Page 100 of IOU

For the first time in months, I don’t mind the titters and whispers going on while I sit at a picnic table waiting for Maverick. Had it not been for the rumors about Maverick, and my history with fire, I wouldn’t have ended up at Maverick’s door. I wouldn’t have struck a deal and become his roommate and he damn sure wouldn’t have found me so irresistible that he let me stay with him.

So bring on the freaking rumors, I welcome them.

I text Maverick. I’m freaking starving.

Me: I’m going to eat your food. You better hurry.

He’s only five minutes late but still. I may be able to handle all the rumors, but it doesn’t mean I want to sit out here all alone. Luckily, he responds quickly.

Water drinking nerd: I had to grant a favor. #genielife Be there soon.

I grin at the screen, giving everyone something to lie about when another text comes through.

Water drinking nerd: And don’t eat my food!

I pocket my phone and consider eating Mav’s chips. He doesn’t know I bought him anything but a sandwich, and really, his heart doesn’t need fattening chips anyway. Maybe I will eat them.

Opening the bag, I grab my sandwich and unwrap it. I’m about to take the biggest bite ever when I hear, “Ainsley.”

Slowly, as if Ted Bundy himself is behind me, I turn and meet the eyes of the man who shattered my heart and stomped all over it while he moved his shit into my apartment.

“Tucker,” I grit, giving him a hello eye roll. “What do you want?”

With some nerve, he eases down into the bench across from me. “Can we talk?”

I take a bite of my sandwich, channeling my inner Maverick, and shrug like I don’t give a fuck if he even breathes.

“Okay,” he says after a moment, watching as I chew. “Look.” He pauses, clearly nervous, and swipes a hand through his hair. It’s gotten longer since the last time I saw him. “I just wanted to tell you I’m sorry about how things went down between us.”

Ha! So he’s not sorry that he cheated, but he’s sorry about how “things went down”? What the fuck does that even mean?

“Aww, you’re so sweet, Tucker. How did things not work out between us?”

Tucker picks up on my sarcasm.

“Look, Ainsley. I never meant to hurt you, but you knew things between us had been rocky for a while.”

I rear back. “How were they rocky? I came here with you—for you!”

“Exactly!” His voice rises and his fists clench. “You were so clingy. Coming to Havemeyer was supposed to be the time of my life. Instead, I was just as tied down as I was in high school. You were supposed to go to Florida!”

I can feel my face heat and my eyes swell with unshed tears. “Get the fuck out of my face, Thomas.”

Tucker cocks his head to the side like he isn’t sure if I called him Thomas. I did. I took a page out of Mav’s book and called him something random. I don’t want him thinking he just ripped my heart out again. I’m stronger now, though. Now I’m able to tell him to get the hell out of my face and move his sorry, disgusting soul from my table.

I’m done with him.

Screw him and the “time of his fucking life.” They can eat shit for all I care.

“All I’m saying, Ainsley, is we should have spent some time apart. Couples do long-distance relationships all the time.”

What he really means to say is he wanted to fuck all the sorority sisters in peace and when he was good and spent, he would come home to me on the holidays and we would pose for his parents’ Christmas card.

I am so done with being treated as a pawn in his game.

“Goodbye, Tucker. Catch an STD and live the good life.” I wave my hand like I’m sweeping his disgusting ass away from me while I take another bite of my sandwich. I’m definitely eating Mav’s chips after this. I deserve them. Maverick will agree after he hears this shit.

“Look, I just came over here to apologize and ask you for a favor.”

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