I laughed as I read her reply. I quickly opened my top drawer, pulled out a pair of boxers, and slipped them on. I walked over and plugged my phone in. I crawled into bed and then started to type back my reply.
Layton: Trust me, CG, you don’t need anything to make you beautiful. You’re naturally beautiful. So, tell me…how exactly is Courtney forcing you to read this book? It must be good if you can’t put it down.
I paused for a second before hitting Send. After sending it, I sat there, like an idiot, hoping she would text back. I closed my eyes and felt myself drifting off to sleep. My phone beeped in my hand and scared the shit out of me.
Whitley: Well, where do I start? First, thank you for the sweet compliment. What do you want? That felt like you were kissing up for something. Second, Courtney and I made a bet. I don’t like losing. Hence…I’m reading.
Layton: Learn to take a compliment, CG. I know it’s hard for you Northerners. I’m intrigued by this bet. What are the deets on it?
Whitley: Sorry. Thank you, cowboy, for the compliment. You’re not so bad on the eyes either, if we’re being honest. As far as the bet goes…um…pass. I don’t think you want to hear the details of it. It’s kind of…embarrassing.
Layton: Ah hell, Whit. Now, I have to know. Come on, tell me. I won’t be able to sleep because I’ll be thinking about it, and I need my beauty sleep.
Whitley: LOL! Okay…but you have to promise to never utter a word of this to anyone. Promise?
Layton: Promise and cross my heart!
I sat up in bed and watched my phone, like an idiot. My phone beeped, and I just opened up the message. My smile faded when I saw it was a message from Olivia.
Olivia: I guess I’m not going to hear from you tonight. I’m going to bed. I hope you are okay. Please call me, Layton.
How does
she do it? Right when I’m feeling good, she sucks it away. I hit Reply and started typing.
Layton: I’m exhausted, Olivia, and I don’t really want to talk to you. What I do and who I do it with is none of your business. Worry about your fiancé. I’m sure he wouldn’t like knowing you are texting your ex at three in the morning. I’m turning off my phone.
My phone beeped again with another message from Olivia.
Olivia: You’re grumpy. I’ll call you tomorrow, babe. Night!
What in the hell?
My phone went off again, and I opened up Whitley’s text.
Whitley: Okay, well…Courtney thinks I’m crazy because I don’t get pulled into this world of hers filled with books and book boyfriends. She bet she could give me a book to read that would have me…um…well, it would have me…shit. I don’t even really know you, Layton!
I smiled because I could just picture the blush on her cheeks. I was just about to start typing my reply, but I thought this one needed to be told over the phone. Plus, for some reason, I really wanted to hear her voice, so I called her instead.
“Hello?” Whitley answered.
“Hey, I hope it’s okay I called you, but I’m getting tired of typing. ”
Good excuse, Layton!
“Oh Christ, Layton! I can’t tell you over the phone. It’s embarrassing. Just forget I even brought up the book. ”
I smiled as I thought about her sitting in her bed. I wondered what kind of clothes she wore to sleep in. I pictured her in a T-shirt and panties.
Fuck. I had to adjust myself from just thinking about it. Just friends, Layton.
“Come on, CG. Just tell me. It can’t be that bad. ”
She let out a sigh. “Fine. She bet me she could have me read a book that was so hot that I’d be reaching for a vibrator. There—I said it. ”
What in the fuck did she just say? Vibrator? Holy hell.
“Motherfucker, Whitley. I was not expecting that. ”