To the Last Man I Slept with and All the Jerks Just Like Him by Gwendolyn Zepeda Read Free Book Online Page A

treats her that way because she lets him”—this time meaning me.
    So I let them change the subject. I watch Aunt Rosie run out the door in a furious rush to fit in one more good time, before it’s too late. I don’t tell her what I really want to say, maybe because I don’t want to remind her of the times that I did the same shit everybody else did. I guess I’m ashamed of the way I used to be.
    I turn to my own children. “Don’t listen to ghosts,” I say. “And go give your Aunt Rosie a kiss before she goes. Tell her to have a good time.”

To the Last Man I Slept with and to Everybody Else
    I spent a lot of time trying to make you the hero. I helped you hold up your front by smiling and nodding at your stories and excuses. I saved you again and again from feeling less than a man, from loneliness and despair, and from the opinions of my friends.
    I just realized who the real hero is here.
    You wanted to be the rock star, the ninja, the cowboy in black. I wanted to be with those people so I pretended they were you. But secretly, I have always been all of those things. I kept it a secret for you.
    I’m the rock star. I’m the brave warrior. I’m the clever girl who grows up to win fame and fortune. I am the queen. And I always have been.
    For years, I could have shown myself as the hero and gotten the credit I deserved. Instead, I’ve been wasting my time and energy on trying to save you. And now I don’t have a damned thing to show for it.
    And now I don’t have any more time to lose.

    I’m going to go out into the world and be a hero. If you want to, you can watch.

low Brow

My Lord Alpha Male
    Chapter 1
    Miss Chastity Fairbody looked around in dismay as she alit from the post chaise. Surely this was a very odd part of town in which to find a modiste.
    Dusting off her pelisse, Chastity’s firm little chin jutted out in a gesture of determination that those who knew her would have recognized all too well. Rough part of London or not, she would be a silly peagoose to back away now and give up the job of assistant modiste, losing the only chance to make a respectable living that had materialized since her father had finally drunk himself to death after gambling away the family estate just six short months ago.
    Stubborn wisps of dark, golden, auburn hair escaped from her bonnet, curling into tendrils around her enormous violet eyes. There was no doubt that Chastity was a beauty, had she but known it. Not even the hours spent in front of her mirror, staring at her own reflection while a maid labored over her hair and continually murmured compliments, had managed to affect her modest opinion of herself.
    Finally plucking up enough courage to actually move, Chastity stepped towards a small man covered in soot and said in her low, musical voice, “Excuse me, but I wonder if you could tell me . . .”
    The chimney sweep was precluded from answering by the sudden interruption of a formidable shadow falling across his face. Chastity glanced toward the source of this awe-inspiring shade, and immediately regretted doing so, as her heart leapt into her throat and then fell all the way down to her tiny slippers.
    Standing before her was a—a man . . . Oh, but what a specimen of man he was! From the top of his midnight black hair to the soles of his gleaming Hessians, he radiated the very air of elegance. His powerful shoulders strained the blue superfine of an exquisitely tailored coat. His buff-colored breeches clung to his muscular legs so closely . . . each manly bulge outlined by the thin cloth . . .
    Chastity blushed at her sudden willingness to consider parts of the male wardrobe she had never, ever considered before, not even after spending hours watching the bulls and stallions on her uncle’s farm. Then, looking up and seeing the gentleman’s eye monstrously distorted in his quizzing glass, she blushed even redder as she realized he must know the object of her unsettling thoughts.
    She needn’t have