Page 11 of Bad for You

And it hurt, dammit.

I snatched up the phone before I could think better of it.

Lila: Not reading, getting ready for a date. And as nice as the friendship offer is, I’ll pass.

Jesse: So you are alive?

Jesse: Who’s the guy?

Ignore him. Do not engage.

But dammit, I started typing again.

Lila: None of your business.

Jesse: How’d you meet. The library? What was he checking out? Let me guess…something from the science fiction section?

Heat crawled up my neck, anger firing through me. His implication was clear. Assuming someone who reads is a nerd or a geek was a weak stereotype. And a low blow.

He threw me away. He didn’t want me. And yeah, I could admit that maybe I’d mentioned Brooks because some sadistic part of me wanted to hurt him back, maybe even make him a little jealous. Ridiculous, I know. Why would he be jealous?

But I wasn’t an idiot, he was being a jerk to get me to engage with him.

Still, I couldn’t stop myself from replying.

Lila: Actually, he’s a ranch hand. We met outside the library and he asked around for my number.

Jesse: Sounds like a stalker. What’s his name?

Lila: I’m not giving you his name. Who I date has nothing to do with you. And if anyone’s acting like a stalker, it’s you!

Jesse: What’s his name, Bambi?

Lila: I have to go.

Jesse: Bambi?

Jesse: Lila?

The next day…

Jesse: This old dude just farted in front of me. Loud, babe. Like it echoed off the walls. Dude jumped, actually gave himself a fright. Then he had the nerve to look at me. Like I did it! How do you not know you farted?

Several days after that…

Jesse: Why was the sand wet?

Jesse: Because the sea weed.

Another week and a lot more texting later…

Jesse: Heard there’s a storm coming your way. Don’t drive anywhere. Stay safe.

The next day…

Jesse: The town I’m in right now is really cool. Lotsa old buildings and shit. There’s this garden full of pink flowers. Made me think of you. Know you like pink.

Two days later…