53. Arabella
53
Arabella
R yker walked back into the club hours ago. He went straight to his office, and has been there ever since. We have an hour left until close and all I want to do is go to him and make sure he’s alright. But I don’t. He clearly needs space and I want to respect that. Except… What if he wants me to go up there?
My uncertainty is interrupted by a flash of hot pink across the room. Wrinley ?
Setting my tray down, I push my way through the crowd. “Wrin? What are you doing here?”
“Hey Ari,” she shouts over the music, while attacking me with a tight hug. “I’m a legit member now. No more guest pass for this bitch.”
“How did you afford this? I happen to know that Gravity memberships are both exclusive and not in your budget.” What is going on with her lately? We text almost every day, and I’ve been a little occupied, but I should know this stuff. “And why is this the first time I’m hearing about it?”
Before I can interrogate her further, I see him out of the corner of my eye. The anxiety I’d been feeling is gone the moment he touches me. He’s Xanax, in human form.
“Oh, hey CP,” Wrinley says with an exaggerated eye waggle.
Ryker stares at her for a moment and I can’t tell if he’s amused or irritated.
“CP?”
“ Cocktimus Prime ,” she mouths while shoving her index fingers in his face and slowly pulling them apart, with a sly grin. “It’s an inside joke. Don’t you worry your handsome little head.”
Oh. My. God. “Wrinley Jaymes!” I yelp, pulling her hands down and pushing her away from my man. “You did not seriously just reference his dick size to his face. What the hell is wrong with you?”
“It was just a joke. Why are you being so intense?”
“I’m not being intense. I just don’t need him knowing I talked to you about his dick.”
“Ah, I see. I figured you were already fucking him.” Her eyes widen like she’s made an epic discovery. “But, why didn’t you tell me you’re in love with him?”
Shifting on my feet, I look over my shoulder to see he’s back at the bar with Jake and Roxie, pouring drinks and deep in thought. When I turn back, she’s still staring at me like a fucking creep.
“I don’t know,” I confess. “I guess maybe I figured it wasn’t real.”
She regards me with a raised brow. “Ari, I’ve never seen you look at anyone, the way you look at that man. Looks pretty real to me.” Damn her for knowing the exact right thing to say.
“Am I that obvious?”
“Yeah, babe. You are. I get this is supposed to be temporary, but maybe he’s what you needed all along. Maybe, he’s your forever.” She’s so flighty half the time, it’s easy to forget she’s been through enough shit in her life and has a lot of wisdom underneath that facade. “Don’t you owe it to yourself, to find out? Do something for you for a change?”
I tug my best friend into the warmest of hugs. She’s right. The truth is, I am in love with him. But I won’t admit that to her. He deserves to be the first person to hear me say it.
“I’ve gotta get back to work. We’re closing soon and there’s still a lot to do.” She nods, but what I don’t tell her… is the sooner I finish my work, the sooner I can take this torture device out of my asshole.