Thirty-Eight Days

by Len Webster

  “Rob. Wanna dance?”

  “I’m not going to sleep with you, so don’t try,” Stevie said as she sipped her drink through her straw. Noel, Clara, and Alex let out a laugh. Rob smirked and joined in on the laughter; he wasn’t used to girls like Stevie.

  “You know what, Stevie, I like you. You’d be perfect for my brother,” Rob suggested as he placed his beer on their table.

  “If he has looks like yours then trust me, Rob, I’m a goner. If you promise not to grope my ass like most of the guys on that dance floor, I’ll dance with you.” Stevie winked at Rob, and Noel knew it was enough to seal Rob’s fate. He was a goner.

  “Boys,” Rob stated and took Stevie’s hand before leading her towards the dance floor.

  “Now that’s trouble,” Clara said before she sat down a few seats away from him. Max strolled over with a round of tequila shots and distributed them around the table. Clara refused, and Alex took her shot. As the night continued, the music got louder and the amount of people at the club had increased. For a grand opening, it was overwhelming. Max moved from table to table interacting while Stevie and Rob switched between Rob doing shots and them dancing. Clara remained quiet and Noel wanted to kiss the worried look off her face.

  Clara stood up and excused herself from the table, making her way to the bar. He was tempted to stand up and join her, but he stayed seated. For the past twenty minutes Alex had been convincing him to dance and mingle with some of the women that would stop by their table. It was probably the alcohol talking for both of them, but Alex was certainly pissing him off. If Alex knew just how serious Noel was about Clara, he wouldn’t be pushing Noel to dance with other women.

  “Want to dance?” a woman with light brown hair asked. Noel felt an instant elbow hit the side of his body and he winced.

  Damn it, Alex!

  “Why not,” Noel sighed and took two more shots before wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. He walked to the dance floor with the random woman with much displeasure. Her breasts were spilling out of her dress, and he knew it was intentional, but Noel didn’t fancy a look. It was a charade to get Alex off his back. Two dances in and the no-named woman was gyrating her ass as close as she could to Noel’s body. The alcohol was now in full swing and he felt tipsy from the shots he took. He was just about to pull the woman closer when he felt his arm being yanked in another direction and being led off the dance floor.

  “What the fuck are you doing?” Max shouted over the loud music.

  “Dancing.”

  “Wanna tell that to Clara? She’s at the bar horrified at what she just witnessed. I don’t know what your fucking problem is, but I told you not to hurt her and what are you doing… dancing with another girl in front of Clara’s eyes. You’re a fucking dick!”

  “I was just trying to get Alex off our backs!” Noel defended.

  “How about next time you tell Clara. She almost walked out of the club. I’ll cover for you, and you go talk to her. If Alex knew what you were doing he’d take you out himself. You’re fucking lucky I have your back. You do some pretty fucked-up things, Noel. Clara doesn’t deserve half the shit you pull! Now get your ass over there and stop your girl before she leaves!”

  Max’s words sobered him right up. Scanning the club, he witnessed Clara take two consecutive tequila shots, her face contorted as she downed the burning liquor. Clara hadn’t touched alcohol all night, and to see her down two straight shots was like a punch to the gut. Noel walked over to Clara and stood next to her, making sure he wasn’t too close.

  “You’re an asshole, you know that, right?” Clara asked as she turned towards him.

  “I’m an asshole. I’m sorry, Clara. Alex kept pushing me to dance with every girl that asked, and I didn’t want him to suspect anything was going on between us just yet. Baby, I’m sorry. It was an act, believe me,” Noel pleaded as he took Clara’s hand in his.

  “I’m mad, Noel!”

  “Clara, I’m sorry. I swear—”

  “No! You don’t get what I’m saying. I’m mad because I want to be the only girl you dance with. I’m mad because you’re mine and I can’t even tell any girl to back off. I can’t do that. Do you know how angry I am? I know you were putting on a display, but it still hurts to see. I saw how Alex pushed you, and Max came straight by and explained. But that doesn’t change a thing. You’re mine, Nolan Parker, and I sound really possessive, but I don’t care. I’m jealous of all the girls that get to dance with you and put their hands on you without a care in the world! But I can’t do that, because we have to be careful or we’ll get caught!” Choked sobs broke Clara’s voice, and he knew she was close to crying. He didn’t factor in Clara’s feelings when he took that girl onto the dance floor.

  “I’m sorry, Clara. I didn’t mean to do this to you. I’m just trying to get Alex off both our backs.” Clara gave Noel a smile and squeezed his hand. The people that surrounded them acted as a shield from Alex’s eyes.

  “I’m going back to the apartment. Stevie and I have had enough, and she’s going to take me home. Don’t worry, she’s been sober the whole night.” Clara pushed off the bench, but Noel grabbed her wrist and stopped her.

  “Wait up for me? I have to stay and get Alex home, but wait for me. I’ll sneak into your room and I’ll stay tonight. Please, I can’t continue to sleep alone, not after we made love this morning,” Noel pleaded and Clara gave him smile.

  “I’ll wait for you.”

  “I’ll text you before I come up to the apartment.” Noel looked over to see Alex’s back turned and tugged Clara into his arms and placed a quick kiss on her lips, startling her, but Clara recovered in time to kiss him back.

  “You’re the only woman I look for when I enter a room because I only love you, Clara. I may have to pretend to be interested in them, but that’s only because I’m doing this so I can keep you.” Clara squeezed his hand and he watched her eyes glisten.

  “I’m yours, Noel. And I love you,” Clara said before letting go of his hand and walking towards Alex. He watched them exchange a few words until Alex hugged Clara and Stevie. Clara and Stevie pushed through the crowd until they reached the entry. Clara turned and smiled in Noel’s direction before walking out of the club.

  You almost lost her again! Get it together!

  Turning towards the bartender, he ordered a Coke. He needed to sober up for when he’d sneak into Clara’s room later in the night. Noel handed the bartender the money and took his Coke when his phone vibrated in his pocket. Setting his drink on the counter, he dug his hand into it to retrieve his phone. He smiled at the idea of it being Clara. Noel brought his phone to view and unlocked it to read his new message.

  Valerie: Can you please stop by tonight? We need to talk. I don’t know who to talk to and I need your help, Noel. Please.

  Waking up to an empty bed was something Clara wasn’t expecting. She thought that he’d silently tiptoe into bed and curl up next to her, but Clara woke up alone. The disappointment left a sour taste in her mouth. Last night she remembered Alex waking her up from the couch and walking her to bed after Stevie left her apartment. She placed her phone next to her bed in case he texted. But Noel had delivered her an empty promise, and the heavy feeling in her chest was unbearable.

  Different scenarios played through her mind. But it was the fact that Noel didn’t walk through her front door all day that slowly broke her heart. She looked at herself in the mirror and sighed. The wait for Noel was pure agony, and the lack of communication from him slowly broke her. That one text message he promised went undelivered, and Clara’s hopes of her phone ringing slowly diminished with every hour that passed.

  Picking up a bobby pin, she pinned back a few loose curls that fell out of place from her messy bun. With a satisfied huff, Clara picked up her dangling diamond earrings and placed them on both earlobes. She checked her reflection twice to ensure nothing was out of place and picked up her locket. Her fingers ran over the Celtic knot before running over the engraving.<
br />
  I’m not even his girlfriend… I’m his secret.

  Clara’s eyes burned slightly. She took a deep breath and placed the locket back on her vanity. They both knew they’d have to play pretend until they figured out a way to tell Alex, but it still hurt. To not be able to freely have Noel all to herself was like being refrained from breathing.

  “Clara, let’s go! We're going to be late!” Alex yelled from the other side of the door. She took her locket and placed it in her clutch, along with her phone, and did one more reflection check in the mirror. Tonight would be the night it all came out. She couldn’t live another night away from Noel, and if Alex fought with her, Clara would only fight harder. Noel was the one she’d fight for. He was always the one; she just didn’t know it until recently.

  She grasped her floor-length chiffon dress and lifted it slightly off the ground before slipping on her light purple heels. She could feel her heartbeat pick up and her hands started to tremble. She shook her head and opened her bedroom door to find Alex standing there waiting for her.

  “Nice tux,” Clara commented as she closed her bedroom door behind her.

  “Nice dress, little sis,” Alex said, taking Clara’s arm and slipping it in his.

  “I can’t believe the extravagance of this thing. Max sure knows how to throw a party.”

  “It’s his cousin’s birthday,” she explained.

  “It’s just a birthday,” Alex pointed out once they left the apartment and reached the elevator. He pressed on the down arrow button and looked over at Clara.

  “That’s a joke, right? You were the one who surprised me with that dinner where the performer sung me happy birthday. Oh, and you sent me that large parcel, too. You and Max are similar, so don’t go teasing him when you do the same!” Clara scolded.

  “Speaking of presents. You haven’t even opened mine. I saw it sitting in the study.”

  “I’ve spent every waking second with you, Alex. You haven’t given me the chance to open it!”

  Alex rolled his eyes before saying, “Yeah yeah.”

  The elevator doors opened and they both walked in, Clara pressing the button for the lobby. The elevator travelled smoothly down towards the lobby when the sound of Alex’s phone whistled in the confined space. Clara watched as Alex pulled his phone out of the inside pocket of his tux and answered it.

  “I was worried… no… I’m glad. Yeah… uh-ha… okay, see you soon,” Alex murmured into his phone before hanging up. She turned and raised an eyebrow at him.

  “Everything all right?” Clara asked as she glanced at her brother’s concerned face. Alex looked up at her for a second and shook his head.

  “Just Noel. He’ll be there tonight.” Clara gave Alex a tight smile before turning her head and staring at the elevator doors.

  He called Alex. He couldn’t even send me a text message to tell me he was okay. Asshole!

  The anger and hurt boiled inside of her. She spent the day worrying, spent the day concerned, but he remembered to call Alex. Clara’s nails dug into the palms of her hands as she balled them tight. When the elevator doors opened all anger fled her; instead it was replaced with sadness.

  “Hey, Clara!” The smile on his face did something to her. It hit her deep. Clara stepped out of the elevator with Alex by her side.

  “Hi, Liam.” She smiled back. Liam’s tormented eyes no longer stared at her; instead they shone brightly like he was truly happy to see her. Clara heard a cough from her left, and she rolled her eyes.

  “Liam, this is my brother, Alex. Alex, this is my neighbour, Liam,” Clara introduced, and she watched them shake hands and nod their heads.

  Alex and Liam small talked while Clara stood there silently observing them. If she had chosen Liam, this was how easy it could have been for them. She wouldn’t have to worry about betraying Alex, and by the looks of things, Alex liked Liam. They both shared a couple of chuckles before Alex stepped aside and Liam turned to her.

  “You look beautiful, Clara. Thought I’d let you know,” Liam beamed, that smile of his making Clara blush. Liam walked around her and towards the elevator. Clara turned to thank him, but was stopped by another one of Liam’s smiles and then the wink he directed to her. She let out a laugh and shook her head.

  I could have easily fallen in love with him.

  Clara bit the inside of her cheek. It would have been easier if she had fallen for Liam. She was close. But her love for Noel was deeper. She loved him in every complicated way, enough to risk her own brother’s love. Maybe what they had would be deep enough to last forever, maybe she was always meant to fall in love with him.

  It was always Noel.

  “I like him,” Alex commented when she caught up to him. Clara turned and looked back at the closed elevator.

  “I do, too,” she replied softly, and walked out of the lobby’s front door.

  Clara was in awe the moment she stepped foot on the mosaic-tiled floors. She looked to see pillars in circular formation around the room. Every detail of the intricate pillars had Clara wanting to go over and inspect the beauty of the architecture. She looked up to see the famous dome. The beautiful late Victorian ceiling panels and plastered designs stole her breath away.

  Extra lighting and candles were placed around the main ballroom, and the tables and chairs were placed in a circular arrangement around the dance floor. Alex nudged her, and she tore her eyes off the dome. Alex took her by the arm and led her to the bar. As they waited for their drinks, Clara couldn’t help but scan the dance floor for Noel. After a few scans, she came up empty. Her palms moistened and her foot tapped; she was anxious to see him.

  “I’m going to go see some of the old boys from footy. You’ll be right?” Alex asked as he handed Clara her vodka cranberry. She sipped her drink and nodded to Alex. She watched her brother walk across the dance floor and mingle with a few of the men she recognised.

  They all shook hands and gave each other one of those manly hugs that only required one arm, then they all chuckled. The music from the live band slowed and couples walked onto the dance floor hand in hand.

  Walking over to the edge of the dance floor, she watched as people swayed to the slow song that the band played. She looked down and swirled the ice in her drink with her straw; the cranberries bobbed and floated to the surface with each swirl.

  “Evenin’, Clara, you look as lovely as ever.” Clara glanced to her left to see a woman just taller than her with long straight black hair, wearing a white-and-blue patterned halter dress. Clara’s eyes squinted as she took a good look at the woman beside her.

  I’ve seen her before, but where?

  "How's your brother?" she asked mysteriously.

  Sarah… Alex’s ex-girlfriend!

  Clara held her breath for a second before heavily breathing out. Her grip on her glass became tighter, and her heartbeat frantic against her ribcage. Those blue eyes made Clara cautious. She couldn’t remember a time where Sarah actually liked her.

  "Fine. He's Alex. He's happy with whatever he's doing in life. You do know he's here, right?" Clara stated as she returned to watching the couples dance. She was hopeful that someone would come to her rescue. Sarah was trouble, and her relationship with Clara’s brother had been poisonous.

  "Listen, Clara…” She could see from the corner of her eye that Sarah had turned to face her. “I want you to back off!" she demanded; the forcefulness of her request was clear.

  "From what, exactly?" she asked, not even glancing at Sarah. Clara’s gaze focused on Alex’s back. Clara closed her eyes for a second to compose herself. Sarah wanted a showdown, and Clara knew this wasn’t good.

  "You know, Clara. I'm talking about Noel." His name caught her attention and she faced Sarah.

  “Noel?”

  Sarah nodded. The icy look in her eyes had Clara shivering.

  "What does whatever Noel and I have concern you?"

  "Because Valerie’s my best friend."

  Clara’s her heart dropped at the
sound of Valerie’s name.

  "Does she know you're confronting me about him?"

  "No,” Sarah said, and placed a hand on her hip. She breathed out heavily and said, “Now stay away, Clara. Give them a chance. You're stopping them. They were each other’s first. They've always loved each other. I'm asking you to let them be together and…" Sarah stopped before a smirk appeared on her face. "Alex wouldn't be happy. You know that.”

  Clara winced. Alex’s name pierced her chest and dug itself deep within her heart.

  She’s right.

  “H-how do you even know?” Clara stammered out. Sarah took two steps towards Clara and her smirk was gone. The menacing look Clara had always known consumed Sarah’s face.

  “Last night at the club. I saw him kiss you, and I heard it all. You think he likes you, Clara? Noel? You're just a pretty face. He's always loved Val and last night…"

  "Last night?"

  Please don’t tell me they happened.

  "Oh, he didn't tell you? He didn't come home last night, did he?"

  Clara didn’t reply; the instant nausea she felt rendered her speechless. Clara’s silence brought with it a smug look on Sarah’s face. She could see why Alex dated Sarah. She was pretty, and Alex loved a girl with high cheekbones. But Clara could see the venom running through Sarah's veins.

  "He and Val slept together.”

  The rapid burning that laced Clara’s heart ran through the rest of her body. She felt violently ill and found it impossible to breathe, the large ballroom becoming a small and tight box around her.

  "Slept… together?" Her voice was almost whisper.

  Oh, God. Not again.

  "Yeah, she told me. She said they spoke about being back together. She told him that she was willing to move to Boston to be with him. Val has a promotion lined up for the U.S. office. It makes sense for her to take it now. And well, you're still a child. Noel agreed for Val to move in with him so they can work it out this time.” There was no hesitation in Sarah’s voice.

  "Valerie is moving to America?" Clara was in disbelief. Her eyes started to water, and she desperately tried to keep her tears at bay.