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“I’m down for that bet.” He gives me a look then turns around to scan the crowd in the bar.
Shit.I don’t actually want to take anyone home. I drink the rest of my juice, a small knot in my stomach forming at the thought of anyone else in my arms besides Juliette. I pull out a few bills and toss them on the bar.
“I’m gonna head back to her house and post up for the night, but you enjoy finding someone.” I slap Harvey on the back and quickly make my way toward the entrance, dodging the Friday night partygoers.
My chest feels tight. I take in a deep breath once I’m outside, the crisp air giving me little relief. I know the real reason I feel like kissing her was a mistake . . . it’s not because I didn’t want to or because I’m worried she’ll think I’m just using her. It’s because I know I’m curious about her; it’s because for the first time in a decade, a woman has made me want more.
The first few years—hell, the firstseveralyears of jumping from woman to woman was fun. Most men would tell me I was living their fantasy: a different woman in my bed every night, an endless supply of pussy at my door whenever I wanted, but the truth is . . . it really does get old. I’d heard other men talk about that—about how someday I’d be lonely and regret wasting so much time being jaded—and I’d laugh it off. I’d tell them they were delusional or jealous, but now, I tell them they were right. But the truth is, I’m not sure I have the strength to risk losing what I’ve lost before.
I park my car outside Juliette’s house. The sun is just setting, so I take the opportunity to do a quick scan of the area and patrol her backyard. I double-check the windows and scan the alley when I hear the back door open.
“Hey, Alex.” I look over my shoulder to see Chloe waving at me.
“Hey, Chloe,” I say, walking over to the porch. “Where’s your mom?”
“She’s upstairs taking a shower.”
“You sure you should be going outside when she’s doing that?”
She shrugs. “I wouldn’t if it were a random stranger in my backyard, but I thought it was fine since it was you.”
“I guess that makes sense. How are you doing?” I ask, taking a seat on the edge of the porch. She closes the door behind her, taking a seat next to me.
“I’m doing okay. School starts next week, so I’m pretty excited about that.”
“Excited? For school?” I give her a funny look and it makes her laugh.
“Yeah, I love school. You didn’t?”
“No, I didn’t.” I laugh, thinking about how often I got in trouble at school for talking, taking things apart, attempting to bring fireworks and other contraband. “But it’s good that you do. School is great, and with how smart you are, you’ll probably be one of those top-of-the-class girls who goes on to get a big degree like your mom.”
“I don’t want to be a lawyer,” she says, scrunching up her nose. “I want to be a scientist, most likely an astronaut.” She says it so matter-of-factly that I completely believe her. She’s the wisest, most well-spoken 10-year-old I’ve ever met.
“Think you’ll be the first to Mars?”
“I wish,” she says, “that would be so amazing. My mom got me a telescope for my birthday this year. It’s set up in my room so I can see Mars. You want to come see it?”
I look over my shoulder, debating on if I should, when I shake my head no. “Probably shouldn’t. I don’t think your mom would appreciate me coming inside uninvited.” And just like clockwork, the back door flies open.
“Chloe!” Juliette rests her hand against her chest, her shoulders dropping in relief when she sees her sitting on the porch. Her relief is short-lived, though, when her eyes meet mine and narrow. “Don’t go outside without telling me, please.”
“I was just talking to Alex. Hey, can I show him my telescope?” She jumps up.
“No, not tonight,” Juliette says curtly. “Go inside and take a shower, please. You need to get ready for bed soon.”
“Moooom,come on.” Chloe pooches out her lower lip, but her mom isn’t having it.
“Chloe,”she says sternly.
“Fine,” Chloe mutters, then turns to me. “Maybe another time, Alex. See ya.” She waves, her head falling forward as she walks back into the house.
Juliette’s hair is wet, her body wrapped in a giant oversized sweater that falls down to her bare knees.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
“I was just doing my rounds before I settle into my car for a bit.” I stand up from the porch.
“That’s not what I meant. Why were you talking to my daughter?” She crosses her arms over her chest.
