Page 10 of The Other Guy

“Me, of course!”

Laughing, I type out:

Me: Probably would have been smarter.

16: I’m not sure how I feel about this.

Me: If it makes you feel better, I’m sorry. I should have told you right after you first texted.

“Damn right, you should have!”

16: Yeah. You should have.

“See? I knew I liked her.”

I turn my phone over, not wanting more of the guilt that I’m feeling over letting the charade go on. It didn’t bother me at first but the more time has gone on, the more I’ve felt like a jerk about it.

And that’s far from who I am.

My phone buzzes and I know Sixteen is demanding more answers, as is Sierra, if the look on her face is anything to go by.

But before Sierra, Sixteen deserves more answers.

“Hang on a second, okay? I’ll give you the whole story but first.” I point to the phone and she nods, giving me the stink eye first then moves down the bar to help a customer.

Sixteen: Still waiting for answers!

Me: Here’s the deal. After the first person texted me, I told her immediately that she had the wrong number. Then the messages continued and it pissed me off that this guy wouldn’t stop using my number but I also felt so bad for the women because he’d totally screwed them over.

Me: Pun not intended there.

Me: Also didn’t mean to imply anything by saying I felt bad for the women. It’s just how I felt.

Me: I’m trying not to dig myself into a hole here.

16: Too late.

I wince and then my phone starts ringing, 16 lighting up on the screen.

“Shit.”

I glance over to see Sierra not paying me attention anymore so I stand up to get her attention, letting her know that I’m taking a phone call outside but I’ll be back. I quickly put my coat on as I walk to the door.

“Hello?” I step outside into the cool night air and blow out a breath, the steam billowing around me.

“You were talking in circles and I’m a little annoyed.”

Her voice is light and sweet and it makes me even more annoyed that whoever this guy is won’t stop messing with these women.

I wince at the irritation in her voice. “Sorry.”

“You mentioned that. Can you please explain? Only because I’m staring at this jerk right now as he’s schmoozing some girl and I’m positive he’s about to give her your number after he sleeps with her as well.”

“That’s very likely.”

“So?”

I reach into my coat pocket and slip my hands into my gloves. “A while ago, I started getting these texts that were clearly from women who’d…” I pause, wanting to make sure I use kind wording… “been with someone the night before. Or sometimes the same night. The first time I replied back that it was the wrong number. But the messages wouldn’t stop coming. I felt bad, I guess. So I just started to gently let these women know that we wouldn’t be continuing.”

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