Into The Fire - E. L. Todd Page 0,68

almost empty.

“No.” I hadn’t even looked at another woman. I’d been too busy moping around and being depressed.

“No one?” Skepticism was in her voice.

“You didn’t hear me the first time?” I told her I hadn’t slept with anyone but her. I couldn’t just run out and get another girl when I was so upset over this. It didn’t feel right. I had no sex drive at all.

“You haven’t slept with anyone recently?” She examined my face like she was looking for something.

What’s with the interrogation? “No. I said that already.”

Disappointment came over her face.

“What?”

“Nothing.” She looked away and set her glass down. It was completely empty.

What the hell was going on?

The waiter brought the food just when things got really uncomfortable. Thankfully, we had something to do with our hands. I kept my eyes downcast because I hated the way she looked at me. Was she mad that I hadn’t found a new fuck buddy? Did she think I was in love with her or something? Because I definitely wasn’t.

“So…how was that Yankees game?” She spoke with a bored voice like she didn’t really care what I said.

“Good. They won.”

“Cool.” She took a bite of her pancakes. “These are good.”

“Yeah, they are.” But I couldn’t really enjoy them.

I couldn’t figure out what was going on. Just a few weeks ago, Alessandra and I were perfect. Then when she met Brad, everything got tense and weird. I knew my behavior was odd but I couldn’t explain it. And her behavior was a little off too.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Alessandra

I couldn’t believe he lied to my face like that.

He said he wasn’t with anyone else, even after he said honesty was his best policy. And why would he lie to me of all people? When had I ever given him the impression he could be anything less than truthful?

For some reason, it made me madder.

It was clear he’d been sleeping with other girls the entire time we had our fling. I thought it was just he and I, but now that he lied to my face again, I knew that wasn’t the case. Now I felt more pathetic. I actually thought there was something going on between us. Little did I know, he was playing me just like everyone else.

What was my deal? I constantly fell for guys that didn’t give a damn about me. They were selfish jerks. It was a pattern. Brad didn’t seem to fall into the same category so I decided to keep seeing him.

I needed a change of scenery.

When we went out again, we talked about sports and movies. He was pleasant company, but he was still withdrawn from me. There was no kiss goodnight, and there definitely wasn’t an invitation for a sleep over. It seemed like he liked me, but he wasn’t ready for anything serious.

That was fine with me.

I was still getting over the way Tony tossed me aside like an old pair of sneakers, and I was getting used to not having sex on a regular basis with Ash. I was mad at him during the weeks that passed, but I couldn’t deny what I missed.

He was so good in bed.

I missed kissing him and feeling his chest pressed to mine. I missed the way he ignited me and made me come alive. He made me adventurous and daring. Somehow, he made me confident and sexy. I missed the intimacy between us. We shared so much, not just our bodies.

But now that was over.

I was at home when my phone rang. On the screen was Ash’s name. We hadn’t spoken in weeks, and the last time we were together it was awkward and strained. I didn’t think we would talk again.

“Hello?” I answered.

“Hey.” He didn’t answer with his typical “Yo.”

It was nice to hear his voice. All my anger disappeared the second I heard it. I sat on the couch with the phone pressed close to my ear. “How are you?”

“Fine. You?”

“I’m okay.”

“So…I’m having dinner with my parents tonight. Do you think you could come?”

I hadn’t heard from him in a while so I wasn’t sure if I was still escorting him. “Yeah, I’m free tonight.”

“Great.” It didn’t sound like he cared that much. “We’re going to a steakhouse. Can I pick you up at six?”

“Sure.”

“See you then.” He hung up without saying goodbye.

I heard the phone go dead in my ear. After a few seconds of listening, I put it down.

***

Ash looked me up and down when I opened the door but he didn’t give