Page 110 of Leave Me Broken

I pass the coaches’ table, and a long slim hand snaps out and grabs me by the tie, halting my steps.

My chest rumbles with a growl but it falls short when I meet the blue eyes of my ex—Valerie.

Fuck.

36

Payson

The more I’m around guys my age, the more I know why I like older men. Boys are annoying. Sure, Ash is annoying sometimes too but at least he’s ridiculously hot and can grow a beard. The two guys who haven’t left Janelle or me alone since we started picking at the dessert table are the anti-Ash. Blond fluffy hair, bare faces, pale despite being in California, and skinny. Like if I sat on their lap, I would crush them and I’m not even that big of a girl.

Janelle seems entertained and I’m genuinely worried about her choice in guys. I know she’s still upset about Parker, but come on. She can do better than these two. I’m not judging a book by it’s cover either. It has nothing to do with their bare faces, and more so the fact I’ve caught both looking at my chest and ass and the same for Janelle. They haven’t held one full conversation because they can’t stop drooling. Maybe it’s meant to be flattering but it’s pissing me off.

“There’s going to be a pool party here at the hotel, after close,” one guy says, I didn’t pay close enough attention to catch names.

“Yeah, it’s totally chill,” the other adds.

“Sounds fun,” Janelle tells them. I shoot her a look but I know she’s ignoring me.

“Sweet. Pool at ten,” the first guys says.

They warn us they need to get back to work, thank God, and they scurry off.

“Coach will kill you if you go.”

Janelle pops a chocolate strawberry into her mouth. “That’s why he won’t know.”

“He’s doing room checks, you know?”

Janelle finishes chewing. “Yeah. But we also know he has something kinky planned for you after seeing you in that dress all night. So you’ll keep him busy for a few hours so I can check out the party, see if there is anyone hotter than dumb and dumber, and I’ll be back in our room by midnight, with or without a guy. Hopefully with.” She pumps her eyebrow happily.

“You know we spent all afternoon doing kinky stuff. I told you he’s big, I don’t think my vagina can handle much more today. We have a long day tomorrow.”

She puffs out her bottom lip in the most pathetic way. “Please, your best friend is horny.”

“Can’t you just masturbate or something?”

She scoffs like that’s the worst thing I’ve ever said to her. “You get hot-as-sin sex all the flippin’ time and you expect me to masturbate. Selfish!”

Groaning, I reach for another pineapple and run it under the chocolate. “You’re so dramatic. You were having sex for years before me.”

“It’s not the same. You didn’t know what you were missing and unless you’re willing to share our coach . . .” I glare at her. “Exactly. Please. Just till twelve.”

I don’t even know why I’m disagreeing as if Ash if going to let me out of his room before then.

Seeing my defeat on my face, she throws her arms around me and wiggles us back and forth. “I love you. I love you. I love you.”

“Yeah, yeah. I love you too.”

Janelle halts her wiggles. “Did you just say you love me too?”

Huh. I hadn’t even thought about saying it. I didn’t freak out and overthink it. It just fell out of my mouth without a thought. Like normal people. “I guess I did.”

Her eyes fill with big fat tears and she hugs me even tighter than before. “Oh my gosh! You love me!” We are a good distance from the crowd but the team closest to us is eyeing us like we’re freaks. Or she’s a freak and I’m a bystander hugging a freak.

“Okay, okay don’t make me take it back.”

Janelle slaps a sloppy kiss to my cheek, no doubt leaving behind a bright red stain. “Wait—” She pauses again and crosses her arms. “I’m the first person you’ve said that to, right? Not Ash?”

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