I Hate You

10. "we're not friends"

"You're an idiot." I say playfully as Brandon and I walk.

"That's rude, considering I almost pulled it off." He jokes back.

"Well, it's true. Did you really think she would say yes?" I chuckle. "It was worth a shot." He says as we both walk into the lounge laughing. Max was already waiting for me on the couch and she cast us a really surprised look when she saw us walk in together. I don't blame her considering the other day I was telling her about how much I'd love to strangle him.

"No way." She squeals. "—Now this is truly a sight to see. You too have finally made up," she announces proudly. I let out a chuckle as I sat next to her. "Can you believe this guy?" I begin to explain the wild story Brandon was just telling me about. "He actually tried to seduce a girl by pretending to have to use her bathroom on the first date and then stripping down completely naked."

"I read somewhere that it works 2/3 times." he defended himself. Max and I laugh, though she still remains shocked by the sight of us talking without ripping each other's throats out. "Well are you gonna sit down, Mr. Naked Man?" Max teased. "No, actually I have to go do something, but I'll catch you guys later." He says before finally making his exit.

"Yay," Max was so giddy. "What?" I took a big bite out of my sandwich. "You guys are getting along, that's what!" Nothing could hide the huge grin on her face. "I'm glad you're finally gonna get some!" she says causing me to choke on my BLT.

"Woah Woah Woah," I say. "Don't get any crazy ideas, Max. I'm not gonna do anything with him".

"Why not?" She whines. "He's gorgeous, Jess." She crosses her legs on the sofa we were sitting on. "Tell me you haven't noticed his biceps, or how tall he is? Seriously, I would be all over that," she giggles. "You need to relax, you are engaged." I can't help but laugh over how she describes him. I don't know what it is but somehow he's more bearable today. I've actually given his advice some thought and though I wish he wasn't, he's right. I often find it hard to let go and I guess some would say I'm a bit of a stick in the mud. So I'm trying today, to let go. It seems to be going rather well.

Back to the topic at hand, surely I've noticed his attractiveness, I noticed from the first day he walked in. But there's no way I was gonna fall for his games. He came straight out of the douchebag factory.

"First of all, we're not friends. We're just getting along better than we used to". I feel the need to clarify.

"Mmhm," she hums sarcastically. "And what brought upon this change of heart?"

"He actually stopped acting like an asshole for a few minutes, and I realized I may have wrote him off too quickly." A cloud of thoughts begins to rain in my head. "Second of all, I know who he is. He's not a relationship guy, he uses girls to get what he wants."

"Listen to me, Jess. I don't think he's as bad as you make him out to be. There's no harm in having a little fun. So you sleep with him. What's the worst that could happen? Seriously how long has it been now? 2 years? I think it's time to get over him."

"It's—It's not that simple," I say. "Plus he's extremely annoying, I would never."

//

I thought a lot about what Max said at lunch. She did have a good point but at the same time it was all very complicated. And I know one thing for sure; I am his boss, I could never have an intimate relationship with him even if I wanted to.

I walked into my empty spacious apartment. Everything was just the way I left it; neat and tidy. I live alone and I love it. There's a place for everything and everything is always in it's place. It does get a little lonely at times I will admit, but that's when I invite my best friend over. I'm truly grateful that she lives only 2 blocks away from me.

I place my keys on the kitchen counter and pour myself a magnificent glass of my favourite red wine. Just as I settle on to my couch I am bombarded with several texts from Max.

Max
hop on dat Brandon express! Choo choo!

Jess
haha you are very funny :)

Max
i saw how he was checking you out after work

Jess
no he wasn't

Max
he was, Jess

Jess
goodnight Max

Her texts always put a smile on my face. Even if they were about Brandon. I still don't get why she is so obsessed with trying to set us up. It's never going to happen. Suddenly my phone dings again, however, I'm not as happy when I see the name pop up on my screen.

Brandon (from work)
what are you wearing rn? ;)

Jess(ica)
Brandon, I gave you this number for work, only

Brandon (from work)
this is work...

Jess(ica)
how is this work??

Brandon (from work)
i'm doing research ;)

Jess(ica)
please stop texting me

Seriously the nerve on this kid. Somehow I couldn't help but laugh, maybe it was the wine. At this point, I had almost gotten used to his sexual remarks. They really didn't phase me, because I knew my place. I just had to make sure he knew his.