BEAUTIFUL MESS [Book 2] | MIKHAIAH

5

Due to our chaotic schedules, it took another three weeks before we could take up Jed's offer of drinks and some karaoke. I was mashing my bottom lip between my teeth as I read and re-read Sam's latest text while Amaia filled the airwaves with huffing. I ignored her. I wasn't going to give her the pleasure of talking herself out of coming to Jed's with me.

Sam: Really looking fwd 2 seeing u 2nite. Want 2 go together? Xx

He'd taken to adding X's at the end of his texts a few days ago.

My thumb hovered over the undersized keyboard as I laid back on the sofa with my feet hanging over the arm rest at the other end wiggling about in anxiety.

I felt guilty. I really needed to tell Sam I was already in a relationship, but I had become a little used to all the attention.

Most of his texts were funny, normal, everyday texts between friends. If I compared it to my conversation list with Elle, it would almost look identical. I scrunched up my mouth and drafted a text to Elle.

M: Help. How do I let him down gently?

As I waited for her response, I stretched and peered around the back of the sofa into the bedroom. Amaia had just slammed something shut but I couldn't see her. With a heavy sigh, I closed the textbook I had been reading before Sam's text chimed, and heaved myself upright to investigate. She was sitting on the bed in her underwear. I admit I peeked at all her lovely bits.

"Problems?"

"Go away," she snapped.

I cast my eyes around the room to see a few outfits sticking out of cupboards or tossed over the back of a chair. "Having wardrobe issues?"

"No."

The fact she was almost naked suggested otherwise. I raised an eyebrow at her. She didn't appreciate me copying one of her trademark expressions and narrowed her eyes at me. I walked to the cupboard and pulled out a skimpy top and some leather pants I'd noticed she owned.

"Wear that." I tossed it at her, earning a growl.

"I don't want to go."

"I can tell."

"Then why are you forcing me to?"

"Forcing you? I'm doing no such thing. If you want to stay here and stick your nose in a book like you do every other day of the year, fine, have at it, but I'm going out with our friends to unwind for a couple of hours. I had hoped my girlfriend would come with me, but apparently, she's too precious to wear denim."

"They are not my friends, and that's not denim. It's some leather rip-off."

My phone chimed in the other room. "Get dressed," I said, marching back to the living room.

Elle had replied: Don't think gentle is possible. He's going to hurt anyway.

She had a valid and experienced point. Finding out your feelings weren't reciprocated is heartbreaking. I sent Elle back a sad face and sighed.

I drafted a text to Sam: Catching a cab in five. See you there tho 😊😊

I didn't add X's.

"Aiah, time to roll," I called out as I retrieved my bargain-basement six-pack from the fridge. It tasted like vinegar, but it did the job.

"This is ridiculous. I have a paper to work on." Amaia walked from the room sulking and stole my breath away. She'd put on the clothes I'd thrown at her, and damn, what those leather pants did to her legs.