Page 47 of The Influencer

“I’m sorry—you might need to say that again, slower because I think I’m getting a secondary high from the weed.”

“You heard me fine, jackass.”

“You hired a hooker?”

I don’t see it like that, but on paper it’s not too far off. I nod.

“And?”

“And I got laid. It was great.”

“Does Olivia?—”

“Of course she doesn’t know. Jesus. Do you think she’d be anywhere near me if she did?”

“You should tell her then,” Adam says with a smirk.

I let out a heavy sigh. I see what he’s getting at. Nothing would bring a swifter end to my dying relationship with Liv like telling her I fucked a male prostitute, but I still have some pride. While I’m deeply ashamed of what I did, I’ve been beating myself up enough about it. I don’t need her berating me and calling me filthy on top of that. I can break up with her the old-fashioned way. I just have to find the right moment, because I have a feeling she won’t go down easy. She has way too much pride for that.

“I’m gonna end things,” I tell him, relieved to have the words out there. That’s the first step, right? Put my intention into the universe?

“Thank God.” Adam sighs, gripping my knee and giving it a supportive squeeze. “When? Tonight?”

“Soon,” I say.

“Why wait?”

“Because I need to build up some more resolve,” I tell him honestly. “She’s not gonna like it. She’ll pull out every reason in the book—like you said—she knows exactly what buttons to push.”

“You’re so much better than this, Ash.”

“Oh really? Even now that you know I cheated on her?”

“I’m not saying she got what she deserved, but fuck… I don’t think it makes you a bad person if that’s what you’re asking. You had a moment. You reached the end of your rope—whatever—but I think this proves the problem. You don’t want to be with her. You’re just wasting time. Both of your time. Cut her loose and get yourself back out there. Give her a chance to find a nice Catholic boy who’ll put a ring on it and move the fuck on. You’re too young and too good of a guy to rot in that relationship any longer than you already have.”

Wow. Why don’t you tell me how you really feel, brother?

Adam’s eyes jerk up, and I feel a tap on my shoulder. I twist in my seat to find Jade staring down at me, half-naked with his hair down again to cover the hickey and that sexy as fuck smirk on his beautiful face.

“Kalil gave me a new nose ring. It’s gorgeous. Would you put it in for me?”

“Are you serious?” I ask, scowling. Because what is this?

“Yeah.” He pulls it out of his pocket and shows it to me. It’s made up of pavé diamonds or CZ, but it’s nice, and it proves he’s not lying. Or coming on to me, which is maybe the reason I’m still glaring at him.

“What’s it made of?” I ask.

“How’m I supposed to know?”

“Because depending on what kind metal it is, it might not be a good idea to change it out while you’re still healing.”

His lips turn down in a pout and his whole body follows. “Pretty please?”

Fuck. Me.

“It’s getting dark, I can’t see shit out here,” I say, my last-ditch effort to keep myself out of trouble—or, more accurately—embarrassing myself.

“We can run inside real quick,” he says.

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