Flesh: Part Seven (The Flesh Series Book 7) Read Online Free

she turns to me. "Please don't make me guess, Amy. I have a
splitting headache." She draws her hand up to her temple.
    "You're totally
not going to believe it." I watch her walk around the side of
the sofa to sit next to me.
    She drops down
heavily, looking exhausted. "Out with it."
    "Derrick kissed
me." My energy renews as I tell her the spicy tidbit.
    She knits her brow
in confusion. "Queer Eye Derrick?"
    "Don't call him
that." I smack her side.
    "Oh God, have
you been drinking?" She stands up and moves several feet away as
if the smell of my breath might make her wretch.
    "Mhm." I
nod with a grin.
    We're like polar
opposites from last night. Now she's sober, and I'm the drunk one. At
least, she's not going to have to hold back my hair while I throw up
into the toilet in my underwear.
    "You do realize
that Derrick is gay, right?" She puts a hand on her hip.
    "I thought he
was, but he says I'm an exception to the rule." I sink back
against the sofa, thinking about all the sweet things Derrick said to
me.
    "Was he
drinking?"
    "Yeah. We both
were."
    "Then I
wouldn't think anything of it." She gestures at me
absentmindedly.
    I sulk a bit though
I don't know why. I really shouldn't want Derrick to have romantic
feelings for me. "Maybe you're right. I mean, I thought it was
just the alcohol at first too, but then he started saying all of
these things to me."
    "How much did
you guys drink?" She shifts her weight.
    "Two bottles of
wine."
    "And he's a
lightweight." Janice cocks her head to the side. "Definitely,
don't think anything of it. He always gets super affectionate when
he's drunk."
    "It wasn't like
that though," I say weakly. I've been around Derrick when he was
drunk enough times to know that this is something entirely different.
    "I'm going to
bed." She yawns dramatically. "You should too."
    "What should I
say to Derrick when I see him next?" I ask as she starts walking
away.
    She pauses, looking
back at me over her shoulder. "I'd just pretend it never
happened. He probably won't remember. And if he does, it will be less
embarrassing and awkward for the both of you if you don't say
anything."

    ***

    The fact that
Derrick doesn't even text me the next day is a pretty good sign that
his love confession was a drunken fluke. Still, I can't help but
dwell on it. This is the first time in my entire life that two guys
have liked me at the same time, even if it was only temporary. It's
exciting, even if one of them is gay...and the other is a hoebag.
Putting it that way, maybe it isn't so exciting after all.
    I decide to spend
the day shopping since I don't have a hangover, and I know that the
stores are all going to be having sales today. They always do on
Labor Day. By the time I'm done, I walk away with two new outfits and
a cute pair of pink pumps. All the shopping in the world can't make
me feel better though.
    It seems like life
this past week has been nothing but a stressfest. Part of me is still
pining over Lucian, but I know I'm chasing a phantom. He's not
interested in me in the way I want him, and he never will be. The
other part of me is worried about what happens if Derrick remembers
the things that he said. Even worse, if he meant them.
    It feels odd that
I've spent all this time thinking about how perfect Derrick would be
if he was straight, but now that I'm presented with a potential
opportunity to be with him, I'm so uncertain. Flaws I've never seen
in him before began creeping up almost the second that he confessed
his feelings. He's more like a brother to me than boyfriend
material—friend zoned, and I didn't even realize it. The
thought that I have to face both of them tomorrow makes me sick to my
stomach.
    Time won't stop just
for me though. I spend my afternoon in contemplation and my night in
restless sleep. Night turns to day, and I have to get up and face my
demons head on—both of them.
    When I walk into the
office in the morning, I try to act casual. I barely glance over at
Derrick before I sit down