Flip (Next Level Book 2)

After the hot stone massage, that literally made me fall asleep and drool, I met Ara in the tranquility room so we can wait together for our next treatments. “What do you get next?”

“A facial. You?”

“I think a sea salt scrub.”

“Ohhhh I have full body wrap experience at the end of the day. I was between that and the salt scrub. Let me know what you think, maybe I’ll get that next time.”

Next time. Because for Ara, she’ll be spoiled—as she should be—by Glitch for the rest of her life. There won’t be a next time for me, and honestly, I’m totally okay with that. This place is lovely, but I’m a little out of my element here.

“Sit!” Ara pats the lounge chair next to hers. “Relax and let the aromatherapy soothe your chi.”

We both laugh and I lay back, groaning. “I think my bones have turned to rubber.”

“Mmm. Heavy rubber.”

“Heavy, warm rubber.”

We laugh again, and I reach over to squeeze her hand. “I’m so happy for you two. It’s going to be fun having a sister.”

Ara looks at me, her freshly re-dyed, bright pink and purple hair make her look like a polished gem. “I’m happy to have a sister too. Now how do we get a ring on your finger?”

Her question freezes the air in my lungs.

“Come on, Erin. You and Trey aren’t fooling anyone.”

Oh fuck. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Mmm hmm.” Ara winks at me. “Sure, you don’t.”

Unable to help it, I crack a smile. I blame the massage, and aromatherapy oils pumping out of the diffusers for my lack of chill.

“Glitch knows,” she says. “He confronted Trey already.”

My heart lurches up my throat. “What?”

“You guys have been hooking up for a couple years?”

Oh. My. God.

“Girrrlll, I can’t believe you’ve gone this slow with a guy like that. Trey is…” Ara makes a chef’s kiss gesture and I’m reeling. “I’m shocked he’s still single, honestly.”

My hands curl into fists. I don’t want to talk about this. Then again, I need to talk about this. Whatever Trey and I have weighs heavily on my chest and only lifts when we’re pleasuring each other, and I don’t like it. I hate how I feel when he leaves. And I despise being a grown ass woman who’s been sneaking around like a teenager. “He’s… pretty great.”

“Pretty great?” Ara mocks. “No, he’s amazing. I knew the instant we met that he was one of the good ones.”

“Same.” And that’s the problem. Trey’s easy and comfortable and fun and sweet. Why couldn’t he be an asshole? “I wish things were different.”

“How so?”

“I don’t know.” Wiggling my toes, I try to pinpoint what the problem is and fail. “He’s bossy.”

“And?”

“And isn’t that enough?”

“Is he bossy or is he encouraging in a take charge way?”

What kind of question is that? “I’m not sure.”

“Does it feel good when he’s bossy?”

Yes. “I’m not sure.”

“Well, you’ll figure it out with some more time. For me, I love being submissive. It gives my anxiety and stress a chill out because I don’t have to make any decisions. Yet I’m still in charge.”

My palms feel sweaty. Is that what I am? A submissive? Look, I’m an avid reader of romance, and I love a dominant alphahole on the page, but Trey’s not that. And being in certain situations with him, I don’t feel like the one being dominated, even though I guess I am. It just feels different.

Or maybe I have no clue how it’s supposed to feel because books aren’t always the same as real life.

“He keeps trying to take care of me.” I start playing with the tie to my robe.

“Is that okay with you?”

“I love it and hate it. It’s nice but feels… off.”

“You’ve been the one in charge for a really long time, Erin. Single moms do not have an easy life. My mom sure didn’t while she raised me. Her head never turned off. Her stress never wavered. She was always juggling a million things, plus working her ass off to pay the bills, and still trying to be present in my life, so we had a good relationship. She never had room for being even a little bit selfish. Sometimes I’d try to make her life easier for her and she’d get all upset because even though she appreciated it, she’d say it wasn’t my place to care for her. She’s the mom, it’s her responsibility.”

“I feel very seen right now, Ara.”

“Well good. Because I do see you, Erin. So does Glitch. And Trey. If he wants to step up and make your life better, let him. See where it goes.”

“And if it goes south?”

“Honey, the only thing going south will be his mouth… and his dick.”

“Oh my god!” I burst out laughing.

“Where’s the lie?”

I can’t with her.

A woman stands at the doorway of the room and quietly announces, “Erin, your salt scrub is ready.”

That’s my cue to get out of here before I start over sharing.

Even if I haven’t really said much to Ara, it’s feels like a tremendous weight’s been lifted off my chest. Glitch knows. Ara’s approved. And even though I haven’t spoken to Trey since I left the house—and kicked him out of my bedroom—I’m more determined than ever to make up my mind and see how far we can go with each other.

Just as I get to the doorway to leave, I look back and flash an evil grin. “He has a Jacob’s ladder.”

Ara’s eyes widen like saucers. “Holy SHIT!”

Her squeals of excitement make me laugh, and I’m feeling giddier by the second as I leave the room for my next spa treatment. Pulling my phone out of my robe pocket, I send Trey a text message.

Erin: Did he murder you?

Trey’s text comes back silently just as I disrobe.

Trey: Not yet.

I guess that’s good.

Trey: How is the spa?

Erin: Lovely. Thank you for the gc. I should have used it sooner. My bones are rubber.

Trey: Good to know. I bet you’re more bendy now.

Erin: You wish.

“Ma’am?”

I’m startled by the woman waiting patiently for me to disrobe and hop onto the table. “Oh. Sorry!” I shove the phone in my pocket and get ready to be pampered some more.

Only suddenly, I have no interest in staying here for the rest of my “spa experience” and wish I could hurry it all up to get home to Trey. Does that make me desperate?

Maybe I need to take my time here so I can figure out what I’m doing with my life… and with Trey.