Page 43 of Abel

Sure, he’s handsome in that college, prep boy kinda way with his blond hair and blue eyes, and no fucking tattoos which is a real bummer.

That and him not driving a monster truck are both buzz kills that I should have never entertained with the way I’m completely obsessed with both those things.

Abel doesn’t have a big truck.

He doesn’t need one, the tattoos and bike make up for the absence of the truck.

“Nope, not doing this.” I mumble out loud, watching the way Cam’s face scrunches up. “What I meant to say was, thanks for dropping off my stuff, but you need to leave.” I open the door, waiting for him to walk through.

“Please, don’t do this, Ivy.”

“Wow, you finally got it right.” I scoff, looking him up and down. “Too bad you couldn’t do the same with our relationship.” He steps across the threshold, and I slam the door in his face, locking it behind him.

“Bitch! I’m so fucking proud of you.” Cam says from behind me. He was so quiet the entire time that I forgot he was still in the room with us. “Go best fran, that’s my best fran!”

“Stop it, you’re making me blush.”

“I know someone who’d love to see you blush.” And just like that, the mood is gone.

“Let it go, Cam.”

“No, I won’t let it go, just like I won’t let go of the fact that you need to go to the

doctor.”

I’ve got something that will shut him up. “Okay, I’ll call and make an appointment on Monday. Now, don’t get excited, they probably won’t be able to see me on Monday, but at least I’ll have a set appointment.”

“Good, one issue resolved, on to the next.”

It’s an automatic, “No,” for me.

“What do you mean… No?”

“I meant what I said, Cam, let it go. I don’t want to talk about him.”

Pushing me away from him, he says, “Thank God I don’t take orders from you, Evie.” He snickers, calling me the wrong namelike Jake always did. “I want to talk about him and how what you did was beyond wrong and you regret it.”

“I regret nothing.” I lie because I do regret walking out on him. “I want to talk about the fact that Jake was really just here, saying he wanted me back. I mean, how crazy is that? Did he really think I would go back to him after he let his ‘girlfriend’ speak for him? Fucked up is what he got me.” I mutter, thinking how pathetic he looked with his puppy dog eyes, pleading with me to give him another chance.

“Yeah, you really showed him. I’m beyond proud of you for handling it the way you did. I personally think you should have kicked him in the balls and then tossed him out, but hey… That’s just me.”

“Ishouldhave kicked him in the balls, huh?” He nods his head yes. “Maybe next time if he shows his face, I’ll kick him in the balls.”

“As you should.”

“What are your plans for the rest of the day? Wanna go down to Daisy’s Cafè for coffee, hit the bookstore, walk around the mall, and then catch dinner and a movie?”

“Absolutely.” I say when it hits me. “Wait, we can’t just leave Travis out.”

“Please. Travis has to work a double, plus he’s on call which means he won’t be back until Sunday evening.” He says, moving past me. “I think we should take a quick nap. After that dramatic little episode of ex begone, I’m pooped beyond belief.”

“You know, I don’t even wanna know how you come up with those little things.” Walking to the fridge, I grab a bottle of water, attempting to quench my thirst. “Why are you tired? I’m the one that should be drained from all the excitement, not to mention this ridiculous stomach bug.” I say, flopping down on the sofa.

“Girl, don’t get me started on that. Are we napping first or jumping right into our fun day?”

“We don’t need a nap, Cam, I’m ready to get out of here and enjoy myself. It’s been too long since I’ve gone out and done something for me. Like, I want to go to the new bookstore that opened up on forty-fifth and Center Street.” I sigh, thinking about all the things I never did when I was with Jake. “I want to go out for coffee and inhale the coffee beans while listening to the tapping of computer keys as people work on their laptops.”

“Okay, shelter in place, we get that you haven’t been out in awhile.” Cam says, looking at me in disgust. “I guess I can sleep later, after giving you a day you’ll remember forever.”

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