Cut the Deck (Lesbian Story)

Little B*tch

Sunlight burns across my face. Something heavy's on my chest. Blonde hair spills into my vision, and for a second, I wonder if I even bothered to get her name last night.

I slide out from under her without a sound. No kiss, no "good morning." She's breathing, that's enough. My clothes are scattered like a crime scene — I pull them on, find my phone, and thank God I'm not in my own place. I don't care to see her face; the mission is to get out, not make memories.

Five missed calls. Better be worth it.

"What," I bark when the line picks up.

"Good morning to you too, Deck!"

"Melody? Oh — morning, beautiful," I smirk, even though I'm still lacing my boots. Melody used to toss me side gigs when I was breaking into modeling. We've done other things, sure, but business always came first.

"Hey, love, huge favor," she says, voice all hesitant like I'm about to hang up.

"What's up? And if it's sexual, you know I don't charge you."

She laughs. "Sadly, no. There's this shoot tomorrow. They need a couple more models for an up-and-coming designer. She's fourteen — so don't even start — but it's fifteen grand. You in?"

"Yeah. Sure."

"Great. Heads up — beginner makeup and hair team. And knowing you, you—"

"I'm not gonna lose it, Melody. As long as they don't touch my hair like that first disaster gig you set me up with."

She laughs, hangs up, and I scroll through the rest of the missed calls.

Ky: We have ducking brunch with mother! Hurry your ass up!
Ky: fucking

I laugh. Autocorrect's the only thing keeping that message PG.

⸻

By the time I get to brunch, my patience is already on fumes. I push food around my plate, stab a grape, and toss it in my mouth while Mom gushes about "backpacking across Europe." Like we haven't heard this speech fifty times.

She acts like France and Hungary are these secret worlds only she's discovered. Says "you have to go every summer," like that's the glue this family's missing.

Then — "So when can I meet this Jay girl?"

Ky chokes on her water. I smirk. Mom never liked any of her girlfriends. She called Greenly a whore before she even earned the title.

"That's not happening," Ky says.

Mom's eyes land on me. "And you? Where's your lucky girl or boy? Or is there an excuse ready for that too?"

I don't bother hiding the eye-roll. "Why do you care?"

Ky grins like she's about to ruin my day. "Actually, she does. Went on a date yesterday. Girl named Nyla." She even winks.

"Jesus, Ky — want to give her blood type while you're at it?" Little botch she is.

"Oooh, elaborate," Mom says, leaning forward like this is tea time.

"It didn't work out," I say flatly, drinking my coffee.

"More like you didn't behave yourself," Ky mutters.

Mom turns to me instantly. "What did you do?"

I glare. "You don't know shit, Ky. And Mom, why is it always my fault in your head?"

"Watch your mouth," Mom snaps. "And because it's not rocket science."

"No, rocket science is figuring out why you think you know me. You don't. And honestly, still trying to figure out what you're even doing here."

Chair scrapes. I stand. I'm done. I don't owe either of them a damn thing about my personal life.

⸻

Outside, my phone buzzes. Lip. I answer.

"You totally abandoned me last night," he says.

"You totally did the one thing I told you not to. Keep it up, you won't be seeing your kid again."

"I know, I know — but you ditched your date. I had to call a cab for her. Her phone was dead. Said you treated her like shit."

I laugh once, sharp. "You were drunk and high, Lip. How the hell were you 'helping' anyone?"

"Half a bottle, two crushers, bit of weed — that was my warmup. Point is, you were a complete bitch. You should apologize."

"What are you, her best friend now?"

"No. But we exchanged numbers. She likes you, Deck. Own up to your shit."

"Liked," I correct. "And I don't need to keep talking about this."

"Deck, don't you—"

I hang up before he finishes. Last thing I need today is another lecture about a date I didn't even want.