Page 57 of I'm Not in Love (I Promise)

I clutch my chest and feign shock. “What? There’s no way you can tell that from one look.”

“I can. It’s a skill. I call it my fuck-dar. You know, like radar, but for fucking.” She shrugs and pulls her duffle bag higher on her shoulder. “You should already know this. Remember how I knew about your first time with Ethan? Speaking of, does he know I’m here? I’d prefer as little time with mommy’s boy as possible.”

We walk side by side toward my car, the sound of crunching leaves filling the silence as I think of what to say. “I’m not with him anymore. I didn’t want to tell you because I know you’d flipout and cut your work trip short to come here, but I caught him cheating on me at the end of the summer.”

She freezes and drops her bag. “You’re shitting me? That asshole cheated onyou?Ethan? Mama’s boy who wears shirts with sailboats on them?”

A soft laugh bursts from me. “Oh God, I forgot about that shirt.”

“Take me to him. I’m cutting his dick off.” She clenches her fists and lets out a harsh breath. “No, that's taking it too far. I’ll kick him in the balls instead. Let me just change into my combat boots.”

“It’s really okay, love. I’m over him. Seriously, him cheating was the kick in the butt I needed to move on. Plus, I’ve met someone else.” I can’t help the grin that spreads across my face.

“Oh my God, my fuck-dar is never wrong. You better tell me everything.” We reach the car and she tosses her stuff in the back before getting in. “Who is he? How did you meet? Dick size? Can he use it?”

I shake my head and turn the car on. “I’ll tell you everything. Let’s get lunch. I’m starving and you must be too.”

“I don’t like this new coy Blakey. Yes, you may feed me, but I require answers or I’ll tickle torture you into telling me.”

“No way, I’ll tie you up first.” I hate being tickled and she knows it, hence why she uses it as a last resort to get information out of me when I’m being tight-lipped. Evil demon that she is.

“Oh, that sounds like a good time. Torture and ropes. My kind of night.” We erupt into laughter as I pull onto the street. Through my rearview, I catch a glimpse of a black muscle car and roll my eyes. Not that I expected anything less from Damon. He was already overbearing and that was before we found out about me being a target.

“So how’s Brennan? Are you liking living with him again?” Falin opens the window and rests her palm against the outside of the car.

“He’s good. Super busy, like you. I think he’s somewhere in Asia as we speak. I miss him. As much as I love how far he’s come with his job, he never gets any downtime.” As all of this tumbles out, I realize how I’ve been avoiding thinking about Brennan lately. It hurts too much to know I have one blood relative left and he’s just out of reach. After losing everyone else, I wish I could keep him close.

“Why does he work so much? I guess that’s a dumb question coming from me, but we’re at different places in life. Doesn’t he want to settle down? Start a family with what’s her name?”

“Mischa,” I say.

“Yeah, her. Miss Friendly.” She’s not wrong.

“He wants to pay my tuition even though I’ve told him again and again that I’m fine taking out loans. He won’t hear it. And I have no idea what’s up with him and Mischa. To be honest, I’m pretty sure she’s cheating on him. Or maybe they have an open relationship, I don’t know.” I shrug and turn onto Main street.

“Can’t wait to meet her,” she says sarcastically.

I find a spot right in front of the restaurant and dig through my purse for some spare change for the meter. “About that. There’s a slight change of plans for sleeping arrangements.”

Falin tilts her head, eyes questioning. “What do you mean?”

“We can’t stay at Brennan’s. It’s not safe there. I’ll get into all the details but yeah, I highly doubt you’ll meet Mischa.” Plopping a few quarters into the meter, I reach for Falin’s hand and pull her forward. She’s staying put like a stubborn toddler in a toy aisle.

“Where will we stay then? Should I call and book us a hotel room?” Her voice is laced with concern.

“Well, that’s entirely up to you,” I say, feeling nauseated all the sudden. “Depends on if you’re okay with staying at my boyfriend’s place with his two hot roommates?”

“Blake Alexandra Hyland, you’re telling me you’ve been living with this new boyfriend and his two roommates, my fuck-dar is going wild, and this is the first time I’m hearing about it?

“Did I tell you how much I love your hair color? Platinum really suits you,” I say sweetly.

“Don’t change the subject, brat. Once your ass is firmly planted in a chair in that restaurant, you’re telling me everything or said ass will have an imprint of my size nine combat boot.”

I hold up my hands in surrender. “Okay, no need to get dramatic. I’ll tell you everything. But first, should we book a hotel room?”

She rolls her bottom lip between her teeth and says, “That depends on a few things. What did you say they looked like?”

“I can’t with you,” I say, laughing and pulling out my phone. “I’ll text Damon, my boyfriend, and have him send me pics of the guys, Jasper and Leon. But Fal, you gotta promise not to mess around with them. Things are…” I hesitate. “Complicated.”

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