Page 14 of Bitter Beats

“Tips are great if you know what you’re doing,” Lia continues.

“Okay,” I agree. “Thank you.”

“See you tomorrow.”

“Yeah. See you.” I hitch my bag up on my shoulder and leave the café.

It’s still early, only 11 AM. I don’t have class until 6 PM tonight.

For a while, I wander the streets. Cold air stings my cheeks, but it’s sunny and bright, and I revel in that.

I can do this. Tomorrow morning, I’ll start my new job. I’ll prove to myself and everyone who knows me that I can work hard. That I’m capable. Enough.

Stopping at a little bakery, I purchase a cannoli and head home. I shower, blow-dry my hair, and choose an outfit for training tomorrow.

Then, I open my laptop, intending to study, when the noise on the other side of my wall picks up.

Bang. Bang. Bang.

“It’s 2 PM,” I mutter to the empty space.

Mav’s headboard hits the wall.

Who the hell is just hanging out in the middle of the afternoon, down to fuck?

“That’s it, babe.” Mav’s voice is raspy and deep.

I swallow back my scream of frustration. Popping in my AirPods, I turn up the music. I grab my laptop and book and relocate to the kitchen. I make myself a cup of coffee and gobble up my cannoli, eating my feelings.

I shouldn’t be mad at Mav. He’s living his best life. Good for him. He can afford to have parties and midday sex and not worry about anything.

It’s me who’s falling apart. The stress of the last few weeks is getting to me. Moving, student loans for tuition, living with Mav, needing a job, Bran’s incessant presence…and on top of that, I haven’t had sex in over six months.

It’s pathetic, really.

I lick up a dollop of cannoli filling. The closest thing I get to orgasmic bliss these days.

I am so fucking pathetic.

I try to focus on the assignment I need to complete for class tonight.

My phone buzzes with a message.

Unknown: Hey, it’s Lia. There’s been a change to the schedule. Can you come in tonight? 10 PM? We’ll start training.

I let out a shaky exhale. Tonight? My class ends at 9 PM. If I head to the café straight from campus, I’ll make it with time to spare.

Me: Sure. See you then.

Lia doesn’t say anything else, and I read another two pages of my Trusts and Estates assignment.

Laughter on the stairs tugs my attention, and when I look up, I see a curvy, gorgeous brunette descend the staircase like she’s entering a debutante ball.

I fight the urge to roll my eyes.

She loiters at the bottom of the steps, and Mav comes into view. She leans into him, and he grips her ponytail, tugging until her face lifts to his. He kisses her hard on the mouth and palms her ass before walking her to the door.

What a gentleman.

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