Page 35 of Fabulous Filthy Friend

A grin splits his face, and he reaches for the bottle. He pours us each a shot and pushes one over to me. “I appreciate that. Not talking to you has been weird. I should have come over sooner, but I thought you were still pissed and maybe needed some time to cool off.”

Time to cool off.

More like time to heat up. With HRD4U.

I missed Flynn. I missed us talking and joking. I missed us just being…us. But HRD4U’s feed at least gave me something to do and a way to ease some of that pain. Far more than I should have let it, honestly.

“I was pissed, but I’m over it. Let’s never fight again.” I hold up my glass, and he clinks his against it. “Please.”

“Agreed. You’re stuck with me for life.”

This tequila is too good to do as a shot, so we each take a sip and laugh as both of our faces pucker slightly.

Flynn coughs and sets his glass back on the counter. “Whoa. That stuff has some burn.”

“Sure does. I love it.” I take another sip then grab the flowers and unwrap them before sticking them into the vase. “So, I forgive you, but…”

One of his dark eyebrows rises. “But what? Are you going to make me get on my knees and beg? Are you going to demand a lobster dinner in penance?”

“All great ideas but no.” I cross my arms over my chest and examine him.

He looks exhausted, dark circles under his eyes and lines I haven’t noticed before marring his face. “Whatever has been bothering you seems serious. I wish you would talk to me about it.”

Flynn shoves a hand through his hair and sighs. “I know you do, but really, I’m okay. I’m just…figuring some things out. Nothing you have to be worried about. I promise.”

His promise doesn’t ease the tense ball of concern in my gut. “You promise you’re okay?”

His hand flies over his chest and head in the sign of the cross. “Swear to God.”

“Well, if you say so. Just remember I’m here if you need me.”

“I’ll always need you, Rach.”

The pain lacing his words makes tears prick my eyes. “You, too.” I take another sip of tequila and wave toward the couch. “You have plans tonight? Want to binge-watch something on Webflix and get drunk?”

He sighs and takes another sip as he stares at the flowers. “I wish I could, but I have a massive project due at work tomorrow. I’ll be working most of the night. But let’s do something tomorrow night.”

“My choice?”

“Yep.” He bobs his head. “Your choice, since I was the asshole.”

“Oh, hell, yes!” I jump up and down and clap my hands. “Mini-golf. You owe me a rematch.”

More like a chance to regain some of my pride. He decimated me the last time we played—and every other time, actually—but I can’t let that walloping go unanswered. Flynn already has an ego, and he doesn’t need it stroked. Though I have yet to beat him at really anything, let alone mini-golf, I have a feeling about this round. Like I’m going to win something big.

A sly smile spreads across his face, and he holds up his glass. “You’re on.”

Tonight, hopefully, a new live feed from HRD4U.

Tomorrow, a rousing game of mini-golf with Flynn.

It’s shaping up to be a great end to a crappy week.

9

FLYNN

Rachel bends over in front of me and wiggles her ass from side to side before she takes her shot. I bite back a groan and lean against the bench next to hole number eight.

---