Page 13 of Lovetown, USA
It’s on.
4
Lane
My stitches sting, especiallywhen I type.
Dr. Fine as Hell didn’t mention that part.
Right now, I have a baggie full of ice sitting in my palm. When the concierge brought it to me, there was a small white card with hearts on it stapled to the outside. He held it out to me proudly and said, “Enjoy the love affirmation card,” like I was supposed to jump for joy.
I tossed that shit right in the garbage.
“So…the whole town is like this?”
I shake my head at my best friend Nadia. “Girl. It’s insane.”
“Wait. Okay. Back up.” My beautiful friend smiles into the camera as she flips her locs over her shoulder. “So, you sliced your hand open doing what, exactly?”
I blow out a sigh. “I tried to break into the mini bar.”
She bursts out laughing. “And you were already drunk? Bitch, why?”
“How many times do I have to tell you people that I HATE IT HERE!?!?!”
She laughs harder. “So, your first night there, you went full Coyote Ugly in them people’s jazz bar and you want me to believe you hate it?”
I shoot her a look I hope is clear through the phone screen. “I’ma gonna always be me no matter where I go,” I defend.
“And that’s why I love you, you hot ass mess.”
“Whatever.”
There’s movement as Nadia props her phone.
“Are you in the kitchen?” I say, squinting at the screen.
“Mm hm. Making a snack.”
I squint harder, then nod in recognition when I see an unfamiliar item in the background.
“Uh huh…whose wallet is that?”
She glances behind her, then laughs. “Miguel.”
“Okay, how many men are you juggling right now? You know I can’t keep up.”
“Three,” she answers. “But I’m trying to phase Amir out.”
“Amir…” I tap my chin, deep in thought. “Is he the one who said 9/11 was fake?”
“Mm hm. And the moon landing. And that hurricanes are man-made.”
“Dump him immediately, if not sooner.”
She laughs. “I’m not with him for his intellect.”
“Trust me, I know.”
