Chasing Us (Dark Love 2)

Tits up? I’m confused but assume she means upside down.

“I don’t really want to talk about it. Everyone is pushing me, and I just don’t want to think about it for a while if that’s okay.”

“Fair enough. How about we grab a drink tonight? Let’s have fun and forget about our man troubles.”

“Deal.”

Kate’s phone starts buzzing again, and this time she lets out a frustrated groan before grabbing it. “I’m sorry, I have to take this again.”

“Hello, sir. Yes… yes. No, there’s no way out. Why? Because the board requested you be there. Uh-huh… uh-huh, look, I’ll be there in ten minutes, and we can speak then. Yes… okay.” She hangs up the phone, muttering profanities beneath her breath. “Bugger me, it’s been a sodding week from fucking hell. I’m ready to explode after the shit that’s gone down with work. Look, I’ve just gotta meet my boss. He’s gone crazy, and is making it difficult to work for him even though it’s not all his fault.”

“Sounds like fun. Remember, think of me if he gets over this chick and needs some great rebound sex,” I call out.

She laughs, exiting the room as I crash on the couch and stare at the wall.

Later that night, Kate and I went out for drinks, and I mean plural. We had a blast and even got chatting with a few guys. I wasn’t into the whole thing, of course, but she took to a hot bartender.

The next morning, we’re suffering from massive hangovers, and I was awakened by Kate’s phone repeatedly going off.

Fuck, the damn thing never shuts up.

I pull myself off the sofa to reject the call, but thankfully, it stops.

“My head hurts. Who the hell calls you so early in the morning?”

“Argh, was it ringing?” She stands up, unsteady on her feet. “Shit. It’s my boss. Fuck.”

“Oh my God, Kate, come work for me. Seriously, what is his problem?”

“Yeah, I know, but I kinda understand why he’s so short-fused. I mean this woman who he is irrevocably in love with isn’t talking to him, and to be honest, it’s not even his fault, you know?”

It sounds all too familiar.

“Well, if it isn’t his fault, then he needs to make her realize that, whatever it takes.”

“I think the damage has already been done.”

“No, I’m sure it can be sorted,” I say, thinking his situation couldn’t be as bad as mine. “He just needs to be honest.

***

“Seriously, Charlie, fluorescent pink?”

“Yes, Kate. If I have to wear fluorescent yellow, then you have to wear pink.”

“And the whistle?”

“Eric said you have to wear these colors and a whistle around your neck. I don’t know the protocol of the gay scene,” I huff. “Okay, listen, I need to take a shower. Eric should be here any second now. In the meantime, make sure you put on the dress and whistle, or he’ll feed you to the gay herd, and let me tell you it’s not pretty.”

I close the bathroom door, taking a nice long, hot shower. As I stand here, my mind wanders to how long it has been since Lex touched me last. Yeah, like five fucking days. I thought about Nikki’s words. Okay, so part of me is coming around, but fuck, it’s Fri

day night, and I refuse to spend it wallowing or masturbating in the shower over someone I can’t have.

Quickly dressing in my outfit, I examine my face in the mirror. I’ve lost weight, and the bags under my eyes are more than evident. I apply makeup with dark eyeliner, more so than usual to hide the circles. Placing my hair in a high-side ponytail, I adjust my strapless dress, ready to hit the gay scene. Oh, wait, my shoes and whistle. I leave the bathroom in search of these two most important items.

“Oh, hey, so I’m glad you were in the shower. You would’ve just encountered the beast.”

“Who? Your boss?” I ask, amused.