Page 22 of Breaking the Habit

“I swear to God she summoned you,” Riley said before wrapping her friend in a hug.

“It’s true. We were talking about casual sex,” Nikki said.

“That’s all you need to summon me: a brief conversation about casual sex and a guitar pick,” Fiona cracked. Fiona had been a musician her entire life but had only recently started taking it seriously. More than that, she was chronically, vehemently, anti-relationship.

Which, these days, so was Riley.

“So who are you sexin’?” Fiona asked, plopping on the couch.

“Nobody,” Riley assured her. “I’m still on sabbatical.” That was a polite way of saying she had a no-dick policy in place.

Fiona tutted, shaking her head. “That’s a bad idea. It’s been long enough.”

“I don’t know if it’ll ever be long enough,” Riley muttered, settling into her favorite corner of the sectional. She arranged pillows behind her. “I still get the occasional hate mail, don’t forget.”

Nikki frowned. “Yeah, but those people are crazy. They aren’t real people. And they have nothing to do with your needs as a woman.”

Riley sighed, not having it in her to have this conversation for the umpteenth time. When Braden cheated on her, it wasn’t likeany old boyfriendhad cheated on her. He was the most popular sitcom star in recent history, the Brad Pitt of young millennials. Riley hadn’t thought twice when their paths crossed early on in his career, not expecting his fame to balloon and his ego to balloon faster.

Dating a celebrity had never been on her to-do list, but she’d tried to roll with the punches. Except Braden got restless; he got hungry for more and better and hotter. It would have been bad enough to find out that he’d rolled into bed with his busty costar. But it became her worst nightmare when the prick didn’t have the balls to tell her himself.

Instead, he’d ghosted and let the tabloids fill her in.

Braden concocted a crazy story about his love of the century with his new girlfriend. Even insulted Riley in various interviews given, since Riley had occasionally been mentioned as Braden’s private and “normal” girlfriend prior to the scandal. Called her controlling. Restrictive. Jealous.

And oh, how Braden’s die-hard fans exploded out of the woodwork. Desperate to defend him against any perceived wrong, his fans descended on her as though she’d dragged him through the mud. Or castrated him personally. Or worse.

She didn’t know if Braden had intended to spur the months-long media frenzy or the avalanche of hate mail that his comments inspired. She could only imagine that he didn’t give a shit. That nothing mattered to him except pussy and fame.

A year and a half later, her life was only starting to feel somewhat normal. Back to the shadows of obscurity. Right where she wanted it.

“Seriously, casual sex is worth it.” Fiona kicked her Chucks up on the ottoman, using herI know what I’m talking abouttone reserved for all matters sex. “You’ve probably forgotten what it feels like by now, and let me assure you—it is the best thing ever. No strings attached? Even better.”

Riley laughed. “I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone as anti-relationship as you.”

Fiona shrugged. “I don’t see the point. I tried it once—wasn’t for me. Sex is, though. You should have sex.”

“I think that’s the slogan for your personal brand,” Riley said. “When you’re ready to make T-shirts, let me know.”

Fiona thwacked her with a pillow. “That’s not a bad idea.”

“I’d buy one,” Nikki said, chomping into a carrot as she wedged herself in between her two friends.

Riley settled in for a fun night with her best friends, but in the middle of episode two, Levi texted.

LEVI:Damn girl.

Two little words made her hungry for more. She debated not responding, but who was she kidding? She was dying for a little taste of Levi after so many days apart. So much so that she was willing to indulge.

RILEY:Let me guess. You saw the pictures.

LEVI: Saw & loved. You do this professionally or something?

A laugh escaped her, garnering curious looks from her friends.

RILEY: Was thinking about taking a photography class or two, u think I should go for it?

LEVI: Totes. Maybe you can take pictures of my matches too. Just an idea. No pressure.

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