Page 131 of Rhet

I sit on my bed and find solace in Jasper‘s gritty voice from my fave group “The Gray.” The lyrics echoes through my home. “Barbie Boudoir” is the best song on their album.

I scream the words out loud.

Desperate I am for your touch.

My soul is breaking.

Though all of it is unreal.

I feel shaken.

I air drum and I fall back on my bed as Jasper’s raspy voice screams through my speakers.

Dolls on strings, they take me to another place.

They watch me as I spin away into paradise with you.

How could he act like I didn’t look like the shit?

My damn makeup was fifteen hundred dollars. The dress was so expensive I haven’t even taken it off. The belt is hanging on the sofa, but I am still here in this dress. I get up off the bed and make my way to the bathroom. Taking off the remainder of my makeup that wasn’t dismantled by my tears.

It’s been nearly two hours and York hasn’t called to see if I’m home safely. Not even a text. Maybe he spoke to Rhet and realized my boss is a sociopath, and by extension, he can’t be with me. I didn’t want him anyway.

I just want out of it all. With my clean face, another song of The Grey plays.

Then a tap comes at my door. I look at the time as I head for the door, it’s12:30 a.m. I open the door and Rhet turns around with his hands in his pockets.

“Rhet, I can’t.” I lean on the door feeling empty.

He raises his hand to stop me. “I don’t do this often, but…” His nose flairs. “I was wrong and I’m sorry.”

“Okay. Good night.” I go to close the door, but it’s blocked.

Looking down, he has his black shoe wedged in the threshold.

“What now?”

“I have more to say,” he growls.

“Suppose I don’t want to hear it?” I look him dead in the eyes.

I can tell he’s calculating his next move. “Then I will sit here until you hear me out.”

“Get comfortable.” I push his foot away and close the door. I walk over to my phone, still no call from York.

“I was wrong, you looked gorgeous tonight. I couldn’t keep my eyes off you.” Rhet’s voice comes through the door.

No, he’s not going to play this game with me. I turned to my player and raise the volume Jasper’s “Rebel Heart” begins to play. Perfect, just what I don’t need, a song about a man trying to say he’s sorry.

I see Rhet’s shadow move as he paces behind the opaque glass. His head is bent. “I went crazy when Peppa Pig touched your elbow.”

Who is Peppa Pig? Is he calling York Peppa? How does he even know about Peppa Pig?

“His hand was creeping toward your ass. I didn’t like that at all.”

Rhet’s shadow descends as he sits on the ground. “I don’t know what to do with all these emotions, Zee. You have me in a bind.”

“Well, you can always leave me alone, Rhet,” I shout, I feel like I want to cry.

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