HIM
is blinking. I swipe the screen to unlock it; I have a missed call from Jason and an unknown number. There are text messages from Jason, my coworkers, and Troy.Are you still here?
Where did you go?
Are you okay?
All three are from Jason. I left his party last night without finding him to say goodbye. I reply.
Yea, I'm fine, Jay. I came home from the party. Call you later.
There is a message from my coworker/roommate Larissa. She likes to go by Ris.
How are you doing, girl? Thinking of you and miss you. Mwah.
A smiley face blowing a heart kiss emoji concludes the message.
Ris is great. We've become very close friends. When I started my job at Facade, we were both fresh out of college. She came from a high-class upbringing and studied at a prestigious college; however, she is nonetheless warm and very kind. We get along very well. It's the best friendship I have ever had with any female.
I've always had more male friends than female friends. The female friends I did have in High School only seemed to like hanging out with me because I was always surrounded by boys.
Ris and I live in a cute little two-bedroom apartment near downtown Milwaukee. It's about twenty or so blocks from work. I wish I could see her right now. She is so caring and compassionate when I need a shoulder to cry on.
She'd fit right in here with all the guys. She pulls off sheik to geek at the snap of a finger. Therefore, she could pull off hot business chick to countryside hick, no problem. She is quite wild when she is in party mode, that's for sure. She's a tad bit on the promiscuous side. Ris and Jason would easily hit it off.
Hey, sorry I've been so quiet. It's been a bit crazy the past few days. Miss you too. Call you later.
I reply to her message.
The next text is from Troy, a guy I'm kind of seeing back in the city.
Goodnight, beautiful, sleep well!
Troy has messaged me numerous times since I came home to attend my father's funeral. I've been short with him since I got here with one or two-word replies to his sweet little greetings, such as "Good Morning," "Have a great day!" and "Good Night."
We met about six months ago at a Gala Night for a fundraiser that my boss puts on every January. Troy is a fantastic guy. He's so sweet and a thorough gentleman. I've mainly only seen him in slacks, a button-up shirt, and a suit jacket. I've seen him a time or two in jeans and a t-shirt, but still with a suit jacket. He seems to be quite proper and high class.
We started seeing each other about a month ago. We're not officially dating. Everything is fresh and new now that I have finally given in. Troy chased me from the moment we met, but I played hard to get, very hard to get. We've only kissed once since we started seeing each other. He doesn't seem to mind that, at least as far as I am aware.
I hear a car door slam outside, and I rush from the bathroom to the window across the hall. I completely forgot about last night. I got wasted at Jason's and had Luke drive me home in my car. He must have called someone to pick him up. It doesn't seem to be Jason, though; it looks like a girl. I hope I did not cause any drama regarding staying here last night if he has a girlfriend. I must thank him for his kind gesture. Judging by his appearance alone; you wouldn't think he has one respectful bone in his body. Most good-looking tattooed men are arrogant assholes, and that's just putting it lightly.
I was quite drunk last night and was caught off guard by seeing him in that pole barn with my dad's vehicle from the accident. I cannot seem to stop thinking about him since I met him yesterday. I need to know a few things about him. Does he live with Jason? I didn't notice another fire number when walking to that building. However, I was also intoxicated and not paying much attention to what was going on.
My phone rings. It's Jason.
"Sup Alicat?" he says
A little too chipper for eight o'clock in the morning, which is a little bit surprising since he was probably drunker than me at the party last night.
"Hey, Jay! What's up?"
"Did you get super shitty last night and drive home?" he questions.
"I got pretty drunk, but I didn't drive home," I tell him.
"Phew, that's good. My dad would've killed me if he found out that I let you drink and drive. Next time, you should just stay the night. I have a guestroom with your name on it, or you can always cuddle up to me." he laughs.
"I'll remember that!" I reply sarcastically.
"How long till you're ready?"
"What? Ready for?" I say, feeling quite puzzled.
"I will be over in ten minutes to pick you up to head to my parents for breakfast! It's the best hangover cure ever, remember," he proclaims.
"Oh, okay! I have to go change quick," I say.
"See ya in a few," he says before hanging up.
I scramble around to brush my teeth, throw my hair up, and fix my makeup from crying last night. I throw on some jeans and a t-shirt. I hear a honk coming from outside. Shit. He's here already. I look terrible. I resemble a dog that just threw up.
I hop inside Jason's truck, and he gives me a stare.
"What?" I say to him in annoyance.
"You look fucking hot!" he grins.
I roll my eyes at him and pull my purse onto my lap.
"A purse? Since when you lug around a purse?" Jason laughs.
"Shut up! I am a girl, you know, and we do use purses for our shit," I reply.
"I know that, but, honestly, it's weird to see you with one," he chuckles.
I look at him and flick him off