Ash

by D.J. Krimmer

“Sunday,” I say, my voice full of pain as I halt my movement. This needs to stop. “...

I hate myself. I want to tak...

“Yeah, you’re right. Let me get dressed, and we can go.” I fucked up. That mask I told her she wasn’t allowed to wear, she just firmly placed it back on.

Sitting on the floor in front of my hotel room, I stare at the marble tile as pretty feet in orange flip-flops with grey-painted toenails appear in my vision. “You forgot your key,” Sunday says as she drops the card into my lap. I grab the card but don’t make any movements to get up. She releases a sigh and grabs the card back while leaning over me to unlock the door. “Get inside, charming. You can be all broody in the room,”

“Hudson is my cousin. He’s some hotshot financial guy who spends his time traveling from his Malibu mansion to his high-powered, high-paying gig on Wall Street in his private jet.” Sunday nods. “Sounds like a real piece of shit. How dare he be successful.”

“Ha ha. It’s not his success that I hate. It’s–”

“He’s with my ex, Shannon.” Sunday’s face twists as she stares at me. “Oh. Shit.” “Yeah.” I force out a laugh. “My abusive, selfish, cheating ex is somewhere in this resort, and I will undoubtedly have to interact with her at some point this weekend. I was hoping to have a little time to work up to it. You know, get our story straight.”

“The story is that I’m your girlfriend,”

“I assure you you’ll get what you are paying for.” Raising a brow, I laugh lightly.

“I’m not paying you?” She scoffs and rolls her eyes. “I seem to remember promises of orange starbursts, sir.” “Oh, I like that,” I smirk suggestively. “...

“Asshole,” she mutters. Her face softens as she turns back ...

“W-what?” I sputter out between coughs. She’s one hundred percent unamused. “I said, kiss me, you idiot!” “Why would I do that? No one is here with us.” She smacks her forehead. “If you and I kiss for the first time–” “We’ve kissed before,”

“You’re so annoying! If we kiss in public without practicing, it will look like a first kiss! That’s why fake dating always gets found out. You gotta work the kinks out first. And the kiss at the shop in front of Josh was a rush job.” She has a point. “What about at the car… either time.” I point out. “Uh-huh, well, if your tongue down my throat is how you would kiss a woman in front of your mother, then we'll be just fine.”