Page 36 of Mr. Red

Hope to see you soon.

xo

He never responded. I didn’t think much about him not reaching out after day one, but I had a scheduled training session with him and he didn’t show or call to cancel. He left me hanging and he never followed through with his promise of canceling his sessions. There’s either something wrong or he ghosted me. My past experience is making me lean towards the latter option.

I pace around my living room with my thoughts spiraling. It was just another Tuesday for him. It makes me want to throw up. I slept with a guy I was attracted to, trusting him to at least date me, and then he doesn’t call. This is why I don’t do sex without knowing the guy first.

Fuck!

Now, he’s just out there, not thinking about me. I wipe the entry table with vigor to get it clean. It’s also helping menot want to find Matt and punch him.

There’s not much else I can do. It’s his turn to respond. If I were to call, I’d look desperate. I’m not.

But Iaman idiot.

My friends, being the best women I know, are going out with me for operation “get back on the horse,” as Paige called it. By horse, she means a sexy guy. I’ve never been this kind of girl, so I’m not sure where her head is at. I might bail on the operation, but there’s no way I’m staying in tonight. If anything, it’ll be another girls’ night. No big deal.

I’m not going to think about Matt anymore.

I hope he’s back in Texas so I never have to see his stupid face again.

~

Lana and Paige are at my house, and we’re getting ready to go out.

“I brought this over for you.” Paige hands over a red dress on a hanger. It’s the size of a napkin.

“Um, thanks. I like the color.” I go to put the dress on in the bathroom. It’s a little more revealing than I would normally want, reaching right below my ass, but it does make my legs look good.

When I emerge from the bathroom, Paige is arguing with Lana. “A beautiful purple dress needs more than a messy bun.” Her hands are on her hips, staring Lana down.

“I’m not the one trying to get laid. You told me to wear this dress. I’m in it.” Lana has her hands out towards the evidence.

“Scarlett, tell our friend here, a messy bun is not going to work for going out. I’m rocking the little black dress, you’re killing it in the red one, Lana has on a color no onewears. We could be the group everyone wants to hang with until...” she goes to Lana and points her hands at her head, “Lana’s hair is seen.”

“My hair is fine. Leave me alone, Paige.”

“I think we’re in need of some shots,” I announce, and leave to the kitchen before they pull me in the middle.

I look over my options in the cabinet. Hmmm, tequila or rum? I’ve got pineapple juice, so I’m going with rum. I prepare three shots and three cups of juice. I’d better get back before they try to fight each other.

“To taking the edge off,” I announce, handing over their glasses.

“Yeesss!” Paige stops trying to fix Lana’s hair and grabs a shot.

“Thank god,” Lana sighs.

An hour later, we’re at our usual spot. We’re not early tonight, so the club is busy and full of people. We head to the bar to wait in line for another drink.

“I see a big horse,” Paige announces. “Be back in a bit.” Her grin scares me.

I watch Paige make her way over to a group of three guys at the other end of the bar. She stands near them for a minute before turning to them, putting on her confident charm. Paige can pick up anyone, anytime. She’s got game.

A couple minutes later, she gives them a small wave and walks away while Lana orders shots. I’m too focused on Paige’s tactics to look away. She saunters over to us, sporting an accomplished smirk.

I hand Paige a rum and coke. “How did it go?”

“I guess we’ll see.” She shrugs.