Shower Apologies And Genuine Men; Sundays After Best Friend Challenges
Day 189 of The Andie Chronicles
The double shower in Cooper's ensuite proved the perfect way to wash next to the man I love and make love to him simultaneously.
No matter where I found myself bent over or held up against the slate tiles, the water poured over our naked bodies.
It was also the ideal way to show him how much I cared about him despite how abrasive my best friend had been some twenty-four hours earlier.
"I'm so sorry about James," I said whilst soaping the tattoos against Cooper's back.
"It was unreasonable of me to think he wouldn't be malicious. He forgets what it is like to have a partner you care about and want people to like. Or how to actually have a good first impression with someone. He forgets the introduction isn't all about impressing him."
Cooper purred as I continued to soap him. "You get that in the business. Small-time wrestlers think the big guys need to sell to them when in reality, it's the other way around."
I had to admire how level-headed he seemed. I know James couldn't possibly have been the only adversary in his life, the only person who looked him up and down and judged him with such vigour.
"And besides, everyone underestimates me. People see the tats, they hear I'm a wrestler, and the assumptions write themselves."
"I just didn't think James would underestimate you when he has people do the same to him."
I thought about his pending lawsuit with his Aunt and how he was kicked out of his home when she discovered he was gay. He was literally throwing thousands of dollars to defend his honour against the person who underestimated him. How could he challenge Cooper like this?
"Maybe it's because I'm not your ex," reasoned Cooper, who was rinsing the soap off his body, temporarily disorientating my focus. I didn't enjoy Douglas Gallo being brought up whilst naked, showering with my man, mind you. "How so?"
"Well, your ex is a big-time guy. Money, flash, impressive business accolades. I'm probably worth the same as him, but everyone only sees the tats, long hair and fake fighting moves."
"My ex isn't that impressive, you know."
"I know he isn't, but he is to someone like James. Your ex is opening doors for him, and he's mesmerised by it. Why do you think he went into business with him? By association alone, James thinks he's made it."
Which, we all knew, he hadn't. None of us had made it. For all the promises, we had nothing to show for it except frustrating weeks in the office and a deadline we knew wasn't possible.
"So is that what you need to do to get on James' good side? Be impressive like Douglas?"
"No. Nothing of the sort. James will come around when he stops thinking about the dollar signs. He's a good guy, we will get along, it will all be ok, beautiful."
You’re reading The Andie Chronicles, the 2023 romance-fiction series from the 1 Lovelock Drive (1LD) universe.
By the way, this all started when Andie turned thirty-five, and her then-boyfriend didn’t call her.
Or the day after that.
Or the day after that, too.
Everything started to unravel when her BFFs got into bed with her ex, too… ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️
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A little lost on what’s happening at 1 Lovelock Drive?
Well, you see, Andie’s break-up started back in February and so much has happened since then. These stories will help you catch right up! xx