“That’s because she can play,” Matthew nodded toward me, his mouth half full of a doughnut.
“Oh yea?” Adrian looked up at me. “Never knew you were good with balls.”
Darius choked on his drink while Kristoff missed, the white cue falling off the table, and an awkward silence came on us while it sunk in, what Adrian said, and my face was on fire.
“Shit,” Adrian wore as he looked around. “I didn’t mean it like that, you dirty fuckheads.” He grabbed the doughnut out of Matthew’s hands. “Should’ve stayed in bed.”
And that was how you could hear a pin drop for the rest of the game.
I crashed onto the sofa beside the fridge and relaxed after our eighth game of pool, feeling somewhat tired. It was when I stabbed Matthew in the eye that I realised I needed a break.
I knew I was going to poke him in the eye. I had been taking a shot and he was leaning low on the other end, trying to see if I would get it.
“Go, Aluminium. Go, go, go, go!”
“Shut up,” I had gritted my teeth at him. “How do you know-Never mind.” No doubt Darius told them my name.
“Go Aluminium, go.”
I glared at Matthew and he smiled back at me. He reminded me of Adrian too much, who was beside me muttering, “Miss it, miss it,” and I did. I missed the white ball, my cue stick going right at Matthew who ended up crying like a baby. I mean please, it hit your nose, not broke it.
But of course I panicked, rushing up to him to help him. It didn’t look too bad, just a bit…red?
So here I was on couch duty, voluntary, even after they said it was okay, he will live. I decided this would be a time for the break.
Matthew was beside me holding a cold beer bottle to his nose and I winced. “I’m sorry,” I said for the hundredth time staring at him. His head was back on the couch, mouth slightly open while his eyes were closed.
“It’s okay, chicca. I shouldn’t have been on the pool table in your line of shot.” He shrugged it off, opening his eyes and staring at the roof before he closed them again. I would have thought he was trying to sleep if he didn’t start talking again.
“So you and Darius eh?”
I could feel my stomach flip, and I had no idea why. I shrugged There was nothing there. I changed the topic, or tried to. I mean, it was obvious it was Darius and I, we were damn married. The word still makes me flinch. Married.Wwho would’ve thought I would be married off so young, for a deal. For some stupid agreement by our great great go back five greats, grandfathers. And who would’ve thought our parents would follow that contract?
“Did you go to uni with Darius, all of you?” I asked, looking around where the others were still playing and laughing.
Matthew nodded. “Oh yea, business school.” He laughed. “Man, those were good times, only a year ago, but feeit felt like forever.” He turned the beer bottle over again. “Glad he found someone like you.”
I frowned. “What do you mean?”
Matthew shrugged. “I don’t know. He’s different, for the better. You’ve changed him.”
I scoffed, unable to believe what he said. I hadn’t changed anyone.
For good measure, Matthew added, “I think marriage is doing him good.” He moved the beer bottle and I caught sight of the lump that was quickly forming into a bruise.
“Maybe you should see a doctor,” I said, moving up for a closer look.
He shook his head. “Doctors suck,” he mumbled like a kid who didn’t want to get their vaccination. Somehow Matthew seemed like that kid who would cause a ruckus just to avoid getting his shots. Him and Adrian.
I shook my head, taking the beer bottle away from him and looking at the bruise. The cue hit the corner of the nose, between the eye and nose and I realised how lucky that was. Any closer to the eye and it could have damaged it.
“What are you doing?”
“Shush, I studied med for a bit,” I said, turning his head here to there. He grimaced at my cold hands. “It’s not too bad. Luckily I didn’t break anything.” I placed the beer bottle back on the lump and let go, letting him hold onto it.
“If you want to get cosy with my wife, mate, at least don’t do it in front of me,” a teasing voice said before a hand slid around my waist. I yelped as I was pulled onto Darius who had decided to sit on the couch with us. How did I not feel the couch dip?
I fell back into him and wriggled, trying to sit up.
“Aw, but where is the fun in that?” Matthew joked. I knew Darius was joking. His eyes were teasing, and there were laugh lines around them, another sight I don’t think I’ve seen too often.