Page 5 of Hot Girl Summer

“Outside, with her friend. She’ll be in soon,” Ryan says.

“Everything okay?” I shout. It’s so damn loud in here, I can barely even hear myself.

Ryan shakes his head. “Just the usual,” he says, and takes a sip of his drink. He grimaces. “We had an argument before we went out. She didn’t want to come tonight, but I managed to convince her.”

He pauses to admire the two girls he’s sandwiched between. Myself, and my gorgeous flame-haired bestie. Lucky guy. “You both look amazing, by the way.”

“We know,” April says.

Ryan stands all six foot-something of dark skin, tattoos and sculpted muscle. Even though that ship has long sailed, there’s no harm in appreciating his great looks. I’m not usually one to stay friends with my exes, but Ryan is the exception. He’s had my back since we were teenagers, and he’s one of the only straight guys I know that I feel safe with. I trust him.

“I can’t drink this, it tastes like medicine,” he says, standing. “Anyone want another?”

“I’ll come with you,” I say.

After my heated encounter, I crave another shot, or ten. We approach the bar, and I peruse a cocktail menu without taking anything in.

“What did you fight about?” I ask him.

“Nothing we haven’t fought about a thousand times before.”

He sneaks a glance towards April, and I follow his gaze.

“April? You had a fling two years ago. You weren’t even with Chrissy back then.”

“I know. It isn’t just her.”

He shoots me a pointed look.

“Me? We were together for like six months in secondary school. It wasn’t even a real relationship. Is she serious?”

He shrugs. “She has this notion that since you were my first, I’ll always hold a torch for you.”

“Well that’s probably true. Iamunforgettable.” I flick my long dark waves over my shoulder, then remember the reason for our breakup. Ryan was, and still is, a serial cheater.

“You’re something else, Phi—that’s for sure,” he says. “But she has no reason to be jealous. I mean, look at her.”

I conjure up an image of Chrissy in my head, but I can’t see what Ryan sees in her. Sure, if I didn’t know her I’d probably be a little envious of the long-legged, pretty, tanned blonde. But, unfortunately, I do know her and her toxic personality. Chrissy is the one person I fail to see the good in.

“No Alex tonight?” Ryan asks.

“Apparently not,” I reply.

“Are you two a thing, yet?”

I screw up my face as I down a shot. “Fuck no.”

“Why not?”

“Because he’s the type of guy who would show his dick to anyone if they asked. Because I find hair extensions in his bed. False nails. Used eyelash strips. None of that shit is mine.”

Ryan’s deep brown eyes widen. “Whoa...okay. So he’s not boyfriend material. I get it.”

“Call me wild, but I’m happy as I am.”

And I am.

I’m more than capable of looking after myself. I value my freedom, and the last thing I want is to be tied down. Besides, I have enough to focus on in my new role without having to juggle some boy’s emotions and needs as well.

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