Page 18 of Lilies in Autumn

“I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you right. It sounded like you said she ran away?”

My jaw tightens and I look away, running my tongue over my teeth in pure fucking frustration. Like I said, women didn’t run away from me.

“Oh shit, she fucking ran away from you.” Dante and Linc laugh their asses off like it’s the funniest shit they’ve ever heard. I’m putting crushed laxatives in Linc’s fucking baking flour if he keeps this up. And Dante? Good fucking luck getting in Celeste’s pants by the time I tell her about all the shit he’s done with the female population of this school.

“Stop laughing, you fucks. Do you want to help me or not?”

Linc sobers. “What can I do?”

Dante rubs his hands together. “Okay, so you’re going to text Jordan—”

“Hell fucking no I am not.” Dante and I look at each other before turning back to Linc.

“Why the fuck not?”

“She followed me to Paris. Paris, as in fucking Europe.”

Dante scoffs. “She probably just had a trip planned at the same time. That doesn’t seem like Jordan.”

“When she tells you, ‘I came to Paris for you,’ it means she fucking followed you to Paris. I was elbow deep in a goddamn chicken for dinner prep when she walked through the kitchen door in a trench coat and beret. She ripped that shit open like we were in a hotel room and not in the middle of a five-star restaurant. The sous chef almost had a heart attack.” He takes a deep breath. “So, I will not be texting her. I will be staying far, far away from her. I already told my mom to stop trying to set us up. I’m done.”

Damn, Christmas was going to be awkward as fuck at his house this year.

“Grey, I hate to break it to you,” Dante began, “but if you want Ava’s number, you need to text Felicity.”

Fuck.

—

Grey: Hey.

Felicity: OMG hey handsome. Long time, no talk. How are you? How was your summer? Do you want to get together soon? I can come over. I’m sure you’ve missed my… assets ;) ;*

Christ. I could smell the desperation coming off the text; it was palpable. If she wasn’t such an asshole, I would feel bad for her. That empathy goes out the fucking window when you threaten to run a girl over with your car if she looks at me. Last spring wasn’t a good time for all because of Felicity.

I need to keep this text exchange brief and as short as possible.

Grey: There was a girl at your party the other night, Ava. Freshman, short, brown hair. I think her roommate is a girl named Celeste. I need her number. Do you have it?

Three dots quickly appear and I hold my breath, waiting to see how she’s going to respond.

Felicity: Um, why do you need that fat bitch’s number? She’s a fucking embarrassment and looked disgusting in that dress. You better not be hooking up with her. WTF Grey, I thought we had something???

My blood is boiling and I flex my fist, trying to control my anger and not tell her what I think about sweet Ava’s body. I think about her dress that night, tight, black, and just barely decent; it showed every dip and valley, her curved waist and perky ass. She’s fucking perfect.

What the fuck do I say to get her to give me the number and leave me the fuck alone? I’m not above lying to her at this point to keep Ava away from Felicity.

Grey: Felicity, we talked about this last semester, there’s no “us.” You’re too good for me. And about Ava, nah, nothing like that. We have a bet going on with the guys.

I think I just threw up in my mouth from that entire text.

Felicity: OMG, Grey Grey, you’re so sweet <3 I’m so not too good for you. You know I will always wait for you, baby. And ohhhhh, I love a bet. What are we betting??

Grey: Just guy stuff. I’ll let you know when I win ;). Now, can you help me out with that number?

Now I know I just threw up in my mouth with this “Grey Grey” bullshit. Why can’t she be like other girls and take the hint? I’ve never lied to a girl or been an outright dick to them, but they always know where we stand before and after the hookup. Felicity may not be following me to other countries, but she’s a fucking menace. Though I’m annoyed I have to pretend Ava is less to me than what she is, and what she will be. The worst thing in this situation would be to make Felicity aware that Ava was special. Putting a target on her back and subjecting her to possible harm is the last thing I want to do.

After a few more text messages, she finally gives me Ava’s number with instructions to call her later if I’m bored. I immediately block her number. I save my vixen’s number and smile to myself. Catching this little fox is going to be so fucking sweet, and I can’t wait for my reward.

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