Red Roses & Red Flags [ONC 2023]

Chapter 10

 Once I got home, I started sobbing. Why did I feel so dumb for pushing Wilder off me? Was I overreacting? Should I have loosened up and trusted him? How could I? I barely knew him, and red flag number seventeen was one of the toxic traits that terrified me. It brought so many conflicting feelings every time I looked at the red roses in the vase.

Cammie was at Roy's, so I did not want to call her crying about his brother. I did not want anyone to know what happened, but I made an exception for my best friend. We shared every bit of our lives.

I had my couch pillow clutched to my chest as my two cats lounged on the cushions beside me. My throat was dry from sobs, and I am sure I looked like a mess. Showering when I got home allowed me to scrub the feeling of Wilder off my skin. My wet hair was tied on top of my head, and I had changed into pajamas.

My phone vibrated, and I looked at the screen to see Cammie's name flash across it. I grabbed my cell and put it on speakerphone.

"What's up, girl?" she asked.

I cleared my throat because I did not want my voice to crack. Part of me was embarrassed to be so upset about what had happened.

"I think things are over between Wilder and me," I said.

"What happened?" she asked.

I let out a shaky breath.

Do not cry, I told myself. Keep it together.

"I may or may not have kneed him in the dick," I said.

Cammie laughed. "Why would you do that?"

I explained what happened once I got to Wilder's apartment in detail. Cammie clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth, and I imagined her shaking her head.

"Oh, Harley," she said. "That is terrible."

"I wanted it to go so well," I said. "I feel like an idiot."

"I told you I wasn't Team Wilder," she said. "After that forced blowjob, I don't think he is good news. You need a guy that is a walking green flag."

"Green flags are so boring. Toxic men are always spicy."

"And then you get into situations like this."

I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose. Pushing away the tears, I focused on my breathing. My chest ached when I recalled Wilder's words.

I thought you were cool.

Maybe I was acting like a stuck-up prude?

"I should have just relaxed and gone with it," I said.

"No," Cammie said. "You are not going to start victim blaming. You did nothing wrong."

"You sure?"

"One hundred percent positive."

I smiled and leaned back on the couch. We transitioned the topic to the lighter conversation of our upcoming week. The thought of Wilder almost disappeared from my mind.

–

My eyes were heavy as I flopped onto the bed. I plugged my phone into the charger when it began to ring. Furrowing my brows, I looked at the screen to see Wilder's name. It was just past midnight. Why was he calling me?

I predicted he would complain about tonight's events, so I declined the call. Flicking off the lights, I curled on my side in bed. The screen flashed, lighting up the room.

Did he leave me a voicemail?

Curiosity got the better of me, and I looked at the screen to see that it was a text instead.