Page 10 of Rex

Aria: Why fill in blanks that aren’t important enough for you to remember? Let’s just say nothing happened and go with a clean slate and all that jazz. We’re fine. You’re still the tech guy my brother rides bikes with and I’m still just his sister that supports his choices by having brunch at the club occasionally. Have a good day.

Me: You’re mad and I understand that. I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings. I’m an ass. Forgive me?

Aria: You didn’t hurt my feelings because I would rather pretend last night didn’t happen, too. Let it go. It’s over and done with.

Me: Can we have coffee together tomorrow and talk things out?

The only reply I get back is an emoji of one finger flying high. I’m guessing that means no. I set my phone down and run my fingers over my face and through my hair. I reach for my trusty bottle of Tums and chew an entire handful of them.

Chapter 4

Aria

I nearly threw my cell phone across the living room in my condo. Frustrated, I set it down before it became a victim of my temper. Rising to my feet, I pace the living room with my hands entrenched deep in the sides of my hair. Gripping it tightly, I breathe in through my nose and slowly exhale through my mouth. After a few repetitions of this, I feel my muscles relax. I take a moment to mentally pat myself on the back in congratulations that nothing got busted while anger flooded my body. Taking a seat on my couch, I sink into it and try valiantly to blank my thoughts. It doesn’t work, and my brain is flooded with images of Rex and last night.

The Devil’s Angels tech guy is easy to look at and even easier to fantasize about. Being a few inches over six-foot tall, lean, muscled body with dark brown hair and eyes the color of milk chocolate, he’s gorgeous. Another check mark on my list is that I’ve always been drawn to intelligence, and he has that in spades. I don’t know many of the members very well yet, but I noticed him from the start. Chatting with him last night simply enhanced my attraction to him. He’s smart, funny, and kind. I know my brother thinks the world of him, so that is a plus too.

The images of him from last night make me almost moan again in pleasure. The feel of his hands, body, and mouth on mine will take more than booze to erase from my memories. Apparently, though, that’s a one-sided kind of thing. The heat that had started to flood my body from the memories alone suddenly disappears. Nothing hurts a woman’s self-confidence more than having been so easily forgotten. While he made a huge impact onme, I made none on him. Ouch. Booze may be the only thing that takes the sting out of that realization.

Taking a moment to sort through my feelings, I realize I’m more hurt and embarrassed than anything else. The fact that he doesn’t remember—or won’t admit to remembering last night is a blow to everything in me that’s female. The only thing I can do at this point is to bury the beginning feelings I’d had about him, pretend I’m not hurt, and that last night was just one big party. Nothing else and certainly nothing special to me.

Having made my plan, I text Lisa.

Me: You feeling better?

Lisa: Yeah, kind of. We got trashed, girlfriend!

Me: Definitely did. You and Reeves? Is that a thing?

Lisa: No, never has been until last night. I don’t remember everything, but I do remember his ass. That man has a fine ass!

I laugh at Lisa’s comment and wish silently that I could take what happened last night as easily as she seems to be doing. Of course, it helps that she’s half-crazy most days.

Me: That he does.

Lisa: Did you and Rex hook up? You two looked very cozy last night.

Me: Not sure what happened. I’m fuzzy after we got to the clubhouse.

I feel instant guilt and regret for lying to my new friend. I know if I told her the truth, though, she’d want to get a girl gang togetherand kick Rex’s ass. I don’t want that. I just want to forget it all and forgive myself for thinking I could be someone special to him.

Lisa: Let’s go out this Friday. Maybe we can still have as much fun but with a little less alcohol?

Me: Absolutely. It’s a date. Feel better, chicka.

Lisa: You too. Hugs

Setting my phone down, I get busy getting all the things done that adults have to do before their work week starts.

“Hi, Mom,” I say as I give her a quick kiss on the cheek and then take my seat across from her.

My mother, Giana, and I meet for lunch every Monday. Most times my brother Les and sometimes Drew join us. Drew is also known as Chubs, but that’s a name I just can’t bring myself to use. I know the club doesn’t use it in a mean way, but it’s still something I can’t call him.

“Hi, honey. Les said he’d be here in a few minutes, but Drew is busy today,” Mom informs me.

“Probably busy with a tow. Want to bet that he has a pig riding with him today?” I ask, joking about the fact that Ava’s pet pig, Gee, rides shotgun a lot with my brother.

“I never thought I’d like a pig, but that little guy’s just the cutest!” Mom gushes with a huge smile.

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