Atone (The Disciples 2)

“Oh, you don’t have to worry about us. I’ve been there done that.” Cindy nods as she sips the champagne she accepted. I opted for a coffee.

“You okay, Doll?” Doug is behind her, his eyes sincere, and for a moment I’m jealous that she has him. He seems like a great friend. My eyes again go to my makeup bag.

“I can’t seem to get him out of my system. I can’t stay away, Doug.”

Her pain is too real and raw for me. It makes me uncomfortable. Dolly looks like someone ripped her heart out, trampled on it, and gave it back to her.

Doug rubs her shoulders. “One day, pretty girl. One day you’ll leave and never look back.” He kisses the top of her dark head and turns to talk to the woman who just came in.

Dolly wipes the tears away, and Cindy grabs her hand as I zip up the makeup bag.

“I’m going to pay,” I yell over the blow dryer, causing them both to look at me as if they forgot I was there.

“Wow.” She turns off the dryer and sniffs. “You look fantastic. Any plans?” She wipes under her eyes again.

“No.”

“Yes,” Cindy interrupts. “We’re going to get some lunch and play pool.” She raises an eyebrow at me.

Dolly starts the dryer again. “Fun. I love pool.” Her eyes fill with tears again.

I clear my throat, step over to the white couch, and sit, fishing around in my bag for a credit card.

As that familiar feeling of not fitting in comes over me, I bite my bottom lip. Cindy, Dolly, even Doug all seem to have shared something I haven’t. My mind instantly sees a pair of silver eyes filled with passion and agony.

Is that what I’m missing? Could it be I haven’t suffered enough?

“Beauty?”

My eyes jerk over to an amused-looking Doug.

“It’s Charlie… or Charlize.”

“You ready to pay?”

“Um, yes.” I stand and hand him my card.

“You okay? You looked pretty intense a minute ago.”

I cock my head and run my fingers through my silky hair. “You know what, Doug? I’ll pay for Cindy’s too. Please add it all together and put a tip on for you and Dolly.”

While he runs the credit card, I tap my finger and look out the large window. A couple of women stare at their phones, causing a guy on an electronic scooter called a Bird to swerve around them. They seem around my age and look like they’re on their way to have fun.

I glance back at Cindy. We look fantastic. Why not? I haven’t been out in forever.

“Cindy?”

Dolly is using a curling iron to create the last of the big waves on her long blond hair. “Yeah?”

“We’re going to play pool. Maybe even get a drink. You know what? Screw that, we’re getting drunk.”

“Helloooo. Yes!” Doug pulls my card from the electronic card reader with a dramatic flourish and slaps it onto the counter.

“Too bad I have a client in half an hour. I want to get drunk,” he whines.

I can’t help but smile. “Thank you, Doug. I love my hair.”

“You be smart, Beauty. Stay away from those bad boys. They’ll do nothing but break your heart.” He winks at me and turns to answer the phone.

I glance over at Dolly who’s hugging Cindy. I’m not into all that hugging stuff girls like to do. It’s never been my thing. Maybe I am turning into a loner.

Sighing, I sit down to wait on the couch by the window and fish around for my phone.

As I pull it out, I have to breathe. Every time I look at it, there’s a little flutter—a little adrenaline rush that I’m going to see a message from him.

It’s irrational on so many levels, the first being he doesn’t even have my number.

My fingers scroll through all eighty-four emails mostly about sales and different vendors for the diner.

“You do love me.” Cindy’s loud voice makes me jump.

“Jesus, you scared me.” My hand goes to my chest. She beams at me.

“Thank you.” She sniffs.

“For what?” I drop my phone into my bag and stand.

“You paid for my color and haircut. That means we really are besties.” She reaches out to hug me as I step back. It doesn’t stop her though, and she digs her nails into my arms and hugs me anyway.

“Well, let’s not get crazy, okay?” I laugh. She’s starting to grow on me.

“You do.” She jumps, her boobs bouncing around, and I realize I have the perfect decoy.

I smile at her. “You’re perfect. Let’s go make all the money back.”CHARLIE“You two have fun. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” Doug winks as we head toward the back exit.

“Oh, we’re going to have so much fun. This one needs to get laid so bad! I plan on making sure it happens.” Cindy links her arm with mine.