Page 150 of Messy Strokes (Wrecked Roommates)

“Sure, she is,” he scoffs, glancing over at me and shifting his weight to get more comfortable. “It wasn’t just about Reese.”

“So, what was it?”

“The internship. I didn’t get it.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah. I didn’t get it. I wasn’t enough. Didn’t help I missed the interview, but they picked someone else over me.” He sighs. “Seems to be happening a lot lately.”

“Excuse me,” a pretty little blonde interrupts from behind us. I swivel on my barstool, almost falling off the damn thing as I look the stranger up and down.

When the hell did she get here?

“Are you single?” she asks Jake, practically bouncing on her toes like the energizer bunny as she looks over her shoulder.

Jake’s brows furrow. “What?”

She turns back to him and rushes out, “Are you single?”

“What are you talking about?”

Waving her hand in front of her, she urges, “Answer the question.”

“Uh, yeah?”

“Perfect. Go with it, okay?”

Head cocked to the side, Jake questions, “Huh?”

Without bothering to answer him, she climbs into his lap like she belongs there and kisses the shit out of him. My eyes widen in surprise.

What the hell?

She tangles her tiny hands in his hair, and he grabs onto her waist, holding her in place. His eyes are wide and confused, but he sure as hell isn’t complaining.

What. The. Fuck?

Clearing my throat, I stare blankly in front of me again, my brain buzzing from the alcohol as Jake makes out with the girl in his lap like they’re hanging out in his bedroom, ready to get to the good part instead of practically dry humping in the middle of a crowded bar.

Honestly, though, I don’t even give a shit. Nothing matters anyway. Not without Penny and Mads.

With my head in my hands, I try to ignore the onslaught of feelings rushing into me, but it’s no use. Despite the alcohol thrumming through my veins, I can still feel everything. Hell, if anything, the whiskey and pine tree flavored shit has only amplified it.

I don’t want to lose Mads.

I don’t want to lose Penny.

Even if they both deserve more than an asshole like me in their lives.

Even if it might be a moot point, anyway, and Penny doesn’t belong to me.

The idea of living in a world where they aren’t in it feels like I’ve been kicked in the balls.

But the idea of forgiving Mads and moving past this giant-ass lie turning my world upside down?

It's not like I can do that, either.

So, where does it leave me?

---