Separate Like Stars

by Diana Kane

  “And you did it?” Erica asks.

  “She did that and more,” Olivia answers, making my cheeks flush.

  “There’s more?” Mike asks.

  “There is, but that’s our memory,” Olivia answers, giving me a slight sense of relief. I don’t mind them knowing about the streaking, but I’d rather keep the rest of the story about Olivia greeting my return naked, with the Twister mat spread out in the yard. I can still picture the lightening briefly illuminating her eyes and what the rainwater I licked off of her skin tasted like.

  “What’d I miss?” David asks when he returns to an utterly silent table.

  “I’m pretty sure Jordan and Olivia had sex in the rain,” Mike informs him, causing David to look over at us.

  “We were sharing the craziest thing we did in school,” Erica clues David in.

  “I made out with Olivia,” Katie interjects, drawing all attention to her.

  “Good grief Olivia. How much game do you have?” David asks as he takes his seat.

  “Not that much and it was one time,” Olivia answers, her tone hiding her annoyance reasonably well.

  “Twice,” Katie adds.

  “A kiss and one make-out session,” Olivia argues.

  “How many of our other classmates did you hook up with?” Mike asks.

  “Only Jordan. She was the only one I loved,” she answers, earning a scowl from Katie.

  “Look how well that worked out for you,” Katie hurls at Olivia. “As soon as she made it big she left you high and dry.” The words flying out of Katie’s mouth have me turning to face Olivia as I wonder what she’s been telling people.

  “You have no idea what the hell you’re talking about,” Olivia protests but doesn’t elaborate.

  “It doesn’t matter, because she’s paying for it now with Addison. Addison Foster who is currently running around Mexico City with Chloe Norton,” Katie informs us with a satisfied sneer gracing her lips. I instantly feel my blood run cold. The only way Katie would know about Addison and Chloe would be if they were seen in public together.

  “Jordan didn’t leave me. I fell apart after my mom died and shattered Jordan’s heart,” I hear Olivia inform Katie as I unlock my phone. Olivia’s next words fade to background noise as I open the web browser and do a quick search for Addison Foster. In seconds I’m greeted with news articles and photos of Addison and Chloe out together in Mexico City.

  “Excuse me,” I mumble as I push my chair away from the table.

  “You’re an ass,” I hear Olivia presumably tell Katie as I make my way to the bar.

  “Double shot of whiskey please,” I request as I take a seat.

  “You all right?” Olivia asks as she stands behind the stool on my left.

  “Yeah. It’s not as if I didn’t know. It bothers me that I was just with her. I mean, she didn’t even wait a day. Hell, she didn’t even wait half a day. Now there will be all of the tabloids posting pictures of us in Acapulco next to them in Mexico City. There will be questions and speculation, and Doug insisting I go back to Mexico City to do damage control,” I finish with a shake of my head before taking a long sip of whiskey.

  “Do you want me to take you home? We can get out of here if you’re ready.”

  “We can stay. It’s not news to me; I just didn’t enjoy hearing it from Katie.”

  “Yeah, about Katie. I don’t know why she’s being a bitch. Or where she got her information.”

  “I’m not worried about Katie,” I inform Olivia. “It’s not as if we were ever friends. I just didn’t realize that you hadn’t kept in touch with her.”

  “I didn’t keep in touch with anyone, including my family. If I had, I would have talked to you. I don’t understand why she’s acting the way she is.”

  “She sounds jealous,” I observe as the realization hits me. “Didn’t you say she’s in the middle of a divorce?”

  “Yeah. So?” she confirms as she turns to face me. “Oh no…you don’t think?”

  “Maybe. I mean if she were, it would explain why she can’t stand me. What would you do if it turns out she is?”

  “Nothing,” she answers as she brushes her hair away from her eye. “I mean, I don’t know her anymore and the way she’s acting tonight is far from attractive. It doesn’t make me want to put a lot of effort into reconnecting with her. Plus, it was pretty clear that she wasn’t into it in high school. I doubt that’s changed.”

  “Maybe it’s just jealousy over not being your best friend anymore,” I suggest.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well, the night I first met Katie at that bonfire, you two were inseparable. But that faded and now you and I are close again, despite losing touch for years. Maybe that’s what she’s jealous about.”

  “Maybe. It doesn’t matter though. There’s no reason for anyone to act like that towards another person. I mean, she actually enjoyed tossing that tidbit about Addison in your face. Someone who enjoys that isn’t someone I want to put energy into keeping in my life.”

  “You’re a good person,” I assure her with a hand on her shoulder.

  “Listen,” she instructs, looking toward the speaker overhead. “Do you hear that?”

  “You mean the song?” Olivia nods, a small smile curling the corners of her mouth. “Do you remember?”

  “Isn’t this Savage Garden or something like that?”

  “It’s the song that was playing the first time you said you loved me. You don’t remember?” she asks, disappointment clouding her eyes.

  “Honestly, I was so nervous about telling you. My heart was thundering in my ears. I was so absorbed in your presence that I’m not sure what was playing in the background.”

  “Well I remember,” she murmurs as she looks over her shoulder. “Our friends are dancing. Are you buzzed enough to dance?”

  “To this?”

  “Never mind. I shouldn’t have asked.”

  “We can,” I answer as I tip back the remainder of my whiskey. “Come on,” I urge as I take her hand and lead her onto the small space being utilized as a dance floor. I turn to face her when we reach our destination and freeze when I realize that this suddenly feels a little awkward.

  “It’s a little weird, isn’t it?”

  “Only if we allow it to be. We’re just two friends dancing,” I remind her as I take her left hand in my right and settle my left hand on her hip. Her right hand falls to my shoulder and before I know it we’re dancing, chatting, and laughing like we’ve done this a million times. In another lifetime we did, only much less formally than we are now.

  We dance our way through two more songs, but it’s as I’ll Stand By You plays that I hear Mike asking David what station he put it on.

  “The 90s station. I forgot that they do their whole love songs of the 90s thing on Sunday nights.”

  “Well, I wanna drink some beer, man. You’re gonna have to change the station.” I hear David laugh from somewhere behind me, then spot him as he passes by us to make his way behind the bar. The song cuts off as it comes to a close and some pop song I vaguely remember takes its place.

  “Guess we’re done dancing,” Olivia observes but doesn’t release me. It’s as I stare into those blue depths that I realize I haven’t moved either. Something inside me stirs. Maybe it’s the whiskey. Perhaps it’s the trek down memory lane. Either way, my eyes fall to her lips, and I feel my weight shifting up onto my toes as I attempt to eliminate the space between us. “Jordan,” she utters just loud enough for me to hear as she squeezes my shoulder and stops my movement. “Not like this. I don’t want to be some reaction you’re having to Addison’s behavior, and you’ve never been unfaithful.”

  “You’re right,” I concede as I fall back on my feet. “I apologize.”

  “No worries. It’s not that I wouldn’t, but you’re drunk and with everything going on…I wouldn’t want you to do something you’d regret in the clear light of day.”

  “I appreciate that,” I answer as we rele
ase each other.

  “How about one more round and then we’ll hit the road?”

  “Sure,” I answer as I head to the bar for another whiskey.

  Chapter 24

  I roll over and wince at the discomfort in my head. I try to open my eyes but quickly shut them against the daylight streaming in through the window. Then the smell of coffee hits me as well as the sound of someone talking in another room. I cautiously open my eyes and realize that I’m not at home, in my bed. I slowly manage to sit up to look around and recognize the room that once belonged to Mrs. and Mr. O’Connor. What am I doing here, I wonder as the sound of Olivia’s footsteps ascending the stairs echoes into the room.

  “You’re awake,” she observes as she enters carrying a cup of coffee and a plate of toast. “How are you feeling?”

  “Like a furry animal died in my mouth. What am I doing here?” I ask as I accept the cup of coffee from her.

  “You don’t remember?” she asks, her brow furrowed. I shake my head, immediately regretting it when the headache hurts that much more. “I guess that last whiskey you ordered put you over the edge. Anyway, you got sick twice on the ride home. I didn’t feel comfortable leaving you by yourself, but I needed to let Lexa out. I asked if staying here was okay and you said it was fine.”

  “It is. Just trying to remember is all. What time is it?” I ask before taking a tentative sip of coffee.

  “Just after 9. I was going to wake you up. I need to go into du Pays soon and was going to take you to your car if you’re up for it. If not, I can do it after work.”

  “I’ll be all right. Do I have time to finish this?” I ask, indicating the coffee and toast.

  “Of course. Do you need anything else?”

  “A nap? God, I haven’t had that much to drink since undergrad,” I groan before attempting a nibble of the buttered toast.

  “Why did you?”

  “I was having fun. I think it just got away from me. Or more likely it was drinking whiskey after beer. Not a good idea, I know,” I acknowledge as Lexa tromps into the room and puts her head on the bed between us. We both reach over to rub her head, and my fingers brush over Olivia’s. It’s then that the memory hits me. I tried to kiss Olivia last night. What do I do now? Do I bring it up or just follow whatever lead Olivia decides is best? Why did I try to kiss her?

  “There’s nothing wrong with letting your hair down once in a while. I’m glad you decided to hang out with us last night. Aside from Katie’s behavior, it was a good night.”

  “I’m glad I stayed. I had a lot of fun.”

  “Me too,” she answers with a smile. “Ok, I’ve gotta finish getting ready. You sure you’re okay to get your car this morning?”

  “I’m sure. I’ll be ready when you are,” I promise as I continue wondering what else I’m forgetting.

  *****

  A sports drink, two aspirin, and a nap have me feeling like a functional human being again. A hot shower and second brushing of my teeth complete the picture, and I head downstairs to figure out the rest of my day. I grab my phone, intending to send my mom a message, but get distracted by messages from Doug, Stephanie, my publicist, Kira, and Gavin. Nothing from Addison, which isn’t a surprise, so I toss my phone back on the table without reading any of them and decide to unpack my suitcase first. It’s a mindless task that will allow me to focus on the actual problem at hand. What do I do about the Addison situation, especially now that I almost kissed someone else?

  I’m in the middle of cleaning when the doorbell pulls me out of my thoughts. I leave the dust cloth and polish on the coffee table and make my way to the front door, surprised to see Olivia standing on the porch.

  “I figured you’d be at work until sometime this evening,” I greet her as I open the door to let her in.

  “Yeah. I have to go back but thought I’d bring you some soup,” she answers, but I know her well enough to detect that she’s agitated.

  “Something bothering you?”

  “No. Just you weren’t answering your phone and…,” she trails off, leaving the thought trapped in her head.

  “And?”

  “We should probably sit down,” she informs me as she kicks her shoes off. I take the bag containing the soup from her and make my way to the dining room, curious about what’s on her mind. Does she want to discuss how I tried to kiss her?

  “Want anything to drink?”

  “Just a glass of water,” she calls as I enter the kitchen. I return to the dining room a minute later with two glasses of water, to discover Olivia cradling her phone in her hands. “We have a problem,” she says as she passes her phone to me.

  “What the fuck?” I ask no one in particular as I look at the picture of Olivia and me dancing together last night.

  “You should probably swipe left,” she adds. I slide my finger across the screen and am presented with a few more shots, the last one of the almost kiss.

  “Great,” I answer as I hand the phone back to her. “I’m going to go out on a limb and guess Katie?”

  “Probably a safe bet. I’m so sorry, Jordan. I tried to call you when someone at work asked me about it.”

  “It’s not your fault,” I sigh as I rub the bridge of my nose. “I’ve already spent the day trying to decide what to do about the Addison thing. I’m going to have to go back to Mexico City to talk to her,” I concede, knowing it’s the most prevailing thought I’ve had all day.

  “When will you leave?” she eventually asks.

  “I’m not sure yet. Possibly tonight, probably tomorrow. I don’t know how long I’ll be away either. Any chance you could take Artemis and Apollo until I return?”

  “Of course. Lexa loves having them at the house,” she replies with a kind smile. “You gonna be all right?”

  “Yeah. I think it’s just time, you know?”

  “Would you like to talk about it?” she asks, her voice teeming with concern.

  “It’s sorta funny…I’ve been thinking about it all day. Meeting her on set…we had instant sexual chemistry. We slept together the first week but managed to keep it hidden for the first month or so. But even on set, people pick up on things, and stories get out. Rumors or whatever, at first, but once they start spreading they gain momentum and then value. Once the first photograph of Addison and I together got leaked…well, it snowballed. Everyone wanted to use our on-set romance as another PR tool to promote the movie. The problem was we never defined what we were doing. It was just sex at first, and it grew from there, but the world knowing added all of this pressure,” I admit as I think about the beginnings of my relationship. “Sorry, am I going into too much detail?”

  “It’s fine. Have you ever told anyone what you’re telling me?”

  “No,” I emphasize with a shake of my head. “Anyway, the studio wanted to film all three Legacy films in one go, since the sets were a bit elaborate and what not. So we spent the first year we were together on set, which meant things were fine. Addison was faithful, and we were good, despite our relationship being used as a PR tool.” I pause to take a sip of water and gauge Olivia’s reaction. Her eyes and posture radiate concern, despite the fact that I tried to kiss her last night. “The first time she cheated…honestly, I was hurt. I was going to end it, but the movie was set to release, and everyone invested in it begged me not to. Addison apologized profusely, so I caved and agreed to stay. After that, stomaching her indiscretions got easier. She never promised that it wouldn’t happen again. She always apologized for them though. I don’t know if I’d still be ready to end it if I hadn’t tried to kiss you last night, but the fact that I did tells me that it’s overdue.”

  “You remember that?” Olivia inquires.

  “I didn’t right off the bat, but I remember. I’m sorry I put you in that position.”

  “No worries. I’m here if you need to talk,” she reminds me. “But if you’re good for now, I should get back.”

  “I’m good. Thanks for the soup and for watching the cats again.
I’ll see you when I get back,” I let her know as we rise from our chairs.

  “I’ll be here,” she answers as she pulls her shoes on. “Have a safe trip.”

  “I will,” I reply as I watch her walk out the door. Despite the protests of my empty stomach, I return to the living room and grab my phone, once again ignoring the slew of missed calls and messages as I open my contacts list and dial the number. “Hey, it’s me. I’m gonna need a place to lay low for a few days. Would you mind if I stayed with you?”

  Chapter 25