The Bacelor: Make A Sex Deal

Oaklyn

T

he first thing I did after walking out of the restaurant and getting into my car was take out my phone and search for my best friend’s name in the Contacts. Even though the drive back to my apartment would only take around twenty minutes, I didn’t want to do it alone. Not even with music blaring in the background and the windows down. Neither of those would get me out of my head.

A place that, after tonight, was extremely jumbled and messy.

A place that, after tonight, was filled with images of Camden’s hand and the intensity of his gaze and the smile that had tugged across his lips.

Feelings were shooting through me like fireworks.

I needed an escape.

A pause button.

And since I couldn’t discuss the situation with Hannah, she was the perfect person to call. She would get my brain fixated on something other than her brother.

She answered after the second ring with, “What are you doing right this second, bestie?”

I could hear the wine buzz in her voice, her tone telling me she was working on her second glass.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

I laughed. “I called you. Shouldn’t that be my question?”

“If you tell me you’re busy, we’re going to be in a huge fight.”

“I’m not.” I started the car and shifted into drive. “I’m actually driving, so I’m as free as can be.”

“Good. Then, get your buns to Molly’s.”

I checked the time on the dash before I turned onto the road. “That’s where you are?”

“And it’s where you need to be.”

Molly’s was walking distance from my apartment and the spot where I usually met Hannah when we went out for drinks. I could park my car at home, and I wouldn’t even have to order a rideshare.

Time with my favorite girl and a couple more drinks and immediately passing out when I got home sounded like the best plan for the rest of tonight.

“I’ll be there in twenty-ish,” I told her, but something struck me the moment I replied, and I questioned, “What are you doing there anyway? You never go there without me.”

“Check your phone, babe. I’ve called and texted. I was giving myself another glass of wine before I marched my ass across the street to see why you weren’t answering.”

I’d seen multiple notifications on my screen before I searched for Hannah in my call log, but I’d just ignored them. And because my phone had been in my purse the whole time I was in the restaurant, I hadn’t heard her call or text.

“Sorry,” I replied. “I was at a work thing. But I’m on my way, and I’ll see you soon.”

“Hurry.”

And I did. The traffic was surprisingly light enough that I got to my apartment in less time than I’d estimated, giving me a few extra minutes to rush upstairs and change my clothes. The dress, although extra flowy so no one could tell, was wet on the inside from the two times he’d gotten me off. I was sure it had dried, but instead of waiting, I put on a pair of panties and jeans and an off-the-shoulder top, and I took a little longer than I wanted to check my hair and makeup before I headed across the street.

I didn’t know why I’d assumed Hannah was alone-she certainly wasn’t a solo drinker. I just hadn’t expected the entire family to be with her, but all three cousins-Dominick, Jenner, and Ford-along with their girlfriends and Declan were there, occupying three entire tables in the back of the bar.

The moment Hannah spotted me, she stood from her seat and shouted, “Oaklyn,” with her arms out. “What took you so long, woman?” She hugged me tightly. “I was worried you’d changed your mind.”

As I squeezed her shoulders, I took a quick peek at my watch. “I’m only seven minutes late.”

“But you’re never late.”

I laughed. “I ran upstairs and changed. I was fancied up for work and was craving my Converse.” I pulled away and went around the table, hugging all the family, noticing the only person who was missing before I took one of the open seats next to Hannah.

Camden had left after me-I was certain of that since I’d seen his sports car in the parking lot on my way out of the restaurant.

I wondered if he was coming here or going home.

Or heading somewhere to meet up with one of his fuck buddies-or whatever he called the girls he slept with and didn’t care about.

That was something I didn’t want to dwell on.

Something that made everything inside me start to hurt.

As I looked at Hannah, I wanted so badly to ask her if he was coming.

But I couldn’t.

I needed to act as though I hadn’t noticed his absence because, in this moment, I couldn’t put my mind in a pre-Camden space to know whether that was a question I would have asked before.

He owned far too much of my mind now.

“What’s the occasion for tonight’s get-together?” I inquired instead as my best friend handed me a full glass of wine. “Did you guys land a big account? Win a trial? Or just a why the hell not kinda evening?”

“The latter,” Declan said, reaching across Hannah to clink his glass against mine. “I don’t think anyone at this table, including you, Oaklyn, needs a reason to drink.”

I smiled at her boyfriend, the grumpiness to Hannah’s sunshine. “You’re not wrong about that.”

“Still, we’ve all been trying to get together,” Hannah said, “and it’s almost impossible. Someone’s always traveling or sick or can’t get a babysitter”-she pointed at Ford and winked-“so tonight is the night we’re all here. Even the Spades were able to join us.”

“Macon’s here?” I asked, instantly recalling the conversation Hannah, Camden, and I’d had about him at the bar when she mentioned-repeatedly-that she wanted to set me up with him.

“In the flesh,” I heard from behind me.

Shit.

That was Macon’s voice.

I could never forget that deep, gritty tone that dripped with lust.

I turned just as he was taking the seat beside me.

He held out his hand. “Oaklyn, it’s nice to see you again.”

“And you,” I replied, clasping our fingers together, mine feeling so tiny against his.

“So, the two of you remember each other. Perfect,” Hannah chimed in. “That saves me an introduction.”