Last Christmas (Bound Together) (2 page)

“Hi Layla.”

Fuck
.

I threw my head back, ran my hands over my eyes and groaned. Of course she would call right now. This girl had some sick sixth sense about these things. She would always call or Skype with Amy and Mel whenever I was around. Or at least it seemed that way.

Amy gave me an apologetic smile and left the room with the phone in her hand. Nick handed me a beer. “Fuck dude. You’re not still hung up on that one are you? Don’t waste your time. Pussy is pussy and
you
, my friend, could get it in a gay bar.”

Mel threw an empty soda can at him, barely missing his head. He snapped his head round at her but she was giving him her ‘drop dead’ glare. “What the fuck? I was just being honest. I know she’s your best friend and shit but come on. She’s a bitch. I mean, who does that shit? He needs to get laid and he needs to forget about her. And I was only half serious about the gay bar.” He turned to face me and shook his head, making lewd gestures with his mouth and hand.

Another can came hurtling at him and this time, Mel didn’t miss. I burst out laughing as he held his hand on the back of his head.

“Asshole.”
One point to Mel.

They stared each other down for a while before finally returning their attention to the tv. Eric was fast asleep, huddled in the corner of the couch. I could hear Amy’s hushed tones from the other room. Had she told her I was here? Did she actually give a fuck? I let out a long breath and made my way to the kitchen to dump my empty beer bottle.

Amy stood by the sink with her back to me. “He got here a little while ago. I don’t know. He seems that way. I don’t think so but I don’t think he’d tell me if he was. I don’t know Layla.” Amy was getting frustrated at the line of questioning being shouted at her over the phone. She hung her head and let out an exasperated sigh.
Fuck this shit.

Striding over, I took the phone from her hand and held it tightly to my ear.

“If you have a question you want answering, why don’t you ask
me
!? You have my digits and you can call me your damn self. Maybe you could even
text
it to me. Happy Thanksgiving.”  I hung up and slammed the phone onto the counter. Amy stared at me mortified.

“I can’t believe you just did that. Ollie…” She seemed lost for words. I wasn’t. 

“If she has
so
much to say,
so
much she needs to know, then she knows where to find me. It’s not fair for her to put you and Mel in that position. End of discussion. Now, come have a Thanksgiving drink with me and forget about it. I missed you guys and I wanna have some fun while I’m here.” I gave her a reassuring hug and sighed.

“You sure you’re okay Ollie?” I smiled down at her as genuinely as I could. “Abso-fuckin-lutely.”
Liar
.

I wasn’t alright and after that call, I was as far from okay as humanly possible. This really sucked. Taking Amy by the hand, I pulled her with me into the living room. Mel and Nick had stopped fighting and were now laughing about one of the gigs they’d done at Benny’s the other night. I missed that. Being on stage with them was the best time of my life. I got to do it every now and then when I visited, but it wasn’t
nearly
enough. I also had dozens of new songs I was desperate to put together with them but there was never enough time to rehearse.

Amy sat herself on Mel’s lap and gave her a lingering kiss. Nick and Eric stared at them expectantly and I rolled my eyes before giving each of them a smack upside the head. “Hey, dude, it’s a free show. What am I supposed to do? I’m a man and that shit is hot.” Eric was such a pervert. Amy and Mel were our friends and they deserved some respect. “Shut up Eric. You’re a sleezeball. You know that? Roll your fucking tongue back into your mouth and get me a beer. In fact, while you’re at it, get one for the girls too. Least you can do asshole.” He nodded and handed the girls a beer each. They laughed at him and I shot them a wink.

Sitting back on the couch, I looked at my friends and smiled to myself. This was what life was about. Good friends, good beer and late night TiVo. Could my life be any better?
You know it could…
  Damn it Ollie. Stop doing this to yourself
.
Move on. I gave Nick a nudge. “You’re right.” He looked at me confused. “About me needing to get over her. You’re right. Let’s say we hit the bar tomorrow night? It’s open mic still right?” He nodded.

“Eric, lend me a guitar?” He nodded enthusiastically.

“And you girls can do a number with us too. It’ll rock. What do you say?” They all spoke simultaneously at me and I got the feeling it was a definite yes.  “Awesome.”

Picking up my beer, I held it in the air. “Happy Thanksgiving guys. I’m thankful for you great girls and I’m even thankful for you two assholes.” Raising their own drinks, they laughed and we soon fell into our old dynamic of talking, making fun of each other and laughing. It was good to be home.

Chapter 3

Changes

My head hurt and my vision was blurry as I lifted my head from the sticky leather couch. Running my fingers through my hair, I scanned my surroundings and then myself. Someone had undone my pants but not quite got them off and my t-shirt was on the floor. I shook my head and tried to sit up but I lacked the will or energy to do it. Falling back onto the cushions I winced as the sunlight poured through the window and onto my face. I dropped my hand to the floor and felt around for my shirt before grabbing it and dropping it on my face to block the light.  I heard footsteps and lifted the t-shirt from my face a little.

Standing in the kitchen doorway, wearing sweatpants and a tank top, was Amy. She was carrying a mug in her hand and I could smell the strong coffee coming from it. I heaved.

“Get this inside you rock star. You’ll feel better. You were hammered last night.” I grimaced as she handed me the scorching hot mug. “I wasn’t hammered. I was just a bit drunk. Mel started it.” Amy snorted a laugh.

“Yes and you just had to match her drink for drink. You know she was spitting the tequila back into a beer bottle right?” I snapped my head up at her. “That dirty cheat! I thought she was washing it back with a cool one.”

“Morning!” I glanced toward the bedroom and arched my eyebrow at Mel as she emerged looking fresh and considerably too happy for my liking. “You cheated me last night ginger pubes. I demand a rematch.” She chuckled and wrapped her arms around Amy’s neck, kissing her cheek.

“You think you can handle it in your state spunk punk?” I would have hit her back with a witty remark or insult but my head hurt too much. She won this round. She gave me a victorious grin and snagged my mug from me.

“Hey!”

She continued to grin at me. “You don’t wanna drink this shit. Let’s go to Long Beach, pick up the guys and have one at Lorraine’s.” I stared at her in disbelief. She was kidding right?

“Don’t give me that look Green. They make the best coffee and she’s definitely not going to be there. I’ll drive us all or you can take the beast you call your baby.” I shot her a squinty eyed glare. “Call me what you like but never insult the monster.” She laughed and headed for the bedroom. “Ready to go in an hour rock star.” I gave Amy a pleading look.

“I’m not going Amy. Why the hell would I want to spend money in that place? We both know where it goes and he’s not getting a damn cent from me. He’s taken more than enough from me. I’m not going.” She placed her hand on mine and sighed deeply.

“Ollie, I get it. I do. But you can’t keep carrying around this resentment. It’s not healthy. Just have one cup. I’ll pay and then, technically, you haven’t given him a thing. Please?”

She was giving me that look she always did when she wanted something. It’s all puppies, lost little girl and heartstring pulling. I rolled my eyes and we both knew she’d get her way.

“Alright. Fine. But one cup. I’m only doing this for you. No other reason okay?” She nodded and hugged me tightly. I had a feeling this was going to be a painful experience but I was a glutton for punishment.

****

The coffee shop was pretty empty and I was glad. I didn’t want to be there and I would have given anything for the ground to open and swallow me whole. The guys and girls were throwing ideas around for our set list at Benny’s but I couldn’t focus on music. My head was spinning with all the thoughts that Lorraine’s possessed for me. I’d walked her here; I’d brought her coffee from here on her birthday. Hell, I’d even followed her here that day she had a fight with Amy. I really had played the chump.

I glanced up from my cup and met the gaze of a familiar face. The girl behind the counter gave me a shy wave and I looked around to make sure it definitely was me she was gesturing to. Yep, she was looking right at me.
I know her. Where the fuck do I know this chick from?
She waved me over and glancing back at my friends, I shrugged and made my way over. She beamed at me as I approached. “Uh, hi.”
Oh real smooth Ollie, dude. Really, the most outstanding line ever.
I wasn’t picking her up. I was making polite conversation but still, I must have looked like an idiot. “Ollie right? We met at Layla’s birthday party?” My brain was scanning through that entire evening and it was gut twistingly painful. But I did remember her.
Kitty, Kathy, Kimberly…Kate!

“It’s Kate right?” She nodded and bit down on her lip. It immediately reminded me of Layla. It was her go to move when she was anxious, nervous or excited. Running my fingers through my hair, I banished the thoughts from my mind. Kate leaned forward on the counter, resting her elbows on the top.

“So you live in Utah right? I remember Layla telling me you were moving there. What are you doing down this way?” I winced. Didn’t she know I did
not
want to talk about Layla? I mean, Christ! The girl ripped my heart out and plunged a heel through it as she stamped out every last beat.

She must have seen the look on my face and realized her mistake because she was soon back tracking, stumbling over her words and apologizing profusely.

“I am so sorry. You must think I’m an idiot. Well, evidently I am. Of course he doesn’t wanna talk about Layla Kate.
Real
sensitive.” A chuckle escaped me and she visibly relaxed.

“It’s okay. Forget about it. Yes, I do live in Utah but I’m visiting my friends for the holidays.” I pointed to our table where my friends were laughing loudly. Kate blushed and smiled. She was kind of cute when she blushed like that.

“Well, it was good to see you again. Happy holidays Ollie.” She turned around and began sorting cups on the stand behind her and I was certain I heard her cursing. I stifled a laugh. She was embarrassed, shy and coy all of a sudden. She was nothing like I remembered at the party.
Maybe she’s into you?
Great theory. Only one way to test it. I cleared my throat loudly and she spun around to face me. I smiled at her. “So, the guys and I are going to be at Benny’s tonight. It’s open mic night but we kinda have a spot every week. Well, they do. I don’t so much anymore but I’ll be there tonight. Wanna join us?”

She thought for a moment before grinning and nodding here head. “Sure. That sounds awesome. I don’t have to sing though right? Because believe me,
no one
deserves to be subjected to that.” I smiled and ran my fingers through my hair. She was staring at me and still biting that lip.
Don’t think about it dude. Forget her. This girl is totally checking you out. Focus!

“So meet us there around eight?” She nodded enthusiastically and grinned. She was real cute right now and those green eyes of hers were fixed on my lips.

“You like the piercing huh?” She darted her eyes away and flushed. Oh this was fun. Pressing her fingers to her eyes, she tried to cover her embarrassed face. She tried to recover quickly. “Um, yeah, they’re just so…interesting. You know? Did it hurt?” I shrugged.

“Not really. But then again, I’m pretty bad ass with pain. See.” I turned to show her my snake and she hitched a breath. “Wow. That is awesome. I’m too chicken to get one. I’ve seen so many I like and I even almost went through with it once. They guy sat me down; pulled out the machine and the moment I saw that needle…I was out. I bolted so fast my sneakers were smoking.” I laughed. Girl has a sense of humor too. One more point to Kate.

“They’re a little scary but they don’t hurt. I think you could handle it. You seem like a tough chick.”

I winked at her and her blush deepened from a pink flush to fire hydrant red instantly.  “I’m a huge wuss when it comes to pain.”

I gave her a half smile and reached across the counter, placing my hand on hers. “I tell you what; I’ll make you a deal. I’m getting some new ink tomorrow. A friend of mine is an artist.  Come with me, check it out and if you think you can take it, I’ll hold your hand all the way through and even fan you if you pass out.” She gazed at me, shocked maybe?

“You would do that for me?”

I shrugged.

“Sure. I think, if you actually saw what it’s like, you wouldn’t be scared anymore. No point being afraid of what you don’t know or understand. What were you thinking of getting anyway?”

“I don’t know. I thought a butterfly maybe.” I rolled my eyes and removed my hand from hers. Total chick ink.