Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 88317 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 442(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88317 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 442(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
I wondered how she was holding up after the past couple of days with Scottie alone. I sent her a text from the pub.
Josh: Everything going okay over there?
She responded right away.
Carly: Well, I just showered with Scottie. So there’s that.
Oh shit.
Josh: Um…how the hell did you manage that?
Carly: He’s gotten so used to showering with you that I couldn’t get him in there unless I went with him. I put on my bikini.
Fuck. The visual that gave me.
Josh: Way to improvise, Pumpkin.
Carly: At least I have a solution in case you don’t come back.
Josh: If you plan to start wearing that bikini around the house, I’ll definitely be back.
I immediately regretted that. It was way too flirtatious, even if I was just joking. The alcohol was making me ballsy.
Josh: Kidding, of course. But was that your way of checking to make sure I’m coming back?
Carly: I can’t imagine you’d want to after getting a taste of freedom again.
That was the fucked-up thing. I did miss being at the house with Carly and Scottie—and the damn dog, too. That was starting to feel like home, while this—being out in a cold bar—felt foreign. This feeling of missing someplace was definitely new to me.
Josh: I’ll be back tomorrow.
Carly: Cool.
Josh: Then you can have your night out on the town. Although, just a warning, Woodsboro isn’t all that exciting.
Carly: Just being out will be exciting. I’ll text my new friend Lisa to confirm. It will probably be Saturday night.
Josh: Yeah. Whenever.
Carly: How is it being back in Chicago?
Josh: A little strange. But I’m enjoying my bed.
Carly: I bet!
Josh: How’s the dog?
Carly: Still here.
Josh: Damn, I was hoping he’d be gone by the time I came back. ;-)
Carly: You don’t mean that.
Josh: You’re right. I don’t. I’m getting used to having him around. Never thought I’d say that.
Carly: He misses you.
Josh: He misses my leg.
Carly: LOL
Josh: Only action I’m getting lately. So maybe I should just appreciate it.
The three dots moved around for an unusually long time.
Carly: No action out in Chicago? I’m surprised.
Josh: What do you think, I step off the plane and have a woman at the ready?
Carly: Maybe that’s how I imagined your life.
Josh: I’ve had my share of fun over the years. But it’s not as wild now as you imagine.
Carly: You did say things changed after Brad died. You lost interest or something?
My head spun a little. I’d already had one too many, but I typed the words anyway.
Josh: Everything changed after Brad died, Pumpkin. Everything.
Carly: I know.
Josh: I’ve also started to realize that the fun I always thought I was having was probably just my way of masking other issues. But that’s a discussion for another day.
Carly: You’re way more human than I thought, Mathers.
Josh: What was I before, a primate?
Josh: Wait… a pig? ;-)
Carly: No, LOL. But it’s nice to know there’s someone out there who understands what I’ve been going through.
My chest tightened.
Josh: This is too deep of a conversation to be having in the middle of a crowded bar. I’m also a little drunk, so I should probably stop texting before I start telling you secrets or some shit.
Carly: You’re not driving, are you?
Josh: No. Calling a ride.
Carly: Okay, good. Be careful.
Josh: Yes, Mom.
Carly: That’s a little disturbing, you know, after what you told me about my photo reminding you of her.
Shit.
Josh: I didn’t mean it like that.
Carly: Okay. ☺
Josh: Tell Scottie I said hi.
Carly: I will.
“You texting a woman?” my friend asked.
I flinched. “No. Why do you think that?”
“You were smiling. So I just assumed.”
I put my phone face down, a bit disappointed in myself. “I was?”
“Yeah.”
Jordan was my work buddy and closest friend in Chicago. I’d yet to tell him about Carly being in Woodsboro with me and our living situation. He thought I was taking care of Scottie on my own, which was the original plan.
“I was just checking in on things back in Woodsboro,” I said.
“I can’t believe you’re staying out there.”
I took a sip of my drink. “It’s not that bad.”
“Really? You were dreading going…”
“I was. But it’s been okay.”
“Who’s with the dude now while you’re here? His aunt?”
I didn’t want to get into it. “It’s a bit of a long story.”
He pushed. “I got time.”
“Brad’s fiancée is with him, actually. She’s been living with us and helping me.”
“Whoa.” His eyes practically bugged out of his head. “How did that happen?”
“We both had the same idea and both thought we were the right person for the job. We showed up around the same time and told the other to leave. Neither one of us budged. Then we both realized how difficult it was and decided to stay and help each other.”
Jordan was still processing. “Wait…you’ve been living with her?”
“Yes.” I took another sip of my drink.
“This is the girl you never liked, right?”