playboy | joshler ✓

- twenty two -

Once Josh returned from work, he was surprised to enter his apartment and already find Audrey there, watching TV.

"Hey," Josh said. "Aren't you supposed to be at work?"

"Tyler left early." She answered as she shoved a handful of popcorn into her mouth. "Said he wasn't feeling good, so I came home."

Josh tried to ignore the guilty feeling that coursed through him, and went to change into comfier clothes. He came back and sat down next to the girl.

"Audrey, you're a grown woman. Should you be watching this cartoon?" Josh raised an eyebrow as he motioned to The Amazing World of Gumball episode that was playing.

"I love this show, okay? This cat goes through, like, the worst problems ever. I bond with Gumball." Audrey replied. She tilted her head back and poured more popcorn into her mouth.

Josh stayed quiet for a little, watching the episode (which actually was quite entertaining and funny). Then he turned to Audrey and asked, "Why did you never tell me about Jenna?"

Audrey froze, bowl still up to her mouth and head still tilted back. She sat there for a second before slowly lowering the bowl and chewing her popcorn. She was glancing at Josh nervously, and taking her time with chewing the food. She swallowed, and remained quiet for just a little while. Then she sighed, and said, "I don't know."

Josh scowled. "You don't know?"

"Well, I do. It's hard to explain. I knew who Jenna was, Tyler talked about her all the time, but I never ever knew that they got married." Audrey explained. "Tyler doesn't strike me as the marrying type."

Josh sat back and crossed his arms over his chest. "So what did you think Jenna was to Tyler?"

"I don't know, some friend? Fuckbuddy?" Audrey shrugged. "Relationships are complicated with Tyler, man. I've worked for him for five years and I still don't understand half the things he does."

Josh sighed and rubbed his eyes with his knuckles. "He hasn't texted me, called me, or even tried to contact me in any way. It's like he's actually going to leave me alone this time. I unblocked his number and everything."

Audrey paused, gaze flickering between Josh and the TV, before pouring more popcorn into her mouth. "That's good, right?" The popcorn distorted her words. "I mean, you want him to leave you alone."

"No." Josh frowned. "Yes."

"Which is it, then?" Audrey rolled her eyes.

"I don't know. Yes?"

"You don't sound very sure of yourself, bud."

Josh groaned and stood up. "I don't know anymore."

Audrey said nothing, focused on her episode.

"What should I do?" Josh asked, rubbing the inside of his sleeve anxiously.

"I'd talk to him, if I were you." Audrey answered distractedly. "Seems like he actually cares."

Josh pondered her suggestion. His addled brain just made him confused, so he turned and went to his bedroom. He collapsed on his bed, and fell asleep.

+ + +

"Josh, I'm going out, okay?"

Josh grunted sleepily, eyes fluttering open. He was surprised to see Audrey wearing a peach pink dress, dressed fancy. "Where are you going?" He mumbled.

"Party," Audrey answered. "Somebody from Enterprises is leaving for a job somewhere else, and we're throwing her a party."

"Wait, you're going to Enterprises?" Josh looked up, interested.