Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 80892 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 404(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80892 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 404(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
I grinned. “It would be fun. And I do appreciate the offer. But it’s not really bad at home. Mom and I usually get along really well, actually. Tonight was just too much, with Brady and everything. Plus, when I do finally move out, I want it to be a long-term thing. I want to sign a lease in my own name again, you know?” I sighed. “Or be able to answer the phone without wondering if it’s a bill collector on the other end of the line. I’m slowly paying down all the past-due bills that Kevin left me with, plus the eviction settlement but… it all takes time. And money. And now—just when I’m starting to make progress in putting all that shit behind me—everything is up in the air again. And I’m sure I pissed Brady off at dinner, so that’ll make things really fun tomorrow at work.”
I slumped back against the couch cushions, exhausted from the day’s events and the mental energy it took just to stay on top of everything else. I didn’t normally let my precarious financial state get the best of me—it was my own poor judgment in trusting my ex that had gotten me into the predicament, after all.
But today, it was all just… a lot.
There was never a good time to hear that the job I loved, the place I felt safe and happy, was getting sold and would likely change beyond all recognition. But coming on the heels of me having the first twinge of maybe-possibly liking a guy for the first time in a while? The considerate way Brady had brought me coffee just that morning, the cute blushing, the hot looks I thought we’d exchanged…
Yeah, too much.
After several long seconds of silence had passed between us, Naomi looked up and nibbled at her lip. “Well, if Brady is as nice as you said earlier, maybe he won’t hold it against you? You could just tell him you were having a bad day, and stress, and… whatever. Maybe he’ll get that.”
I appreciated the effort, the fact that she was trying to put a good spin on what had happened, but I had a feeling it might not be so simple.
“Maybe.” I frowned. “But I don’t think you’re allowed to have bad days in the NFL. Not without getting yelled at, anyway. So… maybe not.”
Naomi’s eyes widened. “Do you think he’ll yell at you?”
“I don’t think so. But who knows? And at this point, who cares?”
“Man, you need something to take your mind off all this… madness.” She waved a dismissive hand in the air and paused for a second, then added, “You need to lose your virginity.”
I flinched. Sex, or lack thereof, was one of the problems with my ex. He had pushed, but I wasn’t ready. I still wasn’t sure if I was.
“That’s probably the last thing I need right now,” I said, snorting.
It wasn’t like the thought hadn’t crossed my mind—especially since I’d met Brady. But just… no.
“Life is complicated enough without relationship stress on top of everything else.”
“I didn’t say you needed to jump into a relationship. Jesus, Joanne. It’s okay to just go out and have some fun without putting a ring on it. Just sex. No strings. Is McHottie Brady single? Maybe some good could come from having him around the office, after all.”
I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help laughing. This is why I’d instinctively known to head straight to Naomi’s place when I’d been upset. She just had a knack for making me feel better.
“Yeah, no. That’s not gonna happen. I’m pretty sure he’s not interested. Or… well, I don’t know what his deal is, really. But… no.”
“So, you’d turn him down if he showed up in your bed later?”
“Well, I didn’t say that.” I shrugged. “I mean, yeah, probably tonight I’d turn him down.”
It was Naomi’s turn to laugh as I considered the possibility.
“There is something to be said for angry sex, you know. But whatever. Try not to stress too much, okay? We’ll figure a way to get through this, no matter what happens.”
I stood up, pulled her up and into a hug. “You’re the best. Seriously. Thank you.”
“I’m glad you stopped by. I was missing my daily dose of Joanne. Next time, let’s make it a little happier though, okay?”
“Good plan. I’ll see you at work tomorrow.”
As I said goodbye and left, I still didn’t know what I was going to do about the situation at work, or the situation at home, or my money situation. But I didn’t feel like any of those things were impossible to get through anymore, either.
I was hopeful again, at least. As long as I still had hope, it meant I hadn’t given up.
Now I just had to figure out how to deal with Brady.