All Chapters of Backup Plan: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Chapter ElevenChloe“It happened again,” I whisper into the phone, swallowing hard as my eyes dart around the dimly lit living room. Farisha’s driving home and it’s one of the rare occasions we’re actually talking on the phone since she can’t text and drive.“You wrote a creepy scene and freaked yourself out?” she asks with a laugh.“Yes,” I hiss. “And then I heard Balloon scratching on the door to be let out. But he’s not here, Farisha! He’s not here!”“There are raccoons all over the forest. That’s probably what you heard.”“How can you be sure? Coming here alone was a mistake!”She laughs and something hits the large living room window, making me jump. Eyes wide, I turn, expecting to see a man with a hook arm or a deranged clown standing next to the glass. Instead, I see several large bugs flying around one of the exterior lights, and some sort of beetle hits the window again.I let out a breath, shaking my head at myself. I get really into what I’m writing, and being alone in thi

Chapter ThirteenChloeWhat the hell is wrong with me? I don’t like pain. I go to great lengths to avoid it. Sometimes I take Advil before settling down for a writing sprint because I know my back will hurt from sitting still for hours on end. I avoided the dentist for an impressive three years without getting another cavity because I was scared the one I needed filled would hurt. I might be stupid, but my tiny human brain can at least process that pain is bad.So why the hell did I agree to go to the Harrises’ for dinner tonight?“Ughhh,” I huff to myself and take off my shoes, closing the front door behind me. I set my bag from Silver Café on the counter and go upstairs, trading my workout clothes for a sundress. I couldn’t sleep when I got home from the bar last night and stayed up taking my frustrations out by getting lost in my story. I wrote nearly five thousand words before I fell asleep on the couch in the living room.I woke up, got dressed, and had every intention of going f

Chapter FifteenChloeI need someone to pinch me.No, really. I might offer the couple over there, clearly on their first date, twenty bucks per pinch because I’m having a good time with Sam—a really good time with Sam. We’re talking, just casually talking, and it feels so good to hang out like this again. I forgot how easy he was to get along with, and now that my heart has settled back into my chest, it almost feels like old times.Almost. Because I know for certain Sam wants to sleep with me, and I can’t get that out of my mind.“We still have a few weeks left,” I tell him, putting my empty glass on the table. “It’s not too late to buy a costume online and go.”“But getting the time off work,” Sam starts, and I laugh, knowing he’s full of shit. “That might be tricky.”“Bullshit,” I laugh. “You just told me you get several days off every month, and that always includes a weekend. You’re just scared.”“I am not,” Sam counters.“Then put on some tights and come to the Renaissance Fair

Chapter SeventeenSam“Where have you been?” Mason looks up from his phone, half-eaten sandwich in his hand.“I went for a run,” I say, taking off my shoes.“Bullshit you were running the whole time.”“What, afraid you can’t keep up?”“I could outrun you any day,” Mason shoots back.Rory comes into the kitchen holding Adam and gives me a pointed look. “Don’t start,” she warns.I take Adam from her, bouncing him gently in my arms. He reaches for my nose, smiling.“Start what?” Mason asks, taking another bite of his sandwich.“You know,” Rory says, opening the fridge.“No, I don’t.”Rory rolls her eyes. “You’re stupidly competitive, and it’s annoying.”“I am not,” Mason spits back. “Okay, fine, I am. So where were you?”“Running, that whole time. Blindfolded and uphill both ways. Barefoot too.”“Hah-hah,” Mason snickers. “Hilarious. Next time you want to actually work out, let me know.”“What, are you going to go cut down trees or something? With an ax like a real man,” Rory retorts.“Y

Chapter NineteenSamThe little shit was serious.He’s putting the moves on Chloe, right in fucking front of me. She looks a little confused as she taps her shot glass against his, and gags when she tosses the whiskey back. She and Mason both burst out laughing, and Chloe waves her hand in front of her face.“That’s terrible! Oh my god!” She’s still laughing and turns around to go to the sink. She rinses her shot glass and fills it with water, taking a drink.“Now that we’ve gotten the worst out of the way, try this one.” Mason unscrews the lid to a bottle of peach vodka.“It’s probably not a good idea to be mixing types of alcohol like that,” I say.“Told you he’s lame,” Mason huffs, and I glare at him, still in disbelief he’s hitting on Chloe. She’s my— Well, she’s not my anything. She was my best friend but she’s not anymore, and I fucking hate how much that hurts.“He’s right.” Chloe’s eyes go to mine. “I shouldn’t mix booze like this, and I had wine with dinner. I don’t want to g