Page 14 of From Coast to Coast

Same. First thing I thought of after work was messaging you.

Ree

Can I be honest with you about something?

Brody

Oh, lord.

Ree

Nothing crazy, I just want to make sure I’m not leading anybody on. I just got a divorce and this is my first foray into the world of dating men. So, if I say or do something wrong, you’ll have to let me know—I’m new here.

Brody

I’m sorry to hear about the divorce.

My throat tightens at that. It’s a nice thing to say to somebody you met on a dating app that was created for the express purpose of getting laid. I have the sudden desire to tell him all my secrets. How the first time Amanda and I slept together, my immediate thought had been:is that it?I want to tell him that I dreaded long stretches at home and preferred away games—if only because I could avoid the stress of being home. I want him to know that Amanda was my best friend and I love her, but I don’t think I loved her in the right way to marry her.

Ree

Me too. But it was the right move.

Brody

So, when you say you’re new to this, you mean…

Ree

Experimenting? That’s not the right word, but it also is?? I don’t know. I’ve never even kissed a guy before—literal gay virgin over here. But I’m curious, and I just got a divorce, so fuck it.

I figured I’d better put that out in the open right away so you can walk away if you want.

Brody

Thanks. I don’t mind being part of the experiment, though.

Ree

You can be my gay Jedi Master, teaching me the ways of the Force.

Brody

Ah, so you’re a nerd. Good to know.

Ree

Tell me a dirty secret, since I’ve just told you mine.

CHAPTER FOUR

Grayson

Sitting on my bed,back against the headboard and legs stretched out in front of me, I stare down at my phone and try to think of something I can tell him that isn’t humiliating. I actually kind of like this guy, and though I still have my reservations about meeting up with a stranger I met on an app, I’m definitely enjoying talking to him. I wasn’t lying when I told him that I wanted to message him after work today. Embarrassingly, the first person I thought of, after scoring tonight, was him.

Pulling up his profile picture, I stare at his stomach and reach for inspiration. I’ve definitely got a type as far as men are concerned, and Ree has—so far—checked all of the boxes.Probably too good to be true, I warn myself sternly,don’t get attached to an internet stranger.Unfortunately, staring at Ree’s hairless, chiseled abdomen has given me nothing in the way of dirty secrets I could share. Given me a few ideas of dirty things I’d like todo, though.

Tapping a finger against the corner of my phone, I decide I can be honest with him since he was honest with me.