Page 145 of Unhinged

Leaving the store, I check another box and my phone, seeing missed texts from my dad and Simone. Dad wants Simone and me to have dinner at the house with them tomorrow. I guess she’d go if I asked. We’re both off. I tell him we’ll be there and then move on to Simone’s texts.

“Just thought I’d check in with you. I’m doing homework for my internship but thinking about last night. I loved all of it, but my favorite was falling asleep next to you.”

“Where are you? You said you had things to do today. Like what? Can we meet for lunch?”

“I guess you missed my last text about lunch. I thought about calling but didn’t want to sound like a stalker. I hope you’re okay.”

“Amos asked me what I want to do after graduation. I thought I wanted to go back to Dover, but now I don’t know.”

“Are you ignoring my weird texts? I hope not.”

“You’ve been gone all day, and I haven’t heard a peep from you. I’m worried.”

“I’m going to work early. I guess I’ll see you there? I’m glad because I miss you.”

“After work, we need to talk. Really talk, Greg.”

So many thoughts run through my head. I wish I had checked my phone earlier. And homework? God. Sometimes I forget she’s still in school.

I respond to her texts.

“Sorry I missed your texts. I’ve been busy. I keep thinking of last night too. I want to do it again and again with you. My dad invited us to his house for dinner. I said we’d go, but if you don’t want to, it’s fine.”

“I would’ve met you for lunch.”

“You should’ve called me instead. You can stalk me all you want. Yes, I’m fine.”

“Dover? That’s so far. Would that mean phone sex? That’d be worse than wearing a cock sock since I wouldn’t get to feel you at all. I don’t like it.”

“I’m not ignoring you. You’re all I think about.”

“Peep. I’m still okay.”

“I told you to stay home. I would still stay at your place after work. I miss you too, doodlebug.”

“I hope it’s a good talk because I want to talk to you too.”

Am I ready for it?

After what happened to her at the bar last night? Fuck, yes.

I need to be.

Chapter 24

Simone

Seeing a text from Greg, I read his responses to mine. Dinner with his family? Oh, God. I’m a little terrified. So much for inherited courage.

“Hey there, girly. I heard some drunk idiot attacked you last night. Are you okay?”

I rest my elbow on the bar as I smile at a few regulars listening. “I’m okay, Milty. Just a bruised eye and ego.”

“How’d he fare? There’s no doubt you threw it right back to him.”

I shrug. “I gave him a nutcracker, but his elbow hit me when I moved. Not as bad as it looks or sounds.”

“You were alone?”

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