Page 7 of Just Joshing
"Yeasssh." He nodded, smiling tipsily. "Itsh okay. We were young. Now we’re not."
"But it’s not true." I protested. "I wanted to. I am interested! I do want to!"
He blinked at me. "But… Besh said-"
"She lied!" I pushed up from the booth, slapping my palms on the table top. "I want to! I love-"
Pete vomited. The technicolor drinks he’d consumed painted the table, the booth, and my torso.
I gagged while Pete slummed back in the booth, staring at me in horrified fascination.
"Schhhit." He drawled, rubbing a hand over his mouth. "Schorry."
I looked at him, then down to my vomit covered white top then back up. "I think I should get you home."
"Oh my gawd! Petey, are you okay?" Bess appeared, helping him from his seat.
"Yesch," He slurred, "But Molly is-"
"Disgusting!" Bess wrinkled her nose. "I thought you said you weren’t drinking."
"I didn’t. It’s Pete’s." I replied, attempting to ignore the squelch of my sandals.
"Molly! Will you love me tomorrow?" Pete asked, arm snaking out to draw me in.
"Of course." I said, hand wrapping around his back to help move him along. Bess trailed, gathering our things and flagging our other friends.
"Will you go out with me, Molly McGee?" He said, calling me my nickname from childhood.
"Always Petey Piper." I replied, smiling over at him. "All you had to do was ask."
I’d gotten them all back to the hotel, cleaned myself up, then returned to the lounge room. Standing in the doorway, I’d taken one look at the scene and left, heartbroken. I’d spent the rest of the night lying in bed listening to Pete and Bess fuck while I cried myself to sleep.
Best vacay ever…
"Answer me, Molly!" Josh demanded, his voice drawing the eyes of those around us.
"Cancun, spring break, junior year." I whispered, shooting smiles at the on-lookers. They waited and when we didn’t feed them further, looked away returning to their gossip.
He stared at me. I vehemently ignored his force-like pull.
"They were on a break." He frowned, starting to piece it together.
"He vomited on me, asked me out then fucked her all night." I replied, smile still in place, looking anywhere but him. "They got back together. He doesn’t remember asking me out."
Josh swore under his breath. "But she does?"
"Of course." I paused to look over my shoulder at him. "And later admitted she only hooked up with him so I didn’t."
I watched the shock cross his face.
"But Josh," I placed a hand on his arm. "It doesn't matter. Anything I once felt for your brother is gone. I'll love them both as dear friends, but I'm not in love with them. Either of them." I forced an ironic smile. "I'm jealous of their relationship. They have someone to come home to. They have a partner." I chuckled, "I don't even have a goldfish." I nodded towards the dance floor. "Let's just drink and be merry for them, okay?"
He stared at me for a long moment, his dark eyes raking my face, searching for… reassurance? Truth?
Finally, he nodded, settling back next to me on the table.
We were silent for a long moment while the party flowed about us.
