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their money on athletic clothes and accessories. It wouldn’t be all that bad, but Seth is hiding out in the back.

I’m beginning to suspect he’s pretty mad at me for going to Lucas’s meet last weekend. It doesn’t help that the whole week after hanging out with Lucas and getting my rocks off in his boat, Seth has spent it avoiding my very presence. Like now.

I look up at the clock and groan. It’s only been an hour. Three more to go. I sigh and push myself away from the desk. Maybe there’s something I can clean around here.

I walk over to the cleaning supplies closet, which is near the back exit and kept separate from the stock room. Which is annoying, because I would give anything to just saunter in there and see what he’s up to. Maybe say something along the lines of “How are you Seth?” I cringe. Most likely he would answer something rude or mean and then I would have to go back to the cash register annoyed.

I grab a broom and begin sweeping at the imaginary dust. It gives me something to do while I obsess over my predicament. I scowl down at the shiny floor. It’s not like I did anything wrong with Lucas. Seth and I aren’t even dating. He’s barely spoken to me since we hooked up and it’s not my fault he’s feeling all weird and awkward around me. I shouldn’t feel guilty about Lucas and Hunter. They’re always sharing their girls anyway.

I stop sweeping and stare up at the ceiling. Am I really one of their playmates that they toss around? It doesn’t feel that way to me. It feels more like… things are on my terms. That I have a substantial say. Not to mention, Lucas and Hunter are rather sweet. Hunter has kept up with the cleaning, which has been absolutely fantastic. And Lucas has been an amazing cuddle buddy. Seth… well Seth has been grumpy.

Maybe I sucked in bed. I recall his moans and the way he thrusted deep inside me, his gasps becoming whimpers as he gripping my thighs. It definitely didn’t seem like he hated it. It’s not like I don’t have enough on my plate to worry about. I should be more focused on my photography project. Not obsessing over this nonsense. I don’t need to choose between them and if Seth has a problem with it then it’s his issue, not mine.

I glance over my shoulder and scowl at the door leading into the stock room. I just hate this silent treatment. It’s so freaking annoying. I lean the broom against a shelf full of running belts and compression socks and go over to the store window. Looking back and forth, I see no one in the vicinity of the store and decide now is better than never. I stride towards the back room and slam open the door.

Seth glances up from steaming the new runner’s shirts. He looks shocked at first, his gaze softening for a moment before he returns to his work. “What’s up?” He asks. “Did a big group come in? Need my help?”

I rest my hands on my hips and stride towards him. Just ask him, Rachel. You can do it. He’s not so big and scary. My shoulders slump as my courage deflates. He continues ignoring me while running the steamer over the clothes. Maybe now isn’t a good time.

“I know I’m sexy as fuck, but do you really have to stare, Rachel?” Seth smirks. “I’m actually trying to work here.”

Anger ignites through me again and I push my shoulders back, jutting out my chin. I’m tempted to take the shirt and throw it across the room, but that would be childish. “Why are you avoiding me?” Brilliant. Straight to the point.

Seth shakes his head. “I’m not avoiding you.”

“You’ve been acting weird since… that night.”

Seth scoffs. “Since we fucked?” He shrugs. “I’m not the type of guy to get all attached after one night.” He glances up at me and smirks. “Thought you would realize that by now.”

I scowl at him. “Well, if that’s all it is then,” I say. What else can I do? If all he wanted to do is have sex with me and then dump me, then I should have known better.

I turn on my heel and blink back the tears. I’m not going to let that asshole see me cry. I leave the stock room and inhale deeply while I stride over to the cash register. I look up at the clock. Just two and a half more hours. I can probably draw something while I wait for this terrible shift to end.

“Why do you even care?” I hear Seth ask and I turn around, seeing him following after me. He stares back at me with a dark look. Something else is hidden behind those eyes. Possibly worry, remorse? Although I doubt Seth has the capacity to feel remorseful over anything.

I grind my teeth to keep back whatever sob is threatening to boil. I have to appear strong. I have to appear unbreakable. “I don’t.” I sniff and inwardly groan. Whatever strength I was trying to exude, it was obviously broken by that.

Seth walks around to the other side of the cash register. “You went to that meet with Lucas,” he says while pacing back and forth.

“So?” I shake my head, trying to figure out what exactly he is trying to say. “What does that have to do with anything?”

“You went to Lucas’s meet!” Seth shouts while pointing at me.

“Seth-“

“Did anything happen?” Seth stops pacing and strides towards the cash register, his eyes wide and wild. “Did you-“

“Yes,” I say. His face seems to break then, like he’s about to cry or scream. I look away from him, not knowing what else I can say other than the truth. I can’t lie to him. Not about this. “Yes, something happened between us.”

Seth doubles over. I lean over the desk. His shoulders are