Page 52 of The Deadbeat DILF
Alison released me and nodded. “Come on, we’re drinking and talking in the living room. If you’re hungry, there’s plenty of food in the kitchen and dining room.”
I wasn’t hungry, but I smiled and nodded before following her to the living room. Guests filled the space, holding wine glasses while they chattered.
“Cameron, Brooke is here,” Alison called as we entered, and he turned from the leather sectional where he was talking to a group of well-dressed men men.
Cameron was tall, with blond hair and blue eyes. He was handsome in a neat, put-together sort of way. The type of man in Armani advertisements.
I preferred men who were a little more rugged. Big muscles, facial hair…
Someone like Robert.
Don’t think about him.
“Good to see you, Brooke,” Cameron said, embracing me. “How have you been?”
“Good,” I said, forcing a smile. “How have you both been? I haven’t seen you two in a while.”
“We’re good,” Alison said, sharing a smile with Cameron. “We’ve been so busy these past few weeks that we haven’t seen our friends. So we decided to host a party to see everyone together.”
“Geniuses, aren’t you?” I teased, coaxing a laugh from Cameron and a playful swat from Alison.
“We’re a good team,” Cameron said as he rested his arm around her shoulders, pressing a kiss to her temple.
Alison smiled up at him, and if I had super hearing, I bet I would’ve heard her heart flutter.
Usually, I would’ve found it adorable, but right then, all I could think about was how my own heart skipped a beat when I was around Robert.
“I’m going to get something to drink,” I said, forcing a smile before disappearing into the kitchen.
Alison and Cameron had set up a makeshift bar on the island. I poured myself a vodka cranberry, making it a little stronger than usual. I welcomed the burn in my stomach. Anything felt better than the weight I’d been carrying since Robert left.
Once I rejoined the group, I was swept into greetings and introductions as I met Cameron’s friends and some of Alison’s colleagues. Everyone was kind, but as the minutes ticked on, I found it harder and harder to keep up a positive façade. Small talk and smiles were exhausting.
I ran into Emilia, who’d been outside on the balcony. She swept me up in a tight hug. She looked gorgeous, her black hair styled in an updo, and her heart-shaped lips painted pink. “Come, let’s get another drink,” she said, leading me toward the kitchen. There, we ran into Alison, and as we poured drinks, we made small talk. I tried to sound normal as I updated them with meaningless comments about my work.
As soon as the rest of the guests left the kitchen, leaving the three of us alone, Alison’s expression turned into concern.
“Is everything okay?” she asked.
Emilia brushed my arm. “You seem a little off,” she said softly.
My shoulders slumped. Suddenly, I couldn’t pretend anymore.
“Robert left,” I said.
Alison tilted her head. “Your tenant? The handsome one?”
“Did you... get involved?” Emilia asked.
I fiddled with my glass, needing something to do with my hands. “Yeah,” I admitted. “It only happened recently. We both tried to resist it, but…” I sighed and blurted the whole story. How Robert comforted me, which led to him sleeping in the same bed, and how that turned into a sexual relationship. I told them how Mike showed up at the restaurant, just as we were agreeing to be together for real.
My friends gasped but didn’t interrupt. They listened, wide-eyed, as I told them that later, Mike showed up at my work. I repeated everything he’d said, and recounted how Robert left that evening.
“How could he leave, just like that?” Alison demanded, sounding outraged.
“That’s how I feel!” I said. “I thought he cared about me.” I sucked in a deep breath. I was not about to cry. I’d already cried too much.
“Oh, sweetie,” Emilia said, rubbing my back. “So was everything Mike said true?”
