The next morning was a Thursday.

On Thursdays, I take Jaxon's class.

He was currently giving us the instructions for our final paper of the semester, but I was too focused on his movements to actually pay attention to the words being spoken.

I'll read it online later, I thought.

My mind again drifted back to last night's failed attempt.

To me, it wasn't so bad. I was just doing what I'd done whenever I was uncomfortable with a client: get through it.

Now that I knew and understood that I wasn't supposed to do that, I'd never make the mistake again.

Jaxon seemed, not rude, but distant in the moments before I left. We talked about what happened, which in reality was just him asking me if I was sure I was okay.

As usual, I'd texted him when I made it home from the hotel and he didn't respond until nearly 3 in the morning with a simple, "Enjoy the rest of your night."

It's 3am. Please tell me what is there to enjoy.

Anyway, I didn't see that message until I woke up this morning and decided not to respond to it.

A tap on my shoulder brought me back to the present and I looked to see the girl who sat next to me pointing at a piece of paper that had fallen.

Now why wouldn't she just pick it up if she was going to lean and tap on me?

I gave her a fake smile and continued to pretend to be paying attention.

Class flew by and before I knew it, I was standing up to exit with the rest of my classmates.

Until I felt Jaxon's eyes on me.

Lingering back, I let everyone else flood out of the room before walking towards him.

One of the students kicked the door close either on purpose or accident, so we didn't have to worry about someone hearing our conversation.

"This clearly isn't the time nor the place but I wanted to express to you my apologies as soon as possible."

At the look of perplexion on my face, he continued, "I knew better than to do that but I did it anyway because I was selfish. You may not see it as a big deal but I took advantage of your curiosity and that's not becoming of the person I want to be."

Geez.

I nodded, "It's fine."

"We'll talk more later if you're available?"

Nodding again, "Yeah I am."

Jaxon looked towards the door before leaning down to kiss the spot below my ear, "I look forward to it."

You & me both.

• • •

Arriving home, I saw Ava's car parked in the visitors spot of our complex.

She wasn't in there so I could only assume she'd already gone up.

I made eye contact with Eric and his group of friends, who try so hard to be what they aren't, sitting on top of their cars. He quickly looked away, though I'm sure he knew I wouldn't say anything.

Of course, that wasn't for his sake.

Ava was sitting on my couch when I walked in, looking up at the sound of the door opening.

"He knows." She stated immediately.

She didn't have to elaborate for me to know what she meant. The only person who had something to figure out was Matt.

For some reason though, she didn't look nearly as concerned as I thought she'd be.

"What'd he say?" I asked as I came over to sit beside her, "Does he wanna call off the engagement?"

Ava looked at me in confusion, "No. Why would he?"

"Because he just found out you've had sex with his friends and lied to him about it?"

The confusion on her face was replaced by humor, "No Ky, he knows that you're an escort."

What in the entire fuck?

Matt and I had only spoken a handful of times because I found him to be slightly arrogant and largely annoying.

Of course I never voiced that to Ava because I wasn't in the relationship, she was.

That being said, I would never want him to know about what I used to do because even if I explained why I did it, he wouldn't even attempt to understand.

"How does he know that?" I finally asked after I'd gathered my thoughts.

"Chris told him. He said you tried to have sex with him in the bathroom and he refused you."

Why are men such trash creatures? God definitely went overboard with the not-shitness when creating them.

"No, he tried to have sex with me and I refused him."

Ava nodded, "I know that. Matt believes him though since you're a- you know- and he was upset that you'd try to sleep with a married man."

Oh just wait Matt. Just you fucking wait.

"What did you say?" I asked.

By the look of shame on her face, I knew not only did she not defend me, but she probably didn't tell him we were one in the same.

I rolled my eyes and stood up, motioning towards the door, "You were leaving?"

"What would you expect me to do? He'd already made his mind up about you so I would've just been adding to it."

"I expected you to tell him that his dick of a friend tried me first and that I'm not some home-wrecker who wants to fuck barely attractive men in a dirty ass bathroom."

My voice was getting louder and I had to remind myself that my grandma was in the back.

"It's not like that though." Ava reasoned, "I'll tell him it was a lie when I tell him about me."

"In Neveruary?"

She sighed, "I really want you to see where I'm coming from."

I found that extremely hard to do since I couldn't imagine not defending my friends if they weren't there to do it themselves.

When I didn't respond, she got up from her seat and walked towards the door, "I really am sorry Ky." She said sadly, "I didn't mean anything by it."

The door closed softly behind her.

______

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