Real Girl (Aston Creek High 4)

“You’re such a turd, but you’re a turd who has her whole day planned out.”

I groan, not liking the sound of that, but she continues anyway. “Damian kind of filled me in on everything that has gone down over the past few weeks. I hope that’s okay, but I thought maybe you could use a girls’ day today, so I booked us a hair appointment, nails, massage, all of that. I wanted you to feel normal again.”

I scrunch up my face, unable to crush her spirits by telling her what a shitty idea it would be. I guess shitty is taking it a bit too far. It’s just not my idea of fun. I’d prefer to sit by the basketball court with a joint and my sketchpad but because she’s put in so much effort making appointments and she looks so damn excited, I cave like a little bitch.

“Fine, but I’m not coloring my hair. Just a trim…maybe.”

“Yeah, just a little trim, some layers, and a few highlights. It’ll be perfect.”

I groan and throw the blanket back, knowing I’m going to come out of today looking like one of those little show poodles that rich ladies like to show off. “Fine,” I tell her, hating the feel of the chilly morning air against my skin. “You can put highlights in my hair but I’m drawing the line at a cut. Slade likes to curl his hands around it.”

Nessa gets up and makes her way over to my closet. “I really didn’t need to know the dirty little ins and outs of your fuck-fests with Slade,” she says, beginning to rummage through my closet.

“Yeah, you’re right. A horny bitch like you would get jealous. I’m sure you’re getting below satisfactory from Damian, but on the other hand, maybe I should be telling you all about it. You know, give you something to live for.”

A pair of ripped jeans fly across the room and smacks me in the face. “I’ll have you know that Damian and I have absolutely zero complaints when it comes to our compatibility in the bedroom. In fact, to me, he’s better than Slade. He reads me like a fucking book. You’re the one missing out sweetcheeks.”

I shake my head, slipping off my pajama shorts and replacing them with my jeans. “Yeah…I really doubt that.”

A shirt is tossed at me and before I know it, I’m allowing Nessa to drag me out of the house, claiming we’re going to miss our nail appointment.

She drives like a maniac and fifteen minutes later, I’m sitting in front of some woman with my hands on the table, feeling all sorts of refreshed. I have to admit, at first, I wasn’t ready to face the crowds but seeing as though the crowds in which I don’t want to face are currently in school, it’s not as bad as I thought. I’d even go that extra step and admit that sitting here getting my nails done is kind of relaxing and has me feeling somewhat normal.

I don’t have the heart to tell Nessa that Maria had me get my hair and nails done only three days ago but considering the fresh hell I’ve put myself through since the wedding, I’m sure I’ve probably chipped away all the nail polish and my hair is screaming for attention.

That massage though…I’m not going to lie, I’m looking forward to that.

Five hours later, my nails are perfect, my hair looks like sunshine, and I’m only seconds away from asking the masseur to give me a happy ending. I don’t know what it is about massages, but they get me hot every single time.

I wonder where Slade is. He could surely help a girl out right now.

Nessa confiscated my phone this morning, claiming I’m not able to completely relax if I’m worried about the boys and Blake in the hospital. While she’s partially correct, after having that access to them stolen from me, not having my phone has been giving me a little anxiety.

Our massages finish and as we stand in the luxurious bathroom, getting redressed, I can’t help but look up at the time. A smile rips across my face and quickly turns into a cringe as I look back at Nessa. “As much as I’m loving our girls’ day, would it be completely awful if we stopped by the school to catch the boys game? We can totally ditch them again after, but I haven’t seen them play in so long…”

Relief has her shoulders sagging. “Oh, thank God,” she says. “I thought you’d never ask. I love you, girl, but I was really hoping you cut this girl bullshit early so we could see the game.”

“What the hell?” I laugh, gawking at her. “This whole girls’ day was your idea.”

“I know. I just wanted you to feel like a normal human again. I figured you’d let me take you to get your nails done and maybe endure watching me get my hair done, but you’ve played along like a good little girl all day so I didn’t say anything and just enjoyed it. I figured you would have bailed ages ago.”