Page 27 of Use Me
“And we’re out.”
Unlike what I assumed was Ashtyn’s daily broadcast, mine was only when there was a game. I was on TV anywhere from thirty minutes to an hour each pre and post-game, two or three times a week. Jett and I would discuss the Blackhawks and either the game coming up or the game that had just ended, plus what to expect in the next game. There were interviews with the game broadcasters and players from the game and, of course, hours spent in the newsroom because our jobs were more than just going live.
Look at me thinking about Ashtyn as if we’re dating. We’re not. Apparently, we’re just fucking, and I’m okay with that.
Sure we had spent twenty-four hours together, but we’d only fucked a few times, and the time on the boat was out of the blue. I’d needed it, though. I’d needed to get lost in the moment and forget the bitch who was trying to cause shit between Ashtyn and me for no reason. When I’d turned at my name, I almost thought my eyes were playing a trick on me. I never in a million years would have ever thought I’d run into Bridgette on a boat in the middle of Lake Michigan. As I stared into her brown eyes, I’d felt trapped. Or at least I thought I was. I was also mentally preparing myself for a catfight. However, Ashtyn dragged me down to the restroom using the nickname I had for her.
I fucking loved cupcakes.
As I grabbed my stuff from my desk, I reached for my phone from my pocket to send a text to Ashtyn. I’d been thinking about her for the past few days since our night and day together, but I wanted to let her come to me. However, the more I waited, the more I thought that maybe she was doing the same. If I wanted to continue whatever we had going on, then I needed to at least communicate and show her I was still interested. She was more than likely on her way home, and I wanted to see how her day had been. I wasn’t able to catch her broadcast today, and the nightly news seemed to be my new favorite show these past two weeks.
As I pulled up the text for Ashtyn, I received one from Bridgette instead.
I miss you, baby. Call me.
I stared at the words on the screen. When was this girl going to give it a rest? That’s what I got for dating someone ten years younger than I was.
“We still on for poker Friday?” Kenny asked, walking up to me. Every week the guys would come over to my place and bring beer and chips, and I would order a few deep dish pizzas. Since hockey games were on different days each week, poker was on various days that fit with our schedule. This week we were having it on a Friday night.
“Of course.”
“That Ashtyn?” Kenny nudged his head toward my phone.
“Bridgette,” I corrected.
He groaned. “What does that bitch want?”
We started to exit the building. “My connections.”
“She really thinks that after she told you straight up that she was only with you to meet hockey players you’d take her back?”
I shrugged. “She’s trippin’.”
“For reals. I never liked her. Sure she was nice to look at when she’d dance with her tits practically falling out at Judy’s, but I never knew what you actually saw in her. She wasn’t all upstairs either.”
“You waited long enough to tell me. What would have happened if I proposed to her?”
“I knew you weren’t that stupid.”
Luckily, I wasn’t. Kenny and I made it to our cars, and then each drove away. When I got home, I half expected Bridgette to be waiting for me.With my luck, she made another copy of my key.But when I opened the door, it was dark and quiet inside my condo. Peaceful even.
I turned on the TV to ESPN, trying to make the room feel less quiet and lonely, before making my way to the shower. Before I stepped in, I sent the text to Ashtyn that I’d wanted to send an hour before.
How was your night? I missed your broadcast, but I’m sure you were awesome.
Before I hit send, I thought about adding a winking smiley face. I didn’t. Instead, I sent the text then got into the shower. When I got out, there was a reply from Ashtyn.
Just another day reporting the news. I heard the Blackhawks won, so that means you had a good night too?
I smiled as I texted back.
They did. And I did. Are you home?
I silently prayed she’d invite me over as I slipped on my boxers. She replied:
I am. Are you?
Me:Yes. Want to come over?
