Title: When Reality Strikes

I sit in my bed fuming for a few minutes then I throw back the covers and go take a shower. Once I'm dressed I pack up my stuff and head down to the lobby. I ask the clerk for the address for the nearest car rental place. Once I have it I go head out to the front of the hotel and hail a cab. I take the cab to the car rental dealership and rent myself a car. When I get out onto the highway I start to rethink everything. That damn bastard got what he wanted. He wanted me in bed and he got me there. I smack the wheel frustrated with myself for giving in. I feel sick to my stomach when I think about how I threw myself at him last night.

I put the earphone piece into my ear for my cell phone and call Amber. When she answers I just start to cry. "Erica sweetie is that you? Calm down." I get my crying down to sniffles. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to flip out. I just needed to talk to someone." Amber tells me to take a few calming breathes and then start to talk. "Ok I'm calm now. I guess there's no way to say this. I slept with Mark last night." Amber starts screaming over the phone then stops herself. "Wait if you just fulfilled your deepest fantasy then how come you're calling me crying instead of screaming along with me?"

"Well you didn't let me get to the part about him having a girlfriend. Wait I'm sorry he just fucks her. Anyway this morning when I woke up he was gone so I decided to call his room. And little miss bitch face picked up the phone. The asshole probably went to her bed right after mine. I feel so stupid. I saw how he treated that woman at the bar when I first saw him. I should have realized that's how he really is but no stupid me tries to see the good in people and where does that get me? Absolutely nowhere." Amber sighs on the other end of the phone. "Erica we've known each other practically forever. I know you put out this tough badass bitch exterior but I know on the inside you have the biggest heart of anyone I know. You always put yourself out there but still try to protect yourself. Part of me is jealous you still have that part of innocence about you. Don't let Mark take that away from you. You just go up to him and tell his sorry ass that you know he's a two timing whore."

I can't help myself and start laughing. "I love you Amber. You always know the right thing to say. I don't know what I would do without you." My cell phone beeps and when I look down at the caller ID I realize its Mark. "Amber his royal highness is on the other line. I think I am going to let him worry for a little bit. But I am going to hang up now. I'll call you later and thanks for the pep talk." We say our good-byes and I hang up. My phone starts beeping that I have voicemail and I press the button to hear it. "Erica its Mark. I came by your room this morning and you didn't answer. When I went down to the front desk they said you checked out. I'm getting a little worried baby. Please call me to let me know you're ok."

I erase the message and drive the rest of the way with Mark on my mind.