Run Chapter 3

“So how’d things go at work today?” I ask, my attention focused on the carrots I’m chopping. “Is Harry still trying it on with you two?”

“Oh god!” Samantha Gimmers sighs, exasperation in her voice.

“He’s still convinced he has a chance of bedding us both.” Jennifer Francais tells me.

“I know word has long since gotten around the office about the two of us.” Sam sighs. “It’s like open season on the hot lesbians!”

“I’m sorry!” I chuckle and add my chopped carrot to the bubbling pan Jenny’s stirring. “So, you gonna help or what Sam?”

“I’m the guest!” She gasps, not budging from where she’s seated on the kitchen counter.

“No you live here, babe!” I reply. “I’m the guest, remember?”

“It’s still hard to make that adjustment we’re so used to living with you.” Jen says.

“I don’t like it when you call me that!” Sam pouts and folds her arms over her chest.

“And I don’t like it when you don’t help with dinner!” I respond.

“I shouldn’t have to do any cooking around here.” Sam says, looking at me out of the corner of her eye.

“You sound just like him!” Jen chuckles.

“Don’t compare me to Michael Miller!” Sam exclaims.

“Ever since his big break he’s been all like I shouldn’t have to do anything round here anymore!”

“Could you guys not talk about me as if I’m not here?” I sigh.

“We are not guys, will you stop calling us that!” Jen hisses, prodding me in the chest with the handle of the wooden spoon she’s holding.

“I’m very aware of that fact, believe me!” I respond, my eyes surveying her body, as I try to hide a grin.

“Urgh!” Jen pulls a face and turns away.

I laugh.

“Mike!” Eve McKenzie hollers from upstairs. “Could I have a minute?”

The look on Sam’s face says that she’s bored with Eve and hates her being here.

“The duchess summons me!” I whisper. “Do carry on in my absence.”

“We were going to put dinner on hold till you came back.” Jen replies, dryly.

Grabbing the tea towel off the draining board I swat her with it, before retreating upstairs to their spare room.

“What’s up, babe?” I ask, leaning against the bedroom doorjamb and try to suppress the panic knotting my stomach.

“I can’t find my silver star pendant!” Eve declares. “What did you do with it?”

I have a view of her shapely butt, as she is down on her hands and knees, her head stuck under the bed.

“Is that what you called me up here for?” I sigh, crossing my arms over my chest.

“You know the one I mean, you gave it to me for our first anniversary!” Eve gets up and begins rummaging through the make up and jewellery on the dresser.

“Why do you need it so bad, honey?” She is clearly stressed, more than possible over something as trivial as a lost necklace.

“Don’t you get it?” She shouts. “It’s my lucky charm!”

“So what’s this really about?” I respond. My cell beeps with a text message in my pocket, but I don’t get it out to look.

“How about those text messages from your secret girlfriend you told me not to worry about?” Eve bristles.

“Evie, we’ve been through this!” I sigh, not raising my voice. “Why are you being so weird about it?”

“Oh I don’t know!” She shouts, her eyes blazing. “Some chick sends my boyfriend flirty text messages, hinting the feelings mutual and then, not surprisingly he tells me it’s a mistake and not to worry about it. But why would that make me concerned?”

“Come on, babe, I’ve promised you I don’t know this girl!”

“Oh that makes me feel so much better!” She replies. “Especially when you eye up other women all the time, flirt with your housemates and spend every minute with that slut of yours!”

“I told you not to talk about Chrissie like that!” I shout back.

“I’ll call her whatever I want!” Eve responds. “How typical of you to defend her!”

“Look, I’m not gonna get into this with you!” I say, the strain of fighting to keep my voice normal showing.

“Why do you spend so much time with that hoar?” Eve questions. “You’re screwing her, aren’t you?”

“You’re being so ridiculous!” I sigh, my jaw clenched, as I take great effort not to shout. “And I am sick of defending my relationship with her!”

Eve slaps me across the face. “Don’t call me stupid!”

“That’s not what I meant and you know it!” I glare at her, my voice rising.

“Why don’t you just admit it, Mike?”

“Admit what?”

“You know full well!” She laughs.

“I’m screwing everything in a skirt!” I hiss at her, my anger showing. “Is that what you wanna hear from me?”

Eve smacks me again. “Don’t insult me!”

“Stop that!” I shout irritably, resisting the sudden urge to smack her.

“You’re so pathetic!” She snorts.

“Get out of my house.” I say, through gritted teeth.

“What’d you say to me?” Eve puts her hands on her hips.

“You heard.”

“How can you talk to me like that?”

I hear the doorbell go and turn my back on her, starting down the stairs.

“Hey, I’m not done!” She shouts after me.

“Don’t worry, I got it!” I hear Sam holler.

“Well I am!” I call back to Eve.

I hear her footsteps pursue me downstairs, as I go into the study.

“Michael!” Eve hollers, grabbing my arm.

“What?” I turn to face her, half expecting another smack. She doesn’t disappoint.

“Don’t you dare walk away from me!”

“Ow!” I groan, touching my face where she punched me. My lip’s bleeding.

Eve’s attention is elsewhere in the room. She pushes past me and strolls over to the drawing desk, lifting something out of the open pencil box.

“You did that on purpose didn’t you?” She scowls.

“Did what?” I question.

“What have I just spent the last half hour looking for?” She hollers, coming over to me again with a silver necklace dangling from between her fingers.

“Your sanity?” I see her fist coming in time to duck out of the way, this time. “Don’t touch me!”

“You bastard!” Eve says. “You are so pathetic!”

“That was supposed to be a joke, by the way” I tell her, touching my lip.

“I have somewhere to be.” She says, tersely.

I watch her leave the room and feel relieved. When I hear the front door slam heavily moments later, I know it’s her leaving the house.

“Hey, Mikey!” Ryan Acle greets me, appearing in the study doorway. “Woah!”

“Jesus Ry!” I gasp. “You gave me a heart attack!”

“Sorry, man.” He chuckles. “What happened to your face?”

“Nothing.” I dab my lips with the bottom of my t-shirt. “How’s dinner coming?”

“You’re asking me?” Ryan says. “I just got here, dude!”

We go through to the kitchen.

“Ouch!” Sam frowns, looking at me.

“Don’t start.” I sigh.

“Why do you take that from her, Mike?” Jen asks.

“What am I supposed to do?”

“Dump her!” Ryan replies.

“I mean a real solution.” I say, opening the fridge.

“I’m serious, Mike.” Ryan says. “Every time I see you two together lately, it doesn’t matter if it’s here or New York, it’s like world war three!”

“Sometimes you look worse than Charlie.” Sam puts in.

I take out a bottle of beer and open it. “Do we really have to discuss this?”

“Why does she hit you?” Jen asks.

“You always ask me that and I still don’t know, okay?”

“You ever smack her?” Ryan questions.

I give him a withering look. “How can you ask me that, man?”

“It was a serious question. A chick did to me what she does to you, I might.” Ryan shrugs, dropping his gaze onto the table. “You know?”

“We miss Charlie.” Jen says, after a pause. “How is she doing?”

“I haven’t been home for a couple of weeks Jen.” I reply. “I guess she’ll be okay. She sounds the same as always on the phone, so who knows?”

“She’s still with that Tom isn’t she?” Ryan asks.

“Yes.” I press my lips together tightly. “I hate to think what’s been going on while I’ve not been there.”

The doorbell goes again and this time I get it.

“Hey Rob!” I greet the man at the door.

“Hi people!” He greets everyone, coming inside. “Hey, uh, who died?”

“You’re funny!” Jenny replies, dryly.

“You been fighting with Slack again?” Rob Michaels asks me.

“Eve, actually.” I tell him.

“Does she look worse than you?”

“That is not funny, Rob!” I sigh grimly. “How can you joke about that?”

“Sorry, you’re right.” Rob says, suppressing a grin.

“You just knock off or something?” Sam asks, taking in Rob’s cop uniform.

“Yup!” He sighs, going over to the fridge and opening it. “Long day stopping speeders on the freeway."

“So anyway!” Ryan sighs, putting an arm round my shoulders. “Will she be back later?”

“Who Eve?” I ask. “Not today. She’s got a modelling gig in the Caribbean coming up.”

“I thought she modelled lingerie?” Rob frowns, opening a bottle of beer. “What’s she going to the Caribbean for?”

“She does swimwear too. Come on guys, how long have I been dating her now?” I reply. “And you still have to ask what she does?”

“You hardly talk about her.” Ryan says.

“You guys are going to New York this weekend aren’t you?” Sam asks, putting the salad she’s just been preparing on some plates.

“Yep!” I say, taking a slug from my drink. “Long weekend for the fourth means we can spend some time at home. I miss Chrissie.”

“We are gonna get hammered.” Ryan says. “It’s a double celebration.”

“You know I don’t celebrate my birthday anymore, man.”

“I’m still coming.” He picks a small tomato off one of the plates on the counter and pops it into his mouth. “See the guys, hold your hand, you know?”

“Hey!” Sam protests.

“Is it done?” I question, peering over Jen’s shoulder at the pans on the hob.

“Thanks for coming back to help, by the way.” She replies.

“It’s amazing how effortless dinner was isn’t it?” I question, smiling.

“Alright, everybody out of the kitchen!” Sam says and holds up her hands to sheppard us into the dinning room.

“Hey, tell me how it’s going with that playboy chick again. You seen her since the club?” I ask, as we sit down at the table.

“Yeah, good!” Ryan grins. “She definitely likes me.”

“You didn’t tell me you had a girlfriend, man!” Rob cries. “What’s her name?”

“Elle Monaghan. I wouldn’t say she’s my girlfriend, not yet.”

“She’s so hot!” Rob gushes. “I saw Elle in Playboy. Man, how’d you get so lucky?”

“Met her in Creepers last weekend AND I bumped into her in Wal-Mart on Tuesday!” Ryan grins. “She recognised me right away and turned on the charm.”

“She came onto you?” Rob questions, doubt clear in his tone.

“Yup!” Ryan grins, leaning back in his chair and draping his arms over the chairs either side of him.

“Alright stud, here’s dinner.” Jen laughs, setting down plates in front of Ryan and me.

“Thanks, Jen.”

“How many times you seen her?” Rob asks.

“Twice.”

“Twice?” I question. “I thought tonight was your first date!”

Ryan shrugs. “We’ve had a coffee together, but tonight is the first real date.”

“So, you planning on getting her into bed?” Rob questions, eagerly.

“That is not why I’m seeing her!” Ryan replies, mid chew.

“You are hot for her, aren’t you?” I question.

“Does the pope wear a tall hat?” Ryan asks. “What I mean is, she’s a really nice girl and I don’t want to rush her into anything she’s not ready for.”

“You mean you want a long term relationship with her?” Rob questions, looking like he’s fighting a laugh.

“Are you implying Elle is not relationship material?” Sam questions. “Just because she takes her clothes off?”

“That’s my point exactly!” Rob agrees.

“I take offense!” Jen cries.

“Me too!” Ryan says. “That’s my girlfriend you’re talking about Michaels!”

“You’re not even a slut, Jen!” Rob laughs.

“Nor is Elle!” Ryan exclaims.

“If I wasn’t sitting so far away from you that would get a slap.” Jen says, frowning at him.

“Have you always been such a pig?” Sam questions.

“Yes!” Ryan and I say together.

“Some friends you guys are.” Rob huffs. “Thanks for the support.”

“I pity the girls that you pull over.” Jen says.

“Why, what do you think I do to them?” Rob questions.

“I dread to think!” Sam says.

“I don’t like what you’re implying!” Rob responds. “I’ll have you know, I am totally professional!”

“What are you laughing at?” Sam asks me.

“You guys!” I reply, shaking my head. “I can’t believe Rob’s still dumb enough to get into these conversations with you two.”

“Next person to insult me is gonna get chained to the mailbox!” Rob cries.

“Sound fun!” Jen smiles.

“Oh, I’m only teasing!” Rob laughs, elbowing Sam. “You’re not really offended are you?”

“If I call you an asshole, you gonna chain me to the mailbox?” Sam asks, her eyes laughing.

“Maybe my mailbox.” Rob grins, putting an arm round her.

“Are you flirting with my girlfriend?” Jen objects. “I don’t believe you, Michaels!”

“I love you, J.” Sam turns to her and they kiss.

“I know.” Jen grins.

“Do you have to do that at the dinner table?” I frown.

Jen looks at me one corner of her mouth turned up and embraces Sam in a passionate kiss.

“Okay.” I say and stare at the ceiling. This is so embarrassing to watch!

“I should come here more often!” Rob gawps, mouth hanging open.

“Pervert!” Sam chuckles.

“How do you live with this Mike?” Ryan whispers, his eyes wide and glued to the girls.

“It’s hard sometimes.” I reply, my eyes straying back to the girls. “This is why I don’t miss living with them.”

“How can you say that Mike?” Sam pouts. “After all the time we’ve spend bunking together, all we’ve been through in New York together?”

“Don’t you two miss it over there?” I ask. I know she’s kidding around.

“A beautiful beach a stones throw away and average seventy five degree temperatures all year round, why would we miss the city?” Jen smiles.

“You should be coming with us.” Ryan says, gulping down a mouthful of food. “Spend the fourth back in the big apple, I bet Charlie would be over the moon to see you two again.”

“We’ll have to catch up with her some other time.” Sam responds. “We have plans with some girls we’ve hooked up with over here this weekend.”

“And then we are going on vacation, don’t forget that Mikey.” Jen looks at me. “You can’t stay here when you come back next week.”

“Right.” I nod, remembering. “You did mention that the day before yesterday.”

Ryan looks at his watch. “Well, I have to go now.”

“You’ve hardly touched your dinner!” Jen complains.

“It’s delicious, Jen. Really it is, but I have to go and meet Elle now.” Ryan drinks some of his glass of water.

“I’ll see you later at the airport, right?” I check, watching him stand up.

“Sure thing!” He nods. “See you ladies, Rob.”

“Good luck, bud!” Rob calls, as Ryan heads for the front door.

*

I yawn feeling very bored and stretch out my arms, folding my fingers together behind my head. I’ve only been waiting on Ryan for about half an hour or so, but it feels like a lot longer than that. Things must have gone good with Elle.

I watch a couple of young women walk past, each pulling a brightly coloured suitcase. The blonde whispers something to her brunette companion and both girls giggle. They both look very excited. An airport cop strolls past them, his pace slow and steady. He is looking about the quiet airport concourse in a bored manner and checks his watch. He approaches the Starbuck’s counter and casually leans against it, conversing with the girl manning it.

Starbucks sounds good. I look down at the cold dregs in the cup on the empty chair next to me. I need a coffee. If Ryan doesn’t get here in the next five minutes I think I’m going to fall asleep.

Yawning again, I get to my feet and sling my bag over my shoulder, walking over to the Starbucks counter.

The girl is handing the cop a cup of coffee when I step up to the counter.

“Thanks, Sandra.” The cop gives the girl a smile. “See you later.”

The cop looks at me before he walks away.

“Hi, what can I get you?” She asks.

“Hi, can I have a black coffee to go please?” I reply and then look around for Ryan.

“Sure.” Sandra turns away and starts to fill a cardboard mug.

I catch sight of Ryan approaching and he nods at me.

“Here you go, sir.” Sandra sets the cup of coffee on the counter between us. “That’s three dollars please?”

I dig in my pocket and hand over the money.

“Hey! Hey!” Ryan comes up behind me and claps me on the back.

“How’d it go?” I respond, picking up my coffee and turn back to Sandra. “Thanks!”

“Hang on I’ll have the same as him please.” Ryan says to the girl.

“Okay.” She turns back to the coffee urn.

“I have had a brilliant night!” Ryan grins, sighing contentedly.

I notice that he has red lip shaped marks on his neck and start to laugh. “Yeah, I can see that.”

“What?” He questions.

“You’ve got lipstick here.” I touch my own neck where the marks are on his.

“Oh.” He rubs at his neck, a smile playing on his lips.

“Three dollars please?” Sandra says.

“Is it gone now?” Ryan questions.

“No.” I laugh, handing over the money for his coffee. Then I pick up his cup and we walk away from the Starbucks counter.

Ryan has a napkin he picked up off the counter and he spits into it, rubbing it against his neck.

“You take her out for a drink or to the movies?” I question.

“Neither. We went to Romhines.” He looks at the napkin and rubs his neck some more. “That’s why I hardly touched Jen’s bolognaise.”

“That new Italian place in South Beach? Classy!” I nod. “You made the right impression then?”

“Elle and I drank wine with our dinner and she couldn’t take her eyes off me.” He smirks. “She played footsie with me under the table all night too.”

“What was she wearing, did she look hot?” I take a sip of my coffee.

“She looked appropriate for the restaurant, but at the same time so sexy. He dress was figure hugging and had a deep v cut down the front of the chest. I think I spent too much of the night talking to her tits, but if she noticed she wasn’t offended.”

I laugh.

“Elle was smiling at me and playing with her hair and any excuse to reach across the table and touch me and she was.” Ryan grins, dropping the scrunched up napkin into a trash can and taking his coffee from me. “Thanks for this, by the way.”

“Anytime.”

“So did we miss the flight yet?” Ryan looks at his watch. “I was running a bit late.”

“They called it about ten minutes ago.” I reply.

We walk up to the security checkpoint, where there are a couple of other people going through ahead of us.

“So how’d you get the lipstick on your neck?” I question, grinning.

“I kissed her goodnight.” He smiles. “And then she kissed me.”

He has a far away look in his eyes and I know he’s back there on her doorstep, or wherever.

“Did she invite you in for coffee?” I question, dropping my bag on the conveyor belt.

“Mm hm.” Ryan grins. “But I told her I had a flight to catch.”

“I bet she was disappointed, huh?” I chuckle, turning out my pockets and leaving my change and keys and cell and watch in the tray. I take my sunglasses out of the neck of my t-shirt and drop them in too.

“Yeah, but I promised to call her. She wants me, Mike. It’s only a matter of time.”

I step through the metal detector just as I remember that I still have my belt on and it beeps a warning. Shit!

“Can you take a mouthful of that for me?” The security guard manning the checkpoint says, pointing at the cup in my hand.

I do as requested and he nods approval. Then I remove my belt and step through again.

“Okay, next.” The guard says.

“So what are you waiting for?” I laugh, putting my belt on again. “Is there a chance she’s really interested in you as relationship material?”

“Like I said earlier, I don’t want to just get off and then never hear from her again.” Ryan says, stepping through the metal detector. “I really like this girl, Mike.”

“I know.” I shove the things back into my pockets. “You have to introduce me to her sometime, Ry.”

“Okay.” The guard says to Ryan.

“There is real chemistry between us.” Ryan shoves his change and stuff back into his pockets. “This girl is going to be sensational when I get her between the sheets, I just know it.”

“Wow, well I’m happy for you bud.” I watch him pick up his bag and we head towards the departure gate.

“How’s things with you and Eve?” He questions, as my cell starts to ring.

I pull it out. “Speak of the devil.”

I flip it open awkwardly and put it to my ear. “Evie, what’s up?”

“Where are you Michael?” Eve slurs. “You should be here with me, making love to me and stuff.”

“Honey, I’m on my way to New York for the weekend. I thought you knew that. Are you okay?”

“No, I want you so much right now!” She sounds like she’s been drinking a lot.

“How is your night, apart from that?” I question.”Where have you been?”

“Are you checking up on me?” Eve asks. “Cause I don’t have to answer to you, Miller!”

I take a sip of coffee. “I’m only asking Evie!”

“So what have you been doing tonight?” She questions.

“None of your concern.” I reply, wondering if she will give the expected response to this.

“Is she giving you a hard time?” Ryan whispers.

I shake my head, smiling and whisper. “She’s had a few drinks.”

“Who are you with?” Eve questions. “Why are you being so secretive?”

“Ryan.” I reply.

“You’ve been cruising the clubs with him haven’t you?”

“No, he’s been on a date and I’ve been at Jen and Sam’s place.” I finish my coffee and drop it in the trash, as we walk past.

“You’d better behave this weekend, Mikey.” Eve warns me. “If you don’t you’re in big trouble Mr!”

“Yes ma’am!” I laugh. “Listen I have to go. I’ll see you later.”

“I’ll be thinking of you.”

I flip my cell shut and slip it back into my pocket. “She’s less volatile when she’s had a few.”

“I don’t envy you, Mike.” Ryan sighs, shaking his head.

We get to the gate and hand our tickets to the airline girl waiting there. She tears them in half and hands the other halves back to us.

Once seated on the plane my eyes start to feel heavy again. I fasten my safety belt and yawn.

Beside me Ryan also looks tired. “Did I tell you I’ve got us tickets to the Yankee game tomorrow?”

“Yep.” I lean back in my seat and shut my eyes. “I have to go home and check on Charlie before that, see how she’s doing.”

“You want me to come? In case Slack is there, I mean.”

“I can take care of that looser, but thanks.”

“Is Charlie at your place alone now that the girls have moved over here?”

“No, I told her she is free to let some of her friends move in if she wants. I don’t mind who, as long as they are trustworthy and make her feel safe.” I yawn.

I feel the plane begin to move and the stewardess’ voice comes over the tannoy. I don’t open my eyes to watch them go through the motions of the safety bit. I’ve seen it before. If you’ve seen it once, you’ve seen it a thousand times.

Beside me I hear Ryan yawn, as the plane trundles round towards the runway.

I hear the change in the tone of the engine noise as the pilot throws the plane into gear for take off and the jet surges forward at high speed. With the engines droning loudly, the plane lifts up into the night sky. By the time the cabin lights are lowered I can already feel myself being lulled to sleep.