“You’ve met someone? We’ve been here for three days, all of which you’ve been with us,” Charlotte informs him. Then, she turns to face me. “Did you know about this?”
I raise my hands in defeat. “No, I’ve been with you.”
“When did this happen?” Adriana butts in.
“If you must know, last night. After you guys left, Eric and I stayed for more drinks.”
The girls turn to look at Eric. Adriana is the first to open her mouth.
“You knew about this and never said anything?”
Eric lets out an annoyed huff. “There was never time.”
“You spoke to me and Adriana for the entire drive to Bondi Beach about your fear of bunions.” Charlotte deadpans, shaking her head. “Then you started discussing various foot fungal infections, including the one you once claimed you caught from this French guy who loved to swim in public pools.”
“Don’t blame him, okay?” Rocky says, keeping his expression blank. “I know what you guys are thinking, and I’m hoping you had the same reaction when Nikki told you she’s fucking some new banker guy.”
Adriana clears her throat. “She’s not fucking him, just seeing him.”
“Have you seen my wife?” Rocky argues back. “Sorry, ex-wife. She’s hot.”
This conversation is getting worse by the minute. Charlotte was right. Maybe this trip wasn’t the best idea.
“We have dinner reservations in less than ten minutes,” I inform everyone wishing to change subjects. “If you must talk, at least try to walk faster, please.”
Charlotte and Adriana remain quiet for the rest of the walk. By the time we reach the restaurant, we’re only a few minutes late.
It comes as no surprise the girls smash the wine. I have a glass myself, but judging by Charlotte’s intake, I’m going to have one drunk wife tonight. Just fucking great.
When it’s time for Rocky to leave, Charlotte is the first to say something.
“Have fun on your date. Make sure you use a condom,” she announces, too loudly that people glance at us.
“Yeah, you know what you catch from a stranger's pussy?” Adriana laughs, almost falling off her chair. “Crabs, for one.”
Eric cringes as he pushes the plate of food, which happens to be crab, into the middle of the table. “And there goes my appetite.”
Rocky doesn’t entertain them. He simply grins, then nods goodbye.
I glance over at Julian, who, just like me, now must deal with an intoxicated wife.
“I think we should head back to the hotel,” I suggest, then raise my hand to motion for the waiter to return with our bill.
The walk back to the hotel isn’t far, but the girls struggle to walk in a straight line, singing some Abba song I don’t care for. Charlotte resists going back to the room, wanting to drink with Adriana in the lobby. Given there’s a group of Aussie soccer players all drinking at the bar, it’s a hard no from me.
Back in the room, Charlotte lets out a huff as soon as the door closes.
“Well, you’re a party pooper.”
“Your karma will pay a visit tomorrow morning,” I remind her.
Just as she’s about to argue with me, her phone begins to ring. She glances at the caller ID, then bites her lips. “Uh, oh.”
“Who is it?”
She raises the phone, so I can read. Nikki’s name flashes on the screen.
“Answer it. It might be important since she’s with the girls.”