“Okay. Well, does this mean you’re coming to Isla’s surprise party now?” she asks.
“I completely forgot about that,” I admit. Then I pause. I guess there is no harm now that Cari and I are getting along. “Sure, yeah. I’ll be there.” I nod.
I’d only met Isla a handful of times, but she worked with River at RARE’s tattoos. The first three times I met her, I reintroduced myself, thinking she was someone new because of how often she changes her hair. I’ve seen it in rainbow, bleach blonde, and a deep maroon.
She is kind, and part of the usual gang that’s invited to anything at River and Aspen’s house. The last few months I’d been skipping get-togethers because of Cari. I didn’t want there to be any drama, and I didn’t know things could be as chill as they were at the photoshoot. So I was glad to be invited to Isla’s surprise party and actually be able to say yes. Isla’s girlfriend and co-owner of RARE’s, Rae, was throwing it, but I doubted it was an actual surprise. I mean, how could she really keep it a secret? Those two were usually attached at the hip.
“Nice, it’s been weird not having you at things. And it’s not like Cari was going, you both have just been missing everything,” Aspen says.
“Well, that I wish I knew.” I frown. I had thought that, at least all this time, things didn’t have to change for her.
“River and I did our best not to talk about you guys to each other. Which isn’t exactly easy, but we were trying to respect what you were going through,” Aspen explains.
I join her on the other couch, propping my feet up on the coffee table and I sip my coffee. “I know, and I appreciate you guys not making it more complicated for us.”
“I’m just glad everyone is getting along. You all seem to be doing well, and that’s what matters,” Aspen says.
“Did you know about Cari’s mental health crisis?” I ask.
“Yes,” she says flatly.
“That’s it?” I balk.
“What do you want me to say? That I didn’t know? Of course, I knew. I was there when it happened. But it’s not my business to share. I’m glad she told you, because I do think you two should’ve communicated more, but it was never my secret to tell. Especially when you didn’t want to hear about her,” Aspen explains.
“I just wish I knew.” I sigh.
“Why? So, you could’ve fixed it? Isn’t it better that you weren’t there? She fixed it on her own and was able to do what was needed to get better.”
I sigh, knowing Aspen’s right. Me knowing Cari wasn’t okay would’ve made me feel like crap, and I would’ve called or texted trying to help her. And we’d be back where we started all over again. Instead, we were both able to heal from our own trauma, in our own time.
Three weeks later, I get a present and show up at the allotted time as to not ruin the surprise for Isla. The party is at River and Aspen’s house to throw Isla off, but everyone agreed she probably already knows. Especially since it’s Rae’s job to get her here. She’s a bit pussy whipped when it comes to Isla.
“Hey, stranger.” I smile at Cari as she crouches down behind the couch near me to hide.
“Hey,” she whispers, her lips shiny with lipgloss, begging to be kissed.
“I think I should’ve picked a better hiding place. Pretty sure my ass is sticking out,” I whisper.
“My knees aren’t built for this,” she teases.
“SURPRISE!” Everyone shouts, and three seconds later, Cari and I jump up, shouting too.
Isla gasps, covering her mouth in a very dramatic, early-2000s horror-movie way. Her purple ponytail makes her look like Rumi from K-Pop Demon Hunters. Everyone runs over to hug her asking if she was really surprised. She might be able to lie, but I can tell by the look on her girlfriend’s face that she definitely gave it up.
“Oh, she definitely knew,” Cari whispers to me.
I chuckle, “You think?”
“Oh, come on. It’s a good thing she’s a lesbian because if she had to fake an orgasm with a man, I don’t think even he’d believe it,” Cari says, sipping her drink.
“I thought the same thing. She and Rae can’t keep secrets. It’s kind of cute when you think about it though.” I shrug.
Cari turns, raising an eyebrow at me. “What is this? Max, have you become a secret romantic?” she teases.
“What? No.” I blush. “I’m just saying, isn’t that what we all want? Someone we don’t have to lie to?”
Cari studies my face for a moment before nodding quietly. Her cheeks turn a bright pink, matching her lips, shiny with her infamous lip gloss. I used to tease her, joking that it bugged me when she kissed me and the lipgloss got everywhere, but secretly I loved it.
