Page 5 of Starstruck
I unravel myself from the hot, naked man sprawled out beside me. He’s another nameless guy from a different bar than the last, because I’ve made it a rule to not sleep with the same man twice. I’m not ready to give my heart to anyone new, and casual, no-repeat sex is the best way to keep things from getting messy.
The last thing I need is more mess in my life.
I tiptoe around the bed, grabbing my clothes thrown throughout the room as I do. I quickly dress, searching for my keys and wallet in my pockets. I pull up my Uber app as I look back at the sleeping beauty in the bed, memories from last night on repeat in my mind.
I make it outside at the same time my Uber pulls up to the curb. I ensure it’s actually mine before hopping inside, then I rattle off a text to my best friend, Isa.
Me
Another one bites the dust.
She replies instantly, knowing my routine by now.
Isa
Did you just quote Queen?
Well duh. Who else is there to quote?
Only your parents,the voice in my head reminds me. I swallow and shove that thought down as she texts me back.
You’re funny. Who was the victim this time?
Some guy from some bar. I don’t remember his name. At least 5 years older than me. Solid 8/10.
Lord have mercy. What would it take to reach a 10?
Death by orgasm is the only way anyone will reach a 10, tbh
And what a way to go that would be
“We’re here, ma’am,” the Uber driver announces as he pulls up in front of my new apartment.
I shiver at his use ofma’ambut cast a kind smile his way through the rearview mirror as I unbuckle. “Thank you.”
I get out of the vehicle and hurry up the front path. Kenny, my building’s doorman, stands there with a smile plastered across his face, ready and waiting.
“Good morning, Lennon,” he exclaims.
I smile as I approach him. Kenny is a seventy-four-year-old man whose wife died a few years back. He sold their house, and his kids, now fully grown, moved him into this building. They’re good to him, but he was bored out of his mind living on his own, so he got a cat and decided to go back to work. He somehow made a deal with the superintendent to work as a doorman in exchange for being allowed to have a pet, which worked out great, because the old doorman was retiring just as Kenny wanted to start again. He’s become my old man best friend in the month since I’ve lived here.
“Hiya, Kenny. How are you today?”
“I’m just fine, missy. And you? Fun night?”
I flash him a quick smile and a wink to let him know just how fun my night was while sparing him the details. “As always.”
Kenny chuckles and pulls the door open for me.
“Thank you, kind sir.” I smile at him again as I pass through the doors. “Have a great day, Kenny!”
“You, too, Lenny!” he replies, chuckling.
I shake my head and smile—that nickname has become a game for him.
I press the button for the elevator, and once it opens, I make my way up to the eighth floor. I hope to God I never have to move out of here, because it was hell moving in.
The elevator doors close as another text from Isa comes through.
