Abby leaned against the counter while I rearranged our takeout containers on the table. Lucas was officially off duty and had to leave for a hot date. I was happy that I had her and Lily here to keep me company, but I still felt guilty for inconveniencing them both.

“I’m going to change real quick so I can get comfortable before the movie.” I lifted my eyes to Abby’s brown and white polka-dot dress that reminded of the one Julia Roberts wore in Pretty Woman.

“Go right ahead, I’m almost finished.” She picked up her overnight bag and went into the bathroom while Lily uncorked a bottle of wine next to me.

I hated feeling like I needed to be babysat, but it was nice having them both around. I didn’t have a lot of friends, so I was really looking forward to our little ‘girls night’.

“So, how many times has my brother called you today?” Lily asked, pouring wine into the glasses.

“Just a couple.” Her eyes narrowed slightly like she knew I was full of shit. “Okay.” I laughed, “It’s been more than a couple.” More like a half a dozen times, but who was counting.

She shook her head, balancing the wine glasses on the tray. “Damn, my brother has it bad for you.”

I scattered the containers and paper plates on the coffee table. “Not any worse than I have it for him.” I admitted, jumping up to get the paper towels so we could start our movie. I grabbed my phone off the counter and snuck a quick glance at the screen. I was disappointed to see that there were no missed calls. It was going to be a long two days.

“Oh my God, here she goes; she’s going into the red room of pain. God, why can’t Christian Grey be real?” Abby exclaimed, between bites of her sesame chicken. “Do you think guys can really fuck like that? The longest I’ve ever had a guy last was probably five minutes, and that was only because he took his little blue pill right before.”

“What the hell… how old was this guy?” I asked, setting my chopsticks down on my plate.

“My age.” She shrugged. “He had severe anxiety issues, I guess. And I felt kind of sorry for him. He was easy on the eyes, but he had a small dick. No more than four inches at best.”

Lily snorted next me. “Probably explains his anxiety issues.”

Abby pushed her against the shoulder. “Go ahead, make fun of my shitty sex life. At least my rabbit gets the job done.”

I laughed and picked up my water taking a huge gulp. We had been sitting here for hours. Lily and Abby had both had their fair share of wine. Me, not so much. My stomach had been off all day. I wasn’t sure if it was something I ate or the stress that had taken over my life. They however, were determined to not let the two bottles of wine go to waste.

I giggled, watching Abby demonstrate how she would let Christian Grey tie her up. My cell phone buzzed and Brad’s name flashed across the screen. “I’ll be right back.” I said, jumping off the couch to take the call. I walked into my bedroom and shut the door.

“Hey!” I smiled, lying down on the white plush down comforter and resting my head against his pillow. I loved that it still smelled like him.

“Hey, sweetheart.” Just hearing his voice made me feel better.

“How’s Baltimore?” I asked, leaning up on one elbow and looking at the clock on the wall. It was late. He had to be exhausted.

“Today was a cluster-fuck, but I don’t want to get into it.” I could tell he was frustrated.

“I wish I was there to make you feel better.” I hated hearing him sound so stressed, especially seeing there wasn’t a thing I could do about it.

“Me too, sweetheart. So, are the girls there with you?”

A laugh shot out of my mouth. “Yeah, you could say that.”

“Why do you say it like that?”

“Nothing, we’re just watching a movie and they’re both hammered. It’s been an eventful evening so far.”

“Have you been drinking? Because I’m not sure I want you intoxicated if I’m not there to take advantage of you.” I could hear the smile in his voice, causing one of my own to break out.

My head rested against his pillow. Hearing his voice only made the hole in my heart grow deeper. “Don’t worry.” I shook my head. “I haven’t felt all that great, so I’m nursing a strong glass of ice water.”

I heard him sigh into the phone. “I’m sorry you’re not feeling well. Try to get some rest.”

“Lexi.” Lily called from the other room. “Tell my brother you’ll call him after the movie’s over. The good part’s coming. She’s about to get some backdoor action.” I heard the pair giggling conspiratorially.

My gaze lifted to see Abby resting against the doorjamb with a smirk that stretched all the way across the room. She held up a wine stopper and mouthed, “butt plug.”

I rolled my eyes, and shooed her away with my hands, hating that I had to cut this conversation short. “I have go, the girls had to pause the movie and they’re waiting for me.”

“I’m glad you’re having fun. What movie are you watching by the way?”

There was a long pause on my end of the phone.

“Lexi.” He pressed for an answer as I twisted my ponytail around with my fingers and cringed.

“Umm, Fifty Shades of Grey!”

Brad snorted through the phone and I pictured his warm chocolate eyes dancing with amusement. “I hope you bought the movie so we can watch it together.”

His warm, flirty tone slipped right inside my belly. “Not a chance. I’m not watching that with you.”

“What, you’ll watch porn with your girlfriends, but not your boyfriend? Kind of kinky, I like it.” I should have known he wouldn’t let me off easy. My eyes squinted across the room and I saw the girls laughing on the sofa. As soon as I got near them all I heard were the words, condom, extra-large and Gage. Time to disconnect the call.

“Come on Lexi Lu…” Lily slurred out, motioning me over to the couch. Her wine was tipping sideways as she struggled to bring it to her lips. Abby was parked in the chair with her head twisted to the side studying the remote as if she had forgotten how to use it.

“Is that my sister?” Brad asked, pulling me back to our conversation.

I laughed into the phone while cradling it to my ear. “The one and only.” I confirmed, leaving out the fact that she was half-baked and spilling white wine all over his couch.

“I’ll let you get back to your fun. I miss you.” Those three little words caused my heart to flutter. Separation sucked!

“Miss you too.” I said, feeling my heart grow heavy, hoping this stupid movie would take my mind off of things. I thought talking to him would make me feel better when in fact it only made it worse.

I heard Brad turn the TV on in the background. “If you need me for anything, especially after watching the movie, you call me. I might be able to help you work out that sexual tension.”

I slapped my hand against my forehead and bit back my smile. “You’re never going to let me live this down, are you?”

His throaty laugh worked its way into my bones. “Not a chance. Love you, sweetheart.”

“Love you more.” I said, feeling myself getting worked up. The thought of him not lying next to me tonight was finally sinking in.

“Hang up the damn phone so we can get back to our movie; he’s about to whip her ass fifty ways to Sunday.” Abby yelled, loud enough for Brad to hear. He just laughed.

“I’ll leave you to your movie. Behave and I’ll talk to you later. I’m going to bed. I’m beat.” He sounded exhausted, and I wished I was there to take care of him. Three more days, I reminded myself. I’ve got this.