Page 42 of Boyfriend Maintenance

She has a point, I did need some really great sex.

She places the buttered bread on the skillet and my stomach rumbles.

“You are a strong, independent woman. You move on and find someone who wants all of you and your crazy. I promise you, it will happen.”

“I hear what you are saying, I know you are right. I just feel like I didn’t get any closure.”

“Closure on what? A fake relationship?” she challenges.

“I guess, but I swear, it didn’t feel fake anymore.”

“Then get closure.” She slides a spatula under the first sandwich to check the toastiness of the bread.

“Yeah, I’m pretty sure that message you left him isn’t going to help me get said closure.”

She sniffs. “Whatever. I was mad, and you had tear-stained cheeks and bloodshot eyes when I got home Sunday afternoon. I needed to get something off my chest.”

“Yeah, well, maybe he didn’t listen to the message.” I really hope he didn’t listen. Bex wasn’t nice. Something about his little dick and knowing people who could make his life hell. She won’t go through with any of those mindless threats, but it probably pushed us both farther into the crazy-zone.

“So, you haven’t heard from him?” Her tone is more sympathetic now.

“Not a word. I haven’t even seen him around the building.”

She harrumphs in reply.

We are quiet for a while until she pulls the first grilled cheese off the heat and plates it.

“I’ll gladly make you more if you need them,” she offers, handing the plate to me.

“Surely you don’t think I can eat four of these?” I laugh.

“No, silly. Two are for me.”

We eat our grilled cheeses and then ice cream. We don’t bring up Jake again, opting instead to watch whatever popular competition show is currently airing on network television for a couple hours.

It’s about eight and I’m contemplating just going to bed. If I’m going to wake up without the fake-Jake chip on my shoulder tomorrow, I might as well give myself extra wallowing time in my bed.

I hear a knock at the door. I glance at Becca and she eyes the door. My heart rate quickens, and she pushes off the couch to answer it. She looks through the peephole, and her shoulders sag in relief.

“It’s your brother,” she says and then swings the door open.

“To what do we owe the pleasure of this visit, Mr. King?” Becca snips. She’s known Levi as long as she’s known me. In high school, I thought that she might have had a crush on him. But to my knowledge nothing ever came of it. They’ve never not gotten along, but she’s always been on my side. She knows he is the cause of Jake finding out about my money. Or lack thereof.

He looks startled at her snip but walks into the apartment anyway. “I need to talk to Emmy.”

Closing the door behind him, she mutters under her breath, “Clearly, as you wouldn’t be here to see me.”

“Emmy, you haven’t returned my calls or my texts.” He seems annoyed.

“Yeah, well, I’m mad at you.” I cross my arms.

“What the hell for?” He stops mid-step and stares at me.

I cock my head and give him a “think about it” look.

Realization dawns on him. “Oh, for causing that rift between you and Jake?” He has the good grace to look ashamed. “I’m sorry about that, I hope I didn’t cause too much of an issue for you.” He continues to the couch and sits down beside me.

Becca snorts, shakes her head and tells us she’ll be in her room.

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