Page 3 of The Naughty List

Cunt.

It makes me laugh, because yes. He is one. For the past twelve months he’s been nothing but a cunt, ego growing every five seconds.

You planning on meeting anyone else?she asks me.Or still at the sobbing your heart out phase? It’s a shitter. I know. I’ve been there.

I let my fingers do the talking.

I don’t want to meet anyone else right now. I can’t be fucked to even think about it.I pause, weighing up my words before I hit send.What I do want to do isgetfucked, though. And I also want to earn enough money to spend Christmas in Australia with my parents…

She knows what I mean.

She knows why I’m messaging.

I’m contemplating typing out another conversation angle, so I don’t sound like such a blatant bitch, digging for info, but I don’t need to. Her reply is another blunt one.

Want a video call? I’ll tell you all about it.

Chapter Two

My palms aresweaty as thecallingicon flashes up on my screen.

I expect Ebony will look different on video call – due to the power of filters on most people’s profile pictures, but no. She’s smiling as she appears and sure, her profile pictures are taken from a flattering side angle, but it’s no major distortion. She has beautiful brunette hair, mixed with blonde, perfectly shaped lips and great cheekbones. She has to be at least thirty, and she’s so confident it shines through the screen.

I wish I was dressed for a night out, not sitting on my bed in a crumpled work uniform.

I notice her perfectly manicured fingernails as she waves. “Hey there! Wow, you actually look like your profile picture, you know that? Quite a surprise.”

I laugh. “I was just thinking exactly the same thing about you. You look amazing.”

“Thanks. You’d hope so, given how much budget I give to it. Work expenses and all that.” Her smirk turns serious. “I’m really sorry the wank face you were with fucked you over. Screw therock idol.He’ll regret it, don’t worry. He’ll come running back.”

I lean against my headboard, laptop propped on my thighs. I let out a sigh that comes right from the bottom of my soul.

“Wank facecan regret it all he likes. I’m not taking him back. I’ve already given him seven years of my life, so he can fuck off. He can make it to the top of the rock industry for all I care, I’d still give him the middle finger. He’s no rock idol to me. I’m done with it.”

I’m surprised at how resolute I sound, but the rage is there, like molten magma, burning in the pit of me. I glance at his shitty bag in the corner. Yep. That thing is definitely going in the fucking dumpster.

Ebony gives me a thumbs up. “You’ve got real fire there. I love it.”

“Fireandfury. Both, in magnitudes.”

“Whatever works to get you through it.”

“Yeah, some more softly focused therapy can come later, when I have the luxury of money and time. Right now, I’d rather just hate his guts.”

“When you have the luxury of money and time, you can have therapy on the beach with your parents.” Her grin is lovely. “That’s what you want, isn’t it? To go to theirs for Christmas? They’re in Australia?”

Hearing it spoken out loud touches a nerve. The image of Mum and Dad flashes across my eyes, and that’s what I want, at any cost. To be with them. I need to be with them this Christmas.

The fury and flames are still there, but a stab of pain jabs through the heat.

I nod at Ebony, and then I pluck up the courage. “Can you help? I mean… I know you do sex work for some kind of agency, and you said it pays really well. I’d love to try it. Honestly. I’d love to at least get the chance.”

“It does pay well, yeah. And it can be great fun, if you’re really up for it.” She pauses. “Do you think you’re ready to fuck other people, though? You wouldn’t freak out when it came to it?”

I’ve got no reservations on that score. I need to do it, for my sex drive as well as my bank account. I may be nervous as fuck when it came to doing someone who is paying me, but I’ll get used to it. I’m a resilient girl.

I have to let Ebony know that.

---