Total pages in book: 127
Estimated words: 123435 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 617(@200wpm)___ 494(@250wpm)___ 411(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 123435 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 617(@200wpm)___ 494(@250wpm)___ 411(@300wpm)
She must recognize my sincerity—and immense remorse—because her face softens. “Dude. Dial it down. It’s not like we just got married and you cheated on me on our honeymoon.”
I spit out a weak laugh. “No, but this is a dick move.”
“It is. I won’t deny that.” She runs a hand through her dark hair. “Can’t say I’m not disappointed, either. I was looking forward to this all week.”
“I’m sorry,” I repeat through a lump of guilt.
“You’re lucky you have a rep for being a good guy. I know you don’t pull this shit with women.”
“I don’t,” I moan. “I don’t think I’ve ever felt this bad in my life. I can’t apologize enough.”
Nicole fiddles with the sleeve of her tight top. “I’m really embarrassed,” she admits.
“Please don’t be. This is all on me.”
“Well, obviously. But that doesn’t change the fact that I just walked in on—you know what, it’s fine. Let’s just forget it.”
I search her expression. “Are we good?”
“Yeah, we’re good.” Sighing, she steps closer and gives me a little pat on the shoulder. “But I think you owe her an apology too. And I should probably let you get to that.”
I still feel like shit as I walk Nicole to her car. Once she drives off, I glance toward Cassie’s front porch. I don’t want to go and ring the doorbell because I’m not sure if her mom and grandmother are home. But I also don’t want to climb up to her window for fear she’ll push me to my death.
Dismissing both options, I go back inside to get my phone.
Me: Meet me out back so we can talk? Please?
Part of me expects radio silence, but Cassie responds.
Cassie: Date #2 is over already? Does someone have a stamina problem?
And people say you can’t discern tone over text.
Me: It’s really not what you think. Please. Just come outside?
Cassie: Fine.
She meets me on the dock. Arms crossed, eyes apoplectic. She’s wearing her dress, and now that I know what’s underneath it I want to kick myself harder for forgetting to cancel with Nicole, because there’s no way I’m seeing a single thread of that lingerie again tonight. Even if we do make up, the moment has passed.
“I made the date with her on Sunday,” I explain. “After you and I … you know. Window sex.”
Cassie nods, mouth flattening. “I think that might make it worse.”
“I was trying to avoid temptation. I thought maybe if I found a distraction, I’d be able to see you again without being tempted to blow up our friendship. So when Nicole asked me out, I said yes. And then I got home that night and overheard you and your mom, and, well, you know what that led to.” I gnaw on the inside of my cheek. “I screwed up. You and I have been hooking up all week, and I’ve been swamped with work, and I honestly just forgot to let her know the date was off.”
“That is such a dick move. Especially to her.”
“Trust me, I know. I just spent the past ten minutes begging her forgiveness. And now I’m begging yours.” I meet Cassie’s eyes. I know she hears the heartfelt note in my voice. “I don’t juggle women. I might sleep with a lot of them, but never at the same time. Ask anyone who knows me—I don’t play games. That’s not who I am. You know that’s not who I am, Cassie. I’m a Boy Scout. I’m the one who asked to get grounded. My parents raised me to treat women with respect. That’s why I was afraid I’d be taking advantage of your inexperience.”
She bites her lip in hesitation. “If you didn’t want to be exclusive, you could’ve just told me.”
“That’s not it at all.” I frown. “It didn’t even cross my mind to not be exclusive. I assumed we were.”
“Really?”
“I told you, I don’t date more than one person.”
“Are we dating?”
“Flinging. Hooking up. Whatever you want to call it.”
My body is tight with frustration, because I can’t quite explain how any of this makes me feel. All I know is the sheer panic, the helplessness that was squeezing my throat when Cassie stormed out and I thought I might never see her again.
“I like you,” I say gruffly. “I have a great time with you. I’m wildly attracted to you. And I don’t want to ever do anything that makes you look at me like that again. Like I was total slime.”
She draws a breath. “When I thought you had another date … another girl lined up, or maybe even a whole roster of them … it upset me.”
“I know. I’m sorry. I promise I’m not seeing anyone but you.” I drag a hand through my hair, offering a rueful smile. “I had a whole thing planned for tomorrow. For you, I mean.”