Page 16 of Clueless Romeo

Was I really going to do this? It wasn't like I had to follow through if I started a conversation with a random guy. I didn't even have to talk to anyone. If I didn't like it, I could simply delete it as if it had never happened.

I clicked on the icon and quickly created a login. Entering as few details as possible, I posted a picture of my bare chest, and then my profile was born. My heart was beating out of my chest. Not gonna lie, I was both scared shitless and proud of myself for taking this small step to take control of my life.

Nothing more than pictures of possible matches filled the screen much faster than I expected. I'd have to click on them to find out more, but I wavered. I'd come this far, but how much farther was I willing to go?

My DM popped up with a message, and I froze. That was quick. Even though I had no intention of responding, curiosity got the better of me, and I tapped the notification.

Lumberjack11: *image*

Only a picture with no words was attached. In the photograph, a thin trail of black hair led from the guy's belly button, disappearing under the loose band of light gray sweatpants. A very obvious—and large—outline of a hard cock bulged through the material.

Holy shit. And not in a good way. I mean, the view wasn't bad, but a hello first would have been appreciated.

Another message popped up.

Lumberjack11:You into it?

Not knowing how to respond, I closed the app and shut off my phone. Taking a seat on my bed, I ran my hands through my hair and groaned.

What chance would I have to explore my attraction to men if I couldn't reply to a random stranger online who couldn't even identify me? It would be much more difficult to approach guys in real life.

As I sat there stewing, it finally struck me that a hookup wasn't what I was looking for. That would imply I knew what the hell I was doing or at least something I was comfortable doing. I was far from my comfort zone.

I needed something a little slower but still casual. How did someone semi-date, or whatever? I hadn't even really done that with girls in high school or college. Basketball had been my life, and I only hooked up when I needed to blow off some steam. I felt like a virgin again who hadn't touched his first tit yet. Or, in this case, my first cock, other than my own.

Tossing my phone on the bed, I fell back on the mattress again and stared at the ceiling. It was only early afternoon, but I was drained mentally and physically. Caleb had taken my Jeep, so I couldn't go anywhere even if I wanted to. Which I didn't. More than anything, I just wanted to escape my own thoughts for a while.

Flipping onto my stomach, I grabbed my phone again and spent the rest of the day binge-watching mindless episodes of stand-up comedy.

Six

CJ

The following afternoon,I rubbed my eyes as I paced the living room with the phone pressed to my ear. "Understood. We are still on track, Dad."

This conversation was draining my soul with each word.

His deep voice came through the line. "And Caleb is helping?"

"Of course." It was partially true, at least when Caleb decided not to be a douchebag. "Every step of the way." Okay, that was a flat-out lie. But the alternative was a sermon on not letting my twin slack off, as if I had any say in what he did.

Dad hummed as if he didn't quite believe me. He was a smart man. "Well, I'm glad to hear it's going well. I'll stop by soon and check out the place. Of course, I trust you, but it would be negligent on my part not to follow up. You understand."

It wasn't a question. Still, I answered. "I do."

"Excellent. I need to get going, or I'm going to be late for my meeting. If you need anything—"

"I'll call," I promised, though I'd do everything in my power to avoid speaking to him again. At least about business.

My dad was great until it came to his money. Then he wanted absolute and total control, so the fact that this was the first time he'd called since we'd moved in was a miracle.

He didn't bother with a goodbye, and I was met with silence. When I pulled the phone from my ear and glanced at the screen, I wasn't surprised that he'd ended the call.

I sighed as I shoved my phone into my pocket. I needed to get out of the apartment. There was nothing for me to do in the shop until the merchandise began to arrive. Between Caleb and Christa constantly fucking without giving two shits who heard them and the call with my dad, the walls seemed to be closing in around me.

It was midafternoon on a Friday, and I couldn't take another second being cooped up in the apartment. At this point, a little energy boost couldn't hurt. I'd seen a small coffee shop nearby but hadn't had a chance to stop in yet. Now would be the perfect time to check it out.

With a quick stop by my bedroom, I scooped a black hoodie off the floor and tugged it over my plain t-shirt before heading downstairs and onto the quiet street.

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