Read Stolen on Inkitt.

Chapter 3

“How was Mr. Mocha latte?”

“Bethany,” I groaned.

Yes, she always found a way to compare the men I slept with to a beverage of some sort. And every time it made me cringe. Nothing was worse than Mr. Sidecar. But that had nothing to do with his appearance and more to do with where we did what we did. Which, admittedly, wasn’t much.

I had a feeling her chosen drink this time had less to do with the color of his skin and more to do with his voice. The rich, creaminess of his baritone sent shivers done my spine. What could I say, I was a sucker for a good, deep timber.

“I meant no offense. You know me, beauty is beauty, no color, no race. Only truth,” she added over the phone.

“Beauty is truth, truth beauty, — that is all.” I recited.

“What?” She huffed into the phone.

“Keats,” I grumbled knowing the Grecian Urn reference would be lost on her.

From the sounds of it, she was in the middle of a workout. The stationary bike was her latest obsession. The one with the screen that connected her with a live instructor that Bethany thought was hot. I thought the whole thing was a bit creepy. It wasn’t as if she needed to exercise. She only started just over a year ago. The girl’s body was magical no matter what she did. Legs that led to envious curves topped with luscious blond waves, Personally, I think she just liked the routine of it. Maybe I could convince her to add reading poetry to her routine.

While it was true that we were what she liked to refer to as equal opportunity seductresses, we both had our preferences. But beauty was beauty, no set standards; that would be too limiting. And the man from last night was beautiful. But the memory of Baylor that assaulted me on the walk home sullied all beauty in this world.

Freshly showered with a hot cup of tea, I sat with my feet tucked under me on the couch. Hearing Bethany workout while I lounged brought me no guilt. I walked twenty-seven blocks home this morning. In heels. It was so invigorating I had an extra chocolate dipped biscotti with my tea.

That extra sugar helped me listen to the details of my best friend’s night. After the barrage of rapid fire sex-capades, Bethany informed me she woke up at a strange guy’s house, they ate a decedent breakfast from the corner bakery before he called her a cab. She didn’t have nearly as many rules as I.

“Are you at least going to see him again?” she asked beginning to pant circling around to my night.

“No.”

“I know he asked for your number. He was way too into you last night.”

“Didn’t give him the chance,” I admitted licking chocolate from my fingers. There was no shame between us. Bethany and I shared almost everything.

“Seriously, Noa. That was only the second guy you went home with in three months.”

“Not everyone needs to get laid every other day,” I said unable to keep the giggle from my voice.

“Yes they do. Most people are just too prudish to admit it.”

Shaking my head even though she couldn’t see it. I really couldn’t argue. I wasn’t too prudish to admit she was most likely right. I may have found a balance to my life, but artfully maintaining a ‘one-night stand’ philosophy was exhausting.

Working full-time in corporate America meant I had homework on the weekends more often than not to make sure I was prepared come Monday.

Those two times I went home with a guy were the only two times I had let Bethany convince me to go out with her. With only three days left in the month – I needed a longer weekend.

“You’re still going to the club with me tonight, right?”

The girl had an enviable appetite. She knew what she wanted and went for it unapologetically. Another enviable trait.

“Actually, I’d rather stay in.” Setting my mug down, I felt I needed another shower.

“Netflix and chill,” she supplied as her breathing became more audible.

The few hours of sleep I was able to get when I got home had been marred by the rehashed memory of my time with Baylor. When that happened it tainted my whole day. Every action dripped with the debilitating reminder of my past.

“Everything alright, Noa?” She paused to take a drink. “Southern stud not as charming once he got you home?”

I knew what she was really asking. We never talked about anything to do with Baylor. There was still a small part of her that I knew felt guilty.

Bethany and I had met through Alijah. She was my brother’s friend first since they were the same age. I quickly stole her. Which meant she was there for the beginning. She blames herself as much I blame myself for how things turned out.

We had a falling out when we went our separate ways. Rather, when Baylor forced me to give up all my friends when he convinced me it was for the best. That he was the only friend I needed. That was when my ex let his true self be known. It wasn’t until he was gone that we reconnected. Bethany had this notion that if she had been more present in my life she could have stopped the inevitable.

Not even Alijah had been able to stop it until it was almost too late.

“He’s from Louisiana,” I said with a smile.

“I knew it! He had a hint of NOLA in his voice,” she purred.

“He was fine.”

“Just fine?”

Bethany hated the word fine. It was her version of quaint.

“More than fine.” The memory of the way his fingers worked their magic the moment his apartment door closed. I didn’t know if we would make it back to his bedroom or tear our clothes off in the entryway. His lithe muscles pushing me against the wall as his tongue worked in tandem with his fingers.

Maybe a cold shower would be great after a multi mile run through the park when I got off the phone.

“That good, huh?”

Taking my silence for what it was, I knew she would want specifics when she came over later. Usually I loved divulging the details. But, I wasn’t in the mood to spend hours talking of our sexual exploits. Bethany always put me to shame. She moved from guy to guy in the hopes of finding Mr. Perfect. I moved from guy to guy trying to find a lasting spark of reprieve from the dark.

Pinching the bridge of my nose, squeezing my eyes shut. “I’ll see you tonight,” I said curtly.

“Is something wrong?”

“I’m meeting Alijah for lunch,” I paused, not sure if I should have said more. “I wasn’t able to sleep much after I got home.”

“Oh.” Bethany understood what that meant. “So, tonight, movies and junk food?”

Staying at home and watching movies meant my mind would be free to roam where it wanted. But being picked up by another guy sounded even worse.

“I’ll see you tonight,” Beth said before I could confirm our night of jammies and processed food. ”Love you.”

The line went silent before I could respond.

I only had two hours before meeting my brother for lunch. Putting my empty teacup in the sink, I grabbed my running shoes and headed out the door.