“It’s just not appropriate given that he’s been in a serious relationship for a year. How would you feel if it were Cole?” I asked and was rewarded with Vivian’s look of jealous rage.
“Bitches know better,” she hissed.
“Look, I had my chance with Mitch. I blew it. He’s happy now. That’s all I want for him.” I felt like I was beating a very dead horse.
Vivian’s eyes became uncharacteristically sad. “Why won’t you fight for him, G? For the both of you? Don’t you think it’s worth it?”
I tried to swallow around the large lump that had formed in my throat.
“Please stop pressing me about it. It’s been ages since—well you know. Why can’t you let it drop?” I poured myself a bowl of cereal though I didn’t have an appetite. I had spent a sleepless night thinking about Mitch and what I’d say to him if given an opportunity.
I still couldn’t believe that I had sent him a text.
And that he had responded.
What did it mean?
It didn’t matter. I had deleted the message and never replied. I could only imagine what he was thinking about that.
I had a feeling selfish bitch was in there somewhere.
“Things were so great when all of us would hang out. Jordan and Mays. Garrett and Riley. Me and Cole. And you and Mitch. It was perfect. Just how it should be,” Vivian reminisced.
I took a bite of mushy cornflakes and forced them down.
It was important to eat every meal. I couldn’t skip them. Because then it would be all too easy to skip the next one. And the one after that.
I took another bite and wished this conversation were over.
“Well, that’s not how things are now. There’s Mays and Jordan. Riley and Garrett. You and Cole. And Sophie and Mitch. Then there’s Gracie who as it turns out isn’t so fun to hang out with when she’s not wasted.” I gave a self-deprecating laugh.
Vivian scowled. “Is that what you think? That you’re not fun now that you’re not drinking? I really hope you’re not that stupid.”
I managed to finish all of the cereal and got up to wash out the bowl. I was already running late for work because of my early morning clit flick.
“No. I don’t really think that. I was just being silly. But seriously, Viv, don’t start anything this weekend. Or I swear to God I’ll leave. I’ll steal your keys and drive home,” I threatened.
Vivian gave me a shrewd look. “I won’t start anything. But you need to try to talk to him. This has gone on entirely too long.”
I let out a noisy breath and leaned against the counter. “I have more things going on in my life than whether Mitch Abrams is talking to me. Just drop it.”
Lies. All lies. I told them so well.
“I just need to lie here for a while and stretch. I think my muscles have started to atrophy from being cramped into one position by Vivian’s army of suitcases.” I kicked one of my roommate’s three bags. “We’re only here for the weekend, Viv. How many trampy halter tops does one girl need?”
Vivian stuck out her tongue and hefted the largest of the three up onto the bed. “You really are cranky when you’re stressed out,” she said, flipping her long hair over her shoulder.
“Shouldn’t you be trekking this stuff over to Cole’s room?” I asked her.
“The guys are still in sound check. We’re going to head over and meet up with them as soon as you get all settled and I have a shower. I’ll take everything over later. We’re all on the same floor anyway,” Vivian explained, pulling a tiny scrap of fabric from the depths of her suitcase.
“I’m guessing you want to use my shower then,” I surmised as she started to unload a pile of beauty products from her makeup bag.
“I’ll be quick. They’re expecting us over there in an hour,” Vivian promised, blowing me a kiss and disappearing into the bathroom.
There was a knock on the door and I got up from the bed and went to open it.
“Glad to see I don’t have to make an unexpected trip to Bakersville to kick your ass,” Riley announced, walking into my hotel room.