You’re not bothering me at all
What’s up?
You don’t need to forgive him,
but Shaw wants to apologize to you.
And I think he should too.
I stare at my phone, considering whether or not I’m ready to hear from Shaw again. He does owe me an apology, but if he thinks he can be all condescending and shit, he’s got another thing coming.
I’ll send you nudes if that helps
butter you up to the idea of a conversation.
I cover my mouth as I snort out loud.
Your nudes or his nudes?
Both?
I’ll call him.
Give me a few to consider the nudes.
He sends back a heart and a thumbs up emoji.
“Okay, who are you texting? ’Cause girl, you are blushing.” Rayna asks.
“Phssst. Please. I don’t blush.”
“Fine. Your cheeks just doubled in size. Are you talking to a maaaaaan?”
“I’m just talking to my friend… Coleman. Corny lawyer jokes. It’s all very boring. I’ll be right back.”
“You want us to pause it?” Noa asks.
“Nah. Just tell me what happens.”
I walk into my bedroom and close the door. I take a seat on the far side of my bed, then pull up Shaw’s contact. I’ll hear him out and then I think it’s time for me to end this situation once and for all. We had our fun, but this isn’t sustainable. Between the reality of how we came into each other’s lives, the distance and Shaw’s clear attitude problem, I just can’t. In a perfect world, I’d ride into the sunset strapped to two amazing men. But this is the real world and Shaw is a jerk.
“Brook. Hey.” The sound of his voice makes my stomach clench. The sexy dickhead.
“Vaughn said you wanted to apologize. So apologize,” I say, trying to sound bored. Christopher Shaw isn’t getting under my skin again. No fucking way.
“I’m sorry for what I said. I didn’t—I don’t think you are any danger to Vaughn and I shouldn’t expect you to be a hundred percent confident in a situation that’s new to you with two men you barely know. We’ve trauma bonded and I think that blurred some lines. It did for me and I’m sorry.”
Okay, well, that was a good apology, but I’m still upset.
“You really hurt my feelings, Shaw,” I say plainly.
“I know. I get very protective of Vaughn sometimes. I was pissed when he reached out to you in the first place. I love him and I guess, in my pig-headed brain, I think it’s my job to protect him.”
“Well, Vaughn’s a big boy and I think you need to stop speaking for him.”
“Okay.”
“He’s been very open with me. I know he’s vulnerable to heartbreak, but we all are and it was unfair for you to say that shit to me.”
