A Betting Man

Chapter Seven

Adelaide's Point of View

The next day, work is slow-going. Time seems to creep by. I entertain myself by thinking of ways to mess with Justin and checking my phone obsessively for a text from him.

He doesn't text, much to my disappointment, but I imagine being CEO of a company must be time-consuming. I'm sure he doesn't have time to sit around flirting via text all day.

But later in the afternoon I get a message from an unknown number.

Go really far with him and at the last second tell him you're on the rag – Cayden.

What?? Is this guy serious? Did Fey give him my number?

I reply: What if he doesn't mind that? Then what would I do? - Addie

All guys mind that. - Cayden

I want to argue with him, but seeing as how I don't actually know if guys mind it or not, I feel like I'm out of my element and leave it alone.

I didn't take any pain pills while at work because they make me incredibly drowsy and incoherent. I spent the majority of the day lightly using my hand; my only relief from the pain was a few Aleve. By the time I get home, my wrist is in full-throb mode and killing me.

Last night I only took one Percocet. Today, I pop two.

I decide that tonight I'll order takeout and watch season four of Lost. The DVD is still sitting unopened in my entertainment stand. I pop the first disc in before ordering, anxious to get started. Anxious to see a little more of Sawyer. Sigh...

I can feel my eyelids getting heavy as time passes. I feel light, like I'm floating on a cloud. I feel strangely giddy...

My phone rings. I nearly fall off the couch trying to retrieve it from the table.

"Hello?" I gush, all breathless from the exertion.

"Addie? You okay?"

It's Justin! My giddy subconscious does a little happy dance. And why am I so happy to hear from him?

"I'm fine. Sorry. How was your day?"

"Busy, but good. How was yours?"

"Slow and boring."

"What are you doing now?"

"Watching Lost."

"Is that what has you all hot and breathless?"

Hehe...Justin said "hot."

"Maybe."

"You know Hurley dreamed up the whole island, right? It's all a dream."

"Justin!" I admonish with a giggle. "I know for a fact that isn't true. I'm already on season four and I've seen that episode. But you still lose cool points for trying to ruin it for me."

He laughs. "I'll earn them back. Don't worry. Is your day better now that you're watching Lost?"

"Yeah, I guess so. What are you doing tonight?"

"I have another meeting. I just wanted to hear your beautiful voice before I go."

"You're quite the charmer, Mr. Bieber."

"Can I call you around this time tomorrow? Or do you have plans?"

"No, no plans. You can call." I'm already looking forward to it...though maybe I should have said I have plans so I don't seem so pathetic. Damn it, I'm never thinking! But I guess it doesn't matter what he thinks. If I take Cayden's suggestions, I'll soon be a dirty slob with a smelly cat who's on the rag.