There’s always a subtext, I’ve noticed. Always something being kept from me. It’s frustrating, but maybe one day, I’ll know the full story. I’ll know why Dean’s smile has faded, why he’s gone quiet, why the others are filling the silences. I can guess, but I’m sick of not knowing.
Still, I smile, and I tell them all about my last trip to Vienna.
One day, it’ll all slot into place. I know it.
By the endof the evening, I can see that Wendy got her wish. She’s not completely plastered, but she’s certainly south of the border, chiefly on Baileys and bourbon. She’s giggly and endearing and hugging everyone often. I can’t help liking her even more. She’s had us in fits talking about Leo misbehaving while she babysat him as a small child, and the time he ate one of Kit’s adult brownies when he was eight and ran around naked, playing in the mud, which he decided was ‘earth soup’ as Wendy frantically tried to settle him down.
“Mum never did find out,” Leo gasps, wiping his eyes.
“And I never did hear the end of it,” Kit grins as Wendy ruffles his hair.
“I warned you to put them out of reach,” she playfully grumbles. “You knew we were looking after him and he was into everything.”
“I was a snooping little shit,” Leo agrees.
“Aww,bebe, you were delightful,” Wendy protests lovingly. “You all were.” She looks around the room at Dean and Eli as well. “My boys.” Her irises should be heart shaped, the love for them fills her eyes so much.
I’m sorry to go when the time comes, but I have work tomorrow, and Wendy and Kit have a flight to prepare for. She gives me a warm hug, muttering about how it needs to last more than twenty seconds because that’s when hugs start to have medicinal effects. Well, what she actually said was ‘medicinicinal’, but I got the gist.
“Keep the faith with him,” she whispers in my ear so no-one else can hear. “Even if it gets tough. I can see how good you are for each other.”
“I will,” I whisper back.
“I’m serious. He’ll test you. Stay the distance.” I can hear a trace of pleading in her tipsy warble, so I squeeze her tighter.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Liaden
“Holy frijoles,” I say when Sadie answers her front door, gaping at her. She leans against the door frame, a challenging look in her eyes, like she’s waiting for me to say something about her clothes. Or rather, her painted on pleather trousers and wisp of a top. It’s black, lacy, tie-back, and leaves precious little to the imagination, showing off the curve of her breasts, but thankfully detailed enough to hide her nipples sufficiently. Basically lingerie masquerading as night out clobber. She’s straightened her normally wavy hair, and now it’s like a sheet of glass hanging almost to her waist. Her make-up looks like war paint, dark and fierce. She’s Boudicca as a rock chick. I’ve made an effort tonight, in one of my favourite dresses with knee boots, but standing next to angrily-hot-Sadie would make even the world’s best supermodels feel frumpy.
She looks incredible, a total knee trembler. And hey, I’m not and never would be a slut shamer, but my concern levels immediately go up. The three of us agreed to go on a night out to cheer her up with drinks and dancing at The Lair after Dean’sfamily left, but her get-up is a clear indication of her mood. She’s feeling provocative, and she’s making no bones about it.
Maybe she’s out to get laid? Just as an ego boosting pick-me-up. If so, as long as she’s safe, good for her.
“You look incredible,” I tell her.
Some tension around her eyes relaxes, and I hadn’t noticed it until it was gone. “Why, thank you, Professor,” she quips, standing aside so I can come in. “See, Em? Liaden thinks I look incredible. Stop worrying.”
Emily is looking good as well, in a scoop necked purple top and jeans, but she’s biting her lip unhappily. “I never said you didn’t look great,” she protests gently, “because you do. It’s just that - ”
“Drink?” Sadie offers me, cutting her off rather rudely.
“I’ll wait until we get to the club.”
Sadie shrugs and heads out of the room, grabbing a wine glass along the way.
“Shit,” Em mutters, and we share a look. “She’s so angry…I’m not sure she’s in the right frame of mind for the club, but I can’t convince her to have a night in instead. And I mean, she’s dressed to kill. What if she does something she regrets?” Em looks thoroughly discombobulated.
I give her arm a comforting squeeze. “Perhaps she just needs to blow off some steam,” I suggest. “She’ll have us there, and we’ll look after her. We just need to look alive and keep an eye on her without making it obvious.”
Em nods with a small smile, but doesn’t look convinced. “I'm glad you're with us. I think she needs a self-esteem win as much as anything else. Attention is all fine and great, but I just don’t want some dudebro to take advantage of her.”
"MaybeI’dbe the one taking advantage ofhim. Did you ever consider that?” Sadie’s eyes are flashing with anger as shecomes back into the room with a full-to-the-brim-and-sloshing-over-the-sides glass of white wine.
Em looks stricken. “Honey, no - I’m just worried about you, that’s all.”
“Well, don’t be. I can handle myself, as you well know,” she says darkly, taking a long swallow of her drink. “I’m not gonna get in trouble, I just want to have somefucking fun. Now, are you in, or are you out?”
