Not the Friend with Benefits: A BBW New Adult Serial Romance (Not the Hot Chick series Book 3) Read Online Free PDF

sucked her breath between her teeth in a hiss and stalked to the bedroom. Her bed had been remade, and its innocent appearance mocked her. She clenched her jaw, seething. Tears burned her eyes. That fucking Jessi had touched Grandma Messner's beautiful handmade quilt, and for that reason alone Layla would have gladly knocked the bitch out. She tore the quilt and sheets off the bed and threw them to the floor.
    Drew's cross trainers lay near the wall, where he must have kicked them in his hurry to undress. A fiery sensation rose up Layla's chest into her throat. She grabbed the shoes, marched to the living room, and lobbed one, then the other at Drew. He caught the first before it thunked him on the head. The other landed behind him in the hall.
    When he turned to bend and pick it up, she was mightily tempted to kick the target he presented.
    She shut the door quickly, before temptation got the best of her. Shutting out any hopes of a future with Drew.
    And that's how it ends, with the click of a latch.
    She sank to the sofa, trying to hold on to the anger. She needed it to sustain her, fire her up, energize her. But slowly it ebbed away, leaving behind a hopeless emptiness.
    ****
    How long have I been sitting here?
    Layla glanced at the window, but it was no darker outside than it had been. She checked the time on her phone.
    She hadn't spent hours zoned out, as she'd feared. No, just fifteen or twenty minutes.
    She let go a sigh and thought of the wad of bedclothes lying on her bedroom floor. She should get up, carry them down to the Dumpster, but she couldn't summon the energy to move.
    If only there was someone to talk to…
    She picked up the phone, texted her roommate Kelsey.
    Hi. Can u talk?
    Kelsey was never far from her phone, would probably have had it surgically implanted to her hand if such a thing were possible. Layla didn't have to wait long for a response.
    On the way to a movie with my bae. Whats up?
    Kels had met a new guy and was spending every weekend at his place. At least she was having a good time. Guilt stabbed Layla. Why cry on her friend's shoulder and spoil her day? Why should we both feel like crap?
    She typed: Nothing. Just checking in .
    Cool. All good with u?
    Layla answered with a smiley emoji.
    See u 2 morrow night , Kelsey texted back.
    See u .
    She laid the phone on her lap. She should get up and go to a movie herself. Go out for a walk. Something. Anything.
    She gazed down at the phone's screen, then brought her index finger to hover over the Contacts icon.
    No , her little voice warned. Don't do it. Don't drag him into this.
    Even though she knew the voice was right, Layla tapped out one word on the keyboard and hit Send.
    Hey.
    She couldn't have waited more than thirty seconds for a response, but it felt like an eternity.
    Hey. Cam texted back. What's shakin?
    Nothing much.
    Thot u and Romeo would be 2 busy to come up for air. You 2 done already?
    Layla snorted in bitter humor. Done is right. Done for good.
    His reply took a bit longer, as though he found her response difficult to decipher.
    What do you mean?
    Now she hesitated, wondering how to explain it. We broke up.
    That was plain enough. But had they ever really been together?
    What happened? He stunk in bed?
    That made her laugh, a real laugh. It was a welcome moment's respite from humiliation. Gratitude washed over her. Gratitude for Cam's friendship and his totally inappropriate sense of humor. We never got that far. Came home to find him and Jessi together. She paused and typed TOGETHER all in caps,so there would be no misunderstanding.
    Again she waited for his reply.
    Holy shit! Jessi the bitch?
    Layla smirked. Yep.
    That blows. I'm sorry. Really sorry.
    Thanks.
    There was no answering text. Was that it, then?
    A moment later her phone rang. Cam.
    "Hi," she answered.
    "Are you all right?"
    She felt better just hearing his voice. "I guess. I don't know." God, she was a flake. Come on, pull up your big girl panties. "Yeah, I'm