The morning after, Lori sends Brett a message. Its contents aren't what he was expecting, however.
Hi Brett!
Are you busy today?
hey lori! nah, i don't start my work shift until tonight
why? need help with something?
Actually, I do... I bought these photo frames last week and need help putting them up.
I'd do it myself, but I'm not so good with power tools.
...
i mean, you've come to the right guy
i'm good at drilling
stuff... into walls... you know?
LOL
Are you okay?
yeah yeah haha
just woke up, so i'm a little... woozy lol
when do you need me to come?
Maybe after Tom leaves for work?
He's still being a dick after yesterday and I'm not in the mood to argue with him.
you want me to sneak in after your husband leaves or? 😂
Well, don't make it sound soo weird! haha
You can come through the front door, though the back's open too 😉
hahaha damn, can i do both?
Oh you! Just make sure you wait until he leaves, okay?
of course. i wouldn't want to get caught with my hands in the cookie jar...
or drilling your walls in this case lol
🤭🤭🤭
What about your work, though? How's that going?
i'm going in for my final test tonight and if i pass, i get a regular shift
pretty stoked for it, actually! the pay's good and the food is free
THE DREAM haha
You sound exactly like Josh when he started work.
Except he was far more excited by the bartender he'll be working with.
anna? yeah, he told me all about her the other night.
apparently, she's playing hard to get but if you ask me?
she's definitely ignoring his ass
josh likes that, though hahaha
I'm afraid my son's a masochist 😂
what about his mom?
😏😏😏
ooooh not gonna tell? i thought we were cool, though? lol
We are, but... you still have yet to unlock that stage 🤭
naaaah, but i like it. so helping you out levels me up?
Exactly.
alright, i'm in. ping me when old tom leaves, yeah? i'll run right over 🙏🏻
Don't trip... on the way here 😉
A few days later. Josh asks Brett about Emily, asking if he actually blocked her instead of just amicably ending things.
sup broski! just got back from my shift. what time does yours start?
in a few hours. just chillin for now tbh
how'd it go?
busy as hell. managed to mix up orders somehow lol
i did get a surprise in my inbox tho
yeah? money? haha
about 15 messages from emily, actually
oh...
i got a feeling i know what this is about
yeeeeeeah, man
did you actually block her?
she said you haven't answered any of her messages and she can't call you either
...yeah, i did
bro whyyyy
i thought you were just gonna end things with her cleanly
because i tried and she didn't listen, yet again
i got tired of going in circles, so i just hit block and went to bed
i kinda forgot to undo it lol
well... are you going to?
she's waiting for your replies
honestly, i don't know
even more honestly? i don't want to hehe
i know that sounds rude af but you gotta understand, she stresses me out
you still gotta do the right thing tho
that's what i've been doing, bro
maybe she'll get the message if just keep blocking her, you know?
she might grow tired of me or something
i sincerely doubt that, but i get why you're doing this too
it just sucks cus now she's bothering me lol
just tell her i'm busy with family stuff
yeah, i figured i would have to come up with another excuse for you
you're gonna owe me big time for this. AGAIN 😂
heeeeeeeey now
don't forget i covered for your ass and mowed the lawn on your behalf
lol
we both know you only did that cus you have a crush on my mom *CRINGING*
that doesn't mean i won't be adding it to your tab, dude
😂😂😂
dang it hahaha
fine, i'll cover for your ass this time and try to convince emily
thanks, man.
if you ever get an idea on how to get her off my back, i'll mow the lawn next week too 😂😂
i got nothing for you, brett
emily's just a force of nature 😂
you should've have thought twice before getting involved with her
yeah, hindsight is 20/20 when it comes to this
i really wasn't thinking
you were thinking, bro
just not with your head LMAO
i mean, you have two eyes... you know she's hot af
can't argue with you about that
i still wonder how you even landed her in the first place
she used to tell me that i gave off a certain vibe that she found attractive
a vibe huh?
helpless? like a puppy? that she needs to save or take care of? 😂
idiot 😂😂😂
anyway, i gotta go
i need to prepare dinner for mom before i leave for work
look at you being a filial son
need a hand with anything?
nah, i got this. she only wants to eat the same thing every night
my dad's lasagna 😭
damn. if that's not real love, i don't know what is
yeah, the stuff of ~dreams~ haha
think we'll ever experience that kinda thing?
are you getting sentimental on me now??
just wondering out loud
i mean, i'd hate to end up in a marriage like the one my parents have so...
right, right...
we can hope, i guess
not really looking to settle down early, tho
maybe when i turn 60? lol
AS EXPECTED lol
and emily would still be pining for you
christ. i hope not. 😂
That same afternoon. Brett messages Lori about borrowing a necktie for his job. She makes him come over.
hi lori! sorry to be a bother but i need urgent help with something
Is everything okay? Is it about your mom?
yeah, she's all good! it's actually about work
it's my first real day on the job and i just realized i have no necktie 🤦🏻
i was supposed to get one, but i forgot
Oh! I got worried for no reason. 🤭
What kind of tie do you need?
I bought Tom so many over the years, but he doesn't even use them.
i need a red one, preferably nothing too flashy haha
Hmm... why don't you come over later so you can choose which one you like best?
is tom not home? you're not busy?
Tom went out with his golf friends...
I've actually been bored all day. lol
you look like you're getting ready for something, tho.
The makeup? Tom wanted me to put some on.
He didn't want me to greet his friends barefaced. 🙄
that's... kinda rude?
It's normal, really. He just wants to make a good impression, I guess.
I suppose it's working since he's become friends with a lot of his higher-ups.
yeah, i get that but... at your expense?
you're already gorgeous as you are and if his friends can't see that... they're dumb
There you go again...
what?
what did i do?
Making me blush like an idiot.
i mean it each time, you know?
you're married to tom, but don't let him make you feel like shit
He doesn't act like that all the time, don't worry.
I think he's just stressed out a lot lately.
Work, networking... among other things.
hell, i'm stressed out too but i don't act like that lol
What's stressing you out?
Can I help in any way?
you... already are
i mean, it's nothing. really boring stuff.
Try me.
i would love to
😏😏😏
Seriously, what is it?
this girl from uni... emily...
she won't let up and still thinks we're in some sort of relationship
Oh, yes. The poor girl Josh told me about.
she's not someone to pity, trust me
i blocked her on social media and now she's started bothering josh lol
I though you've spoken to her already?
Did you explain your stand on the situation?
multiple times, but she just won't accept it
Hmm...
Delusional, huh?
pretty much.
i'm trying to be the good guy here and blocking her is the gentlest response i could think of
Maybe she'll give up if you make her believe you already have a girlfriend?
she'll ask for proof
you don't know emily, she's hella thorough
very stalker-vibes haha
Then show her your girlfriend, so she has something tangible.
yeah... that could work. if i had a girlfriend.
Meet Ginny. A slightly older woman you work with at the restaurant 😉
wait... but that's you??
Yes... 😏
OH. SHIT. are you sure about this?
you're willing to pretend to be my girlfriend?
We'll have to be careful with the pics and not show my face too much... but yeah!
let me just... take a moment.
...
How many moments do you actually need? lol
hahaha
i'm just letting it sink in 😭
I don't think she'll figure it out, Brett.
I don't have social media since Tom doesn't allow it.
She'll never find me, even if she tries to look me up 🤭
it sounds too good to be true, honestly
but i don't really care whether she buys it or not
i feel like i already won 😂
Don't forget, it's pretend!!
call me delusional then lmao
Just give it a try and see what happens, yeah?
you don't have to tell me twice, ma'am
about that necktie, tho... what time should i come over?
In an hour. I'll text you after Tom leaves.