her lips together tightly.
“I’m not interested in dating. The only way I’d even consider it would be if someone came in and swept me off my feet, but we both know that fairytales like that don’t happen in reality unless it’s the two of you.”
Kate blushes as she intertwines her fingers with Jake’s and gives him a loving smile. They’re so freaking cute it hurts to look at them sometimes. The definition of true love.
Jake kisses their joined hands. “If you were interested… Is there anyone on my team that catches your eye?”
My mind immediately flashes back to the exhilaration I felt when I saw Alex watching me from a distance at the party.
It’s why I couldn’t stop myself from walking across the yard and sitting at his table.
I feel drawn to him in a way I can’t explain.
My heart fluttered the entire time we chatted.
It was impossible to take my eyes off him.
I probably would’ve spent the rest of the afternoon with him if Jason hadn’t interrupted us.
It was almost like I was under his spell—one that my body and heart seemed to welcome.
The mystical trance didn’t end with the party.
I spent a portion of last night debating whether I should text him.
I must’ve typed a dozen messages and random emojis before erasing them.
It was one of the times I was incredibly grateful to have my typing indicator functionally turned off for everyone but close friends.
Ultimately, I decided against sending anything.
Alex and I are way too different to be compatible.
It would be too messy, even if we seemed like a good fit on paper. I couldn’t risk the friendship Jake and Alex have for what would likely result in a short-lived failure of a relationship.
“Nope. Happy to let you know if that changes. Otherwise, you can assume it’s just me and battery-powered boyfriends from here on out.”