Payback's A Bitch (Awkward Love 6)

I giggle. “It’s definitely specific to one person.”

He nods. “If it’s guy related then that’s my area of expertise,” he boasts. “Especially assholes.”

An unbiased opinion isn’t a bad idea…

“It’s kind of a long story,” I warn him.

“They’re my favorite kind,” he grins, getting himself more comfortable.

“Okay, my friends play a practical joke on me every year, because my birthday falls on April Fools' Day,” I begin.

Linton winces. “That must be rough.”

“Most of the time, it’s fine. It’s just a bit of fun,” I assure him. “Except this year, they decided to go all out and place an ad on my behalf on a hookup site.”

“Uh-oh. Which site?” he asks.

“Anything Goes?” I say.

Since I’d never heard of it, I’m not expecting him to have.

He starts laughing. “They were really out to get you then. I don't even need to see the ad to know it’s not going to be good.” He shakes his head and laughs. “That site is crawling with people wanting cheap sex and casual hook-ups. It’s creep central—especially if you’re into any kind of fetish. Is this why my sister thought you were into Furries?”

I nod. “I’m apparently into everything,” I say dryly.

He shudders. “Oh god. I want to kill your friends for you.”

“Anyway, one reply out of hundreds stood out. Probably because it wasn’t offensive or rude. We were texting for about a week, before we arranged to meet. He seemed really nice, so I was excited to see if it was the same when we met in person,” I explain. “I walked into the bar where we arranged to meet, and he was my stepbrother.”

“Wow,” Linton shakes his head, amazed. “What a coincidence.”

I shake my head. “I wish, but nothing about it was a coincidence. He knew it was me when he answered that ad.”

“You fell in love with the guy after a week of texting, but he turned out to be your stepbrother?” He raises eyebrows at me.

“No,” I retort, my face flushing. “Of course I wasn’t in love with him. I’m not out here, cradling my broken heart. But I did like him. I guess somewhere in my mind I thought maybe it might lead somewhere…”

“So…you’re angry because there was a chance there might be chemistry when you met?”

“Yes,” I say with a frown.

“And there’s definitely no chance of you and your step—”

“Nope. Zero,” I assure him.

He laughs. “Then why are you so upset?”

“Because he’s an ass,” I retort.

“So, it’s because he got one over you?” he teases.

“No,” I growl. “It's like playing lotto and someone checked my ticket, taking away the dream of me winning.”

“Now you’re likening this to lotto?” he chortles. “You’re fucking hilarious,” he giggles. “And who the hell doesn’t check a ticket? Wouldn't you rather know if you’ve one?”

“No,” I retort. “Not if the chances of me losing are much higher. If I don’t check it, then I can still cling to the hope that I’ve won.”

“Yes, but you’re not going to know till you check it,” Linton argues. “What if you’re sitting on a winning ticket?”

“I know, but that’s my decision, not yours, or anyone else’s to make,” I say. “Before I knew it was Cameron, before I met the person behind those texts, there was a chance we might click in person too.”

“If it was a stranger and you didn’t click, would you be angry at them?” he reasons.

“Yes,” I snap, just to put an end to this stupid argument. He takes the hint and rolls his eyes.

He sighs. “Okay, fine. So, your step bro is a dick,” he concludes. “What are you going do about it?”

“Let it fester for a couple of days, then get over it, and move on?” I say, shrugging.

“Or you could get back at him,” Linton suggests. His eyes twinkle. “You said you didn’t fall in love with him, right?”

I nod. “I’d be crazy to fall for someone that quickly,” I say with a smirk.

“He’d probably freak the fuck out if you did, though. Wouldn’t he?” he says.

My eyes widen as I get what he’s hinting at. “You’re a fucking genius,” I gasp.

He nods. “I know. I am having trouble convincing everyone else it’s true.”

I glance at the time and scramble to my feet, because my lunch hour was over five minutes ago.

“Sorry, I have to get back,” I apologize to him while pointing to the building. “Hey, we should catch up sometime outside of work?” I add.

“Sure,” he says, then he winces. “Maybe the week after next? My schedule is crazy busy at the moment.”

I nod. I’m fine with that, because so is mine.

“Bye,” I grin. “Thanks again for your help.”

I wave at him and walk off. My mind already in full gear, trying to work out the best way to pull one over on him. I shake my head, because it’s perfect. He isn’t going to know what hit him. Crazy, obsessed, and hopelessly in love with Cameron Hunter after two days of texting?