Page 29 of Bad Habit
I don’t know what you are talking about.
Oliver
Keep pretending, pretty girl. I’m okay with it.
I watch her start to type three different times before she gives up on responding. I go back to my game with Pru. I learn that Alison is a vet tech but wants to travel. She has red hair and is apparently a really good singer. I learn more than I ever want to know about this girl. And all I can picture is some other guy's hands on Mia’s body while she is getting whatever tattoo she is getting. Ever since she got that viper for AJ, she has an unbearable itch for new ink. We should have known that would happen though. She loves everything and her brain never stops. She always has a new thing to try or obsess over. And she’s impulsive.
I’ve never played a Scrabble tournament before, but I feel like this one is very lenient on the rules of play. Pru hasn’t made a move in ten minutes. She has shown me nearly every picture of Alison on her phone though. I’ve checked my phone a few more times waiting to see if Mia will actually show me the picture of whatever she has gotten done. We don’t text a lot. And it’s normally her sending me her newest Pinterest board saves for something she thinks would look cute in my house. I remember AJ telling me that I should let her do projects on the house. I would be more than happy to let her back in my home. I just need to figure out a way to have her there that won’t result in her running away.
My phone lights up again with a picture of her nose, but it now has a cute little hoop in it. Another picture comes through and it is the same hoop but a different nose.
Oliver
Did you get a matching piercing with my brother?
Mia
Of course I did. He wouldn’t get my name on his ass. This was the next best thing.
Oliver
He doesn’t need your name on his ass. The nose ring is cute as fuck.
Mia
Would you get my name on your ass?
Oliver
Do you want me to?
Mia
Yes.
Oliver
You think I’m bluffing?
Mia
Your new girlfriend probably wouldn’t like it.
Oliver
Are you jealous, prettygirl?
Mia
Never.
Cheryl and Dad start walking up together and I check the board. Pru still hasn’t played a new word. She just keeps rearranging her letters.
“I’m afraid Oliver is the winner by default in this match.” Pru sighs then grabs her coffee and looks over at me.
She takes a sip before asking, “Do you want me to give Alison your number?” I have to give the old bat credit, she’s persistent.
I grip my phone a little tighter. Mia might want to pretend this isn’t happening between us, but I won’t. She’s trying to prove something to herself. And if I understand anything, it’s feeling the need to prove something. She can go on as many dates as she wants. According to AJ, nothing ever happens because Mia can’t get me out of her head. Fucking same. She is always a menacing presence in my thoughts.
