Page 58 of One Life to Loathe

“We kissed a little, while drunk,” I conceded.

“Before you commit to this path—this lying, lying path—you should know that Jax saw Leo leaving your room this morning in the same clothes he was wearing last night.” Daisy’s tone was deceptively breezy. “Leo tried to swear him to secrecy, but Jax knows better than keeping primo gossip like this from me.”

Well, the best laid plans. “You can’t tell anyone,” I implored her. “If the others find out?—”

“Calm down.” Daisy raised her hand. “I have no intention of telling anybody else. Well, Levi, but he was with me when the tree climbing happened. By the way, it was obvious that was not just going to be a kiss. Leo was clenching your butt so hard I wouldn’t be surprised if you still have the imprints.”

I did. I hadn’t noticed them until I showered. Even though they were vaguely sore, I liked them. They were a reminder of the fun we’d had. I would be able to bask in it for a few days before the marks faded and it truly became a memory.

“I don’t know why I let it happen,” I said in a low voice.

“I do.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Why?”

“Because sometimes chemistry can’t be contained. You guys were always on a crash course for each other. I actually thought you would fight it a little longer, though. I figured I would need to set you up another three times at least.”

I glowered at her. “I knew that was a setup. You’re not nearly as sly as you think you are.”

“I wasn’t trying to be sly,” Daisy replied. “I’m a straightforward type of girl.” She cozied closer. “Tell me about the sex.”

“No. That’s a private thing.”

“Tell me or I’m going to find him and torture him for information.”

I tried to picture Leo’s face if Daisy backed him in a corner and started ruthlessly interrogating him. “Leave him alone,” I said on a sigh.

“Then you need to feed the beast.”

“That sounds mildly dirty.”

“I can make it sound way dirtier.”

I exhaled heavily, the sound long and drawn out. “It was mind-blowing,” I said finally. “Is that what you want to hear?”

“Always.” She bobbed her head to encourage me.

“I’ve never had sex that good. Although, to be fair, I don’t have a lot to compare him too. I learned a long time ago not to trust actors with my heart … or vagina. He’s the first actor I’ve been with in six or seven years, and given how often I have to audition, all I meet are actors.”

Daisy took a moment to chew on it. “We’ll talk about that later,” she said finally. “I want to hear the rest of it.”

“There’s nothing to tell. We did it. We had a good time. That’s it.”

Daisy’s eyebrows were on a collision course. “That’s it? There’s no way.”

“We can’t do anything more.” I was firm on that. “I’ll fall for him, and he’ll break me. We talked about it this morning—like mature adults—and agreed it was just the one time.”

“How do you know he would break you?” Daisy protested.

“You’ve met him. He wouldn’t mean to hurt me—oddly, he never means it—but he would because he can’t be the person I need him to be. I’ll fall for him thinking I can change him, and I will be the one who ends up hurt.”

Daisy didn’t look convinced. “Jax didn’t want a relationship when we started either. Then he realized that’s exactly what he wanted.”

“That’s great for you guys.” I meant it. “Leo is not Jax, though. He’s lost. He has to find himself, and I think I’ve already found myself.”

“What does that mean?”

I shrugged. “I’ve been thinking about it for a long time—the last two years at least—and I’m ready for stability. Even if this show fails—and I really hope it doesn’t—but if it does I’m staying on the East Coast. I’m going to find my place out here and plan my future.”

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