Page 28 of Heartfelt Pain
Ren: No.
I throw my phone on the couch and force myself up. Thecan of Dr Pepper leaves a water ring on the coffee table. I pick up not only the one I’m drinking from, but the ones I’ve left sitting around throughout the week.
I see videos of people online using Sundays for total resets. They throw in laundry, wipe off their countertops, and run the vacuum. I should probably do that. I don’t.
But I do water the tiny pots of plants on the window ledge over my sink and feel successful. Jane propagated some of the plants at Fujimori’s for me and I’ve done my best not to disappoint her.
When I wander back to the couch, there’s a new message.
Roma: Hellcat please
And just like that, he’s pissed me off again.
Ren: Call me that one more time and you’ll never come again because you won’t have a dick.
His reply comes surprisingly quickly.
Roma: Will you be the one cutting it off?
I frown at the question but don’t have time to respond.
Roma: Or will you hire out for the task?
Ren: Does it look like I have time to go around cutting off dicks?
Roma: I thought out of courtesy, you’d take the time.
Ren: Courtesy? What kind of courtesy would you like when your dick’s being cut off?
Roma: I think if you’re going to cut off your lover’s dick, you should at least have the courtesy to take the time to do it yourself.
Ren: First of all we’re not fucking lovers.
Ren: Secondly, I’m too busy.
Ren: But don’t worry, I’ll make sure I hire someone gentle.
The message feed goes quiet and I take a deep breath. Was that fun? Am I having fun texting Roma?
God, I should’ve gotten an exorcism years ago. Because something is wrong with me for even speaking to this man again.
Yet, as soon as my screen lights up again, I’m grabbing for the phone.
Roma: You weren’t gentle last night.
Smug satisfaction unfurls in my chest.
Ren: No I wasn’t.
Roma: You didn’t let me come.
Ren: You weren’t a good boy.
We’re sliding into some sort of new territory. Roma from the past sent flirty, silly texts. I’d get videos of dogs and inspirational quotes. I’m fairly certain he used to scroll through Pinterest for cute date ideas.
This Roma is to the point.
Roma: I didn’t come last night which makes me a good boy. Ren, I’m fucking begging you.
