Page 2 of Reconciling With the Rival

“Absolutely, I do. Let me bring these to my friends.” I head back, down another shot of tequila, and head off to dance.

After some dancing, I end up leaving with her, and Paige promises me she’ll get Hads and Amelia home safe. I make her swear she’ll text me pictures of them in bed so I know they’re actually home, but she tells me to go have fun and to stop worrying about them.

I don't know if that will ever happen, but I definitely need to let loose a little, and some fun sex with this smoke show is the best way to do that.

Senior year is off to a good start.

1

Subpar Dick

June 2024

“So, did you fuckhim or not?” I ask my roommate and best friend as she sips on her Aperol spritz with lemonade.

“Babes, it was the first date, so no. I usually wait until the third, but most of them are so boring. Their chat is so dry.”

I laugh before taking a drink of my lavender martini. Alissa is far tamer than I am in the dating department, but the two of us have been in the same boat for a while—we haven't had much luck dating-wise.

Not that we’re trying to find partners, but even our one night stands have been shitty.

Regardless of what Paige says, I don't mind being single. In fact, I love it. It’s way easier, and based on the way my last relationship ended, I don't want to be tied up again. If she would stop texting me begging to get back together, the two of us could move on. God knows I’ve moved on already after a year, and I’m close to blocking her number so she takes a fucking hint. “Subpar dick is better than none if it means avoiding a drought, Liss. Just saying.”

“Ells, I barely have time as it is. If I’m going to fuck, it needs to be good.”

Alissa Zimmerman is too busy girlbossing in the private sector as some sort of hacker or something to have a long-term relationship. I don't really know what she does, because when she explained it, none of what she said made any sense. Something with analysis, or data…I think? Either way, she’s a badass. That’s all that matters.

Alissa flips her long brown hair as she takes another sip of her drink. I don’t know how she manages to just sit and look as beautiful as she does, but once she opens her mouth, her spunky personality shines through. My best friend is the perfect match for me—we both crave chaos in different ways, and I love it. She doesn't take shit from anyone, and that’s why we get along so well. Despite her being shorter than I am, she has as much fire in her body as I do.

“If you're not looking for anyone tonight, then maybe I can. This bar is trendy and new, which means there must be someone here looking for a fun night.” Alissa and I are out for drinks at this new place by our apartment. It only opened last week, but it’s cute. She and I are sitting at a table in the corner, away from all the loud shit but good enough for us to scope out the people in here.

“At least this place is nicer than the Hidden Bear. I remember it always being sticky when Leo dragged me out against my will.” The Hidden Bear was the bar near our alma mater, Grand Mountain College. Alissa graduated a year before I did, which means we never got to go out together while we were both still in school. I met her my senior year, and we became fast friends. I also might have flirted with her before I knew who she was, but instead of going that route, we became friends, and now, roommates.

My entire body tenses at the mention of her brother.While Alissa Zimmerman is one of my favorite people on the planet, Leo is not.

In fact, he’s quite literally the worst.

“Liss, I thought I told you—”

“Yeah, yeah, don't mention my brother around you or else. Whatever.” She rolls her eyes, not understanding my intense dislike of her brother. They’re Irish twins—born less than a year apart—so they're very close. She loves her brother a lot, and she also deals with me talking shit about him all the time. It’s far tamer than what it used to be when we had our internship together—where I may or may not have threatened to kill him a few times. “He’s moving back here, you know.”

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me. To Virginia? Is he even allowed back in this country?”

“Yup. I’m sorry to say, you’ll have to deal with him again.” I internally groan as Alissa downs the rest of her drink, smirking at me.

“Why is he coming back, and should we let customs know to look out for him?”

“He got some sort of job offer he couldn't pass up. That’s all I know.”

“Wow. I can't believe that company would hire the worst person on the planet. I hope they know who they’re dealingwith.” I down my drink as well, suddenly wanting to be as drunk as possible.

“Ells, it’s going to be fine. You’ll only have to deal with him when he comes to bother me, and I’ll tell you when he’s coming so you can avoid him. I’m sick of you two fighting all the time, but I deal with it because I love you both.”

“Ugh. I’m getting another drink. Do you want one?”

“No, babes. I’m okay. I’m gonna head to pee.” I nod at her before getting up and heading to the bar. My phone buzzes as I reach it, but I order before I check it.

“Lavender martini, please.”

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