Chasing Us (Dark Love 2)

By Friday night, I’ve hit a slump in my so-called life. I sit alone in my living room wearing sweats and my hoodie, much to my disappointment. In my life, I don’t think I have ever stayed in on a Friday night, except that one time when I got mono. I curl up on my couch, checking my socials. Same old bullshit, and I’m disappointed ‘The Bone Ranger’ is offline.

I throw my phone over to the other chair, so I won?

??t be tempted to check it again. Flicking through the cable channels, absolutely nothing’s on. I settle for an infomercial on this miracle face cream.

Fuck, do not get out your credit card.

After forcing myself to change the channel to MTV because I’m this close to buying the face cream as well as the bonus hair remover, I hear a knock on my door. I stand and quickly grab my fry pan in case it’s some ax murderer before noting the price tag is still on it.

Well, duh, I have no idea how to cook.

“Open up, E, it’s me.”

I unlock the hinges because I recognize the voice. Standing there is Charlie in her sweats, carrying Chinese take-out, pizza, and ice cream.

“Geez, Charlie, a little bit early for cravings?”

“This isn’t all for me, now scoot.” She walks in and places the food on the table, heading into the kitchen to put the ice cream in the freezer.

“What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be spread out in bed getting your waterhole filled by snakey Edwards?”

She laughs, grabbing plates and bottles of water to take back to the living room.

“Friday night is our night,” she simply replies.

“Charlie, it’s okay, I get it. You’ve got this great man now. I don’t mind that Friday nights are now spent with him.”

She pauses before grabbing both my hands. “Eric, life is moving so fast for me. Never in this lifetime did I think that I’d be in a relationship with Lex again, let alone pregnant with his baby… again.”

“Again?” I ask, shocked.

“Long story… we need more ice cream for that. Look, as I was saying, while this feels like a dream come true, it’s also a little frightening. There are parts of my life that will never change, and that includes my friendships. I need you in my life more than ever now, E.”

I hug her tight because just like me, she feels it too, and here I was thinking I’m the only one going through this. She’s my best friend and needs me, probably more than ever.

“What did Lex say when you told him you were coming here?”

“He understands what my friends mean to me. That won’t change. Besides, I made him read Fifty Shades of Grey, well, at least start it. He wants to know what the hype is about and, well, I said read it for yourself.”

“OMG, Lex Edwards takes on Christian Grey? I couldn’t think of anything hotter.”

“He doesn’t understand why a woman would want to be with such a control freak.” She laughs again.

“Oh, holy hotness. I need a detailed daily update on this. Damn, I’m jizzing in the pants.”

“Eww… and you’re in sweats? What is the world coming to?”

“Oh, you’re right, me in sweats can’t possibly be a sign of good times ahead.”

We sit on the couch and eat while gossiping about Adriana’s wedding. The food is delicious. I do a mental calculation of how much extra gym time I need to do to work this off. Ooh, it means I can see Simon, the cute college dude who makes that grunt when he does squats.

“What are we watching?” I ask while shoving an eggroll into my mouth as Charlie loads Netflix.

“Bring It On.”

“Nice… the cure to Friday-night blues.”

The movie starts, and we sit there watching, occasionally commenting at our usual places.