Me
Hey, I’m really sorry about last night.
He left me on read, but I didn’t message him again. If he was catching feelings, I didn’t want to make things any worse than they already were.
20
BRANDON
Ihadn’t talked to Lexi for a few days. When she texted me her apology, I wasn’t ready to respond. I needed time to cool off, and I had hoped that giving her some space would be good for her, too.
I opened our text thread.
Lexi
Hey, I’m really sorry about last night.
I sat staring at the message. I knew I wanted to respond, but I didn’t know what to say.Did I want to continue with our current arrangement? Could I separate my feelings for her from the sex?
Dylan came and sat on my station. “Hey, whatcha doing?”
I closed my messages app and put my phone down. “Nothing, waiting for my next appointment. You?”
“My appointment canceled. No one wants to go out in this weather. I hate the snow,” Dylan complained.
“Aw, come on, man, it’s not that bad. I mean, aside from business slowing down some. It’s beautiful. It makes the city seem so peaceful.”
“Peaceful? People drive like fucking assholes in this shit.” He continued, “and I can’t remember what it feels like to be warm.”
I laughed, “Dramatic much? You’ve got the heat in here set to like eighty-five degrees.”
“It’s set at seventy-five, thank you very much. Anyway, I’m cutting out of here early. Coco was meowing at me on the kitty cam. I think she needs some extra snuggles today.”
“You and that fucking cat.” I shook my head and let out a laugh.
“Hey, Coco Baby is an angel and deserves all the snuggles.” Dylan hopped off my station and slapped me on the back. “Have a good night, bro. Be careful getting home later.”
“Will do. You too, even though you only have like a block to go.” Dylan was lucky enough to find an apartment down the street from the shop. It was in the heart of everything—perfect for a young single guy in the city. My place wasn’t too much farther away, but it was far enough that I usually drove when the weather was bad. I loved the snow, but not enough to risk losing toes to frostbite.
Dylan laughed. “See ya tomorrow.”
I reopened my text thread with Lexi.
Me
Hey, sorry I didn’t respond the other day. It’s okay. You were very clear about what this was between us. I’m sorry I overreacted. I’m just not used to fucking without feelings getting involved. I’ll try to keep my shit together. Promise.
I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to keep my feelings out of it, but I was going to give it another try. I just wanted to be around her, in whatever capacity she’d allow. Maybe she’d soften to the idea of me in time. And if not, I was definitely headed for heartbreak, but I’d have to deal with that later. My phone dinged with an incoming message.
Lexi
I’ll try not to be such a bitch and let you catch your breath before I throw you out next time. I’m not used to fucking a guy who has feelings.
Lexi
Sorry again.
Me
