Page 65 of Branded

“We aren’t talking about me right now. We are talking about you. So, how is he in the sack? As good as he looks?”

“Jesus, Liv.”

“What? You know I’m blunt and straight to the point.”

“If that were the case, you’d tell me why you had such a visceral reaction to Caleb’s name.” I curl onto my side, pulling the covers up to my chin, and keep the phone tucked between my pillow and my ear.

“A long story that will need alcohol and lots of time,” she sighs. “Back to you and stop avoiding.”

“He’s… the best I’ve ever had. Ever. And I’m not just saying that because I’m riding this high, but truly the best I’ve ever had.”

“Soft? Gentle? Hard? Rough? Details, Sawyer, details.”

I tell her everything normally, but there is something different, something special about my time with Isaac. I want to keep it to myself.

“All I’ll say is he is somehow all of the above and everything in between.”

“Did he make you come? Honestly, that’s the most important detail,” she asks as nonchalantly as one would ask how the weather is outside today.

But that’s Olivia for you.

“Many, many times.”

I swear, I can see her punching the air like Bender at the end ofThe Breakfast Club.

“I knew it! I knew he’d be amazing, I mean look at him. He’s gorgeous.”

“That is the understatement of the year,” I sigh.

“What’s that sigh for? Are you okay?” She hesitates for a moment before she realizes, “Ohhhh. Shit, Sawyer. I forgot what day it was.”

“No, no, it’s okay. I’m actually handling today better than years past. I think it’s because I spewed everything out to Isaac last night. It felt… like a purge, ya know, since I don’t talk about it much.” I pull the covers completely over my head like I used to do when I was teenager on the phone with my friends. “It’s not just that. Isaac and I said some things to each other last night in the heat of the moment, and I think we have to have the awkward conversation today.”

“What do you mean? What kind of things?”

“Serious things, like I don’t want to see other people and I don’t want him seeing other people… I told him I was his and he was mine. It got very intense, very fast, but I wanted that… I still do, but I don’t know if he meant what he said. Maybe it was the alcohol talking.”

“I seriously doubt either of you were drunk last night, based on the fact he’s playing golf right now and you don’t sound hungover at all, but even if you were, don’t you know the expression drunk words are sober thoughts?”

“Well, those words carry a lot of weight, and I want to make sure we talk about them while we are both level-headed and not sex drunk either.”

“God, I haven’t been sex drunk in so long. My vagina is sad about it,” she says dramatically, and I just roll my eyes. “Seriously, though, babe, just talk to him. It has to be discussed. You’re both adults and he seems like a good guy.”

“I’m scared of what I’ll feel if he tells me he didn’t mean it.”

Even the thought of it makes my stomach clench and a boulder take over residence where my heart it.

“If he says that, fuck him. It’s his loss. You’re a catch, you’re beautiful, you’re smart, you have a job, and a lease on a gorgeous house. You’re kicking ass and taking names. If he doesn’t see that, move on.”

“You’re always so good at making me feel better.”

She’s right. I need to stand with my shoulders straight and be an adult about this. Sure, it’ll hurt for a minute, but I’m not going to be destroyed by a man. Nope. I refuse.

“That’s because you’re good at self-deprecating.”

“Ugh. I am. I’m working on it.”

“Good. I’m happy you’re having fun up there with him. Have the conversation today, okay? Get it off your mind and into the ether.”

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