Because (Seven Year Itch #4)(50)

“I don’t want to, but you keep making it so damn difficult.”

I’m not sure who used my name to talk to some random chick, but I will get to the bottom of it.

She’s beginning to calm down. Her hands have stopped shaking. I take one and bring it up to my lips. She watches but doesn’t pull away. I keep her hand until I can tell it’s making her uncomfortable. “Can we start over?”

She shrugs. “I don’t see how. It’s not like we can forget the past fourteen minutes.”

“If I need to turn around and knock on the door again I will.”

She snickers. “That’s not necessary.”

I start to pull away from the shoulder of the road. “I’m taking you with me to the store. I promise to behave.”

“You’re not giving me a choice are you?”

“Nope.”

“Fine.” She’s calmer. Maybe she’s given up trying to get away from me. Maybe she’s sick and tired of fighting about every little thing. Whatever has changed her mind I’m grateful for.

Nothing can prepare two newly separated people from the awkwardness they will experience when walking into an adult store. From the second I enter I know this isn’t going to end well.





Chapter 24




I’m carrying a basket around, prepared to fill it full of items for a party I don’t plan on attending. I wasn’t even invited, but after fighting with Brandon and seeing how much he seemed to feel confused, I’m forced to put our differences aside to prove we can get along. This isn’t just about letting go of the past and moving forward, it’s more about accepting the things neither of us can change and finding a way to coexist. We obviously love each other. That’s never been our problem. It’s everything else we can’t seem to figure out.

While trying to keep my composure, my mind is stuck on who I could have been talking to this whole time if it wasn’t Brandon. I’ve never seen him so adamant. It’s crippling me to see him upset, and I don’t know how I’m supposed to ever let go of the way I still care for him.

Brandon wastes no time once we enter the establishment. He starts grabbing huge dildos and tossing them into the small basket. I notice they have suction cups on the ends. “Please tell me you’re kidding?”

“What? You said I need favors. What chick doesn’t want a big dildo to take home?”

I laugh. It’s hysterical the way he’s able to say it without cracking a smile. “I think I’m the only one who needs one of them in my bedside table. Put them back. Just keep the blue one.”

“Does it remind you of me?” He asks, while doing what I request.

“No. It’s much bigger in size. I’ll let you know if there are any comparisons after I use it tonight.” I march past him as if I’m being serious. I have no intentions of buying this huge toy, but he doesn’t have to know it. Since we’ve already gotten into a heated argument I’m determined to put on a cheerful smile and let go of what is bothering me. For the time being I have Brandon’s attention. He wants to be with me, and I’m in no danger of falling victim to his charm in this type of store. Surrounded by sex objects, I find comfort in knowing it makes him completely uncomfortable.

He’s reading packages and shaking his head, while I find penis balloons, plates and cups with hairy bushes and even candy in the shape of sexual organs. I find Brandon in the clothing section. He’s holding up a package of a little G-string thong decorated like a tuxedo. “I’m thinking of wearing this to the wedding. What do you think?”

I cover my mouth to avoid cackling loudly. “You’re insane. I dare you.”

He pretends to consider it and swiftly hangs the item back in it’s designated place. Next he picks up a book titled, Being a Better Lover. He pretends to flip through the pages as if he’s speed reading. I jerk the book from his hands and place it back on the shelf. “We need to go if we’re going to make it home in time to get Ab off the bus.”

He nods and takes the basket from my hands, digging through to pull out the dildo I asked him to save for me. “You won’t be needing this,” he says.

“What? How would you know?”

“Because we’re friends now. Friends help friends. I’m just a call away.”

I shove him and walk to the register. I say nothing as he pays for the merchandise and carries the bags out to his Mustang. He tosses them in the trunk and rushes over the open the passenger door for me.

“You’ve got to be kidding, Bran. Do you seriously think I’d consider having sex with you?”

“Why not? It’s one thing we always did right. I’d rather you be with me than anyone else.”

“We’re not having this discussion.”

“Fine. The offer still stands though. I’m available twenty-four-seven.”

Just when he says it I get a notification on my text app that I’ve received a message. I quickly go to it knowing it couldn’t be from Brandon. I’ve been with him this whole time.

I’ve been thinking about you. How are you?

“Bran, you’re not going to believe this. I just got a message from you.”

“I told you it wasn’t me.”

Now I feel like an *. “How was I supposed to know?”