11. Adelaide
ADELAIDE
By Friday, Sophia was starting to wear me down.
I was thinking of ways to shut her up. Including changing someone’s contact name to Ty, then texting them, showing her the message then deleting it.
But that seemed a lot more difficult than just texting Ty.
“Good morning.” I hurried past the offices, speaking when spoken too, otherwise I just kept moving.
If I had to hear ‘Mr. Pierced Cock’ one more fucking time…
“Hey! There she is.” Sophia flanked me right to my office, then pushed the papers on the corner over and sat down. “So, have we texted Mr. Pierced Cock today?”
“No.”
“Why not?” She tapped her chin. “Is it because he seemed too good to be true?”
“Yes.” I’d play along. Why the fuck not?
“But what if he is a good guy?” She kept posing this question to me, usually shortly after asking if I texted Ty.
“But what if I’m not ready?” I met her worried gaze. This is something I’d hadn’t voiced yet. I hadn’t been with anyone since my ex. He broke my trust in men and I continued to pay for that month after month.
Sophia jumped up, grabbed my keys and purse and shoved them in my hands. “You don’t know until you try, you dumb slut. Go get Mr. Pierced Cock back.” She shoved me out the door. “We’ll survive without you for a morning. I promise.”
I had half an hour to think about what I’d say. “Tyson, I’m sorry for being a chicken shit.” Nope.
“Tyson, I’m sorry for running out of your place after having such a great time.” Nope.
“Tyson, I’m sorry for the shitty things my ex did and assuming you’d treat me the same way.” Nope. TMI.
“Tyson, I’m sorry for flaking out like a dumb slut.” In the words of Sophia. Nope. I needed to quit talking to myself. This wasn’t helping.
I pulled up to the gym and it was busy, a bouncy blond was at the front desk. Here I go. I didn’t move.
Here goes nothing…I still didn’t move. “Okay Addy, you can do this. He’s just a tall, gorgeous man who you had a great time with.
A great guy with a great dick. Suck up your pride.
” I opened the car door and walked towards the gym, then it occurred to me that I didn’t have any gym clothes.
I’d look ridiculous walking into a GYM in a pencil skirt and white button down shirt.
Fuck. I didn’t think this through. But I wasn’t really here to work out, unless Tyson wanted a quickie…
and I wouldn’t say no. I shook my head. Jesus, this was an apology and moving on. I’m sure he’d move on after a week.
Fuck my pride. Here I go.
“Hi there, How can I help you?” The perky blonde sounded like how I’d expect her to. She sat behind her prestigious desk, barely looked up from her computer. The front was separated from the rest of the gym, I presume for the sound because loud music was muffled by the doors.
I put on Adelaide the publisher's attitude. The badass business woman. “I need to speak with Tyson if he’s here.”
“He’s not in yet. I can take a message.” Her perky voice grated on my nerves.
I was…disappointed. I didn’t expect that. “Don’t worry about it. Thank you.”
As I turned my back, I heard the door open and a male voice that I didn’t recognize. “Who’s that?”
“She asked for Tyson.” The blond said, I could imagine the cheesy grin on her face.
“Did she need management?” He asked quickly, that was when the door closed. I didn’t hear what the blonde said.
“Hey, wait up.” The voice was behind me now. I was cursing that I parked so far away. I couldn’t pretend I didn’t hear him as he followed me to my car.
I turned around and plastered a smile on my face, only for yet another stunning man to be standing in front of me. Gym shorts, drenched in sweat. “Hello.” I managed to get out. Business woman Adelaide. Badass Adelaide. “I’m Adelaide.”
“I’m Vance, manager here at Asylum.” He motioned behind him like that wasn’t obvious. “Did you need something?”
“No.” I turned back to my car. I needed to get the fuck out of here. This was a bad idea and Sophia would be hearing about it.
“Would this have anything to do with the hot redhead Ty met on Saturday night?” I would be engraving his beautiful face and smile into my memory too. “This is a fun turn of events.”
“Jesus fucking Christ.” I put my hands on my hips. “Do me a favor and don’t tell him I was here.”
“No can do.” He grinned, and my god he was gorgeous too. His eyes traveled down my body. I knew I looked good in a pencil skirt, it was satisfying to see someone else notice it. “Go on a date with me and this will be our little secret.”
“I’m good. Tell Tyson, don’t tell Tyson. I don’t care.” I finally got my hand on the door handle, but Vance was right there. Not really blocking me but he was in the way.
“Why won’t you go out with me?” That was a good question.
“No is no.”
“I get it. I do. I see you.” He finally backed off, putting his hands up. “Restart. Do-over. Please.” He shook his head and the shit eating grin came off his face. Replaced with a smirk. Not a ton better but I’d let him talk. He seemed to like to hear himself talk. “Would you go on a date with me?”
I tapped my chin as if I was thinking, “Still no.”
His face fell. I don’t get the impression he hears no a lot. “Fine then. A drink. I’d love to hear your side of things given the rage he blew in here with on Sunday.”
That piqued my interest. “Fine. Yes. One drink.”
“Shit.” He was back to grinning. “I didn’t think that would work.”
“Watch it.” I narrowed my eyes. “One drink. But I don’t want to talk about Tyson.”
“Fine with me.” He put his hands up. “Why don’t I give you my number, you text me and then we are all set.”
“Uh huh. The perfect business transaction.” I pulled up my messages, “Phone number.” He put his hand out and I put my phone in his hand.
“Your name?” He was back to the shit eating grin. “I know it’s not Lemon.” He still had my fucking phone.
Tyson. Fucking Tyson. What didn’t he tell this guy? Not even fair. I was going in blind. “You might want to hurry up sweetheart, I hear his motorcycle coming around the corner.” Sweetheart.
And of fucking course Tyson rode a motorcycle. He was already perfect, why not?
“Addy. A-D-D-Y.” He typed out a message and hit send, then handed my phone back.
I quickly ducked into my car and backed out of the spot, leaving Vance standing in the parking lot, shirtless and gorgeous. At least he didn’t tower over me, he wasn’t as intimidating. But…he did make up for it in attitude.