Paper Dolls [Book Five]

by Blythe Stone

  “Who is it?”

  “Just Nat,” she said. “Apparently there’s this girl who looks a little like me at the Starbucks on Ashbury.”

  “Oh, really,” I said, grinning. “Is she gonna hit on her?”

  “Probably,” she laughed.

  “Hey,” I gasped, reaching over for her hand. “You should invite her to mini-golf. Maybe she would come and it would be fun for all of us to hang out,” I squeezed her hand. “I know you weren’t exactly totally thrilled about it.”

  “Sounds complicated,” Olivia challenged. But I watched her one-handedly text something and send it off.

  “Our whole lives are complicated. Why not just go with it?”

  “I’ll ask,” she said, somewhat optimistic. “Being friends with Nat after everything kinda feels like something I don’t deserve. Does that make any sense?” She looked down at her phone, waiting for a response.

  “It makes sense from your perspective but if she wants to be your friend you should take it. Believe me. It’d probably be good for both of you.” I shrugged my shoulder and kept my eyes on the road.

  We had these weird parallel situations. I got how Olivia felt about this in a lot of ways. I just wanted her to let go of that guilt. Not just for her sake but for Natalie’s as well. Both of them would feel better if they at least tried to be friends.

  “Well, you’re in luck,” Olivia said. “Not sure how good it’ll be but it looks like Nat’s in.” She seemed a little stressed about it.

  “Did I make it worse?” I asked, pursing my lips and looking over at her.

  “No,” she said, scrunching her forehead and taking my free hand in hers. She turned her body into mine and laid her head on my shoulder. “You’re right. We should have friends. I’m just not very good at it, I’m afraid.”

  “You’re going to be good at it. You already know Natalie but you’re just going to have to get acquainted in a different way now. I’ll be there the whole time. If things get all disastrous then we can get out of there and go home.”

  “I’m not saying I need a babysitter. And I wasn’t just talking about Natalie, babe.”

  “Skylar.” I said her name and I got a little nervous. If Sky was normal this would all be good but if she got upset for some reason like she had when we had our talk then things might get weird.

  “You never know. It could all go perfectly smooth and we could all be enjoying ourselves so much that we get ice cream after.”

  My tone was optimistic but my thoughts were all of bracing for impact.

  “I just know I get weird and jealous,” Olivia said.

  “Because of Skylar?” I asked. I knew the answer but I couldn’t help but say it.

  “Yeah,” she said. “We’ve gone out before. One-on-one with her it’s all fine. I like talking with her alone. Seeing you two though… It’s just hard sometimes. You get along so well. You have so many memories. You’re a unit in a way. I feel outside of that. It’s not easy to watch.”

  “I’m not going to leave you out. I know it’s been hard. Especially, since you knew how she felt and I didn’t. Things are going to be different now. We can’t avoid some of those things I know. Skylar and I have history as friends. I …. Know what you mean though. I felt that way about you and Natalie even though it’s a bit different.”

  “How’s it different?” Olivia asked.

  “The relationships were different and Natalie and Skylar are different people and so are you and I. You were having a sexual romantic type relationship with Natalie and I was freaking oblivious to Skylar and her feelings. Not to mention that you had to sit through seeing us interact knowing that and you couldn’t tell me.”

  “No… I mean… How does it make you feel when we hang out?”

  “Oh, I’m just a little jealous in an irrational way. I know I shouldn’t be but sometimes I feel like she knows you better in some ways and I feel like shit because all she did that whole time you were together was study you and I’m over here engaged to you and I’m trying to deal with all of this stuff that distracts me and takes me out of the world when all I want to do is be with you.”

  “Aww…” She got quieter and snuggled into me more. “Complicated,” she repeated. I felt her other hand stroking my inner thigh as she settled.

  “Yep. If anyone ever makes a movie out of our relationship that's what it will be called.” I laughed. “No, it would be called: Fate. Much more accurate.”

  “I hope you think of us as a lot more than just complicated,” she whispered softly. I felt her turn her eyes and lips into my arm to hide her face and feel me for a second. “But I know you were kidding,” she whispered, moving her face up and kissing my neck.

  “Of course I do, Baby. We’re everything.” I looked down at her. She was amazing and sensitive and strong but vulnerable. “You’re everything.” I leaned down and kissed her head on top.

  “I love you,” she whispered, hugging into me.

  “I love you too,” I replied.

  I drove fast, probably too fast, but there were no cops. It was a miracle. We actually got to the mini-golf place a little early. I pulled up in the lot and found a spot.

  “So, we have about thirty minutes till Skylar is supposed to be here.”

  I turned to her, unbuckling my seatbelt. We were in a corner of the parking lot that wasn’t populated. There weren’t too many cars around us and the ones that were close were empty.

  I reached down and hit the release on her seatbelt and then trailed my hand down her arm.

  “Wanna make out?” I grinned and raised an eyebrow.

  “Oh God,” she said, smiling. “Uh-okay.” I guess I surprised her. Her cheeks flushed.

  “What?” I blinked at her and pouted. “You don’t wanna?” I asked her, teasing.

  “Of course I want to,” she said. “I always want to.” She was waiting for me to move though.

  I liked it. Watching her watch me. How she reacted to the smallest change in the direction of my glance. I didn’t want to chance hurting her so instead of pulling her across the car to sit on me, I launched across the car at her, catching her lips and almost making it across the console. My body was mostly between the seats but my torso was on her.

  “Mmm,” she hummed, completely inviting me with a tug on my shirt. So often she instantly softened when I kissed her. She was always ready to just give in. I felt her hand move up to my neck as she tugged me to kiss her again. “Don’t stop,” she begged softly.

  I finished crawling across so that I was straddling her lap. It was a bit precarious but I liked it. A little bit of danger with our make-outs was good.

  I kissed her again, pulling on her dress straps. I could see down to her bra and I wished I could touch her but I didn’t dare. I wouldn’t be able to stop.

  “Touch me,” she gasped.

  “I can’t, baby. They’re gonna be here soon and if I do more than kiss you then I’ll want to do everything.”

  “Uhhh,” she gasped. “Not fair,” she was kissing me dazed, touching me in places. I felt her thumb on my hip bone, pushing beneath my underwear and my jeans. “You shouldn’t start things,” she said in frustration. “Now I’ll just be wanting you the whole time.”

  “Is that any different than usual?” I winked at her and shrugged.

  “Little bit,” she said truthfully. “You can’t just kick-start a rocket and let it idle.”

  “Aww, my poor gravity defying rocket girl. I’m sorry. Maybe I should be nice and get back in my seat.” I started to move off of her but it was kind of hard. I was in a weird position.

  Her hand gripped hard on my hip though and she pulled me back down. “No,” she breathed. She was kind of intense. “At least have the decency to kiss me stupid before they show up.”

  She moved her back off of the seat, leaning up into me as she kissed me harder. I felt her thumbs brush my jaw on both sides as she gasped in my mouth and took pleasure from me. I rose up on her, letting my hair fall around our faces and
leaned against her body. I could feel her breasts against my stomach as I lowered and I bit her lip a little, pausing to start a new kiss.

  “Uhhh!” she whimpered in my mouth.

  I was about to do it again as I was kissing her but a knock at the window made me jump, hitting my head on the roof of the car.

  “What the fuck?!”

  “I really hate you right now,” Olivia said thirsty, as she let her body drop back hard on the seat. Her chest was heaving and her eyes were still closed.

  I caught my breath and looked out the window to see Natalie on the other side of the tinted window. I didn’t really know if it was her for sure but it wasn’t Skylar.

  “Hate your ex… She’s the one who just scared the shit out of us.”

  “Uh-uh,” Olivia said, shaking her head. “This was your idea, not hers.” Olivia pushed at my thighs to get me to move but I wasn’t about to be quick. I heard her hand move to the window as she rolled it down.

  “Oh, hello,” Natalie teased, sizing us up.

  “Hi,” Olivia deadpanned, her head back on the seat as she stared over at her friend.

  “Should I come back in ten?” Natalie smiled, looking down at her watch with a flushed yet amused expression on her face.

  “No point,” Olivia said.

  “It would take us at least five hours to finish,” I said, raising an eyebrow.

  “I’m sure it would take you that long,” Natalie teased.

  Olivia smiled at that, it was her impressed smile.

  “We’ll be right out,” I said, pushing my finger down on the window button to close it.

  I was unwilling to be embarrassed. We were just doing what any other couple in love would do when presented with thirty minutes of unoccupied time.

  I shifted back, fumbling to get back across the console. I landed hard in the driver’s seat, knocking my knee on the steering wheel.

  “Owww!”

  I grabbed my knee cap and waited for the pain to pass before speaking.

  “Okay,” I sighed.

  Olivia opened her door so I did too, wiggling my maimed leg before standing up. I met them around the passenger side and immediately stood close to Olivia.

  “Well, you’re early,” I said, smiling.

  “I had no reason not to be,” she shrugged. “Unlike some, I’m not too into making people wait.” She rolled her eyes at me but I noticed her hand drop to Olivia’s as she moved to hold it. Olivia gave her a soft appreciative smile. It looked like both a hi and a thank you.

  “It’s been a while,” Olivia said.

  “Uh huh,” I said, just letting them enjoy being around each other.

  I didn’t want to intrude but I couldn’t help but not like how I felt right now. It was stupid and it would pass so I plastered a smile on and looked around the parking lot, hoping that Skylar would come on already.

  “You guys want to go up to the building and wait there?” I asked.

  We walked up after I hit the fob to lock the car. There wasn’t anyone else around. It was late afternoon and most people didn’t come out here till it was at least five. There were lights on the courses so playing in the dark wasn’t an issue.

  The whole place was a mix of different things. There were go-karts, bumper cars, and mini golf outside. If you stayed inside the building there was an arcade and a bowling alley. My favorite was the air hockey table. I was a pro at that.

  “So, who wants to challenge the air hockey champ?”

  “I'll bite,” Natalie said.

  They were still holding hands and Olivia was leaning on her a bit like she usually leaned on me.

  “I wonder where Skylar is,” Olivia said nervously, watching her feet as she slowly walked with her ex-girlfriend, purposely slowing to indulge in her.

  Olivia looked over at me. “Does this place have anything like trivia? I'm good at trivia.”

  Natalie laughed and tugged on her playfully. “I'm sure it doesn't Livia. Just as I'm sure you're here so that the little knight can hit all the balls and win you a stuffed bear. Don't tell me it's hard for you to stand still and look pretty.” Natalie was half talking to me but I could tell it was an inside joke. Natalie’s a model. Standing still and looking pretty is what she does for a living.

  “Hey, don’t knock my winning things ability. It comes in handy.”

  I shrugged it all off. The way they were standing, the way they held hands, the pique that I saw in Natalie as she stood there with my fiancé’s hand in hers, they were provocations and unlike her I wasn’t going to bite. Not overtly but I would kick her ass at air hockey.

  “Not knocking,” Natalie said, walking out in front of Olivia and me to stop me in my tracks. I felt Nat’s hands on my shoulders. “I’m excited to see you in action,” she said. “So far all I’ve heard is talk.”

  “Okay, down Tiger,” Olivia said, pulling Natalie away by her wrist and getting her to leave me alone and stand back next to her on the opposite side. “Everyone will get to see everyone play,” she said darkly.

  “Hmm,” I mused.

  I didn’t want to come off as an asshole so I let it go.

  Skylar arrived late.

  “Hey guys,” I heard her voice from right behind me. She’d been so quiet coming up I hadn’t even heard.

  “Hey!” I smiled, turning around and pulling her into a hug.

  “Who’s this?” Natalie asked.

  “Oh,” I said. “This is my friend Skylar. We have swim together.”

  “And drama,” Olivia added.

  “And drama,” I nodded, and agreed.

  Natalie was sizing Skylar up but Sky was a little too surprised and flustered to do anything but stare. It was as expected. It was impossible to see Natalie for the first time and not be a little speechless.

  “Oh,” Nat said, walking closer and holding out her hand for Skylar to shake.

  “And you are?” Skylar asked, clearing her throat all nervous as she touched Natalie’s hand.

  “Olivia’s ex,” Natalie smiled, eyebrow raised.

  “Oh, wow… That’s… Interesting,” Skylar awkwardly laughed.

  “I wasn’t aware Olivia had an ex.” I could see her sizing Natalie up and not-so-overtly checking her out.

  “Well, now you are,” Natalie laughed. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Nat. Any friend of Avery’s is a friend of mine.”

  “Likewise,” Skylar smiled.

  “Natalie’s a model,” Olivia smiled at Skylar with a bit of praise on her brow. “Avery thought you two should meet.”

  “Wait,” Natalie laughed, turning to Olivia. “Was this a setup? Livia, I’m shocked.” She was smiling. “You don’t even like me meeting your people usually.”

  “Avery’s idea,” Olivia said, staring over at her friend.

  “Well, it wasn’t really something I thought about at length. It just occurred to me that it might be nice for you two to meet considering the circumstances.”

  “So, wait, does that mean these two…” Natalie motioned between Skylar and me.

  “Nope. Just friends,” Olivia said.

  “Oh,” Natalie said, trying to understand it and coming up short. It didn’t really make the most sense. It wasn’t actually a blind date. It was more a friend date.

  “I think Avery might be trying to introduce me to more people like her,” Skylar tried.

  “Like her?” Natalie asked, amused.

  “We’re not alike,” I laughed. “At all.”

  “No, we’re not,” Natalie pushed my shoulder and smiled. “Avery’s a good little girl, isn't’ that right, little knight?”

  “I’m going to murder you,” I warned, laughter threatening to tickle its way up my throat.

  “Okay,” Skylar watched us perturbed. “And what does that make you?” She asked Nat.

  “Ask Livia,” Nat said, shaking her hair back.

  “Corrupt,” Olivia said simply, a devilish grin on her lips. “Nat’s a troublemaker,” she expanded. “You mess with her you’re
asking for hurt.”

  It wasn’t a lie. Olivia did have hurt now. Mostly though, it was her guilt eating her up.

  “And yet you’re happy to see her,” Skylar noticed, speaking to Olivia. “So, you’re full of shit.”

  “Hey,” I said. “Watch it.”

  “Yeah, you might get a sword through the chest,” Natalie teased, walking to Skylar and placing her fist right onto Sky’s collarbone to demonstrate a bit of force. I noticed a sort of flare in Skylar’s eyes. I could tell she was attracted to Nat. “She’s right though Livia, you are full of shit,” Natalie laughed, tuning her gaze back upon Vi.