There’s silence, followed by Lex swearing profusely on the other end. Guttermouth! It’s one of those you-better-wash-your-mouth-out-with-soap moments. He’s digging a deeper hole for himself, that’s for sure.
“Are you done carrying on? I’m staying at Adriana’s tonight. You need to sober the fuck up before I get home tomorrow.” She doesn’t wait for a response, hanging up the call before he gets another word in.
Switching the cell off, she turns to face me. “Sorry, where were we?”
“About Lex being a nightmare,” I remind her.
“Oh yeah, well, you know him. He’ll get on his jealous high horse for a while, so don’t expect to be double dating anytime soon.”
That sums up Lex, all right. I don’t expect them to be best friends, but surely, both of them can be civil enough if in the same room with each other.
What planet is my brain on? Pigs have a better chance of flying.
“Charlie, is this awkward for you?”
She shuffles closer to me, resting her head on my shoulder. “To be honest, a little, but I don’t blame you, Adriana. Julian is… well, Julian.”
“Intelligent, sexy, caring, funny…” I realize I’m saying the words out loud.
“Adriana, you’re smitten.”
“I’ve got a lot to be smitten about.” I raise my eyebrows at her.
“Oh, can I ask?”
“What would you like to ask, Charlie?” I grin at her mischievously.
“Never mind. You’ve got the grin of a woman who looks very satisfied.”
“Gee. I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Charlie looks disappointed but is smart enough to know that the sexual part of Julian’s and my relationship is best not to be shared with her. “It’s okay. I guess this is one part of your relationship that you get to share all the juicy details with Eric.”
I give her a sympathetic glance. She changes the subject asking me about Sydney. I tell her about all the amazing places Julian took me to and a little bit about his book release party. I’m about to mention my meltdown that night when a loud bang startles us. Within seconds, a much-disheveled Lex is standing in my living room. In the two hours since I last saw him, he looks like roadkill. Armed with a bottle of whisky, his bloodshot eyes tell me he hasn’t stopped drinking.
“I hope you weren’t stupid enough to drive here,” I say out loud.
“I’m not as stupid as you, Adriana. I’ve got common sense.”
Annoyed by his abuse, I’m quick to open my mouth before Charlie interrupts me. “I told you I was here. What do you want?”
“What do I want?” The sinister laugh returns. “For my life to continue on as is and not have to worry that my wife is hanging out with her ex at my sister’s place. I mean fuck, lucky guy bags two chicks, yes?”
“You’re such a jerk!” Charlie yells.
I place my hand on Charlie’s shoulder. “Charlie, don’t bother. I’m going to make myself something to eat and head to bed. Will you be okay?”
She nods, and I head toward the kitchen. My walls are not soundproof, and eavesdropping is impossible to avoid as I make myself a quick sandwich.
Lex’s voice comes through first. “What the fuck is wrong you? Why are you defending them?”
“Because she’s happy, Lex. Unless you’re blind, even you have seen how much she has changed.”
The noise stops, only silence lingering.
“I don’t want him near you. You understand me?”
“You need to sober up and go.”