I scan the area, making sure that no one is anywhere near me, and then I look again, paranoid that someone will hear me tell her what happened and report back to Romeo that I was bragging about banging him.
We have seen what rumors can do to a person, whether they are true or not. It makes me sick that people get away withfalsely accusing innocent people of something they did not do, just to hurt them.
Taking a deep breath, I tell her.
“Yes, I slept with him, but only just last night.” I sigh.
“Details, girly.”
“It was amazing. He took care of me, and made me come before him. It was as if he actually enjoyed being with me.” Fuck, I hate that Keith has made me feel like this.
He told me over and over again once the divorce proceedings started that I was shit at sex, and that no man would want to be with me. Even his lawyer told him to shut up, grow a pair of balls, and admit that he was the one who fucked up.
“Okay, so why do you sound like he kicked your puppy? Did he hurt you? I can be on the next flight out. I swear to God, Nelly, that handsome rich fucker will be floating in the ocean by this evening.”
“Sim.” My voice drops, my stomach knotting again.
“What, Nell? Tell me?”
I wave her off, even though she cannot see me. “It is nothing, just me being dramatic.”
She huffs. “Nell Bana, you’re one of the most un-dramatic people I know, babe. What did he do?”
“He left before I woke up this morning. The bed was cold, so he had been gone a while. No note, nothing, just gone. He regrets sleeping with me; this was only supposed to be a week thing and no sex.”
She is quiet for a few seconds, and I bite my lip waiting for her to speak. Simone will always tell me to my face and is real about everything. No sugarcoating with her.
“Okay, I am not excusing what he has done, but could he be freaking out? You said that he does not want to settle down, which is why you are helping and pretending to be his date.”
“I know.” I close my eyes, running my fingers through my thick curls. “Last night, something changed, Simmy. He told me that he was feeling things for me. He asked what I was doing to him. I thought he felt…”
“Felt what?”
“The same as me.” My voice is meek and quiet.
“Oh, Nelly. Honey, I know that you fall fast and hard, but we talked about this situation with Romeo.”
“I know,” I say a little louder, making some people look at me from across the lobby.
“You need to talk to him before you let these thoughts swallow you up.”
“I know, but he is to blame for this, Simmy. He is fucking nice to me, saying all the right things. Maybe his ex is right, and I am a passing ship, and he will use me while I am here and then fuck off out of my life.”
“His ex is a cunt.” I nod; I have been updating her on what has been happening.
“That she is. Maybe I can sneak into her room, cut off all of her hair and shave her eyebrows.”
“Now that would be fucking beautiful, babe. Do it.” We giggle.
I snort, making us laugh harder.
“Romeo is with Asher by the pool; I will see if he wants to join us for the card game.” I hear one of Romeo’s uncles call out to another family member as they walk through the lobby.
“Simone, I need to go; I have tracked Romeo down. I will let you know how it goes. Love you.”
“Love you too, bitch. Go make that man squirm.”
Drying my eyes from my laughing fit with Simone, I gather myself and walk toward the pool where I now know Romeo is. He owes me some answers, that’s for sure.
