Page 54 of How to Break My Heart
My fingers quickly type another message to Marco, but then I erase it. None of my words are coming out the way I intend them to. Frustrated, I throw my phone onto the other side of the sofa and head to the kitchen to grab something to eat. As I pull open the cupboard door on the hunt for something to satisfy my craving, I hear the ping across the room.
“Don’t read it,” I say out loud to no one but myself. “Food. You need food because you’re hangry and not making any good decisions right now.”
I find some chocolate and devour it to cure the cravings for sex, which have consumed me since the moment I saw Aston lick his fingers. With a mouth full of fancy chocolate my brother sent me from France, I drag my feet back to the sofa and grab my phone.
Aston
Are you behaving, Miss Woods?
A smile graces my lips, much to my annoyance. Obviously, the chocolate has cured my mood.
Me
Not really. I just shoved expensive French chocolate in my mouth. I don’t know how long it’s been sitting in my cupboard.
Aston
You do know you own a donut store. If you were craving something sweet, you could probably find it in your store kitchen. Maybe something vanilla?
I sink into my cushions, relaxing for the first time today.
Me
Are you only texting me to see where I am or who I’m with? Stalker, much? Remember, I’m single, and the doctor checks all the boxes.
Minutes pass with no response. I put my phone down to turn on the television. With a bored flick of the channels, I recheck my phone to see if he has read the message, but no response.
Two hours later, it’s obvious he was playing a game.
Annoyed with myself, I reread the text I sent Marco. He responded letting me know his schedule is booked but he may be free later in the week. I feel terrible but know if I went on tonight’s date, I’d be using him for revenge sex, which is not fair to Marco.
Instead, I lie in bed by myself.
And I refuse to satisfy my sexual urges by thinking about Aston again.
I can’t stay ahead of whatever game we’re playing if I break my own rules.
“That photographer was cute, wasn’t he?”
Maddy half pays attention to the road, almost driving us into a ditch. I grab the dashboard and say, “Be careful and payattention. You’re getting married. Stop looking at other guys,” I reprimand her.
“He was cute for you.”
A huff escapes me. “I’m done with men.”
“How can you be done with men?” Maddy raises her voice while pressing harder on the gas. “What happened to Dr. Hottie?”
“I have a lot on my mind with the wedding coming up. Now wouldn’t be the time to start something serious,” I lie, but then change my mind. “It’s on pause. I still plan on continuing when I can get my head together. It’s not like I’m interested in anyone else. Marco is a great guy, and I would be stupid to let him go.”
Yes, I have a lot on my mind.
A lot from some jerk who never messaged back—it’s been over twenty-four hours.
The worst part is that he’s read the message, and it only reinforces my image of him playing his game and using me as a pawn.
“Shit, I didn’t realize the time,” Maddy says in a panic. “I have a dinner with my parents and Myles’s parents at my place.”
“Is that why you’re driving like a maniac?” I hold my breath as she takes another sharp turn. “Look, we’re five minutes from your place and it’s fifteen to mine. How about I drop you off, and we’ll work out the car situation tomorrow?”
