Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 152064 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 760(@200wpm)___ 608(@250wpm)___ 507(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 152064 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 760(@200wpm)___ 608(@250wpm)___ 507(@300wpm)
Apparently, Flip was worried about my safety during the night, and the possibility that I might asphyxiate on my own vomit, so he slept on the floor on a yoga mat. I kicked him in the eye when I tripped over him and bagged him with my face. When he flicked on the light, I discovered my dress had ridden up to my waist and my whole ass was on display, including my pink lip-print thong. I will never recover from this humiliation. When I get home, I plan to have a good cry into a pint of ice cream.
“I’m sorry about your parents, and I’m sorry last night was so hard for you,” Flip says gently. “But black eye or no black eye, I’m not sorry I took care of you.”
More memories from last night surface. I can’t get the sad, hurt look on his face out of my head. It echoed the look he wore when I propositioned him.
Flip is just my friend and he’s showing up for me more than my dad ever did for our family. It pisses me off and makes me so, so sad.
I’m already embarrassed, so I might as well deal with all my stupidity at once and address the elephant in the back seat.
He pulls up in front of my building.
“I’m sorry,” I repeat.
“I’ve already—”
I hold up my hand. “I’m not talking about last night.” I swallow my nerves. “What I asked of you, the way I asked it…was wrong. I know what it’s like to always have people want something of you, from you.” I’m the Terror coach’s virgin daughter, and he’s the Terror’s notorious fuckboy. We’re quite the pair. “I should have thought about what I was asking for and how I was asking for it.”
He looks decidedly uncomfortable. “Tally, you don’t have to—”
“Please let me finish. It was thoughtless of me, and I’m so sorry I hurt you.” I shore up my courage to get out the rest. “I want my first time to be something I remember and feel good about. I don’t want to end up with some guy who just wants the notoriety of fucking the coach’s daughter any more than you want someone to ask you for something because you’re good at it.”
I want to throw up all over again, just remembering the nonsense that spilled out of my mouth. And then for other reasons as I finally admit the truth. “But you should know that I asked because I like you, Flip. Not Flip Madden the hockey player. You. The guy who slept on a yoga mat to make sure I was safe. The guy who attended my dance showcase and brought me my favorite flowers even after I hurt you.”
I’m afraid and anxious but I turn to face him anyway, because Flip is important to me, and I want to mend our friendship, if I can. “You’re an amazing brother to Rix and an excellent best friend to Dred. The way you show up for the people you love is one of my favorite things about you. I know you’ve made some decisions in the past that you can’t escape, and I would never want you to make a choice that you would regret, the same way you don’t want me to. I asked what I asked not for the reasons I stated, but for the reasons I didn’t. You’re a good person, and I care about you, and I’m sorry it came out the way it did.” I unfasten my seat belt and open the door.
“Talls—” The ache in his voice scares me.
I cut him off again before he can say anything else. “Thank you again for dealing with me last night, and driving me home, and I’m sorry about your face and your dick and bye.” I pull my hood up and scramble out of the car, slamming the door behind me.
I rush as much as I can in my stupid heels. Those I couldn’t get out of wearing home. This is the worst walk of shame ever. I’m so grateful when the elevator doors open immediately and it’s blissfully empty. I throw myself inside and hit the button for my floor.
I’m barely inside my apartment before I burst into tears.
My adorable, fluffy Maine Coon, Parsnip, trots down the hall, meowing up a storm as he senses my distress. I pick him up, shoving my face into his fur as I carry him down the hall. He headbutts me and licks my cheek. He’d been at the shelter for over year when I decided he needed to be mine. He’s a problem and I love him.
He still has dry food, but I plate a small helping of wet food and leave him to scarf it down while I shower away last night’s bad choices. Dred was right. Shots are never a good idea. I change into my comfiest clothes, drink two bottles of Vitamin Water, eat a banana while thinking about how Flip’s dick was against my cheek this morning, and finally flop down on the couch to check my phone. Parsnip joins me and settles in my lap.