Serious Potential

by Maggie Cummings

  “Betsy?”

  “Mm-hmm,” Tracy responded, popping the last bit of crust in her mouth.

  Meg shrugged. “I guess. They’re what, blue? Green?” she asked, as if momentarily unsure of the answer.

  “Kind of both.” Tracy tried to play it off. “I thought they were pretty amazing.”

  “I see that,” Meg teased.

  “What?” Tracy took a swig of her drink to cover her smirk. “All I said is she has nice eyes.”

  Meg rolled her eyes blatantly. “Subtlety. Not your strong suit.”

  “I know,” Tracy said through a devilish grin. “I just don’t see the point of it.”

  “For what it’s worth, she thinks you’re dreamy too,” Meg said with a cheesy smile. She slid her empty soda can to the center of the table. “She told me.”

  “Wait. What?” Tracy shook her head in utter surprise. “When?”

  “Down, girl.” Meg gestured with her hands. “Not today. I didn’t even talk to her today.” Meg got up and tossed their paper plates in the trash. “A few weeks back. I showed her a picture of you. The night you kept texting me about your outfits for the thing you were going to. Bets and I were out together having dinner. We approved of your clothing jointly,” Meg added with a nod.

  “That’s how she knew who I was.” Tracy put the pieces together out loud. “Wait a second. You guys aren’t like, you know.” She gestured back and forth with her hands, suddenly concerned she had inadvertently crossed a line.

  Meg saved her. “Nope. Not like that. Just friends. But, seriously, she did say she thought you were hot.” Meg watched Tracy smile and was happy to make her feel good. Meg had known Tracy a long time, and it was obvious she was off her game.

  Meg put some aluminum foil on the table between them. “Come on, killer, help me wrap these slices. They’re going to hit the spot when we come home in a drunken stupor tomorrow night.”

  Chapter Six

  It was only nine o’clock and already the Bay West Commons was wall-to-wall girls.

  “They haven’t said a word about it. It’s like it didn’t happen,” Lexi answered in response to her friends’ inquiries about how her parents were adjusting to the engagement. She raised her voice over the music and tried futilely to sound unbothered. “Their loss. I’m not going to beg them, if that’s what they want. I’m not doing it.”

  They were standing in a loose semicircle with Lexi directing her comments mostly to Meg and Tracy, while Jesse and Betsy were deep in their own conversation on the fringe of the group.

  No one knew how to make Lexi feel better about her parents’ lack of support. It was a crappy thing her mothers were doing, but it was also tricky to bitch out Chris and Marnie, who they all knew and liked, and who Lexi adored in spite of their current disapproval. So they simply listened to her vent.

  At a break in the conversation, Tracy leaned toward Meg. “Don’t look now, but some chick at the bar is totally checking you out.”

  Meg whipped around to see for herself. Assessing the curvy brunette across the room, she gave the girl a small nod of recognition before turning back to Tracy.

  “Way to not listen to me.”

  “She’s not checking me out,” Meg corrected. “I know her.”

  “Dude, I’ve been watching for the last ten minutes. She’s scoping you.”

  “She’s not.” Meg laughed her off. “It’s a funny story actually. We’re supposed to be perfect for each other. Except we’re not.”

  Tracy crinkled her forehead at Meg’s half explanation.

  “That’s Reina Ramirez.” Jesse had heard the back and forth and jumped into the conversation to flesh it out for Tracy. “Her cousin Teddy, the woman with the buzz cut she’s standing next to,” Jesse explained with a nod of her chin, “she lives here.” Jesse flashed her eyes in their direction. “Reina comes around a lot. She’s a great girl”—Jesse curled her lip and hung her head in defeat—“but Meg won’t give her a chance.”

  “That’s not true. I gave her a chance.” Meg shook her head, not liking the way her response had come out. She blinked slowly and tried again. “What Jesse isn’t telling you is everybody had this, like, fantasy that me and Reina would meet and realize we’re meant to be. So they forced us into a setup and surprise, surprise, we’re not soul mates.” Meg gave an overly dramatic sigh for comedic effect as she continued. “Nobody can believe it. Except, of course, for me and Reina, who are fine with how things worked out, by the way. But every time we’re in the same room, Teddy pushes Reina at me, and this one”—she thumbed at Jesse—“never gets off my case about it.”

  “Because I know a good thing when I see it.” Jesse got the last word in with the spirited confidence of someone who undoubtedly believed she was right.

  Tracy watched the lighthearted exchange and scanned the group to see who would weigh in next. She was hoping for Betsy to say something that might give her a natural opening to talk to the gorgeous blonde again. They had been at the social for over an hour, and Tracy had yet to have the opportunity to pick up their conversation from the other day. She was looking for a gateway, but it was Lexi who piped up instead.

  She playfully swatted Jesse’s arm. “You should give Meg a break.” Lexi nodded her chin assertively. “You made your pitch for Reina. They didn’t click. Let it go.” She broke out into a mischievous smile. “Anyway, Meg’s got her hands full trying to convert her straight coworker.”

  Both Jesse and Tracy turned to Meg for an explanation.

  Lexi continued to play it up. “What? She hasn’t told you guys about how she’s wining and dining the new girl at her office?”

  Meg challenged Lexi with her expression, but her mouth turned up into a one-sided smile as she spoke. “We have lunch. It’s called being friendly.” She rolled her eyes up at the ceiling. She had a great rapport with her friends and loved that they all teased each other openly. “Anyway, I’m getting out of the line of fire.” She looked over at the bar. “Anybody need a drink?”

  “I’ll come with you.” Betsy wiggled her empty beer bottle.

  Without missing a beat Tracy offered to come too, and the three of them headed to the bar together. After they were served, they decided to hit the balcony for some fresh air, but at the end of the bar Meg bumped into Reina, who was still hovering nearby. She urged Tracy and Betsy to go on without her, assuring them she’d catch up in a minute. But she purposely dawdled, spending a few extra minutes with Reina just to give Tracy the one-on-one time with Betsy that she knew her friend was angling for.

  She returned to the group just in time to hear Lexi inviting the gang for a barbecue at Jesse’s place the following Sunday. Meg knew all the details already, so she half listened, keeping an eye on Tracy and Betsy outside while she surveyed the room for anyone who might catch her eye.

  In the middle of her third scan over faces she had mostly seen before, Meg’s eye caught a dark-haired stranger walking directly toward them. The woman looked different than the rest of their group—edgier, with jet-black hair that hung in her face and heavy-duty eyeliner around her eyes. She had on a threadbare T-shirt that hung off her gaunt body and dark jeans that crumpled at the top of her unlaced boots, perfecting her purposely disheveled look. To Meg’s surprise she stopped when she reached them, causing Lexi to stop talking midsentence.

  The stranger gave a nod to Jesse only, thrusting her hands into her pockets as she spoke. “Jen around?”

  Jesse answered her only with a nod of her own, pointing toward the balcony with her beer where Betsy and Tracy could be seen in conversation beyond the tinted glass wall. The girl simply nodded her thanks and headed toward the balcony doors.

  Meg was amazed at the lack of words that had passed in the exchange. She looked at Lexi, who appeared to be as confused as she was before turning to Jesse. “Who was that? And who the fuck is Jen?”

  Jesse took a sip of her drink before answering. “Jen, as in, Jennifer Betsy.” She wiped the corner of her mouth and didn’t even t
ry to mask her irritation as she continued, “That’s CJ.”

  Meg turned her head so fast her confused reaction fell into the abyss. She watched as Betsy’s ex-girlfriend interrupted Betsy and Tracy with the same cocky air she had employed moments ago. Betsy and CJ exchanged a seemingly genuine hug, followed by what looked like an awkward introduction to Tracy. Then they departed abruptly via the outdoor staircase, leaving Tracy to return to the group with her tail between her legs.

  “What just happened?” Lexi asked no one in particular.

  Meg’s comment was more pointed and was aimed at Jesse. “That was Betsy’s girlfriend? The one with the sleeve of tattoos and the pierced nose?”

  “Ex-girlfriend. Allegedly,” Jesse responded. “But yeah, that’s her.”

  Meg was truly shocked, and she knew the reason had everything to do with CJ’s appearance. It was shallow, but she was so completely surprised that she couldn’t get over it. She peppered Jesse with a million questions throughout the rest of the night. They were mostly to satisfy her own curiosity, but she knew Tracy was following the details too, even if she tried not to look too invested in the answers.

  Meg finally broached the subject with Tracy on the short walk home to her condo. “You bummed about the Betsy thing?”

  Tracy curled up the corner of her mouth in an odd expression that was half smile, half frown. “It’s fine,” she answered.

  “You heard Jesse, they might be broken up,” Meg offered optimistically.

  “Yeah, maybe.” But Tracy didn’t sound convinced. “I had a good time anyway.”

  “It’s awesome you’re here. I’m so glad you got to meet my friends.”

  “You know, I was at one of these parties years ago.” Tracy crossed her arms as they walked down the path toward Meg’s house. “But being here tonight, seeing it from the inside, almost being part of it…totally different.” She shook her head, breaking into a spontaneous smile. “This place is amazing.” She looked up at the sky and did a full three hundred sixty degree turn. “You can actually see stars.”

  “You should stay for a while.” Meg caught herself off guard by her spontaneous invitation. But hearing it out loud, it sounded like a good idea, so she continued, “Why rush back to LA? Hang out here for a bit.” She fished her keys out of her pocket. “Then you can make a real run at Jennifer Betsy.”

  Tracy smirked. “It’s not beyond the realm of possibility, my young friend.” She clapped Meg’s shoulders as they entered the house. “She’s pretty awesome.” She kicked off her shoes as she crossed the threshold. “I mean beautiful, obviously. Smart, funny…” She trailed off, bending down to pick up her Vans with one hand.

  “What did you guys talk about anyway?”

  “Don’t know, really.” Tracy looked up thoughtfully. “Nothing. Everything.” She rubbed the back of her neck. “She’s just easy, you know?” She stuffed her empty hand in her pocket, leaning on the wall as Meg locked the front door behind them. “I’m telling you there is something there.” She smiled easily. “I know she felt it too.”

  Meg stopped dramatically at the foot of the staircase and looked right at Tracy, who was still perched against the wall clearly replaying portions of the evening in her mind. “Oh my God, who are you? You’re here a day and you’re in love. WTF, dude.”

  Tracy twisted Meg around and nudged her up the stairs. “I’m not.” She tried unsuccessfully to lighten her tone. “She’s just different, you know. Real.”

  “Oh man, you’re screwed.” Meg snorted and Tracy laughed with her. “First things first. Let me get the scoop on what’s going on with her and Joan Jett there.”

  At the top of the stairs, Tracy pivoted on one foot, heading for the guest room at the front of the house. “Well, don’t be obvious.” She called out the friendly order with a huge smile on her face.

  “You see where I live,” Meg answered wryly, meeting Tracy’s eyes down the hall. “Give me a little credit, buddy. This is not my first rodeo.”

  Chapter Seven

  Lexi took a deep breath. She squeezed Jesse’s hand and gave her a quick kiss on the lips. “I’ll see you in a few minutes.”

  Jesse held on to her for a second. “Why don’t you let me come with you?”

  “It’s better if I go alone,” Lexi answered with shaky confidence. She knew she had to deal with her parents sooner or later. Another week had passed without any mention of her upcoming nuptials.

  Early in the week, she’d overheard her mothers confirming plans with Kam Browne and Mary Brown for Friday night. Playing cards at the house was something of a tradition for the four friends. On weekend nights that Bay West didn’t have a social, open house, or closed party that required Kam’s and Mary’s presence and supervision as the power couple who owned and operated Bay West, there were good odds they could be found parked at the Russo-Markowski dining room table with big smiles, full drinks, and piles of gambling chips in front of them.

  Tonight there were no events, so it was game on.

  “I’ll be fine.” Lexi nudged Jesse in the direction of her house. “I’ll be over soon, I promise.” She watched her girlfriend—her fiancée—back away, then turned and faced the front door, taking a deep breath and reminding herself yet again that this was a good idea. Mary and Kam were surely waiting to congratulate her on the engagement and, as strange as it seemed, Lexi thought that might be just what her parents needed to get over the hump. Of course it would be awkward in the beginning. But nothing was more awkward than the way things were right now. She hardly spoke to her parents at all lately, and in the past weeks she had found herself steering clear of Kam and Mary altogether.

  She’d used a similar avoidance tactic a year ago, when she and Jesse had first started dating. It was just too weird given her family’s closeness with Mary coupled with the history between Mary and Jesse. Somehow over the last twelve months they’d all figured out a way to talk around it, but now with a wedding around the corner, Lexi knew she couldn’t play cat and mouse for much longer.

  It was a good thing, she told herself. Kam and Mary were probably itching to tackle the elephant in the room and have their requisite congratulatory remarks out of the way. Perhaps making a big show of their support would cover the initial discomfort they’d all felt over the fact that Lexi was going to marry Jesse Ducane, with whom Mary had conducted a very long, very secret, very inappropriate affair. Clearing the air might be just what they all needed to move on.

  Pressing the handle of the screen door, Lexi almost balked as she heard their distant laughter from just inside the doorway. It got louder and more distinct as she walked up the stairs to the first floor of the split-level setup. When she reached the top of the stairs, she saw Marnie leaning all the way back in her chair, clutching her chest as she laughed, while Mary was doubled over in her seat, her head resting on her arms across the dining room table. She looked up and saw Lexi before the others did.

  “Lexi,” Mary yelled, waving her over enthusiastically. “You have to hear this story Chris just told us.” She patted the shiny wood surface just in front of the empty chair at the head of the table, encouraging Lexi to sit down.

  Lexi checked a look at Marnie, who was busy wiping tears from her eyes, as she polished off her margarita. “You know Mush,” her mother said to Lexi, employing the nickname all the kids used for Chris.

  It was a good moniker. Chris was an absolute softie. She was also a great storyteller, and when the four of them were together, she loved to reminisce about the good old days.

  Chris peeked her head up from where she stood at the counter mixing up a fresh round of drinks. She had on a woozy smile. “Hey, Lex. Want a drink?”

  “No, thanks,” Lexi answered her mother with a smile. She kind of loved seeing them all like this—getting a little sloshed, having a good time together. Someday, when she was their age, she hoped to be just like them.

  Kam cleared her throat, looking right at Lexi as she brushed her gray-brown hair off her forehead with on
e hand. “So what are you kids up to tonight?” She coughed again and answered her own question. “You girls headed to the Kitchen?” She gave a gruff chuckle, and spoke again, still not giving Lexi a chance to answer. “Chris, do you remember that night at the Kitchen with Marilyn Sanders and the cowbell?” They all broke into simultaneous laughter at an obviously shared memory.

  Chris walked over with two drinks, placing them in front of Mary and Marnie. Her eyes were glassy as she approached her daughter and gave Lexi’s shoulders a genuine squeeze. “What is on your agenda tonight, honey?”

  “Not much, really.”

  “Ooh, are you going to stay and hang with us?” Mary asked excitedly.

  Lexi sat down in the vacant chair. “Sure. For a little bit.” Marnie gave her a sweet smile and Lexi saw love in her eyes, even though they were at unspoken odds over her future. She inadvertently checked her watch, a little surprised so many minutes had passed without Mary and Kam fawning over her. She supposed it could be nerves or forgetfulness because they were a little tipsy. Either way, she expected their congratulations were imminent, so she sat tight, giving them time to bring up the marginally touchy subject whenever they were ready.

  “So what are you all playing?” Lexi asked good-naturedly.

  Mary answered her. “It started off as euchre, but bossy, over here”—she nudged Kam sitting next to her—“made us switch to pinochle, because she likes it better.” She batted her eyes playfully and leaned into Kam. “And we agreed, because we love her.” She tipped her head onto Kam’s shoulder.

  “Let me guess, you all are winning?” Lexi teased Mary, knowing Kam Browne almost never lost at pinochle.

  They all laughed amicably.

  “Is it even close?” Lexi asked, reaching for the scorecard in the center of the table.

  Mary put her hand on Lexi’s forearm, stopping it before she was able to slide the score sheet back to her. “Oh my God.” She stared at the diamond on Lexi’s finger and then met Lexi’s eyes directly. Her expression said it all. Mary was absolutely stunned and she stuttered for a second before she asked in a very serious voice, “Is that an engagement ring?”