Free Man Up Party Boy by Danielle Sibarium Page A

week."
    "Fuck you, Noah. You're such a fucking asshole."
    "Hey," I take hold of her hands again. "I got this. You go get cleaned up, and we'll go out to dinner."
    "I don't need your pity. And no, we won't go out to dinner. I'm going out with Drake tonight."
    "Drake?" His name is like a cattle prod in my eye.
    "You never showed up today, so when he asked I said yes."
    "I'm here now, so you can call him and tell him you changed your mind."
    "You don't tell me what to do, party boy."
    "Too bad, because right now, I'm telling you."
    There's no way I'm going to let her go out with that prick. I know what he's after, and he's not going to get it. Not from Lexi. I lift my hand and try to shake off the creamy substance I got all over me.
    "I think we should talk before you go out with Drake." Or anyone else.
    "We have nothing to talk about."
    "We have a lot to talk about. You can start by telling me what I did to hurt you."
    This seems to have gotten her attention. She stops what she's doing and looks at me. Her lips are pressed into a thin line as she shakes her head. "I keep telling you, you were never that important."
    She's lying. She shut down completely. We're right back to where we were the other night. I know it's a scumbag move, but I need to make sure she doesn't leave this house with the ass-hat. I reach for her hair with my gloppy hand, and push it back behind her ear, getting the creamy substance in it.
    "Maybe you don't have anything to say, but I have a lot I want you to hear."
    "No deal." She runs her hand through her hair and right into the wet spot full of the creamy dressing I placed there. "Fuck!"
    I do my best to keep a straight face while we finish cleaning in silence. I can't look at her, because I think I'm going to laugh in her face. Once she's done, she goes upstairs to get changed.
    "You're a prick, Noah," I hear before the shower starts. 
    It's the perfect time for me to jump in the shower, too. I make mine super-fast, and  finish before she does. I know because I haven't heard her scream yet. I'm not fully dressed when I hear the doorbell ring. That's good. I can make it work to my advantage. Instead of putting my shirt on, I toss it back on the bed.
    Before heading downstairs to open the door, I unbutton my jean shorts, and pull the zipper down just a bit. Next, I use my hands to mess up my hair. I answer the door, and there he is, captain douche-nozzle.
    "I'm here for Lexi," he says, raising an eyebrow as he takes in my appearance.
    "Yeah, Lexi," I say running my hand through my hair. "Sorry, we sort of lost track of time. I guess if you want to wait, I can tell her to go get cleaned up."
    "She's not ready? Fine. I'll wait inside."
    He moves to take a step in the house, but I place my hand on his chest and shake my head. "Maybe you should wait out there. At least until she leaves my bedroom. I don't think she'd feel comfortable . . ."
    "So you are fucking her?"
    I shrug. Technically it's not a lie. I'm not saying yes or no. And if visualization counts, boy am I fucking her.
    "I've been with some pretty screwed up girls before, but you two bring it to a new level."
    "NOAH!" She screams.
    "Give us about five more minutes to finish up, then I'll come back and let you in."
    "No fucking way. Tell Lexi it was nice knowing her."
    "Sorry it didn't work out, Drake." I pat his shoulder.
    "Noah, get your ass in here, now!"
    "Would love to stay and chat, but I need to go finish what I started."
    I shut the door, and I know he's done with her. His ego just took a hit, and he doesn't strike me as the type of guy that knows how to get past that. Besides, he's got the girl at the concession stand, and I spotted at least a dozen more watching him on the beach yesterday. I have little doubt he was going to be done with Lexi after tonight no matter what.
    "I hate you, Noah. Do you know that? I fucking hate you!" The secret's out. She knows I rigged her hair dryer. "You're childish and immature . . ."
    I lean against the