Ex game chapter 10

he wouldn’t remember
who I was. It didn’t matter how great it had been when we
first started dating. It didn’t matter that his touch made my
whole body melt. It was over. He had broken my heart and
if I wasn’t careful, he was going to ruin my business career
as well. I walked out of the purple-lit elevator and to my
room reluctantly. I didn’t want to be here. I didn’t want to be
reminded of Brandon. Not now. Not when everything in my
life was finally getting better. I had even started dating a
new guy just before I had gotten the job. He was a nice guy
as well. Matt was someone I could see myself with in a
serious relationship. He was safe and I knew he really liked
me; it didn’t matter that he didn’t set my heart on fire like
Brandon had. I was older and wiser now. I knew what real
love was. What Brandon and I had was a fantasy; a fantasy
built on lies, and when it had all come crashing down it had
nearly broken me. I wasn’t going to let myself dwell on the
past. I couldn’t allow myself to go down that road again. ***
The alarm went off at 5 a.m. and I wanted to roll over and
go back to sleep again. “Get up, Katie.” I lectured myself as
I pulled the blankets up over me. I groaned and sat up,
adjusting my eyes to the darkness. I got out of bed and
turned on the light and opened my suitcase. Meg and I had
gone shopping before the trip, and I had gotten the sexiest
business attire I could find. I had also gotten some new
makeup, new perfume and a new Chi straightener so that
my hair would be as sleek as possible. I wanted to make
sure I looked as good as I had ever looked. I didn’t want him
to recognize me, but if he did, I wanted to look as hot and
sexy as possible. I grabbed my shower cap and walked to
the bathroom. I needed to shower first, and then I would do
my hair. I stared at my wild waves in the bathroom mirror
and groaned. It was going to take an hour, at least, to get
my hair anything close to straight and sleek. I stared at my
appearance again and started laughing as I thought about
going to work looking like this. Brandon would definitely
remember me if I turned up like this. “Let’s shower
together.” Brandon pulled me out of bed with him, the night
after we had made love for the first time. “I’m still tired.” I
mumbled. “There’s time to sleep tonight.” “Not if you wake
me up a million times tonight like you did last night.” “Well, I
need to get as much of you as I can, while you’re here.” “I’ll
be here next weekend.” I yawned and stretched. “I’d love it
if you stayed here this week as well.” “What?” I froze and
looked at him with wide eyes. “I know, I know. I’m moving
too fast. Sorry, I’ve just never felt this way before.” “Oh,” I
jumped out of bed and kissed him. “I’ve never felt this way
before either.” “I just want to spend every night with you.” “I
know.” I sighed. “But I need to stay at my own place, it’s
just easier for me to get to work from there.” “I guess I
could spend a couple of nights there if you want.” “No.” I
shouted and then stepped back. “Sorry, it’s a mess and I’d
be embarrassed for you to see it.” “Don’t be embarrassed.”
He pulled me towards him and kissed me. “I’m sure you
have lots of debt from college and I’m sure your new job
can’t be paying you that much. I don’t care where you live.”
“Uh, thanks.” I buried my face into his chest, shame turning
my face red. “It’s hard as a new grad, you know, especially
in this economy.” “Where did you go to school again?” He
questioned me. “Columbia… uh, I mean, I always wanted to
go to Columbia. I went to Florida Atlantic University.” I
mumbled, wanting to die. “I’m always looking for new
account managers for the hedge fund, if you're interested in
doing stocks?” “Oh, thanks, but I couldn’t.” I smiled weakly.
”It wouldn’t be right. We only just started dating, I don’t
want you to think I’m taking advantage of you.” “I know.”
He kissed the top of my head. “I think that’s why I like you
so much, you’re the furthest thing from a gold digger I’ve
met in New York.” “Well, you would know.” I said, quite
surly, and he laughed. “Don’t be jealous, Katie.” “I’m not.” I
pouted and followed him into the bathroom. “Oh my God,
look at my hair.” I cried out as I looked into the mirror and
saw a crazy mess. “I look awful.” “No, you don’t. You look
beautiful.” He walked up behind me and put his arms
around my waist. “Though, I can check to see if there are
any lost birds.” “Lost birds?” I wiggled against him as I
looked back at him. “You know, that thought your hair was a
nest.” “Jerk.” I laughed and he picked me up and placed me
on the vanity. “I can be a jerk, if you want.”