Page 29 of F Buddy

“I thought we were dropping this subject?”

“Yeah, well, apparently not,” I muttered. Why was it that I suddenly felt used, when I’d been a willing participant in everything we’d done? “Just answer the question.”

He rolled his eyes, looking like he thought I was ridiculous, and he was only replying to humor me. “If you must know, then no. She’s never made a move on me. She invites herself over all the time, but she never stays the night. We're colleagues and nothing more.”

I pursed my lips. “I call bullshit.”

His eyebrows shot up. “What?”

“Tell me you wouldn’t sleep with her if she made a move? And you’re there for several more months, right? Can you honestly tell me nothing would happen in that time?”

He grimaced, his eyes flitting away for a moment. ”I don’t know, Scarlett. I’m single so I probably would.”

I sighed. “I thought so.”

Zach was annoyed again. “The fuck do you sound so disappointed for? I thought we just made things clear—”

“Well, they weren’t clear to me,” I said. “I’m not like you, Zach, I’ve told you this before, haven’t I? I don’t just fuck around, and I don’t like guys that fuck around. Could you at least tell me when you think you’re going to fall into bed with her?” I asked, sounding bitter, even though I’d rather not know.

“As I’ve said, not even a minute ago, there is nothing between you and me, Scarlett. So give it a fucking rest already. I don’t owe you anything.”

Every word he said felt like a jab straight to the chest. Like, what the fuck did he mean there was nothing between us? The sex and our former friendship status meant nothing to him? I was stunned at how brutally he shot me down, but then I was mad.

What the fuck did he mean, he didn’t owe me anything?

I disconnected the call, shut my computer and put it aside before I gave into the temptation to throw it at the wall and imagine it was his face I was aiming for.

Chapter 12

Scarlett

I woke up feeling sick to my stomach. I didn’t even think, just jumped out of bed and rushed to the bathroom. I made it in time to vomit into the toilet. Only, there wasn’t much in my stomach to begin with, so mostly I was bent over the bowl dry heaving. When it passed, I got up and took a shower.

Afterward, I got dressed quickly and went into my kitchen because my stomach suddenly felt like a bottomless pit, or like it had been a while since I last ate.

This wasn’t the first time this had happened, but that wasn’t to say I was getting used to it. If anything it freaked me out, and I knew I needed to talk to someone.

I had a purse slung over my shoulder as I left my apartment moments later, having chewed on some fruit in place of a real breakfast.

Outside my apartment building, I waited for a taxi to take me to Olivia’s place. It took about twenty minutes, and in that time I was feeling hungry again. I ignored my stomach and practically ran to my friend’s door and knocked on it in fast, frantic raps.

She opened in a few moments, and yet it felt like way too long for me. When she saw my face, she went on the alert.

“Scarlett, what’s wrong?”

I could have laughed. I must have been as panicked on the outside as I was on the inside. I tried to smile, the attempt coming out a little shaky. “Can I please come in?” I asked.

She shook her head, surprise melting into something serious as she stepped aside for me.

My smile was a little steadier as I walked past her and into the living room, only slightly bigger than my own. I went to the couch, took off my shoes, and crossed my legs under me as I grabbed a pillow and hugged it to my chest.

Olivia wasn’t far behind, critical eyes running over me as she took a seat.

“What’s up, Scarlett? It’s a little early in the morning, isn’t it?”

I winced, even though I understood it wasn’t a reprimand, she was just stating a fact. Even on weekends, I didn’t barge in on people whenever I wanted.

“Sorry about that,” I muttered. “I needed someone, and you were the first person I thought of.”