“You’re right. He’s a bit of a slut”.
“Hey! No slut-shaming here. Law likes to play the field. I respect that. It’s not his fault he has a big appetite. I don’t think he promises them anything other than fun. If he does, then yes, he deserves the wrath, but I think that’s why it’s just the old man that wants to torture him. I think most of the women bidding were hoping for a piece of the good time.”
We sit for a little longer. Both of us stop taking sips. Our popcorn ran out when we stopped listing all of the out-of-towners we didn’t recognize.
“Nope.” G just looks up at the sky again.
“I didn’t say anything.”
“You were going to, and I’ll say this once and only here. Your night ended up being a bit of a mess, and I’m taking pity on you, but if you ask me again, I won’t get into it. Deal?”
I nod.
But then she continues. “I saw the wildebeest in the bathroom earlier. The redheaded dickbag was talking to her minions about how she was going to get Henry back after she won the bid tonight. I remember what he was like after her, Ev. It wasn’t good. As much as I hate him. And I do. I fucking hate that smug meathead. I won’t allow her to come back into his life and destroy him again. No one deserves that woman. Even my worst enemy, apparently.”
I just stare at my friend. She’s trying hard to mask it, but I see it. She cares about him. More than I bet she even realizes. The thing I learned about her a long time ago was to let her talk to you about it, never approach her. She’ll spook and never speak of it again. So instead of letting on, I just smile at her and appreciate that she saved Henry from some destruction at the hand of the worst human on the planet.
“Not to mention, if anyone is going to make him miserable for a full twenty-four hours, it’s going to be me. That fucker has no idea what he’s in for!”
We shuffle inside and both decide to head home, even though the sun is starting to peek through the horizon line. I want to curl up in my bed, sleep the last day away, and figure out my next move from there.
When I finally make it home and wrap myself in my cozy bed, I toss and turn for hours. It feels empty and things feel so uneasy. I’m craving Jack’s arms. I send him one more text before I fall asleep and hope I hear back once I wake up.