Enlightened (Red Flags) Read Online Free

heartbroken and missing you and the fact that you won't return his text or calls is killing him."
    I looked at Mila's sympathetic eyes, but couldn't allow myself to feel the same amount of longing that she was feeling.  She was not the one who had her heart ripped to shreds in one of the most embarrassing situations known to man.
    "Look.  I understand he's hurting, but he brought it on himself.  Does he know how much I'm hurting?  How he could have spared me from that?  That's where the focus should be."  My anger was starting to resurface and my retort came across as snippy and bitchy, which was completely unintentional, but I wasn't going to sit up and listen to the Jason pity party when I was hurting just as badly. Probably worse. 
    Chelsea chewed on her salad and smiled.  "There you are, tiger.  I was wondering when it was going to come out."  She laughed 
    "Shut up, Chels," I said, trying hard to stifle the laugh desperately trying to creep out of me. "Besides, there are too many fish in the sea."
    "Like Chase?" Chelsea blurted out, her eyebrows raising in a faux seductive manner.
    "Ok, now I have to call a fuck no," Mila chimed in, throwing her hands up in an overly dramatic fashion.  "You're not dating him, are you?"
    I couldn't do anything, but laugh.  These two, who were quite content and happy in their relationships with Hunter and Ryan, were trying ridiculously hard to get me to join their party.  The only problem was, I didn't want what either of them was offering.
    "No, I am not dating Chase.  He's a friend, a good friend." 
    "Thank God.  The thought of having Chase for a brother in law would be like falling face first into concrete," Mila said, her face scrunched and full of disgust.
    "Brother in law?  Something you aren't telling us Mila?" Chelsea asked, her eyes wide, and I immediately reciprocated.
    "Noooo…" Mila crooned, and laughed wildly. "But I see us headed in that direction-- and I'm thinking long term.  I don't want to have to spend all of my beautiful holidays with Chase."
    I shook my head at her and Chelsea followed suit.  Mila was still going strong with Ryan and Chelsea and Hunter were still the epitome of opposites attracting.  A little over a week ago, I thought I was happy like the two of them were.  Unfortunately, because I was stupidly dating the world's biggest asshole, I was now alone and heartbroken.
    "Well, Mila, I am not dating Chase, but it's nice to just have a normal guy to hang out with.  I'm not flooded with secrets and jealousy."
    Chelsea nodded her head in an obvious show of approval.  Our light and friendly lunch conversation had turned into a Jason fest, which normally would have made me lose my appetite, but instead, it fueled my hunger. I chomped on my salad, finishing it in record time.
    "We better hurry up.  Hunter is coming to the condo to pick me up for a dinner date, and I need to get ready," Chelsea said, trying to change the subject and hurry us along.
    "Yeah, Chase is coming over to see the condo, so we need to get going," I added, then sipped the last of my lemon water.
    "Ugh," Mila groaned, but didn't add anything further.
    I took the opportunity to set my newfound boundaries.  I didn't want to stay on the path of Cara the doormat.  With a fresh outlook on my life, I figured putting my friends in their respective places was something that had to be done.
    "Look, I love you both, but I don't need either of you telling me who I should or shouldn't be with.  It's hard enough with the millions of thoughts swirling around in my head, but when you guys toss your two cents into the ring, it makes things worse--" Chelsea was ready to jump in, but I held up my finger to silence her, "Jason, Chase, or dream man down the line-- I am going to have to figure things out for myself ."
    "We're just looking out for you," Chelsea hurriedly said.
    "I know.  But trust me, experience is the best teacher."
    "So hooking you up is off limits?" Mila asked with a