TWENTY-FIVE
Jade
As I reached my building, I felt someone approach. The moment I turned around, a frown fell over my face. Max walked over wearing a cocky smile.
“Are you stalking me?” I asked in a half-joking voice.
“Nah, not really,” he said, his bulky body shaking a bit as he laughed. “I was in the neighborhood and I thought we could talk about the story on me.”
“I’m a bit busy right now.”
“Come on. It will only take a bit. The story is gonna be a hit.”
“We’ll see, but you have to promise me no stories with lurid details of you and Laura, okay?”
He smiled.
“She got a bit too drunk last night and sang something she called Karachi.”
I laughed and put my hand on his arm for a quick second.
“Yeah, that’s her word for karaoke when she’s too drunk. You didn’t take advantage of her, did you?”
“Me? Hell no,” he said. “Give me half-an-hour to blow your mind with my story?”
“Fine,” I said. “I’ve got company coming over later, so we have to hurry.”
“I’ll be quick.”
The look on his face made me uneasy, but I unlocked the door. We walked across the lobby to the elevators in middle of the building. I punched the button.
He looked around, shaking his head.
“I hope you’re not paying too much to live here.”
“That’s none of your business.”
Why am I bringing him upstairs? This is a huge mistake!
The elevator door slid open. He stepped in before me. I considered asking him to leave.
“Come on,” he said. “What floor?”
“The eleventh,” I said.
“Ooh, nice views. You got a balcony?”
“No, not really. There’s some railing and about half-an-inch of space so they can advertise a balcony, but it’s not functional.”
“Damn, that’s messed up. We’re gonna have to get you out of here, aren’t we?”
I smiled and nodded nervously as the elevator door closed and we ascended.
Ask him a few questions then send him on his way. Easy as cake. Wait, cake isn’t easy at all. The last two I made came out flat as pancakes. Why the hell am I inviting him to my apartment?
“You okay?” he asked, putting his hand on my shoulder.
“Yeah.”
I nodded my head to reassure him and myself.
“Thanks again for this story. It will give the business some legitimacy.”
Legitimacy? That’s an odd thing to want for a new business. Or maybe it’s not.
The elevator dinged right before the door slid open. He stepped out in front of me once again. I should be with Cooper right now, not him!
“Where you at?” he asked. “I never made it up to your apartment when we were dating.”
“This way. And we went on one date,” I reminded him as I walked toward my door.
“Still dating in my book.”
We reached my apartment. I unlocked the door and slipped inside before him. He followed close behind, looking around and whistling.
“Not as shabby as I thought.”
“Glad you approve,” I said sarcastically, not sure if he got it or not.
“Not really, but it’s okay for you, I guess.”
I shook my head and walked across the living room. At the couch, I sat down and opened the lid of my laptop. He wandered over and sat down next to me, a little too close for comfort.
When I scooted over, he did the same. I turned, ready to yell at him. Before I had a chance, he leaned forward and kissed me on the lips, roughly sticking his tongue in my mouth.
“Ew,” I said, pulling back and showing him my disgusted face.
“Ew? Really?”
“What the hell are you thinking?” I asked.
“I thought you and Laura were down to share me. That’s why you introduced me to her, right? I fuck her. Then I fuck you. Then we three get together.”
“What? No!” I stood up and pointed to the door. “You need to go.”
“You know what? I don’t need this shit from you.”
He got to his feet, towering over me.
“You’re fucking nuts,” he said.
“Get the fuck out of my apartment before I call the cops!”
“Whoa, hold on.” He raised his arms in the air. “Calm down. No need to get them involved.”
I glared at him, shaking because I realized how easy it would be for him to overpower me.
“Fuck you, bitch,” he said over his shoulder as he walked out.
Ugh! What an asshole. Laura better not be thinking about going out with him again. I need to call her.
“You can forget your story,” I called out, hoping to hurt him.
He stopped and turned around.
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
“Cooper was right about you.”
“What did Cooper say about me?” I asked, instantly regretting letting the words come out of my mouth.
“Wouldn’t you like to know.”
He turned and walked out of my apartment, slamming the door behind him.
I grabbed my phone out of my pocket and called Laura. She answered on the third ring.
“What the hell?” I screamed.
“Jade? What’s going on?”
“Max just made a move on me, that’s what’s going on.”
“Max? Are you at his apartment?”
“No, he came to mine, asking me to do a story on him.”
“You don’t do those kinds of stories anymore.”
“I know.”
“So, why did you invite him over?”
“I didn’t invite him. He just showed up, talking about how he fucked you and wanted to fuck us both at the same time.”
Silence filled the air between us.
“Laura? You still there?”
“I’m here,” she said quietly.
I know that tone of voice.
“Tell me,” I said.
“Well, I was drunk last night, and I didn’t think he would remember.”
“Remember what?”
“It’s funny, really. You’ll laugh about it someday.”
“I’m not laughing right now,” I said. “Tell me.”
“I might have suggested we try a threesome sometime.”
“Laura…”
“I was drunk,” she interrupted. “I swear I didn’t think he would remember.”
My anger subsided about two notches.
“Jade?”
“I’m here,” I said. “We should get him back.”
“What do you mean?”
“For thinking we would do something like that with him.”
“I meant get him back how?”
“Oh. I’m not sure. Maybe make him think I’m going to do a story on him then write up something awful and tell him it’s posted online when really we just have it on a separate website where no one but him can see it?”
“I have no idea what the hell you just said, but I’m in.”
A smile spread across my face.
“Great. Let’s go get a drink and come up with a strategy.”
“You’re not busy? I thought you would be with Cooper tonight.”
I sighed.
“Yeah, me too. He hasn’t called me.”
“You should call him.”
“No, I don’t want to mess this one up by pushing too hard.”
“I’m on my way over,” she said.
“See you soon.”
I ended the call and sat back on the couch. Why hadn’t Cooper called me or even sent a text? None of it made any sense, but a prank on Max to teach him a lesson would keep me occupied.