Another World
MARY
“Iam sorry I’ve been so consumed,” I said. “I wanted to say more, but with the cameras?—”
“I hung back. It’s fine. I was worried I’d steal your moment.”
“Oh, that’s silly.”
“No, it’s not. You’re on fire. I didn’t want to take away from that here. I was content to watch you. And to stare at you in whatever this top is—if we even can call it that.”
I flushed bright red. “It’s Alicia’s, not mine. But we figured if I was butching up my hair in an act of protest, I had to do something.”
“Honestly, it’s great, but I am so distracted by your tits, I’m having a hard time,” Betty giggled.
“You should talk. What the hell are you wearing? And how is it staying on?”
“It’s Lou’s,” I said. “I brought something pink and was denied because that wasLeah’scolor for the evening and Lou insisted we needed to contrast, not match. I think it’s a lot. What, does it turn youoff?”
“I think it is hot as fuck.”
Our eyes locked and we both thought the same thing. All I wanted to do was strip her naked, throw her in bed, and get her off.
Betty cleared her throat nervously. “So, can I be your devoted groupie for the rest of the evening or is that too much?”
“You are the most conspicuous groupie,” I joked. “No, I’d much rather sneak away so I could properly kiss you.”
“Do it,” Betty said. “Do it here.”
I furrowed my brow. “But?—”
“We’re among friends now. The malingerers have gone. Everyone else knows.”
“Your brother and?—”
“They know. They love me. It’s okay,” Betty said. “I told them—and Leah and Lou who somehow already knew.”
“That’s good. You’re really sure?”
“Yeah,” Betty bit her lip. “I want you to.”
My heart soared unexpectedly. She did the thing I worried she’d never do. She hung back out of respect, not to hide. I sensed not being the center of attention was rare for Betty. It was adorable, not concerning. So, without further ado, I kissed her in the middle of a jolly group of post-performance revelry. To my surprise, it felt natural as anything.
She pulled away, brushing my hair. “I am glad you did your hair, honestly. It’s super sexy, but also I think it’s good that you can just be yourself.”
“AJ wasn’t pleased.” I put my hands on her hips. “But I figured you and Alicia were right. I am allowed to be me.”
“You are an artist, right? If you’re not being authentic, what is the point? People will know.”
I tucked one wavy strand behind her ear. “Yeah, I suppose that’s true. And it’s the reason I hate hiding this.”
“Mmm, I know,” she groaned. “Not for much longer. And here we are.”
I kissed her again, soaking up the feeling of justbeing.
I held her face. “You realize how much this means, right?”
“I do,” Betty agreed. “To both of us. I won’t promise that I get all of it or that I know what I’m doing but… I’d like to try.”
