That kicks Derek into high gear. He scrambles to pick up his clothes and practically sprints from the apartment in just his boxers. “I’m going, I’m going,” he says as the door closes behind him.
“I’ve got a few more boxes in my car. I’ll grab them and make sure he leaves at the same time.”
“Hey Becca?” I call out before she gets to the door. “Thanks.”
“No problem, girl, that’s what besties are for.”
I just nod and look away. I can’t stand to see the pity in her eyes. Again.
I’m not sure why Becca had boxes in her car, but I’m thankful she did. I’ll be able to pack and get out of here right now, and I’ll never have to look back. I should have known Derek would cheat. They all do, after all.
Chapter 2
Alex - No Pity Party Today
“Well, look on the bright side,” Becca says while packing my clothes into a box. “A few more shitty boyfriends and your batting skills will be good enough to join a major league baseball team.” She can barely contain her laughter.
Becca’s been my best friend ever since I moved to this city when I was 16, and she’s been there to help me through my breakups with all my previous unfaithful boyfriends. Not to mention Connor, the boy I had to leave when we moved. My first boyfriend and first love.
“I can’t believe you broke an umbrella over his ass. That was the best thing I’ve ever seen! He’s going to have a hook shaped mark on his cheeks for at least a month.”
I have to snicker a little at that. “I feel kind of bad for the girl. I’m amazed she actually apologized. Usually they just get embarrassed and run. She seemed pretty cool. I mean, It’s not her fault Derek fucked her while he was still living with me, right?”
“Funny you should mention that. I ran into her outside when I went to grab more boxes from my car. She was waiting on her cab out front. She wanted me to apologize to you again.” Shit. That is cool. Under other circumstances, she’d probably be fun to hang with. “And then Derek came over,” I looked over at her like she was going to tell me that miss dirty slut (yes, I know, it’s not nice to call her that. Sue me, I just found out my boyfriend was cheating. I can’t help that I didn’t get her name) had made up with him, and I saw her struggling not to laugh. “And then she kicked him in balls and kneed him in the face!”
Oh shit. I double over with laughter. Fucking Derek totally deserved that. That chickiscool.
“Ok,” I say, quickly pulling my long hair up into a bun on top of my head. “Let’s get the rest of this shit packed up. You know the drill, all my kitchen shit, clothes, bathroom stuff, and recipe books.”
“Got it, boss.” Becca gives a salute while kicking her boots together, like some kind of army cadet. Not that she’d ever join the army. She’s way too punk rock for that. I swear that girl has more ink than regular skin. When I met her, she was only 16 and already had two full sleeves and a chest piece. Now she’s 35, and most of the rest of her is tattooed as well. I’ve noticed some scarring under the colour, but I’ve never asked her about it. It’s not my business unless she wants to tell me, so for now I just admire the artwork and hope it’s helping her.
Becca grabs a big box and takes it to the kitchen to get started on the pots and pans. I paid a shit ton of money for them and they come with me every time I move. I always work professional cookware into my contracts for working as a personal chef too. It’s hard to get food just the way I want it when I don’t have the right tools. I can do it, don’t get me wrong, but it’s much more enjoyable with the right gear.
“So where are we moving this stuff to, anyway?” Not sure why Becca is asking. She already knows the answer to this question. “Want to be roomies again? I promise I won’t cheat on you like all these dudes. Well, unless some sexy tattooed guy comes along and waves his big fat pierced cock in my face. No promises then.”
“I wouldn’t blame you at that point. I might have to cheat on myself if that happened to me.” I laugh.
The rest of the packing goes quickly and we’re out of the apartment in less than an hour. We have lots of practice with moving me out of places, which is pretty sad. How I always get myself into these relationships is beyond me. I attract all the assholes and then I move in with them. I guess I just love love and love really hates me.
“Let’s go back to your place and just chill for the rest of the day. You know, the usual breakup routine of bashing men, eating ice cream, and watching chick flicks.” This is actually the last thing I want to be doing today, but it’s become a sort of tradition.
Becca’s phone rings from where she left it on the counter. Probably a client. She has her own photography business and makes most of her money shooting weddings, but sometimes she’s booked for other things. She talks on the phone for a few minutes while I double check I have all my stuff. I refuse to see Derek ever again, so I don’t plan on forgetting anything.
“Change of plans, Alex; no pity party today. I have to go shoot a promotional thing for the radio station tonight. Some local band is doing the last show of their tour and having a special meet and greet after the show. The station wants me to shoot the meets for people who won some call-in contest.”
“Oh, no worries. I’m sure I can find something to do” I’m actually kind of relieved. This has happened to me so many times now that I don’t even care about the breakup ritual. It’s like my heart doesn’t break anymore, it’s too strong. Either that or it’s been broken since the first time and has stayed that way ever since.
She grins at me. “Actually, I convinced them I will need to bring extra equipment so they’re giving me an extra press pass for my ‘assistant’.”
“But you don’t have an assistant,” I point out, confused.
“Congratulations,” she says to me, throwing fake confetti. “You’re hired. There is no pay, and the boss is a huge bitch. Deal?”
I laugh, finally figuring out what the hell she’s talking about. “That sounds like a much better break up ritual. Thanks.”
“No problem. Now let’s get this shit back to our place and figure out a plan for after the show. Oooh, maybe you can have hot rebound sex with someone in the band? I’m sure they fuck a lot so they’re probably awesome at it.” She wiggles her eyebrows at me while walking backwards toward her car.
“ha, yeah right!” I flip her off as I get into my vehicle. “I’m not exactly rock star girlfriend material.”
