Chapter 6 – Andie
ANDIE
I drove home from Morgan’s as quickly as I could without breaking the speed limit.
I was wound up and my heart raced. I still had a few hours before I had to go to the club, so I decided to jump in the jacuzzi, which always seemed to calm me.
I changed into a floral two-piece and made my way into our pool area and placed my phone and towel to the side.
Just as I settled into the warm bubbles and started to relax, my phone rang. I dried off my hands and picked it up to see Kate’s name and face flashing on the screen. I steadied myself, waiting for her to start yelling at me and answered the phone.
“Hey, you left without saying goodbye. Are you okay?” Kate’s soothing tone floated down the line.
“Yeah, I’m okay,” I croaked. My throat felt dry, and wished I’d thought to bring a drink with me.
“Morgan told me what happened. I’m sorry, I told him it was a good idea. I thought you two would be perfect for each other. Did he say something wrong?”
“No, he didn’t. He’s the perfect gentleman. It’s just I don’t agree. He’s young and has a whole life to live yet.”
“Pfft, I told you this earlier, you’re talking like you’re eighty, there’s only five years difference and he’s got a child.
He’s twenty-five and an adult. He likes staying at home and watching movies rather than going out drinking.
He has a savings account for a house, his own car, and a good job. ” I heard the frustration in her voice.
I felt so awkward talking to his mother about the relationship that was not meant to be.
“I get that five years isn’t much, but I’ve already been married twice before and am not going there again.
I feel like I’ve already lived two lifetimes, and he hasn’t lived one.
” I sighed, shaking my head. My chest felt tight, and like something was pressing down on it.
“I own nightclubs; partying is my life. I don’t get much time to sit and watch movies in the evenings and he wants more kids.
” My speech was getting faster the more I talked, until I was rambling, and my voice broke, “I … can’t give him that.
And I’m too old now to be starting something that won’t last.”
“Oh hun, I’m so sorry. He’s never mentioned more kids. Did you tell him you can’t?” Her voice was full of sympathy and my emotions were threatening to overflow.
“No, I got all choked up. He looked so happy talking about more kids and the house and the wife I just couldn’t.” My vision blurred, my body felt heavy even in the water, my throat constricted. I tried to clear it, but the tightness remained.
“It’s not for me to interfere, especially because he’s my son. As a friend, I think you should be honest and open with him, and allow him to make the decision for himself. It’s not for you to decide what’s right for him.”
“Yeah, maybe. I have to get ready for work now. Talk to you tomorrow?” I wanted to end the conversation, though she had given me a lot to think about.
“Bye, love.”
I hung up and settled back into the jacuzzi, letting the warm bubbles calm my senses.
I was so lost in thought I didn’t see or hear the girls coming in; Lauren, my nightclub manager, and Betty my other bestie.
“Jon let us in. You okay?” They both perched on the ends of the recliners set on the other side of the pool. All dressed up, ready for a night out.
I smiled over at them and shook my head. “It’s been a weird day.”
“How come?” Lauren asked.
Betty helped herself to a drink from the small table we used as a poolside bar.
“I was asked out.” I stepped out of the jacuzzi and picked up the towel, drying myself as I walked towards them.
“Well, that’s nothing new. You get asked out all the time in the club,” Betty replied, passing a drink to Lauren.
“Yeah, but this was a friend’s son.” I widened my eyes. “Thanks.” I held up the glass to Betty when she handed me one. I ignored the look they gave each other and walked through the main room and into my bedroom.
Grabbing the clothes I wanted to wear, I walked into the ensuite and closed the door just as the girls were entering my room. After wrapping my hair up into a shower cap, I climbed under the water and tried to erase all thoughts of Morgan from my mind.
“Okay, who the fuck has asked you out? A friend’s son? And one that’s shook you,” Lauren called through the door.
“It did not shake me!” I argued back, even though it totally had.
“Really? Cause when we came in and saw you, you were lost in thought. Normally you make a decision and stick with it,” Betty replied.
“I said no, by the way. It’s just… hang on, let’s talk when I get out.” All the shouting was giving me a sore throat.
I got dressed in an emerald green underwear set and a sparkly silver dress with matching silver flats. No heels for me tonight. The two girls were sat on my bed eagerly waiting. I hoped that by ignoring them they would leave me alone, so I sat at my dresser and began to do my makeup.
“Don’t keep us waiting,” Lauren urged.
I met their eyes in the mirror, I knew they wouldn’t give this up. Shrugging I spun around to face them.
“Okay, it was Morgan.”
Confusion crossed both their faces. “As in the one who’s building you a new extension? Your other BF’s son? That Morgan?” Lauren gasped.
“Yep.”
“And you said no?” Betty asked.
“Yep.” I turned back to do my makeup, so ready to end this conversation.
“Why the hell would you say no? That boy is hot. I wouldn’t have said no.” Betty winked at me in the mirror.
“You just answered your own question, I said no because he’s a boy. Way younger than me.” Why was it that nobody was getting it?
“Not by that much. Kate is fifteen years older than you so he can’t be that much younger,” Laura said before taking a long drink of her pink coloured cocktail.
“Five years!”
“That’s not too bad. Come on, give him a go. I need to live vicariously through you.” Lauren giggled.
I laughed. “I don’t think so. He’s not my type,” I lied. Betty and Lauren burst out laughing. I glared at them in the mirror. “What?”
“Well, remember just after you came home, and we were at that pool hall?” Lauren asked with a huge grin on her face. Her hands moved in circles as if trying to help my memory along.
“Yeah?” I shrugged and went back to my makeup.
“Oh yeah,” Betty added, “and there was that guy, tall, dark hair, nice arse, playing pool with his friends and you said”—Betty bounced up and down on my bed.
“That he would be the perfect fuck buddy?” Lauren finished.
I thought back, it was my first proper night back home.
The girls had taken me out for drinks as a welcome home and we’d ended up in the pool hall whilst we waited for the pubs to fill up a bit.
There was a group of five men playing pool not far from where we sat.
There was one that had stood out, towering over the rest of his group—jet-black hair, wide shoulders, and a perfect arse.
“Yeah, he was so hot. Maybe we should swing by the pool hall and see if he’s there tonight?”
“Or you could just pick up your phone and call Morgan, because that was him.” Lauren cracked up laughing. “That’s why we told you not to go for it. We knew that you would be working with Kate, Nolan, and him.” She held her stomach as her laughter died down.
“Oh, shit.” I shrugged, but thinking back, I wondered how I didn’t realise that was him. It seemed I had been drawn to him from the start.
“Did you at least let him down gently?” Lauren asked.
“Well, I explained why I couldn’t then I kind of ran out. Kate called earlier to say he’s disappointed and confused.”
“So, what’s the real reason?” Lauren narrowed her eyes at me in the mirror, she knew me too well.
“The age is a big thing, but he’s just too nice; too put together. He’s so lovely, kind, and sweet.” I looked up to see them looking at me with knowing grins.
“You like him!” Betty teased, clapping her hands together excitedly.
“You really like him. You can see it in your face when you talk about him.” Lauren nodded in agreement.
“Shut up you two! Like I said he’s too…”
“Young and nice. Yeah, you said.” Lauren gave me an exaggerated eye roll and sighed.
“Well, you know me, I like a bad boy…bad man.” I put the emphasis on man.
“We know that hunny, but what number divorce are you on now? Maybe bad boys aren’t working for you and you need a good guy?” Laura said, suddenly serious.
I didn’t have an answer for that. Lauren had a point. My heart had been broken by a bad boy and an expensive divorce was in progress.
The doorbell rang, signalling that our car had arrived to take us to the club. I quickly let my hair down and fluffed it up a little with my hands. One final check of my makeup before I grabbed my bag, and we were out the door.
During the ride the girls were excitedly chatting about the night that lay before us, but my mind kept returning to Morgan. We had become good friends, and he deserved a proper explanation so that we could move on from it.
I texted him.
A: Hey it’s me. I feel I need to explain my answer better. Let me know when you’re free and we can meet up, Andie x
M: Hey, I’m free tonight?
A: I’m just on my way to the club, sorry. Rain check?
M: Nope, no more rain checks. I’m in town with the boys. Can we come over?
My hands shook, but I didn’t know why. I’d never been nervous around a man before.
A: Yes of course, I’ll add you onto the VIP guest list. Just bypass the queue and give your name at the door xx
M: See you soon.
I swallowed hard but didn’t have chance to think on it more as we had arrived at the club, and it was time to get my game face on. Once inside, I smiled and waved to the hostess Heidi, and we made our way upstairs to the VIP section.
“Okay, you ladies order drinks and settle in. I shouldn’t be long,” I said before moving off to my office.
After filling out the orders for the following month and signing a bundle of paperwork, I made my way to my other manager’s office. He and Lauren shared time as he had a young family.
I popped my head around Gareth’s door. “I’m in. Anything I should know?”
“Nope, all good. Did you get the purchase orders I left in your office?” He looked up at me from behind his desk, leaning back in his chair.
“Yeah, all signed and ready to go. Lauren is in, too, if you want to head out early, and we’ll lock up later?”
“That would be great, thanks.” Gareth’s phone rang and he picked it up. “Yep, she’s here. I’ll tell her.” He replaced the handset.
“That was Heidi, you have guests downstairs. Party of men.”
“Thanks.” I tried not show Gareth how the news had affected me, but I couldn’t stand still. I shifted from one foot to the other and smoothed down my dress. “Have a good night.”
My heart thundered in my chest and my legs felt like jelly as I made my way back down the corridor towards the VIP booths, and down the stairs that led to the main area. They had arrived quicker than I thought. I had hoped to have been one or five drinks in before he arrived.