Page 74 of Oh No! There's an Incubus in my Hot Spring
My heart jumps. “I’m just feeling normal jitters with launch coming soon. October is soon.”
“October is months away,” he says.
“Two months, and that’sverysoon.”
“Should we not be watching a movie?”
I worry my lip. It’s ten-thirty, and both of us are drained from finalizing the last private bath today. Icouldstay up and makesome social media graphics for the launch. Icouldwork on the merch line we’re starting. There’s so much I could do.
But I’ve worked hard enough today, right?
If we have to push back the opening date, we can do that. Christmastime is still a great launch window, and if that doesn’t work out, I have enough money to last until the middle of next year before things get sketchy.
Charlie’s words ring loudly in my mind. If I don’t rest, my body willmakeme rest. I don’t want to get sick. I’d rather take a weekend and relax.
I take a deep breath. “No. Spending time with you watching this movie is the best use of my time right now.”
He pulls me up his chest and nuzzles my hair as his fingers dance across my belly.
“Good.”
I stop worrying myself with things of tomorrow and let myself fall into the fantasy playing out on the screen.
The next morning comes too soon, and so too does a text from a number I don’t know. I should ignore it. I should delete it.
But I open it.
Unknown:Syl, please, let me see you. I’m so fucked up without you.
I grit my teeth, my knuckles turning white from how hard I’m grabbing my phone. Apollo’s arm slithers farther up my stomach and pulls me against him. I’m the little spoon and not even mad about it. He’s a great sleep cuddler, and never makes it too hot to live. He must be able to regulate his body temperature.
I relax my hand and take a deep breath as I stare at the message.
Sylvia:You’re going to incredible lengths to try to get at me. Who’s your sugar momma? I know Alexis doesn’t havethiskind of money.
Jason:Alexis and I are done, I promise. It was a mistake. Please, baby. I love you so much. I miss you so much. My heart is fucking aching.
My jaw is tight.
Fuck that.
Fuck him, too.
Sylvia:I want nothing to do with you.
It’s very tame compared to what I want to send him.
Apollo nudges his head against the back of mine and says with a sleepy lilt, “It’s too early to be this angry. Go back to sleep, lovely.”
I should, but the little red (2) nags the back of my mind. I scroll over to Alexis’s message and open it.
Alexis:I’m so sorry. I love him. I never wanted to hurt you and I realize that everything I’ve done is completely contrary to that. You literally gave me the resume I needed to succeed here, and I shit on that by having sex with Jason…more times than I want to admit for longer than I want to admit. I don’t want to hurt you anymore. I know we’ll never be friends again. I’ve destroyed that.
My throat closes up and I blink away tears.
I really am so sorry. I’m so sorry I fell in love with him. I’m so sorry I was weak and mean and did this to you.
Alexis:I don’t expect you to ever read this, and I don’t expect forgiveness, either. I wouldn’t forgive me. But I just want you to know that you’re incredible, I look up to you, and I respect you—
