The Ex Project

CHARLOTTE

“It will be hard because you’ve never been. Once you’ve been a few times, though, the nerves wear off and you can spout shit at them left, right and center. Fuckers, the lot of them,” declared Cindy as she drained the last of her wine.

“He was yawning. Like, I get it, we’ve all been at work, but it’s his fucking fault we were even there!”

“Sister, I hear ya. Look, maybe we need to go on some sort of fuck spree and—”

“Absolutely not. I’m sworn off men,” I vowed, but Cindy rolled her eyes.

“Girl, someone has to flick that switch,” she said, staring pointedly at my crotch.

I shook my head. “Nah, I’m good. I’ve got a vibrator.” I sipped my cocktail, the peach and passionfruit tantalizing my taste buds as I smacked my lips with delight.

“So, he’ll get fined if you don’t get back together, right? Isn’t it, like, a thousand pounds for infidelity?”

I shrugged, not caring how much he had to fork out. No amount of money would ever erase that image from my mind.

***

“I just wanna find Jay, then we can go!” I shouted back to Cindy, who nodded.

“We’ve looked everywhere, girl. I don’t know where he is!”

The stairs came into view, and I tugged Cindy along beside me. My stomach had that feeling of dread it always gets when I know something is wrong. Still, I climbed the stairs, avoiding creeps and couples as I went.

The first bedroom had a group of people playing spin the bottle, and I saw with relief that Jason was not one of the players. Not in that room, anyway.

The second room was locked, and from the sounds inside, I could tell Jason wasn’t in there. The third and final room had the door slightly ajar, and I pushed it open slowly. There were sofas everywhere, and music pumped out from the dark corner. I saw him, but I stupidly believed it wasn’t possible. He had a girl sitting astride his lap. Then I saw his tattoo, the unmistakable Halloween-themed sleeve peeking out from under the girl’s shirt as she kissed him deeply. I tried to move, but my legs were like rubber.

Cindy, however, didn’t hesitate.

“That bastard.”

She grabbed a drink and hurled it at my boyfriend and the whore on his lap. She turned in horror, her lipstick smeared over her face, and when she saw me, her cheeks reddened as she stumbled to her feet.

“I’m drunk, I’m sorry…,” she babbled. Jason sat up, his shirt buttons half undone.

“Wow, you bastard.”

“It’s not like that. It was just a kiss.”

I didn’t respond. Instead, I walked blindly down the stairs.

Just a kiss? A kiss started our~ relationship. A kiss had ended it.~

***

“Stop thinking about him. You need to take your mind off him. What about Richard from work? I know you can’t date him for another four weeks, but after that, you’re free as a bird. Plus, you could always just fuck him until your breakup is finalized,” she added coyly.

I chuckled. “Fuck who? Richard?”

“Well, you could always fuck Jason, if you can detach yourself, I guess,” murmured Cindy thoughtfully, her glossy black bob shining under the lights.

I made a face. “Ew, no.”

“I’m joking.”

We finished our drinks before moving on to the next bar. There was a queue outside, everyone waiting as they did security checks to let people in.

I stepped forward to the eye scanner, and they nodded at me to go through. Something about the music thumping around me always made me feel better, and I made my way to the dance floor, the alcohol in my veins suddenly soothing my fuzzy thoughts.

“Hey! You’re the girl from my Ex group!”

I turned to see an attractive man in a tight blue shirt grinning at me.

I nodded slowly. “Great. What a place to be recognized from.”

“What?” He cupped his ear as if that would help him hear over the loud music.

“Nothing!” I yelled back. Turning, I saw Cindy looking over my shoulder at him with interest. She nodded at me with excitement right before I felt his voice near my ear.

“I can keep a secret if you can.”

“Urgh, seriously. Fuck off!” I snapped.

He glared at me. “No wonder he dumped you,” he said, swiveling on his heel.

“Excuse me, I dumped him!” I screamed at his retreating form before flipping him the bird.

“God, he was fucking yummy. I’d have slid down his pole—”

“Great, go get him. He’s one of the idiots from my Ex group.”

“No, no. I’m just surprised you didn’t—”

“He fucked his girlfriend’s sister.” I snapped, my good mood suddenly gone.

“Bastard!”

“Right?!”

“I’ll get some shots. Come on!”

I followed her to the bar and was almost there when I saw him walk in. As usual, he commanded attention, his wavy caramel hair pushed back as he scanned the room with his seductive green eyes. I felt an ache in my loins as I mentally slapped myself.

Within minutes, he would be ball deep in some slut. He didn’t waste any time.

I finally dragged my eyes away, my fingers digging into Cindy’s back as she chatted to some dude at the bar. I knew I’d lost her then. She had a massive thing for men that looked like they owned the basketball court, and judging from this guy’s height and build, he was right up her street.

“Cindy,” I hissed. She shot me an are-you-being-serious look before apologizing to the god before her. “He’s here.”

“Who?”

“Fucking Santa. Who d’you think? Jason!”

Her eyes narrowed as they swept the room, and when she zeroed in on him, she pursed her lips.

“So, you’ve got a booth, you say? Mind if we join you?” Cindy asked sweetly to the man she was talking to. There was a diamond in his ear that shimmered under the lights. Was this guy actually famous? I had a sneaking suspicion he was. He laughed, a deep chuckle that instantly made me smile.

“I’m sure the boys wouldn’t mind a little company. Follow me.”

He grabbed our drinks as Cindy turned to me, her eyes wide with excitement.

“He looks like Luther! I’m in heaven.” She sighed heavily and batted her eyelashes. I smiled. I had to be the supportive friend, but I just wanted to leave. He led us to a booth that had been reserved for them, and I felt my heart catch in my throat. Scantily clad women perched on the laps of some of the men, and the free ones looked like they’d been sculpted by gods.

“Take a seat, ladies.”

I perched awkwardly on the end of the booth as the man we had met at the bar introduced himself as Wes. I couldn’t keep up with the names, so I nodded appropriately when they gazed at me.

“Are you a model too?”

I turned to see one woman eyeing my outfit, frowning as she spoke.

“Me? No. I’m just a fashion assistant.”

“Oh. So, how do you know Wes?”

“I don’t. My friend just met him at the bar.”

“Do you want to dance?” I glanced up to see a man standing above me, his hand outstretched.

I shook my head uncomfortably. “Nope, sorry. I don’t dance with strangers.”

He burst out laughing, then grinned at me. “I’m Harry. Now, will you dance with me?”

“No. Sorry.” I sent him an apologetic smile, and the girl beside me seized the opportunity to dance with the hunk that was called Harry. I moved farther into the booth, relieved to finally look like I was part of the group. Cindy and Wes were deep in conversation, though, and I suddenly felt quite alone. I tried to engage in the surrounding conversation, but it was incredibly boring and consisted mostly of sports.

“I’m just going to the loo,” I declared. Cindy nodded, her eyes never leaving Wes’s face. I stared at her for a moment, hoping she would take the hint and offer to come with me, but she was too focused on whatever he was saying.

Sliding off the seat, I made my way toward the toilets, which were, fortunately, not too far from the booth. My buzz was gone. I felt tired and knew the night was over for me. I wondered if I’d be able to lure Cindy away.

After I came out of the toilet, I saw Jason leaning against the wall, frowning at his phone.

I lowered my head and went to move away when he saw me, his eyes lighting up as he spoke.

“Whoa, where are you going?”

“Back to find Cindy. Let me guess, you’re waiting for someone,” I said icily as I tried not to stare at his broad shoulders straining under his white shirt. He was wearing navy fucking chinos too, my favorite combination.

Bastard.

“Yeah.” He stared down at the floor, and I felt anger bubble up deep within me.

“Well, I’ll let you get on. Men like you will never change,” I spat as I stormed away. Instead of going back to the booth, I found myself at the bar ordering a double vodka and coke.

Why did men move on so easily? I braced myself for seeing him with someone, but I didn’t want to turn back to look. Instead, I concentrated on the people surrounding the bar, willing myself to keep my eyes focused on what was in front of me and not behind. I almost jumped when I felt a hand on my shoulder.

“Technically, I’m still your boyfriend,” he said close to my ear.

My loins were practically vibrating with glee when he placed one hand on either side of me, his body pressing against mine as I swallowed.

“Not to me, you aren’t,” I hissed back, praying my body wouldn’t betray my words.

“Yeah, okay. But you know, I live opposite your house. I could make sure you…got home safely.”

“I’d rather walk with a murderer.”

“You lie, Charlotte.”

I downed my drink before turning to face him, alarmed to see he was closer than I’d thought.

“Get your cheating ass away from me,” I muttered.

His shoulders slumped. “No strings. Nothing. Let me just make sure you get home, okay?”

“Jason, what makes you think I want to go home? Anyway, where’s the girl you were waiting for? It didn’t take you long to move on,” I snapped.

He closed his eyes and inhaled before looking at me squarely. “You keep rubbing your feet because those heels are killing you. You’re drinking heavily because you’re bored, and you have to work in the morning. So if you want to go home alone, I can’t stop you. But Cindy seems to be…otherwise engaged.”

I followed his gaze to Cindy, who was in a lip-lock with Wes, oblivious to my horrific situation.

“You’ve only just got here. You’re doing this to talk to me. I hate you.”

“It’s shit in here. I’m going anyway. Look, I know you hate me. I know I fucked up any chance of you and me, but maybe I could be a decent neighbor at least.”

I stared at him for a moment, noting the sincerity in his eyes, before sighing. “Fine. You’re paying for the cab and you better not try anything.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it, babe.” He chuckled as I stood with my hand on my hips. “Just let me off tonight.”

I moved past him to let Cindy know I was leaving. Instantly she panicked, and Wes offered me a ride home with them.

“I’m sharing a cab with Jason—and no. Not like that.”

“Yeah, cuz he looks like shit and you’re not drunk. Seriously, whatever you do, don’t fuck him.”

“Cindy!” Embarrassment painted my cheeks, and I heard Wes laugh.

“I bet he’s wearing Lynx. It drives you fucking crazy,” she continued, unfazed by my reaction.

“I don’t care what he’s wearing. I’m going home. To bed. Alone.”

I kissed her goodbye, and she reassured me she would be fine. Wes stood next to her and gave me his word as well. It didn’t stop me from leaning in to tell him I could give an accurate description to the cops should I need to. I walked back to see Jason waiting for me, his arms folded as he watched me walk.

“So she’s pulled then. Right up her street, isn’t he?” he mused. “What about you? No one here that looks like Noah Centineo for you?”

“If there was, do you think I’d be going home alone?” I asked, arching a brow as I pushed past him, the telltale whiff of his Lynx body spray driving my senses wild. Ever since I was young, I’d associated that smell with him, my best friend across the street.

Why the fuck was he still wearing it?

Bastard.

“You’re not going home alone. You’re going home with me.” He smirked as he caught up with me, but I refused to look at him through my vodka haze.

“In your dreams.”