My white twinkle lights that I hung in the living room add to the atmosphere, along with my candles.
I am having a date night for one.
Because, why not?
Solo dates should be a thing— that way you can eat and drink what you want without a man telling you that your choices are wrong, or criticizing what you are wearing.
Then you can come home and play with Bob, and have an orgasm before going to bed, and sleeping like a starfish. I smile over at Glory, who is sleeping on her bed, lifting her head now and then when I badly hit a high note. She huffs and whines, like she is telling me not to quit my day job.
The phone for the door rings, bringing me out of my sing-fest. Rushing over, I pick up.
“Hello?”
“Stevie, it is Rodney. I have a Logan Vaughan here to see you again. I thought I should ask if this man has approval to come up, as I believe this is the man who upset you last night. If he upset my daughter, then I would have a few choice words with him about how to treat a woman.”
I sigh, and my nose burns. I hardly know this man, but he is so protective of me.
“It is fine. You can send him up.”
“Okay. Hit the button if you need me.”
“I will. Promise.” He is talking about the red SOS button that is on the condo phone.
Once I hang up, I run to my bedroom to slip into some clothes. Pulling a plaid shirt on over my white cami, I tug on some black leggings. Checking my hair in the mirror in my room, I grimace at how bad I look.
Running the brush through my hair quickly then pulling it up into a small ponytail, I dig through my makeup bag for some lip gloss.
I stand frozen as I stare at myself in the mirror. My eyes are no longer bloodshot, but I look tired.
Why am I making an effort for this man? He doesn’t care about me.
I have no idea why he is even here. It is not like we have anything to talk about. He made his choice and it was not me.
There is a knock on my door, making me jump. My heart thuds in my chest, and I have to catch my breath.
“Here goes nothing.”
Taking my time, I stop at the kitchen to turn off my pasta sauce so it doesn’t burn. This man does not deserve any effort or energy from me.
My stomach knots with every step, and my anger simmers. I need to hold onto that, so I do not let him talk his way out of what he has done.
Another knock comes, just as I get to the door. With a deep breath, I unlock it and pull it open.
Crash stands in front of me, in a crisp white T-shirt under a denim shirt and his cut. He looks tired, and his skin has lost some of its color.
“What do you…” I do not finish my question before he pushes his way into my condo. “Hey.”
He ignores me, stepping into my living room and making himself at home on my sofa. He kicks his booted feet up on my coffee table like he has done many times before.
Glory speaks, and Crash smiles at her.
“What, beautiful?”
She whines again.
“I know, I won’t leave you alone with Mommy again.” She huffs, and shakes her head at him, and it sounds like she is saying ‘no.’
“I won’t leave you either.” He scratches under her chin and my traitor dog swoons at him.