“That doesn’t even make any sense,” he complained. “Why would he spend so much money if he was leaving?”
“So the next time he comes into town, I’ll come running.”
“No, you absolutely will not go running, unless it’s in the opposite direction.”
“Thanks, Rowdy. I’ve figured that out all on my own.”
“Are you sure? Because I seem to remember having a similar conversation the last time he left you high and dry and you had sworn up and down you didn’t double dip with your daddies.”
I winced. He wasn’t lying. More importantly, only a true friend would remind me I’d broken my own rule.
“Yes, and I have learned my lesson. I’m blocking his number, and . . .” I let out a breath. “I’m retiring from the sugar baby life. For real this time.”
I hadn’t even had a chance to think about it, but saying the words made my shoulders drop out of my ears for the first time in a long time. My body swayed with relief, and more tears fell.
“Are you alone in the condo right now?” he asked, concern marking his handsome features.
“Yes.”
“Then come stay with us. Don’t be alone right now.”
As if.
“I do believe the only thing more dangerous than staying alone would be sharing space with two people who are so disgustingly in love. I’d feel like throwing up every time I saw you.”
The corners of his mouth turned down. “Ouch.”
“Sorry. You know I love him for you, it’s just a lot.”
“I hear you.”
“Anyway, I’ll stay here tonight, then find a place tomorrow.”
He sighed, but didn’t fight me on it.
“If you need anything from me, you know I’m here for you.”
“I know. That’s why you were my first call.”
“Love you, Sky.”
“Love you, Rowd.”
We air kissed, then I hung up and looked around the lifeless space. No, I would not be staying here for any longer than I had to, even if there was no way in hell I was going to stay with Rowdy and Kess.
Whatever the solution to all of this mess was, I wasn’t going to come up with it tonight. I got ready for bed, slipping into the posh pajamas Rich had purchased for me just last week, then blocked his number on my phone and social media apps. Whatever my next steps would be, it was long past time I took control of my life.
I woketo the sound of my phone’s notification going off. Based on the sound, it was from my favorite app, and some over romanticized part of my brain thought it might be Kit. I pulled up the app, noting the message had come in from my spicy account. A little afraid to see what some random internet person had to say to me, I closed my eyes and tapped the message.
BigNRich72: THIS IS RICH. DID YOU BLOCK ME ON YOUR PHONE?
I bit at my lip, then blocked him again. Five minutes later, another notification went off on my phone.
BigAndRich72: I DIDN’T LEAVE YOU THOUSANDS IN CASH AND JEWELRY FOR YOU TO BLOCK ME.
I didn’t need a crystal ball to tell me how this was going to go. Rich couldn’t go for more than two minutes in bed, but for almost everything else, he was a dog with a bone. I’d be blocking him all day for weeks on end, and I didn’t have it in me to keep up with all of that. Besides, I had a birthday party to go to this weekend and a life to rebuild.
I flicked back to the main page of my spicy account, scrolling through some of my favorite photographs. I wasn’t recognizable from any of these. I didn’t have any tattoos or birthmarks, and all the shots focused on my scantily clothed body.
