I get up to prove that I am more okay. “Definitely, I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
She hugs me and takes my hand, leading me to my bedroom. “Come on. Let’s clean you up, and I’ll help you find something to wear.”
“Great,” I say. “See you guys in a second.”
I wave to Val and Ainsley in the living room, who both look at me with concern. It must be short-lived because they are already opening the fridge to see what there is to drink. When we round the corner that leads to my bedroom, Emma gives me the evil eye. I swear that girl being half Mexican and always talking about old folklore stories, can put a hex on you like no other. I used to think it was an urban myth told to scare off people, but that shit is real. I shudder at her attack stance.
“What the fuck, Liv?”
I’m startled and step back from her. “Umm, what is up with you, Emma?” I look at her, confused as if she has lost her ever-loving mind.
“Are you pregnant?”
I rear back as if slapped with this verbal accusation. Shocked, I attempt to open my mouth and just close it, repeating the first part while looking like a dying fish out of water. I open my mouth again, but she looks at me, lifting one eyebrow upward in question, halting me before I continue to speak.
“No,” I comment loudly. “I just had a period last week. It was short, but was still there…” I trail off in more of a whisper to myself.
“A short period? Do your boobs hurt?” she asks as she takes my nipple and twists it. The pain is incredible as I go to smack her across the shoulder.
“What the fuck was that shit, Emma? I mean, seriously, what are we, twelve-year-old boys?” I grab my boob, trying to ease the discomfort.
She looks at me shaking her head.
“I’ll take that as hell, yes, they are sore as affirmation. You need to take a pregnancy test to make sure.”
I go to the bathroom to grab an antiemetic pill to stop nausea and turn back to her. “I have an appointment with planned parenthood next week to get some more birth control. Dax and I have been mostly cautious too.”
She looks at me like I am a total idiot.
“I’m assuming you didn’t take plan B the next day either?”
“I am on birth control, Emma!” I practically am screaming at her because I am feeling so emotional, and she is genuinely pissing me off. I know this is a rhetorical question, but to make sure she knows the answer, I shake my head no. “There’s no need for plan B.”
“Well, let’s not jump to any conclusions until we know. I think it’s best you don’t drink tonight, at least until you get a negative test.”
I agree with Emma. “I wasn’t going to drink tonight anyway, feeling the way I do. I can be the designated driver then.”
Emma shakes her head. “No way! We are going to Uber to the club, and you will not babysit the girls.”
“Okay, sounds good to me. I definitely want to dance. I am starting to feel better after the medication and am ready to go out with my besties.”
Emma goes to hug me. “You know I love you to the moon and back, Liv.”
I return the hug. “I know that. I adore you, Emma. I am so lucky to have you in my life. You coming to help me in Houston was the nicest thing you could have done for me.”
She looks away when I say this, not meeting my eyes. “Let’s get ready, shall we?” With that, she turns around and leaves me to get dressed.
We pull up to the club right in front and get out of the Uber. The club is packed, and the girls are excited. Everyone is dressed up, but my girls are smoking hot. I am so proud that I have badass besties that aren’t just knockout gorgeous but so kind and the absolute best friends anyone could ask for. My ride-or-die wrapped up in short dresses and mini skirts on a mission to break hearts. Emma led us to the front of the line, and the bouncer didn’t even ask who she was. He just opens the rope, and we stroll inside. Emma waits for us, and we go into the building holding hands in a line to stay together. We don’t want to get lost from one another.
Most of all, Emma is still hovering like a mother hen over my one episode today. We make our way over to the staircase that leads to the VIP area upstairs. We walk up a single file, and when we reach the top, there is security. They follow Emma, and we sit in a booth. I am the last to reach it, and I thank the guard for showing us the way. He smiles at me but doesn’t respond. He doesn’t leave either. I think that is very bizarre. Why are they standing there? A waitress comes to take our order and appears a little nervous. She addresses Emma and no one else.
“We’ll take a table service of Grey Goose and a water and ginger ale for my friend there.” She smiles at me and then looks back at the waitress. “That’s all for now.” She turns back to us and smiles, looking over at us all together again.
“I missed you guys.” She places her head on Val’s shoulder.
Val grabs her shoulder and squeezes Emma, who is half her size. Well, maybe that’s an exaggeration, but she is petite. I am half a foot taller than her, but I am above average height for a woman at that. The waitress returns quickly with our bottle and drinks. The security guard stops us and takes a shot first with a splash of cranberry in it. We watch him toss it back and then nod his head at Emma.
“I guess he is just making sure it’s not diluted.”
