Chapter 7
713 Words
Gina
I got back to my apartment after girls’ night at the House of Blues. What a strange night. Did I feel a twinge of sympathy for Zander? Maybe a little. But honestly, maybe he deserved what happened tonight.
Guys like him cared too much about appearances. That’s why he was with the model type. He looked like a model himself, so I guess it made sense. But just once, I wished guys like him could see past the injected lips and fake eyelashes.
Lilo came running up as I walked toward my bedroom.
“Hey girl! Were you sleeping? Some watch dog you are!” I laughed, stooping to pet her.
I picked her up. My miniature pug weighed barely ten pounds, but when I felt upset, cuddling her always helped.
My phone pinged. Probably one of the girls texting that they’d gotten home safely. We always checked in after girls’ night.
Carrying Lilo, I went to the living room to check my phone. But it wasn’t a text—it was an i********: notification. Zander requested to follow me.
Okay… this guy really doesn’t know when to quit. I decided to ignore it.
After sending a group text that I’d made it home safely, I put Lilo down and decided on a long, hot shower. Time to forget about tonight… and Zander.
⸻
Zane
I shouldn’t have sent that i********: request to Gina. But curiosity got the better of me—her profile was private. No surprise when an hour went by without a response.
I was beginning to think Gina preferred privacy. That was… refreshing. Girls like Natalie loved showing off, but Gina? She seemed different.
Then my phone buzzed again—Natalie.
N: Why aren’t you answering my texts? I know you’ve seen them.
Z: I’d rather not do this over text.
Immediately after sending it, my phone rang. Sighing, I answered.
“Natalie, go to bed. We can talk tomorrow. I’m not in the mood tonight,” I said.
“Oh, since when are you not in the mood for me, Zane? It’s that girl tonight at the restaurant, isn’t it?” she huffed.
“No. We’ll talk tomorrow,” I replied calmly.
“Don’t f*****g lie to me! You don’t go to the House of Blues just to drink alone. You’re with her! You’re f*****g that b***h!” Natalie screamed.
“No, I’m not. And if I were… it’s no different than you sleeping with guys all over the world,” I said evenly.
Great. Just what I didn’t want. A huge fight.
“You know those were little flings! It’s not like you travel with me. You’re always busy with business! What am I supposed to do, Zane?” she yelled.
“You know how messed up that sounds? For someone who’s supposed to be my girlfriend… don’t you know you don’t sleep with other people? Natalie, this relationship was fun at one point, but now it’s run its course. We’re done. Since you’ve already slept with others, feel free to do it openly. You’re no longer my girlfriend,” I growled.
“You selfish bastard! It’s always about you! Not once have you considered my feelings. If I try to satisfy myself, it’s because you won’t. If you just stopped for one minute and considered someone else, we wouldn’t be having this conversation!” she screamed.
“Fine. I’m the bastard. For the record, I never cheated on you. Funny how you can’t say the same,” I snapped.
“You’re such an asshole! Yes, you’re amazing in bed and rich and handsome—but still an asshole!” she barked.
I sighed. I’d had enough. She was so wrapped up in herself she couldn’t see the problem.
“Have a good life, Natalie. Goodbye.” I ended the call without waiting for her reply.
Should I feel upset? Surprisingly… no. If anything, I felt relief. That told me all I needed to know about how little I cared for her.
I opened f*******: and looked at Gina’s profile photo. Maybe it was time to stop with models like Natalie—beautiful outside, hollow inside.
Maybe it was time to pay attention to women like Gina: natural beauty on the outside… and inside as well.
- Writer
