Don't Let Me Down

by Kelsie Rae

To Dory from Finding Nemo. Thanks for reminding me to, “Just Keep Swimming!”

I’m pretty in an emo, untouchable, this-girl's-got-daddy-issues kind of way.

Stupid. Fucking. Girl.

My taste in men has never exactly been healthy, so I shouldn’t be surprised

tattoo or one of my others, everyone always asks, and I always tell them to fuck off. Okay, not always. I actually don’t mind talking about my tattoos.

the stick up his toned ass can keep him company until he needs another drink.

“No offense, but if I wanted a sugar daddy, I’d choose someone who’s a little less surly.” “You think I need another brat to take care of?”

Buchanan men aren’t weak. And they sure as shit are not impatient.

we’ve been tiptoeing around our tangled pasts and how they’ve been snarled together into some fucked-up knot for years.

“You can do whatever the fuck you want, Mia. You always have. Why do you think this would be any different?”

Don’t let your pride get in the way of your future.

I know it’s okay. I know it’s inevitable. But sometimes, I feel like it’s moving so quickly I can’t keep up. Like I’m running as fast as I possibly can, but the finish line keeps moving, rendering my efforts useless and my energy exhausted.

“Dawson’s your age.” “I’m too old for Mia.” “Good thing you’re not interested in dating her, then.”

The most expensive hotel I’ve ever stayed in was a Fairfield Inn.

I’m not looking for someone to date. A good fuck, maybe, but I have a feeling you’re too uptight to make me come, so––” “You think I can’t make you come?” I demand.

“Not drunk enough to regret this.”

Fuckity, fuck, fuck, fuck.

the funny thing about bad decisions? Their consequences always follow.

I’ve always been a sucker for bad decisions, so why stop now, right?

it won’t be like it was at the hotel. It won’t be something I can shove in a box and label it as a one-time thing. Because this would make it twice, even though the kiss at the hotel was barely a brush of our lips. And two is close to three. And three is…a habit. A really. Bad. Habit.

Pretty sure Jim and Jack are the only two men in my life worth keeping. Well, them and Ben & Jerry. I love me some good ol’ Ben & Jerry.

I've tried to analyze my money issues, but I still don't understand why I can't save any. Why it leaves me itchy anytime I have more than a few hundred dollars to my name.

you don’t know how he looks at you. You might be surprised.

“I might have given you a preview of how hard I can make you come while we were in Creekside, but whatever fantasy you created up here?” He taps the side of my temple with his forefinger. “It doesn’t remotely compare to the real thing.”

“I was interested in coming, not dating,” I argue. “So, you can fantasize about me, but I’m not allowed to buy you dinner?” “Nope.”

I don’t want to be an asshole with you.”

I might be great at giving advice, but taking it? Not so much.

“Just because you can take care of yourself doesn’t mean you should push everyone who wants to help away.”

“I think each of us is born with both moral and work ethic compasses, but only some work as well as others.

I pour some vodka into my ice cream container and give the concoction a swirl with my spoon.

having friends and letting them see you being vulnerable isn’t a bad thing. In fact, I’d argue it’s a really good thing.”

“Fuck the rules.” “Professor––” “For tonight,” he clarifies. “Only for tonight.

It feels good to feel sometimes, doesn’t it?

Oof. I’m a bitch. But I can’t help it.

cheaters are cowards. Weak. Pathetic. Cowards.”

Hiring a therapist proves you see your quirks as something worth addressing––worth fixing––instead of ignoring them like most people would.”

He tastes like pizza and bad decisions. Really good bad decisions.

I’ve sucked a lot of dicks in my life, not gonna lie. Call it daddy issues.

what’s one more bad decision when they’re all I ever make?

“I’m not worth your patience,” I whisper. “I disagree.”

“Fuck the rules.”

“You shouldn’t have kissed me in front of anyone.” “I shouldn’t have waited so long to kiss you in front of anyone,” I argue.

“Never gonna let you down, Brat.”

“I was wrong. You’ll understand when you’re a parent, but it’s fascinating. How often we get things wrong. How often we make mistakes.”

Everything’s fine. Except my anxiety levels. But hey, what’s new?

“Every time you wind up in the penalty box because of Shorty, I’ll give you a ten thousand dollar bonus.”

Fucking with any girl is a mistake, but fucking with mine?” A smirk tugs at me. “It’s suicidal.

Touch her again?” Grabbing the fabric of his jersey, I yank him to his feet, bringing us nose to bloodied nose. “I’ll fucking kill you.

the great thing about best friends is, for better or worse, we know each other inside and out.”