CALLI
By some miracle, I’d managed to pull myself together enough by the time Stella appeared in my basement that she didn’t immediately question me.
She just assumed I was pale as fuck because of my hangover, and for the first time since I woke to that shitshow, I was happy about it.
Happy, and tinged with a heap load of guilt and a fuck ton of fear.
My hands continue to tremble in my lap as the five of us sit around the pool at Mum’s spa on the loungers.
Mum, Iris, and Clio are all having treatments—not that they’ve chosen to actually spend any time with us.
I got one hell of a death glare when I arrived—late—with Stella. Obviously, she’s not over my dress of choice and lack of respect for her wishes last night yet. Something I am more than okay with.
I don’t have the headspace or the energy to deal with her bullshit right now. I’m too busy silently freaking out while the girls talk to me about tonight’s party.
It’s nothing big, although not as small as last night’s intimate dinner. It’s just basically a way for Mum to swan around, showing off whatever ludicrously expensive jewellery my father will have bought her for her birthday while telling anyone who will listen who she is wearing and how rare the design is.
I’ve seen it time and time again, and it never gets any easier to swallow.
I have no idea how my dad puts up with it.
A groan rips through the air as I watch this evening play out so vividly in my mind, and I don’t realise it came from me until the burning stare of everyone around me makes my skin prickle.
“Everything okay?” Emmie asks.
“Yeah.” Somehow, my voice comes out steady, instead of the shaky, emotional mess I was expecting. “I’m just thinking about what tonight might hold.”
“Sounds like it should be a fun night,” Bri chips in. She’s the only one here who’s been lucky enough not to have an invite for tonight.
If only I could switch places with her.
“You should just come,” Jodie says, and the way Bri glares at her in return makes me think it’s not the first time she’s tried.
“Give it a rest, Jojo,” Bri sighs. “I’ve already told you, I’ve got plans tonight. And I do not intend to let this fresh wax go to waste.” She points at her crotch and Jodie groans.
“Your date is a lucky guy,” Stella chips in. “Lexi is a miracle worker with a wax strip. He’s gonna have the time of his life down there.”
“A-fucking-men to that, sista,” Bri cries, lifting her hand to high-five Stella.
“Any news on Sara today?” Emmie asks, changing the subject.
“She’s had a good week. She’s progressing again. They’re hoping to try and wake her up next week if things stay the same.”
“That’s good, right?” Emmie asks when Jodie looks less than excited about the prospect.
“I hope so. I’m just scared of how she’s going to adjust to her new reality.”
“One step at a time,” Stella says softly. “And she’ll have you and Jesse there every step of the way. And who knows, it might end up being the making of her. Often people find the best of themselves in the shittiest situations.”
Jodie sighs as my stomach knots once more, Stella’s words hitting a little too close to home.
“Cal, you okay?” Emmie asks, her eyes narrowing in suspicion.
“Yeah,” I say, swallowing down my unease.
“You really are suffering today, huh? Maybe you should take it slow tonight,” Bri suggests like the mother hen of the group.
Trust me, I’ll be taking it slower than slow.