Page 24 of Found

I openmy eyes with a sigh. The room feels empty, and the bed cold without his presence. He left for work while I was sleeping. It may be a tad desperate to say I miss him, but I do.

There’s no point in going back to Cam’s today. I slept in as late as humanly possible so I’d have less time to miss Boss which means that Cam will be leaving for the bar in a couple of hours.

Boss mentioned a pool for condo residents out back. The sun really isn’t my friend. I burn up, my skin turning the shade of lobster, every time I lay out, but it’s never stopped me before. Someday, I should address why I’m a glutton for punishment.

Riffling through the cupboard, I settle on cereal and milk. The best Boss has to offer is corn flakes. Who eats plain bran flakes? Where are the cocoa pebbles? I swear he’s an old man living in a thirty-year-old’s hot body sometimes. I suppose it’s part of his charm. I’ve yet to figure out the whole maturity thing. Maybe someday.

I choke down the cereal and place my dirty bowl in the dishwasher.Look at me, all mature.

After brushing my teeth, I dress in my bikini, and grab a towel. Opening the sliding door in the living room, I can see the pool several yards away. It’s nice. It reminds me of a resort pool with the straw huts and wooden lawn chairs.

Fancy.

Yeah, I could definitely live here. I just have to get Boss to fall madly in love with me in the next two days. No problem.

I opt for a lawn chair in the direct sun instead of one beneath the straw huts.And, just like that, I’m back to making poor choices.Eh, whatever. Rome wasn’t built in a day.

Closing my eyes, I let the rays of the sun heat my skin. It feels great. Reminds me of pool days back home.

“Hey.” A deep voice pulls me from my relaxation.

Raising my hand to shield my eyes, I open them to find a guy standing over me. “Hi,” I say hesitantly.

“Want some company?” he asks.

“No, not really.”

He turns to leave, only he doesn’t. He pulls a chair over next to me. “I’m Kyle.”

“Hey, Kyle. As I said, I’m not really looking to hang out with anyone.”

He ignores me altogether. “Are you new here? I haven’t seen you around. Believe me, I’d remember.”

I internally roll my eyes. This little dweeb has nothing on Boss. “Just visiting,” I say, my voice monotone.

“I live over in 3B with my mom.” He hesitates. “Not that I couldn’t afford my own place. I could. It’s just she’s always at work, anyway, so why spend the money. You know?”

“Right.” I sigh, I close my eyes and lean back. Hopefully, if I ignore him long enough, he’ll go away.

The telltale sign of a pill bottle shaking catches my attention, and I sit up.

“Oh, that got your attention.” He laughs. He nods toward the bottle. “You want one?”

Kyle wasn’t blessed in the looks department. His pale skin is riddled with acne scars, and his shoulder length raven hair is greasy as hell. He has small beady eyes and a pointed nose. He reminds me of a rat.

“No.” I shake my head.

“They’re just harmless pain pills. They give you a nice, warm buzz. Nothing crazy. And they don’t make you feel sick like alcohol does. They’re perfect for pool days. You know?”

I do, actually. A nice, warm buzz would pass the time until Boss got home.

No, you don’t need it.

Of course, I don’t. Nobody needs alcohol either, they drink it to get a buzz. There’s nothing wrong with an innocent high.

“You’ve taken them before?” I ask.

“All the time.”

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