On My Ex's Brother's Bed

y's

to the pocket to check for the room key he said he'd misplaced. Instead, my

fr

firm, I stared at the bright pink

n the rug. My heart

away like it hadn't happened and ste

room door as he hummed to himself, completely unaware. The sound of wate

waist. He kissed my neck and called me his baby, telling me

in cr

n. The one who used to help me carry my item, t

someone worth protecting. Made me feel love

t was disgust. The image of that vibrator flashed through my mind

I hes

here by mistake. Maybe it was part of a joke f

was even trying

ate with John until I knew for sure. I could

eady," I s

waited... I thought to

hausting," I said, forcing a small smile

flickering across his features. Then he nodded and

light and got in

to breathe through the tangled mess of

move. I kept my eyes closed, my brea

t him

nd slipped out of bed as quietly as possible. I heard the soft creak of the floor a

ned m

art p

my thin nightdress, I just grabbed a coat, slipped on some flats, a

he lobby was quiet, almost eerily so, and I moved past

take long

edge of the lot, John was unlocking

was i

nd John's mutual friend. She had smiled at me earlier that evening, hugg

as John climbed into t

as something I

oftly, wrapping her arms around his neck, pulling him clo

e. I witnessed them m

ike I had left my body as i wat

simple and clear: I

free person. I had always been fearless, driven. E

t, somethi

, I realized the truth, I c

ifeline was in

t life around him that cutting

p I hadn't s

d anger, I turned

No one saw me leave again. I didn't

ise. I needed to feel som

was loud, dim, and blessedly anonymous. The scent of liquo

ething strong. Then another. I

my glass when someone slid

urn

as A

lder hal

ce, shoulders broad, arms inked and ton

his eyes had the kind of sharp glint that made

dictable. A former hockey star turned headline-maker

an eyebrow. "Could ask

n't a

ordered two drinks. When they

sions," he s

n't s

glass anyway a

Then he leaned in slightly and

ught the light-for just a

. Not bro

it wa

re if I wa