39
Abi paces the living room, holding her phone to her ear.
Things have been tense between us since our fight earlier this week.
I know I told her I wanted a girls' night, but this isn’t what I had in mind.
The only reason she’s still here is that Brooks isn’t answering her calls.
She told him last night that her parents are coming for a visit this weekend, and now she hasn’t heard from him since he left for work this morning. Coincidence? I think not.
Calix purrs in Gaia’s lap at the kitchen bench while I make a pitcher of Sangria. My feelings for Gaia grow with each day, but I can’t get Abi’s voice out of my head when she suggested that Gaia doesn’t know the real me.
“Hey,” I say, pulling her attention away from the cat. She looks up at me with her dark, kind eyes and a thoughtful smile on her face. “Do you know what my favourite colour is?”
“You have two. Yellow and pink,” she replies, her tone laced with apprehension. “What’s this about?”
“Oh, nothing.”
“Okay, well, let’s play twenty questions later.
I’m listening to see if Brooks answers Abi’s call.
How many times has she tried now? Ten?” She lifts her finger to her lips and nods towards Abi, who ends the call without speaking and turns to face us.
Gaia and I both jolt our attention away from her and pretend that we have been discussing the cocktail.
“Did you manage to get onto him?” I ask, playing dumb. She lifts her shoulders into a shrug.
“Do you two usually spend Friday night together?” Gaia asks, with her lips slipping into a sympathetic smile.
“Yes, we do. Since we’ve been together, we’ve hardly been apart. He probably got caught up at work. He messaged me earlier today telling me how busy he was. We are always in constant contact throughout the day, so it’s unlike him not to answer,” Abi says, in a rambling mess.
“I’m positive he’s just lost track of time,” Gaia says, her hand absent-mindedly stroking Calix’s fur.
“I still can’t believe Luna let you bring a cat in here,” Abi says, with a disbelieving laugh, turning the attention away from her and onto me. I shoot her a glare, warning her to drop it.
“What do you mean?” Gaia asks. Calix climbs onto the bench and walks towards me.
“Luna hates cats,” Abi says frankly. How could she not know what the glare meant?
Gaia turns her head to look at me with a confused or maybe annoyed expression.
Great, now she thinks I lied to her and that I hate her cat.
This is exactly what I didn’t want to happen.
Calix rubs up against my arm, purring as he strategically moves his head to my hand, ordering me to pet him.
“I don’t hate Calix,” I exclaim. “I hate Mr Whiskers. That cat is a dick.” I look Gaia in the eyes. “I admit I don’t usually like cats or animals in general, but I am so glad I went with you to the shelter. And while I’m still not fond of cats. I fucking love Cal.”
Gaia shoots me a smile that lets me know my answer has made up for the fact that I wasn’t completely honest. She looks down at Cal, and I glance at Abi, giving her my best what the fuck?
look. She shrugs. If I had sold her out to Brooks the way she just did, we would be launching into World War III.
“I think I’m done,” I announce, giving one final squeeze to a lemon wedge. I drop it in, letting it splash into the red cocktail. “Let impromptu ladies' night officially begin!”
After some gentle encouragement and subtle reverse psychology to get Abi to loosen up, we’ve downed two pitchers of Sangria. I’ve braided Abi’s hair, and she’s painted Gaia’s fingernails a vibrant orange.
“We’ve got a problem,” I exclaim, feeling a slight buzz from the drinks. Both Abi and Gaia turn to look at me. “We’re out of Sangria.” I stick my lip out in a pout and wave the empty pitcher in the air.
“It’s only 9:30. Maybe we could head out for a bit,” Gaia suggests.
“I thought we were going to stay in,” Abi objects, peering down at her phone for the millionth time tonight.
“Is it because you need Brooks’ permission to go out without him?” I challenge.
“What? No,” she replies defensively, looking at her phone again. “What about Cal? We can’t just leave him here in a strange apartment.”
“Cal sleeps here more than you do. Look at him. He’s fine.” I point to the cat, who’s snuggled up sound asleep on his bed in the corner of the room, surrounded by his little kitty toys.
“Alright, I guess. But one drink,” Abi says, reluctantly.
“It’s decided then, we’re going out. I promise we won’t stay out long. We’ll just get another drink or two, have a little dance and be home in no time,” I say, pulling them both up from the couch.
“Hey, what’s that?” Abi asks, pointing to the sketchpad that I had tucked under the couch earlier.
“Nothing,” I say, pushing it further under with my foot. I’d started working on a design today with Sam’s tattoo in mind, but it’s nowhere near ready to be seen by anyone. And it probably never will be.
In the Uber, Abi tries to call Brooks. I hold my breath, preparing to eavesdrop, but he doesn’t pick up again.
“He’s probably asleep,” Abi says, putting her phone back in her purse. I’m not sure if she was telling us or trying to convince herself.
We skip the line at the club because Gaia knows the security guard and, well, she’s fucking gorgeous. The club is packed. People crowd the dance floor, moving to the bass that’s vibrating through the walls.
“Three vodka sodas,” I yell into the ear of the bartender. Passing out the drinks, I scan around the room, looking for a spare table. Spotting one, I point in that direction and lead the way. Gaia and Abi follow, walking carefully, with their eyes glued to their full glasses.
“Do you and Brooks spend many nights apart?” Gaia asks, taking a seat between me and Abi. I pull her in closer and drape my arm over the back of her chair.
“No,” Abi answers, a little too quickly, and I have to actively stop myself from rolling my eyes. The sound of a chair being dragged over startles me, and I look up to see Sam taking a seat next to Abi.
“Come here often?” Sam says with a chuckle.
I cringe, hoping that he doesn’t use that line on girls. “Hey there, stranger. Where are all your other friends?” I use air quotes around the word friends.
“Is Brooks with you?” Abi asks, sitting up straighter.
“Nah, he said he was busy. I’m here with some guys from uni.” Sam brings his drink to his lips. “I haven’t seen you in a while, Abi. I’m surprised to see you out.”
“It’s a ladies' night,” Abi replies, emphasising the word ladies and not so subtly hinting at him to leave. I wish my leg could reach her under the table. I would love to give her a swift kick in the shin.
“How about I buy a round of shots for the table? A way to pay admission into this exclusive ladies' night,” Sam offers. He stands without waiting for anyone to respond and walks off towards the bar.
“Shots?” Abi asks, leaning over the table towards me and Gaia.
“It’ll be fine, one shot, and we’ll go home. He’s obviously lost whoever it is that he came with and wants some company,” I say. I don’t know what her problem is. Honestly, what would Brooks do if he found out we’d gone out and had a drink with Sam?
“It’s a jam donut,” Sam yells, returning with four small shot glasses filled with red liquid. He takes his seat next to Abi. I can tell he’s been drinking for a little while. Whenever he’s tipsy, he gets this cute, playful glimmer in his eye.
“Thank you!” Gaia and I shout cheerfully in unison. Abi gives Sam a little smile before reaching for hers.
As the night goes on and the drinks keep flowing, Abi appears to have broken free from her thoughts and seems to be enjoying being out with people.
It’s almost like it was a few months ago, before she pulled away and hid in her relationship with Brooks.
Gaia decides she desperately needs to dance and drags all of us over to the dance floor.
We seem to naturally split off, Gaia with Abi, and me with Sam.
I try to lock eyes with Gaia, signalling for her to switch.
Nothing against Sam and his super cool moves, but his body is not the one I want to be holding close right now.
Gaia spins Abi over to our direction, causing her to momentarily lose her balance, and Sam catches her, steadying her on her feet.
They both shyly laugh and start to dance with one another.
I grab Gaia by the waist and slow down her movements.
The music has a fast beat, but it’s like we’re dancing to our own song that only we can hear.
She wraps her arms around my neck, placing one hand on the back of my head and wrapping my hair around her fingers.
She pulls my face towards hers and parts my lips with her sweet tongue, searching for mine.