by Donna Jay
“I guess I fucked up,” Helen said.
“You weren’t to know I hadn’t told her.” Something Nadia kicked herself for now. More than once she’d considered telling Simone why she’d been so bold that night, but fear had stopped her. And now here she was, living that fear.
The front door opened and Nadia spun around so fast her head spun. The rush she expected to feel when she saw Simone shrivelled up and died.
“Oh, it’s you.” Nadia shoved her hands in the back pocket of her jeans. Her fingers landed on the vibe she’d stashed there after Simone biffed it at her, and she cursed herself all over again.
“Nice way to greet your cousin.” Darrin glanced from Nadia to Helen, his smile fading. “Who died?”
“I just fucked up.” Helen gave Nadia a sad smile.
“No, not my little hellion.” Darrin pulled her into a one-armed hug, ruffling her hair. He’d known Helen for as long as Nadia, and he cared about her just as much. “Tell Uncle Darrin.”
A breeze blew through the door at the same time as Rose. “I paid the cabbie, but he turned around and came back, said he has a pickup, which is really fucking weird because I could’ve sworn a cab pulled away from your place as we pulled up.”
Rose looked at Nadia and Helen, then did a double-take. “Where’s your missus? I thought she was coming over tonight. Girls night in.”
“She left,” Nadia said simply. She wasn’t in the mood to explain.
“Oh my God.” Darrin’s eyes went wide. “Let me guess.” He waggled a finger between Helen and Simone. “You two tried to convince her to have a threesome, and she—”
“Darrin,” all three women screeched.
“Call me tomorrow.” Helen gave Nadia a quick hug. “I really am sorry.”
“It’s not your fault.” Nadia was responsible for her own actions.
As teenagers, Helen had never been able to lead her astray, and that hadn’t changed now that she was pushing forty.
Once the door closed, Darrin looked at her expectantly, waggling his eyebrows. Nadia knew it was his way of trying to lighten the mood, because God knew hers had taken a nosedive.
“Wine anyone?” Nadia downed her glass, then filled it to the top again. She might as well drown her sorrows.
“Got any beer?” Darrin sank onto the sofa.
“Did you buy any?” Nadia said, her voice clipped. His room and board didn’t include booze.
“Yep.” Darrin nodded. “Rose, darling, hunny bun. Can you get me a beer?”
Rolling her eyes, Rose rummaged through the bag at her feet, pulled out a can, and tossed it to him.
Next, she pulled out a Vodka cruiser. That explained why her tongue was blue.
“BYO?” Nadia asked the obvious.
“Yep, Claire and Ben put on the food. It only seemed fair guests took their own drinks.”
Darrin tore open his can and held it in the air. “Here’s to summer and barbeques.”
Unable to muster any enthusiasm, Nadia stared into her glass. She didn’t want to spend another summer alone.
The sound of waves crashing against the shore always brought her a sense of peace, but going to the beach alone was never as exciting as going with a friend, or better yet, a lover.
Thoughts of rubbing sunscreen into Simone’s pale flesh, jumping through the waves together, laughing and holding hands filled her with warmth and despair.
Whether she got to experience those things remained to be seen. First thing tomorrow, she would go to Simone’s, and she wouldn’t leave until Simone heard her out.
“Wanna share?” Rose asked, compassion shining in her eyes.
“I fucked up.”
Darrin leaned forward, elbows on his knees. “I thought Helen fucked up?”
“We both did,” Nadia said, gutted with herself.
“See…threesome.” A huge grin split his face.
If it’d been anyone else making the lewd comments, they would have been out on their ear. But Nadia had known Darrin for long enough to know his heart was in the right place.
Making jokes was like a defence mechanism when it came to women and their emotions. As infuriating as that could be, he was family and she loved him to bits.
Taking a deep breath, Nadia gave them the condensed version of how she met Simone, and how the night came to an abrupt end.
“Wow, a bet.” Darrin shook his head. “Don’t you think that’s a little childish?”
She glared and he returned her glare with a smirk; the lovable bugger.
“I don’t know her well,” Rose said, not bothering to spare Darrin a glance. “But I’ve got the perfect thing to help smooth the way.”
“A strap on!” Darrin said looking like he’d just come up with the best idea in the world.
Rose sighed, shaking her head. “Babe, I’d never share our toys, and um…” She cleared her throat. “I didn’t think you wanted anyone to know?”
Her smile was sugary sweet, and Nadia burst out laughing. “Wow, I didn’t peg you for the type.”
“Pegging is not my thing,” Darrin spluttered. “Not that I’m judging, but…just no. Tell her.”
Rose smirked, and Nadia found herself smiling too.
“Tell me about your plan.”
“Well, I don’t own a strap on, and I don’t believe sex is the way back into her knickers.”
“That doesn’t make sense, does it?” Darrin stared at the ceiling, scratching his chin.
Ignoring him, Rose launched into her plan.
Chapter 24
Simone
The cab pulled to a stop, and Simone thanked the driver, handing over her money. As she climbed out, she sent a text to Leah. I’m here.
The door flew open before she made it to the top step.
“Hi.” She gave Leah a watery smile.
“Oh my God, look at you.” Leah pulled her into her arms, and that’s all it took. The floodgates opened, ugly tears streaming down Simone’s cheeks.
“Shh.” Leah kicked the door closed behind them, stroking her hair.
Feeling like an idiot—she never should’ve been so trusting—Simone sniffed. “I’m okay.”
“Yeah, right.” Leah held her at arm’s length, wiggling her nose. “Did you soak in a wine keg?”
“It’s called a barrel.” Simone laugh-cried. “And wine sounds good.”
“No way.” Leah shook her head, brown hair swishing around her shoulders. “We don’t need a repeat of—”
She cut herself off, compassion shining in her eyes. Simone got it. When she broke up with Renee, she drank herself into a stupor. Leah had been there for her then, just like she was there for her now, but that didn’t mean she had to clean up the mess twice.
“Coffee would be good.” Simone followed Leah into the kitchen. “Where’s Brad?”
“In bed.”
It was only then that Simone noticed Leah had a robe on, red negligee peeking over the top.
“Please don’t tell me I interrupted something.”
“We’d finished.”
“Ugh.” Simone plugged her ears.
“I’m joking. He’s out. I went to bed.”
Guilt slammed into Simone. She should’ve spent the night with someone who deserved her time. “I’m such a bad friend. Can you ever forgive me?” She swiped at her eyes.
“Drink.” Leah put a steaming cup of coffee in front of her. “You always were an emotional drunk.”
“I’m not drunk,” Simone protested. Helen’s bomb had sobered her up pretty fast.
“Have you got your period?”
“What? No.” Come to think of it, it was due any day though. Great. What a shitty hat trick, single, inebriated, and hormonal.
“You were home all alone while I was hanging out with…with that bitch.” Venom practically dripped from the words. “I’m a terrible friend. I didn’t even ask what you were up to tonight.”
“Firstly, you’re my best friend, not my babysitter.” Leah tore open a packet of choco
late biscuits. “Secondly, how about you start by telling me what happened before you crucify the woman who stole your heart.”
“She didn’t steal my heart.”
Leah quirked an eyebrow, and Simone didn’t bother denying it a second time.
Tears pricked the back of her eyes. “I thought she was the one.”
“Come with me.” Leah led the way to the living room, turning on lights as they went.
“Where’s Brad?” Simone asked.
“Geez, woman, how much have you had to drink?” Leah flopped into a chair.
A bottle? Two? What did it matter? “You said he was out, not where.”
“At the pub with some mates. Pool competition.”
“Why didn’t you go?”
“I wanted a me night.” Leah lifted one shoulder. “And here we are.”
With her emotions all over the place, Simone abruptly got to her feet. “Fine, I’ll go then.”
“Sit your arse down, Emmett.”
“Now you sound like her.” She dropped onto the sofa, soft cushions moulding to her body.
“Tell me what happened, and let’s try to stay on track.” Leah gave her a small smile, and Simone was certain if they’d been sitting closer together, Leah would’ve patted her hand like a mother comforting a child.
“It was all a dare.” The admission made her cheeks flame. How had she been so gullible?
After a lengthy silence, Leah stared at her head-on. “Don’t make me pull teeth, and don’t for a minute think I’m judging you. I might punch your missus in the twat, but I need facts first.”
Her expression was so earnest, Simone cracked a smile. “I thought you said you’d slash her bras.”
“That too.” Leah made a V with her fingers and pointed to her eyes. “Focus.”
“Long story short. Her friend’s son got sick, Nadia filled in cleaning for her, so she wouldn’t lose her job.”
“Okay.” Leah nodded. “But you knew that, right?”
“Yeah.” She took a deep breath, humiliation burning a hole in her stomach. “What I didn’t know was those two had a good laugh about how uptight I am.”
“No!” Leah feigned horror, eyes wide, hand over her mouth.
Laughing, Simone tossed a pillow at her.
She caught it and put it behind her back. “Go on.”
“From what I can gather, they had some kind of bet over whether Nadia could crack my shell and steal a kiss.”
“And she did!” Leah looked delighted.
“Don’t you get it? It was all a fucking joke. I’m a fucking joke. They’re probably sitting there laughing their fucking heads off while I’m falling a-fucking-part,” Simone fumed; dropping the F-bomb like it was going out of fashion.
“Wow.” Leah grinned. “Why don’t you tell me how you really feel?”
Taking the comment literally, Simone let it all out. “Hurt, angry, and annoyed. I need comfort and now you’re laughing at me too.” Her shoulders sagged, body folding in on itself. She had nothing left to give. “I’m going home.” She said the words, but her legs refused to budge.
“You’re not going anywhere.” Leah joined her on the couch. She tucked a lock of hair behind Simone’s ear, her care and concern knocking the fight out of Simone.
“I’m sorry.” Simone scrubbed her face. “I didn’t mean to take it out on you.”
“I know,” Leah said. “And I didn’t mean to poke fun at you.”
“Then why did you?”
“Because I think you’re overreact—”
Simone cut her off. “Please don’t dismiss my feelings.”
“Okay, but hear me out.” Leah grabbed the packet of chocolate biscuits off the coffee table and offered them to Simone.
“Trying to sweeten me up?”
“No, you’re sweet enough, and Nadia thinks so too.”
“How would you know?” They were yet to meet. Another sign it wasn’t meant to be.
“Because I’ve seen the way you smile when you talk about her, the way you tore off through the park when you thought you saw her.”
“That’s called me being smitten, not her.”
“Oh, really.” Leah’s smile was all too knowing. “Did her friend dare her to wine and dine you, too?”
“Probably.”
“Bullshit!” Leah snapped. “And you know it, but you’re too proud to admit it. I bet Nadia’s just as upset as you are.”
“I’m not making any stupid bets,” Simone said, sounding like a child, but she couldn’t help herself.
She wasn’t willing to admit Leah might be onto something, and although her wine fog had abated, her emotions were still all over the place.
“Why are you defending her, you’re supposed to be on my side?”
“Because I don’t want you to blow the chance of something good. At least talk to her, but not tonight.” Leah grinned. “Not when you’re half-cut.”
“I’m not drunk,” Simone protested for a second time.
The front door banged open and two minutes later Brad wandered into the room, smelling like a brewery.
“Hey, ladies.” He puffed out his chest. “Guess who won the pool comp?”
“Oh, let me see.” Leah tapped her lip. “Thomas?”
“You wound me,” he swooned. “What are you two gas-bagging about?”
“Simone’s love life.”
“I just broke up with my girlfriend.” The words left a bad taste in her mouth.
“Oh, man. That sucks. But, hey, better you found out now than later, right?”
Glaring, Leah slashed a finger across her throat.
“Well, I’ll leave you ladies to it.” He slunk out of the room and Simone felt dreadful. She’d managed to ruin Leah’s alone time and piss Brad off in the process.
“I should go.” She pushed to her feet. “Thanks for the ear.”
“You don’t have to go.”
“Yeah, I do.” She had some thinking to do.
“Well, at least let me give you a lift home.” Leah threw her jacket on over top of her robe. “Brad, I’m taking Simone home. Back soon.”
“I’ll be waiting,” his flirty tone made Simone smile despite herself. At least someone would be getting laid.
Chapter 25
Simone
The following morning, a pounding in her head woke Simone. Groaning, she rolled over and massaged her temples. It didn’t help. The pounding became more insistent.
She snatched her glasses off the bedside table and shoved them on her face. Fuck. It was after ten, she was late for her weekly walk with Leah.
Halfway out of bed, her mind cleared. That was yesterday, and what a cluster-fuck of a day that had been. She wasn’t going anywhere, her car was still at Nadia’s.
When knuckles rapped on her bedroom window, Simone almost jumped out of her skin. “Fuck.” She cursed under her breath.
“Open up. I know you’re in there.”
Speak of the devil. Simone would know that husky, deceitful voice anywhere. It had lured her in like a willing victim, only, she wasn’t so willing anymore.
“Go away.” Simone pulled a pillow over her head. The ensuing silence was deafening. Disappointing, too. Pain stabbed holes in her chest. Was it really over?
“Open up.”
Simone pictured Nadia with her face pressed against the glass, hands cupped around her eyes, trying to peer through the drapes.
The humiliation she’d felt last night came crashing back to her, blinding in its intensity. “Fuck off!”
“No! Open up or I’ll smash the window.”
Fuming, Simone marched across the room and flung back the drapes. “You wouldn’t dare…Oh, wait, you like dares.” It was a low blow, but Simone was feeling pretty fuckin’ low.
The smile fell from Nadia’s face. She shook her head sadly. “Please, can we talk?”
“No.” Simone had heard all she needed to hear last night. “Leave, or I’ll call the cops.”
A ball flew over t
he fence. putting a temporary end to their standoff. Nadia chased after it and lobbed it back.
A head popped up, tiny hands gripping the top rail of the fence. “Thanks.”
Another head popped up. Danny waved. “Hi, Simone.”
Not wanting to be rude, they were good kids after all, Simone pushed the window open. A gust of warm air filtered into the room carrying with it the scent of dry grass.
She plastered on a smile and waved. “Hi, boys.”
Sebastian screwed up his face. “What are you doing?”
Why did kids have to be so damn inquisitive?
“Talking to my friend.”
“Why’s she outside?” Danny, the older of the two, asked.
“Because—”
Nadia cut her off. “You needed your ball, and now I’m going back inside.” She waved to the boys as she made her way back around the house.
Inquisitive? Innocent, too. There’s no way Nadia could’ve made it outside and lobbed the ball back within two seconds of it coming over the fence.
“Bye.” Two heads disappeared.
Fuming, Simone threw on a robe and marched down the hall. She yanked open the door and stared Nadia down, looking beyond the big blue eyes that had wooed her and into the calculating soul beneath.
“May I come in?” Nadia took a step closer as if Simone saying yes was a given.
Simone stood her ground, arms folded across her chest. “I dare ya.”
Incredulity flashed across Nadia’s face. “Seriously?”
“Why? That’s your game, isn’t it?” She tilted her head to the side, eyeballing Nadia. “Or did I get it wrong?” Even though she knew she was being childish, she couldn’t resist the jibe.
Nadia shook her head solemnly. “You have every right to be angry.”
“Wow, that makes me feel so much better.” Simone held her chin high.
“Sarcasm doesn’t suit you, Simone.” Nadia held her gaze.
What could she say to that? Not a lot. She was acting like a woman scorned, and even though she hadn’t been cheated on, she felt cheated.
“Please, just hear me out.” Nadia’s expression softened. “If you still hate me, I’ll leave and never bother you again.”
