Play With Me - Brittany Cournoyer Page 0,77

brushed my hand through my hair, smoothed down my clothes, and then clenched and unclenched my fists a few times as I struggled to battle my nerves. Finally, I gave myself a mental kick in the ass and rapped my knuckles against the door. Then I held my breath as I waited to see if he’d answer.

27

Foster

I wasn’t sure how I made it home in one piece since I barely remembered the drive there. My body was acting on autopilot, relying on muscle memory to stop and go, and my vision was blurry thanks to the tears that poured from my eyes.

But finally, I was back in my crummy apartment, too devastated to be excited that my time left there was short-lived. And fresh tears streaked down my face when I remembered that I didn’t get to tell Stellan my good news. We were supposed to be celebrating right now, not fighting. And after everything that was said, were we even together anymore? Or were we done for good?

My phone rang, jolting me from my misery. I snatched it up thinking maybe it was Stellan calling me so we could talk things out, and hope swelled inside my belly. But when I saw the name on the display, that hope was shattered and my misery increased tenfold. The phone continued to ring as I debated whether to answer or send it to voice mail, I figured I might as well see what she wanted and then cursed myself for being a glutton for punishment as I answered the call.

“Hi, Jennifer.”

“Foster? Is this a bad time?”

I wanted to scoff at her question. Was there ever a good time to talk to your ex? Especially when we had a breakup as bad as ours? No. And I’m sure my voice sounded thick with tears. My tone was most definitely off.

“What did you want?” I asked instead of answering her.

“I just wanted to see how you were doing.”

I rolled my eyes. “I’m fine.”

“Are you? Because you forget, I spent a lot of years with you, so I know you, Foster. And you don’t sound fine.”

That was it. When we had parted ways, I had kept my mouth shut and just took everything she dished out. When she screamed, cried, and finally tried to break me with her lethal words, I didn’t retaliate. But between what had happened with Stellan and her acting as if she cared about my well-being, I couldn’t hold back any longer.

“Just because we were together for a long time doesn’t mean you know a damn thing about me,” I snapped. “So why don’t you cut the bullshit and tell me the real reason you’re calling?”

“There’s no need to be cruel, Foster. It’s been a while, and after the way things ended, I wanted to reach out to you.”

“Where’s your boyfriend?”

She hesitated. “He… I… It didn’t work out.”

“I see. So since it didn’t work out with you two, you thought we could patch things up, is that it?”

“When you put it that way it sounds terrible and heartless. Like I’m treating you as a rebound.”

“Because you are.”

“I made a mistake, Foster. I realize that now. Yes, we have a lot to work through, but I think it’s worth it to try, don’t you?”

I snorted rudely. “No. I don’t think that at all. There is nothing we have to work through at all, and you said all that needed to be said when we parted ways. What more is there?”

“I think there is plenty that still needs to be said. Our emotions were high the last time we saw each other. Maybe we can plan a weekend where you come here, and we could sit down and discuss things.”

“That’s not going to happen, Jennifer. I’m settled here. I have a job I love. An apartment that’s perfect for me. I’m… I’m happy.” Aside from the fight with Stellan, I really was.

Jennifer laughed. “Do you honestly expect me to believe that? I know you, Foster.”

“Did you know I like dick?” I asked bluntly.

Her gasp was loud in my ear. “What? What the hell are you talking about?”

“Yup. I like dick. I’ve been dating a man for a while now. He’s a musician in a jazz band.”

“You’re joking, Foster. You’ve never been into men before, so do you honestly expect me to believe that you are now?”

“It’s true, Jennifer.”

“What about your parents? What do you think they’ll say when you tell them?”

I could just imagine her getting off the phone to speed-dial my