Page 41 of Fox
“You couldn’t be grown up enough to know not to mention seeing her on that app? Or maybe…maybeyou’re just salty because you’re stuck with those fake photos while someone's getting a real catch like her on that site.” His face darkens while his jaw works, and I know I hit a nerve. “Now, take the cooler out and tell the guys we’re grabbing the food and will be right out.” Atlas mutters something I don’t hear while easily lifting the cooler and storming out the door.
Ren comes back out of the kitchen with plastic cutlery and dishes. “What?” she asks.
“You know what Atlas said,” I start and notice instantly she stiffens. “He didn’t mean it. He’s just an idiot.”
Ren shakes her head and starts toward the door. “It’s nothing. His comment about seeing me on the app just kind of stung is all. Mainly because my boss had just finished saying the same thing in a much less classy way than Atlas. But having two men over a couple of hours say the same thing just kind of hurt.But it’s okay. I deleted the app and have moved on. I’m just not entirely over the embarrassment yet with him.
I’m about to speak when Ash makes his very dramatic entrance. “Listen,” he sighs as he leans against the doorframe. “You have four very large, very hungry men out here. If you don’t feed us soon, we will be reduced to fist-fighting, and you will only have yourselves to blame for the carnage.”
“You all are absolutely ridiculous,” I grumble while shoving the man out. “Come on, let’s go.”
“So,how’s it going with the Brody thing?” Stevie asks as we all sit around the fire pit after dinner. The sun is low in the sky, and the dusk air cools us, well, somewhat; it is summer in Southern California. We’re all relaxing in our own Adirondack chairs, drinking beer and shooting the shit. Even Derek showed up, though I think that’s more because I was all weepy-eyed when he said no the first time I asked. Sitting out here, surrounded by people I’ve grown to consider my friends, it’s something I’ve never really had in my life, and I really love it. Well, most of it, having to divulge certain information about my social media fall from grace, isn’t something I’m too thrilled to have as a discussion topic.
Shifting uncomfortably, I let out a nervous breath while looking from my sweating beer bottle to the group. “Yeah, I guess I should update you guys.”
Stevie shrugs, waving her hand. “You absolutely don’t have to do that! I didn’t know this was personal. It’s constantly beingbrought up online, but if you wanna keep that to yourself, you are under no obligation to talk about it.”
“Yeah, I know.” I grip my hands tightly as they begin to shake harder. My eyes flash to Fox’s for just a second, but it’s enough to tell me he was staring at me too, and it’s enough to give me the strength to continue talking. “Apparently, I cheated on Brody.” I steal another glance toward Fox, this one more out of guilt as the memory of the day at the tattoo shop fills my mind. “I abuse him; I have an alcohol problem and need to go to rehab. There is also talk that I’ve been stealing money from my sponsors and not making good on contracts, which is bullshit and I’m having Frank look into it after next week since the shop will be closed, and I won’t have anything pulling me away from focusing on my online persona.”
Fox clears his throat to get my attention. “You aren’t going to Vegas with us?”
I shake my head. “No, I need to deal with this, and I was thinking about trying to hit a meet and greet happening around that time. I've been invited in the past, but usually, I would find a reason not to attend. It might help to show my face and maybe get this turned around.” His eyes roll in annoyance before returning to Ash, who is grinning ear to ear.
“Bro, this convention is going to be awesome! No babysitters, and in Vegas. I’m going to get so much pus—”
“Okay,” I state as the men all release a chorus of groans. “Your main objective is to represent the shop, not bury your dick.”
“I mean,” Atlas shrugs. “Can’t we do both?”
“I’m not so sure you can do either,” I snort before giving my attention to all the men. “Now, we need to go over what you are taking, and I think I might have enough time to get at least you started on having your portfolios online.”
“Torch,” Fox’s tone conveys his annoyance. “We've been through this. We ain’t doing the social media thing. This isn’t our first convention; we know how this works.”
Atlas scoffs, “Yeah, we know how to represent the shopandbury dick. Which reminds me, Fox, I need your phone to set up yourTinderprofile like we talked about.” My heart sinks, and my gut twists.Tinder? He’s setting up a Tinder account for Vegas.My eyes begin to burn as I look straight at the long-haired man. He looks mortified.
“Well,” I force a smile to cover up that I want nothing more than to hide under a rock and cry until I die. “I hope you all have fun and don’t come back with an STD. Now excuse me, I need to pee.” I state while glancing at Ren and Stevie, who follow me back up to the house. I need away from the guys and away from Fox right now. I don’t want to think about him going to the convention and fucking other girls.
It hurts too much, and I’m not ready to delve into why. I don’t want to delve into it because I know why. I fucking know exactly why. He isn’t attracted to me, and knowing this crushes me.
NINETEEN
fox
As soon as the girls make it up the stairs and into the house, I take an unopened can of beer out of the cooler and hurl it at Atlas, hitting him directly in the knee.
“Mother fuck, Fox!” He cries out as he grips his knee. “What in the fuck was that for?”
“Tinder? Really?” I growl, itching to grab another can and hit him again. The look on Janie’s face when Atlas mentioned setting up my account, she looked so hurt and betrayed.
“Yeah, Tinder!” Atlas cries out. “You said weeks ago that you needed help to set it up before Vegas because your old ass couldn’t figure it out. Fuck, I think you broke my femur.” He whines as Derek lets out an amused snort from behind his water bottle.
“Your kneecap is thepatella,you idiot.”
Atlas glares at the man before standing up and trying to square off.Goddammit, here we go.“Yeah? Well, if you’re so smart, what’s it called when you get your dick broke in half?”
I close my eyes, preparing for the comeback. Derek lets out a chuckle while leaning back in his chair. “That’s called letting your mama ride on top.”
“That’s it, Virginia boy!” Atlas lunges at the chuckling man, but I get between them and shove Atlas toward the driveway.
